We spent most of last month in La Turbie, a small village in near Monaco and Nice. As many of you know, we have been staying in places for longer periods of time so we can get to know an area and because many paces offer discounts for prolonged stays – sometimes up to 50%. This month flew by quickly and I didn’t have the opportunity or energy to write about some of our individual adventures. So, in this post I will attempt to summarize some of the month’s highlights.
La Turbie
Besides being a fun name for my niece to say, la Turbie also has a few unique attractions. For example, it is home to a roman monument, the Trophy of Augustus commissioned by Augustus when the area was ruled by the Romans. In more recent times, it has been featured in a number of Hollywood chase scenes. We took the opportunity to watch Ronin and To Catch a Thief.
We also had our own celebrity sighting in La Turbie when we spotted another Swiss Shepherd. We then found out that I followed her on Instagram – which I think makes us the paw-parazzi!
There was a large park area with walking paths that looked down on Monaco. We used this area to set up our portable gym while Züri searched for sticks. In the picture of Monaco below, check out the size of the largest yacht in the harbor. It might not seem big at first glance, until you notice that it appears larger than every other boat, the nearby buildings, and the freighters behind it! It has TWO helicopter pads! And when we didn’t feel like being active, we could watch others – in the form of the Paris-Nice bike race that sped right through town.
Surrounding Areas
The narrow winding roads in this area offer beautiful views of the Mediterranean. They are known as the home of car races and the site of Princess Grace’s fatal car accident. Almost any drive will lead to a discovery of a new town, park, or hidden viewpoint.
When we arrived in France, I was still using crutches for my broken ankle. As my “rehabilitation” walks to the bakery built strength and confidence, I was able to increase my independence and complete several short bike rides. The rides provided a great way to get outside and see the area. One of the rides we completed a few times was reportedly a famous Lance Armstrong training ride (though I think he came down the way we came up). He most definitely climbed it faster than I descended!
One great discovery was a park recommended by our new dog friend Orha. It offered open space and panoramic views of Nice and Monaco.
Nice
We completed several day trips to Monaco. Some of our favorite finds in old town were la Maison Auer chocolate shop, Cafés Indien coffee shop and roaster, and A L’Oliver for olive oil. Züri’s favorite destination was Promenade du Paillon with plenty of green space and a large fountain that intermittently sprayed water. It seemed to entertain dogs, children and grown men equally.
Monaco
We were located approximately 2 miles by foot, but 6 miles by car given the rocky, windy terrain. We didn’t go inside the casinos or any of the ultra-fancy shops. We often attribute these itinerary choices to traveling with Züri, but then I am reminded that we were here before without a furry companion and made similar decisions. We would much rather enjoy a stroll through town and endless people watching (and yacht watching) over shopping.
Grieving and Gratitude
Unfortunately, March also brought significant loss. I was heartbroken to learn that one of my old roommates died from suicide. She was one of the most kind and sincere people I have ever met. She was smart, funny, charismatic, committed. She loved so deeply, always seeing the good in others and bringing out their best qualities. She had the most genuine smile, making those around her feel cared for and comforted simply by her presence. Her sister’s eulogy beautifully describes how she touched so many.
Her sudden loss is a reminder that others carry pain and suffering that is not always visible. And that, all too often, we don’t give mental health the respect it deserves. Nobody should have to feel such intense pain. And nobody should be robbed of a loved one in this way. At an individual level, I hope that we can each strive to show compassion and love to others, both when we know they need it and when it does not seem obvious.
On the other side of the emotional spectrum was the joy of meeting my newest niece. We drove from France to Switzerland to meet her when she was three weeks old. We completely enjoyed seeing my brother and sister-in-law, meeting our precious new niece, and watching our other niece embrace the role of a loving big sister. Being able to get in a car, rather than a plane, to create these memories reinforced our decision to travel in Europe. What a gift!
