We left via Blu-Express, a small Italian airline that departs out of Fiumicino (Leonardo Da Vinci Airport). We took the metro and then the train out to the airport. Incredibly, we departed on time. For more info on flying Blu-Express, see our link on low-budget airlines!

The flight was great, in a new plane, and we landed in Nice only to discover we had to travel from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 to pick up our rental car. While that does not seem like too far a journey we stopped at EVERY parking garage! Also, I , and many other passengers, were trapped by an American couple with six huge suitcases and three carry-on’s. Heaven knows what they were doing with all that luggage! Finally, we arrived at Europcar and the line to pick-up your car was wrapped outside and down the sidewalk. Fortunately, we had a voucher through Auto Europe and were able to “skip the line!” We quickly jumped in our Peugeot 207 and “roared” out of the parking lot. (Zero to sixty is just under 5 minutes).

Our first stop was lunch on our way to Monaco. We stopped at a small cafe in some out-of-the-way village and had a delightful meal. Regional salads spiced with warm goat cheese and French bread. A great way to start our trip! Then… Monaco!

If you’ve never been to Monte Carlo, you have to go once! We stayed at a wonderful hotel on the outskirts of town called the Vista Palace Hotel. It’s perched on a cliff overlooking the city of Monte Carlo. Incredible views and great service. The pool overlooks the city and the bay. We spent our time gazing out at the many “yachts” coming into the harbor. We rode the hotel shuttle (FREE!) into town and spent the evening wandering the boardwalk, dining, and of course, playing the casinos!

The most incredible views in town were of the many cars. Name an expensive car and we saw it! They were everywhere. Who cares about the yachts? The cars were far more “realistic” to me, although still unattainable!

After Monaco, it was all downhill… okay, not really! (I did have a great time there!). We traveled “down the hill” towards Provence. Our first stop after Monaco was Cannes. It was not what we expected driving into town (the outskirts looked like an American small town with strip malls and many car lots???) but once we got downtown it was quite beautiful.

Unfortunately, we could not find a place to park… so heading down by the waterfront I saw a parking space on the opposite side of the road and looking quickly (okay, too quickly) , I did a quick U-turn to head back and grab it! Unfortunately, I cut off two guys on motorcycles… oh, two Cannes police officers on motorcycles. They of course stopped me, and spoke in rapid French. I did my best “I’m a lost American” impression and they either thought I was too stupid or felt sorry for me as they lectured me then let me go – kudos for Franco-American relations! I hustled down to my parking spot only to find a Bentley trying to fit into it – poetic justic is served!

We took our picture at the Cannes harbor and theater, had an interesting quick lunch and then headed back on the road to Avignon!

In Avignon we stayed at the Avignon Grand Hôtel. All right, it was not as “nice” as the hotel in Monaco but it was huge – a suite arrangement. It was also convenient to the downtown area, just outside the city walls. Finding parking there was a challenge- one night we were in the train station garage and the next we figured out the private garage connected to the hotel (the BETTER way to go!).

We traveled all over Provence from Avignon, taking advantage of our unlimited mileage. We drove, ate, drove, shopped, drove more, saw some sites, shopped, shopped, shopped…. oops, did I mention my wife loves to shop!

Aqueduct Provence

Next stop, Arles. Okay, this was a challenge. Driving there was easy but my Garmin GPS almost overheated as we tried to find our hotel which as located inside the city walls. The mantra, “Recalculating” is still playing in my head. After trying different entry points we finally gave up, parked the car, set the GPS to “pedestrian” mode, and walked to our hotel – which was only three blocks away. Modern technology loses out to the street sign!

We stayed at The Hotel Amphitheater with 28 rooms. we were on the top floor and there was no elevator. The stairs wound around in a circular fashion. Fortunately we only had to carry the luggage up one time! The hotel was quaint, had free internet (I was HAPPY!) and had an incredible location – ONCE YOU FOUND IT!

Arles was small and NOT much happening there…. but quite beautiful. We visited the Van Gogh sites, ate at the Cafe du Nuit (okay it was touristy but we figured why not?), and admired the Amphitheater and other Roman ruins.

We took a few side trips. We journeyed to Les Baux-en-Provence and saw the impressive Cathedral d’Images which was featuring a Picasso viewing. The combination of the music, the images, and being INSIDE a mountain was incredible.

We also spent a day in Aix-en-Provence, a larger vibrant city. We enjoyed the markets here and the upbeat “pace.” For us, our next trip will include stays here overnight rather than Arles… just more to do! And plenty of shopping!

Some of our best memories in Provence were just drivin through the countryside and seeing beautiful and interesting sites! Here’s a few shots of some of the “sites” you don’t read about in the guidebooks! We hope you enjoy Provence as much as we did!

Leaving Rome early Saturday AM we battled the “holiday” traffic heading out of town. With the Anniversary of the Republic on June 2, most folks here are taking a four-day weekend. We hurried down A1, bypassing Naples and heading into “downtown” Sorrento. Because I misplaced my US drivers license, I was a nervous passenger as my wife barreled through Sorrento. I spent most of my time hanging on… or folding in my side-view mirror… hard to do when you’re trying not to look at the road.

Driving the Amalfi Coast is always a challenge… and we were in an oversized American car (a Honda Element) … and I was not “in control” … so it was an even more exciting trip! Above and below are pictures of driving the highway near Sorrento…

Using a GPS we zeroed in on our objective, a small hotel and spa located on the other side of Sorrento.

We had a weekend planned at the Francischiello Hotel & Spa Bellavista, located at Via Partenope 26, in Massa Lubrense. (Click here for the Tripadvisor description). We were looking for a place to just crash and spend the weekend… as we’ve been to the Sorrento area previously. The Francischiello Hotel & Spa Bellavista fit the bill perfectly!

The hotel is a family-run organization. It was clean and modern with GREAT views of Capri. Make sure you DO get an view of the Sea. The island of Capri is just outside your window! There is bus service into town, about 10 minutes, but we just wanted somewhere to sit and soak up the sun – with the rooftop pool and accompanying view, this hotel fit the bill for us. Our room was €109 for each night … in season! The rooms have AC, minibar, TV, and a safe. Very comfortable (although the bed was FIRM!).

We did eat in the restaurant – which was good. A little noisy, but all GOOD family Italian restaurants always seem to be loud! Breakfast was a free and consisted of a typical cold, Italian meal. The coffee and juice were wonderful. The waiters do speak English and the service is as better than many trattoria we eat at here in Rome. The menu is extensive with a focus on fresh fish. We ate a four-course meal for under €90 combined – that includes wine!

As it was my wife’s birthday she did enjoy the health spa. It is new, and although small, very well-done. It has an indoor pool/spa , beauty salon, sauna , and some limited gym equipment.

Just outside the Spa is a large, covered area used for wedding, meetings, and get-together’s. Above is the view from the 3rd floor meeting area looking towards Capri.

The rooftop pool was great – and included a bar. The water was COLD but felt great in the afternoon sun. We stayed until the sun started to set then showered and headed to dinner on-site.

Be forewarned – If you’re looking to stay IN Sorrento, this hotel is not for you. It is about 10-15 minutes outside the downtown area. It is accessible by local bus which comes about every 45-60 minutes. You DO NOT want to try and walk into Sorrento on the road. There are no sidewalks and it is very narrow. Free Parking is available, but limited. We parked our huge American car in front of the restaurant, alongside the road. For us, this worked out GREAT. The hotel IS NOT near a beach so you will have to travel downhill to find one… and of course, then come back uphill! So if you;re looking for a getaway – this is the spot. If you’re looking for beach front in Sorrento… then this IS NOT your spot! In addition, you are sitting directly on the road. For us, living in Rome, this was NO ISSUE. But for folks unaccustomed to motorini rolling by this could be a negative.

The staff was great – very helpful and attentive. The husband and wife team that run the hotel speak English and were very accommodating. (She is expecting in July – Congrats!). The family was present in the hotel but were not a distraction as you see in other family run hotels in Italy. We’d certainly go back again!