Five years ago, we took our first Viking river cruise on the Rhine River and so enjoyed that first experience. We were hosted by Viking then and had another cruise scheduled for 2020 and we all know what happened that year to derail travel. Fast forward to 2024 and Viking again hosted us on the Rhone River cruise in France, a spectacular trip that was as equal to the first one. Viking did not put any requirements on what I write to do this cruise and I hope I do them justice as they are a top notch river cruise line and I would highly recommend the company for their attention to detail and organization of the cruises and excursions.
This year, we decided to add on a pre-excursion to Nice, France, where we began our journey. We spent three nights in Nice and then took a bus to Avignon where we boarded the Viking Buri for 7 nights cruise up the Rhone River, ending in Lyon, France. What a trip it was! I’ve got so many gorgeous pictures to share with you, so I hope you’ll indulge me a little over-sharing the next few weeks. There’s no way to cram it all in a couple of posts, so I will space them out.
Full Disclosure: This trip was hosted by Viking Cruise lines and they comped our cruise (for Mark and me). We did, however, pay for our pre-excursion to Nice and also paid for Mark’s air fare and incidentals. It was such a fantastic experience and I can’t recommend Viking enough. This cruise was highly anticipated by us and did not disappoint in any way. We were so fortunate to be offered this opportunity and we are grateful for it. One reason we like Viking and other group travel tours is because as seniors, we don’t want to have to figure out all the logistics of a European adventure. It’s much more calming to have it all planned for you and all you have to do it show up.
Nice
I think there were around 40 of us who started in Nice as the pre-excursion to the Viking Rhone river cruise in France. It was a wonderful place to begin this adventure of a lifetime.
We flew overnight and arrived in Nice, France early the next morning. Flying like this will definitely throw your body for a loop and you’ll be completely exhausted when you arrive, but the best thing is to just keep pushing and moving forward and eventually you acclimate to the new time zone. When we got into our hotel room that day, it was mid-afternoon and we did take a 2 hour nap before heading out to see more of Nice on foot and to grab dinner out.
Viking had all of us on the pre-excursion staying at the Hyatt Regency on the waterfront in Nice and it was a beautiful hotel. The amenities were outstanding, with breakfast included in a gorgeous atrium setting every morning.
This is the upper level of the atrium with sunshine pouring in and a beautiful view of the water. Can you imagine this view every day? It was stunning! Of course, this area was the coveted breakfast spot and we didn’t get it every day, but at least once.
Looking out the open windows to the water. I’d never tire of this view!
And here’s a shot of the inside of the atrium with pool area. I didn’t get pics of all the food, but it was amazing. Fresh breads, pastries, eggs, bacon, sausage, meats, cheeses, fresh fruit and an omelette station. I’d recommend the Hyatt while in Nice for sure, it was gorgeous.
Here’s a shot of the Art Deco exterior at night. Of course, Mark loved this.
Our room was very plush and comfortable with a balcony with lounger and chair to sit on and this was our view. We did lounge out here a few times and it was so nice.
Walking along the water front promenade was a fun experience. You can tell the people of Nice enjoy the outdoors and walking, riding bikes, etc. It was a busy avenue and right next to the water was for pedestrians only with the traffic lanes to the inside.
We headed out of our hotel to take a look around and were directed a few blocks away to a main avenue with shops and restaurants. We so enjoyed exploring that first day and getting a taste of the country.
There was a bakery just down the street and I had my eye on one of these sandwiches, a basic French bread sandwich with ham and cheese. This one had lettuce and tomato too and was delicious for lunch.
I’m so fascinated by the charm of Europe and Nice reminded me so much of Italy, with all the outdoor cafes with bistro chairs, plenty of pizza restaurants, and lots of gelato. I wasn’t expecting all the gelato, but there it was so we had it every day we were in Nice.
It’s so much fun to dine outdoors like this. We need more of this lifestyle in the states. Of course, we don’t always have the rustic and charming buildings they do as a backdrop. It’s just amazing, I love the entire ambience.
We spotted this cafe and came back here for dinner that night. It was delicious for our first real meal in France.
I went inside to use the ladies room and this was the up the stairs view. Gorgeous!
Weary and tired from traveling, but we were still smiling.
We had a walking tour the next full day in Nice and also a bus tour which took us to the top of a hill for a panoramic view of Nice and wow, was it gorgeous. It’s everything you think of when you hear the French Riveria. We had beautiful weather while in Nice with temps in the mid-70’s. Perfect!
The views were outstanding here.
Looking back towards Nice.
Of course, I had to take plenty of selfies of us. I don’t ever want to forget these moments in time.
Breathtakingly beautiful.
Us again!
It’s like a dream when you visit a place like France.
Along the pedestrian promenade.
Everywhere we looked was beauty so I took lots of window and doors pics.
This is a Russian church in Nice.
The architecture in Europe is just so stunning, I would never tire of this either.
Even the streets are charming and the colored buildings add to that.
Ahh, gelato there you are again. We ate our fill of Amereno cherry. Mark got me started on that one. I do love Stracciatella too. I ate that while in Italy many years ago when I first visited and discovered gelato.
Again, the charming outdoor cafes are so inviting. No wonder I love bistro chairs!
Our walking tour took us to old town Nice and we meandered the streets as our guide told us history and facts about the city. Viking does a great job with their tour guides. We all wear those listening devices around our necks with ear pieces so we can hear what the guides are saying. This continues when you get on the longship as well.
The squares in France were equally as beautiful as Italy. They really know how to slow down an savor the moments.
These streets just beckon exploration.
Colors are so vibrant on the Mediterranean coast.
And in France, macaroons are too. We had a few of these, but honestly gelato has my heart.
A shop display along the way.
So many restaurants and shops to take in. We barely made a dent, but it sure was fun.
I was texting my sister and Lauren and Lauren urged me to try a crepe, so we stopped in a little crepe shop and I got a salted caramel crepe. It was delicious! Mark passed on this one.
I noticed lots of carousels in France and they were so pretty.
Lots of statues and memorials too, always beautiful.
We went back to one of the restaurants the guide recommended for and early dinner and it was delicious. I got a nicoise salad (while in Nice!) and it was so good.
Along with fresh pasta and mussels. So good!
Mark got a shrimp dish and we both were happy.
Our guide told us these was art by a local artist (I think). It’s a blue chair that from a distance looks 3D, but in reality its flat.
Sunset in front of the Hyatt.
After dinner gelato.
I think it was the second night after being out on an excursion, we went back to the long strip of shops and restaurants and decided on pizza. I didn’t know pizza was so prevalent in France either, but it was delicious.
You can tell them what you want on it and they will make it to order. We got the margherita pizza with olives and mushrooms and it was out of this world. So good!
Such a happy spot when the sun goes down.Watching all the people walking along and eating out and enjoying life was nice.
I’d love to eat dinner outdoors like this every night, wouldn’t you?
Yes, I did love Nice!
It was especially beautiful at night.
More selfies and then it was sleep for us!
Antibes
On one of our days in Nice, we took a bus tour to Antibes and then on to Cannes for lunch. What a treat that was! About 20 minutes away from Nice is the adorable, quaint and beautiful town of Antibes. I loved it so much. I had heard of Antibes in passing, but really perked up when I saw we were visiting here because one of my blog friends, Brittany from Addison’s Wonderland just bought a house here and is putting her stamp on it. If you don’t follow her, she has an amazing blog, with beautiful colorful designs and she travels a lot with her hubby, John. They have been working on the kitchen there over the summer and I watched her on Instagram with all the updates. After I saw she had bought a house here, I was extra interested in seeing this town. It does not disappoint!
There’s a harbor full of beautiful boats in Antibes.
Along with a ferris wheel.
Of course, we had to take more selfies in this beautiful place.
Fresh fish along the way.
It’s an old walled city, so has a really great vibe of Old World Europe.
We didn’t have a lot of time in Antibes, but I sure loved what we saw.
I can see why someone would want to live here and enjoy the climate and beauty of France.
How about that carved door?
Gorgeous, right?!
Mark in front of a knife shop. He can’t travel with his pocket knife, so I guess he was curious about this shop.
This was melamine dishes, but they were beautiful in an olive pattern. So Mediterranean!
There was a cute outdoor market going on while we were there, so I looked for something I could fit in my luggage to bring back. I found these vintage French prints ($70 Euros for both, not a bargain, but a fun momento) and brought them home. I’ll add them to my gallery wall in the living room to remember our trip.
The town is big enough to be busy and draws tourists, but nothing like the bigger cities.
I would love to hang here for a few days.
They decorate for fall too!
Cannes
Next stop was Cannes. We were in a group tour bus and wound our way along the coast line to Cannes, which was also very pretty. Of course, Cannes is known as the playground of the rich and famous and the film festival held there each year.
It was a gorgeous drive along the coast, picture perfect blue skies and water.
We were only there for a short visit and lunch, but the guide pointed out this mural on the building that depicts the film festival. Lots of famous old movie stars are shown.
We had fun walking around and seeing some shops and really enjoyed the lunch.
I should have made a note about this restaurant. It was charming and they had everything ready for us to enjoy lunch.
It had a great vibe to it.
Caprese salad to start.
And a fish dish for lunch, so good and tasty.
I couldn’t get enough of the blue shutters all over France. All shades of blues and greens were prevalent and I took so many pics of them. We were thoroughly entranced by Nice and especially Antibes. I would definitely go back there given the chance. The French Riviera is as beautiful and I thought it would be!
I’ll be back with the start to the Viking Rhone river cruise next week. I couldn’t leave this part of the trip out. The pre-excursion to Nice was delightful and everything I hoped it would be!
Related
Don’t Miss a Post, join my list!
