I was fortunate to spend Christmas and New Year in the south of France visiting my family. It was wonderful to get away from the stresses of work and relax a bit. We spent our days taking long walks on the water, eating great food and reconnecting. The area offers such great vistas and fresh food. We tried to stay close to the water and savor nature and great cuisine.

Nice has seen a real resurgence as once just a sunny city for retirees it has taken on a new dynamic persona with young chefs opening new restaurants, more spaces dedicated to bikes and walking and a whole new cooler vibe.

I adore the beach front restaurants because you are right on the water where you can hear the water hit the shore and take in the sunshine. One of my favorite dinning venues is Le Galet a wonderful restaurant and beach club that serves great Italian food.

I was lucky that the weather was wonderful and with the sun shining on my shoulders it was an exquisite venue to have a late lunch. If lunch is not your forte there is an area at Le Galet to just grab a libation and chill. The laid-back atmosphere of the south of France is just nirvana for my soul.