FLYING HOLIDAYS: COTE D’AZUR

I'm a Sun worshiper particularly when I can find the Sun and the sea together landscapes such as these wield a magic attraction on me for my vacation whether in the summer the spring of the fall or even when I can manage a long weekend I jump into a plane and off I fly to the happy atmosphere of the coop desi this is nice it's only a stone's throw from wherever you live by Air France what a happy change from northern climes the Sun and the sea are yours there's a burst of light and gaiety as you step off the plane only a few minutes later here we are strolling down the promenade des anglais of course you've heard of it it's one of the most celebrated boulevards in the world tomorrow morning will be up bright and early eager to explore these enchanted shores splendid highways are an up and down the coast this is bull you and the famous feel exec and here is a jean capella where Somerset Maugham lives gaze up to this eagle's nest as built on a cliff as protection against pirates this lovely tropical garden is located in Monaco monaco is shaped like the prow of a boat advancing into the luminous see this is the Bay of Mull too mild all winter long observe its hills covered with terraced gardens planted with lemon and orange trees this is the port of the wash do you feel like hiring a boat manned by one of the local fishermen no better wait till tomorrow this time we'll return to nice the other mobile whole Road for a rest and a change this evening we'll try our luck at the Palais de Medici vinay are the balmy Rivera nights with the soft drumming of an orchestra in the background tomorrow we'll take that boat ride we promised ourselves a fishing craft will help us discover a strange and mysterious world a world of rustling beauty in which you penetrate as in a huge Cathedral of the deep you we're going to fathom its mysteries at last the water is so limpid that visibility is good some 60 feet down the light floats like a halo around twisted rocks an amphora nestling in the fold of a rock archaeologists tell us it is a Greek Emperor dating from the time of Christ ships carried oil wine and other precious cargo in these lovely vases to Marseille where the fortunes had a large trading center another portion port was located near aunty our home port lunch is a sacred Rite in France there's nothing like the sea to whet your appetite at the bunnell bail you can order provençal specialties and a local rose a wine cooled to your taste after lunch a little relaxation and what better place to relax than Eden Roc Eden Roc is a meeting place for the socially prominent movie stars millionaires and diplomats but the artists prefer the peaceful and poetic hinterland the Pater Shagga has a little house hidden in the orchards at voss jean-gabriel dome egg lives in a sumptuous Italian style villa located in the hills just above can you can the queen of the Riviera a dazzling jewel on an incomparably beautiful coast the world's most brilliant International Society throngs the luxurious hotels the summer and winter galas the club's the beaches the cafe terraces in the old port of can are the most luxurious yachts in the world there's a smell of iodine in the air wafted in from the briny deep and there are the smiling weather-beaten faces of the fisherman there's as the ideal life simple and happy these stately yachts whisper tales of Corsica and Capri of Sicily and elva do you long to sail away to never Neverland as for me a small sailboat will do the light breeze will send us gliding over the blue waters life is peaceful and serene the Sun is bright the air is cool yes life is lovely on the Riviera these are the islands of Lyra's crowned by a monastery and now we make for schwa leappad close to can grown-ups are not the only one who like beaches this is a children's paradise what about a swim after your swim a little Sun baby and a Twilight you can go have a drink at the Juwanna for instance or in any of the big hotels what of the landscapes await us the cote des ooh you as an explorer's paradise bright blue sea dark red rocks umbrella Pines oleanders olive trees shimmering in the warm Sun the stl mountain range has scores of narrow inlets and Bay's it's fun to explore them by kayak if you crave the peaceful solitude of isolated coves the Riviera is just the place for you whoops no matter anytime is a good time to take a dip here explore the little ports where everyone feels at home some prefer to talk others to paint quietly in the Sun after lunch everyone relaxes and now for a change a little water skiing the Schoology Wally Parr is one of the very best after a few tips from the instructor you too can be a champion the speed is intoxicating as you skim over the waves the water seems alive underfoot huh what's this you thought I said we're on the cote des eel well so we are I told you this was a country of miracles Val Baerga looks like a Tyrolean village yet it's less than 10 miles as the crow flies from the Mediterranean however it will take you more than 10 minutes to get there you'll drive through narrow gorges cut off by the seal River through the red rock have you heard of oho it's a ski resort protected by towering peaks visit the old 12th century Church admire the comfortable new hotels here you can enjoy all the benefits of the best ski resorts first of all we'll begin with the skating rink at the Hotel de pillo this youngster is a champion in the making and a living picture of good health and enthusiasm and now for a look at the scheme beginners of all ages go back to school here the others have a choice of seven ski runs you'll have no trouble telling them apart they're called Doremi Faso la si and they're all served by ski or cabin lifts it's time now for a well-earned drink we lunch against the backdrop of snow-capped peaks while only a few miles away on the pond that des Anglais spring is in the air yet it's only februari and already His Majesty King carnival enters the good city of nice did you know that the carnival is a tradition which goes back to the 12th century it spells two weeks of fun frolic and dancing a festive air hovers over the city during the 19th century this occasion was celebrated with mock battles of beans candy and eggs filled with plaster or suit today manners have improved pretty girls throw confetti more than a half million pounds of it the crowd cheers the masks the paper mache monsters parading through the town sinister looking north they they're made of old paper and flour mixed according to an ancestral recipe yes this is war and were expected to fight back it's all in good clean fun of course so let's machine gun the enemy with colored paper after the confetti come the flowers you all along the seaside along the promenade des anglais wines a brilliant and fascinating Corso did this joyful atmosphere the Air France float a reminder of journeys to come when are you planning your trip to the Cote d'Azur you