This Is How I Travel

I think we got really lucky. Six years ago, my best friend and I found ourselves in Nice at the same time as the Cannes Film Festival and the Monaco Grand Prix. Needless to say, I was ridiculously excited, being a fan of film and F1 (I have an English dad, so I’ve grown up watching it and loving it). We spent only three days on the French Riviera, and managed to enjoy Nice, while taking a day trip to both Cannes and Monaco.

Cannes was cool. We didn’t really see much by way of a premiere or a red carpet event, but it was nonetheless impressive to be there. I’m pretty sure we saw Gerard Depardieu, which, I’ll admit, I was excited about, but most people had no idea who he was. Now, of course, he’s the guy who weed on the plane.

Monaco was incredible. Despite the fact that much of the city was inaccessible due to race course restrictions, we still managed to explore and enjoy. We even hit up the Oceanographic Museum (well worth a visit), and the famous Casino Royale (although we didn’t go in…). And, for only about 30 or 40 euros each, we nabbed tickets to the Grand Prix. Sure, they were limited view / standing room only tickets, but they afforded us access to this massive clifftop party with free Fosters and sweet, sweet views.

I remember phoning my dad from the top of Monaco, telling him where I was. I could hear the mixture of envy and excitement in his voice, as he asked me to bring him back a poster from the event. The poster still hangs, framed, in his office, and as envious as he is that I got to go, he’s definitely more excited that I had the opportunity to attend the Monaco Grand Prix.

When I say we got lucky, I mean it. I can’t remember exactly, but in the six years since we managed to be in Nice for both the Cannes Film Festival and Monaco Grand Prix, I don’t think they’ve both been held at the same time. I feel like that overlap was a rare occurrence, making me even happier that we had the chance to experience them both. Our time on the French Riviera remains one of my favourite travel moments, and every year during both Cannes and the Monaco Grand Prix, I’m filled with some great travel memories that I’ll always recount with happiness.