LGBTQ Cote d'Azur Yacht Charter Holiday

Word on the street in the French Riviera of late has been that summer 2022 is going to be a big one.

With all kinds of Covid19 restrictions currently being lifted globally, including here in France, every indication through my business partners, emails, messages, and DM’s from clients suggests that although last summer was a very good one, most everyone will be traveling in full force this upcoming season.

Anticipation and expectations are high. And compared to last summer when people were booking their holidays very last minute since restrictions could change practically on a whim, there is now more of an air of positivity to be felt when it comes to travel.

Honestly, at the moment it feels like before the pandemic hit, with people booking their vacations months ahead again to be sure everything is ready to go and so that they won’t be disappointed to find their favorite luxury villas or the location they love are fully booked out.

I thought since part of this article was already on my business blog last year, I’d update it here as an option for those of us in the LGBTQ community as well.

When planning a holiday, we all love to have our choices open and available in hopes that we will have both a relaxing and entertaining time away, but most of all, it’s about a memorable experience.

For just over the past 11 years, clients have come to us at Experience The French Riviera for luxury villa rental options, which we are more than happy to provide.

 

We have found clients generally want to be in the prime areas of the French Riviera so that they can be close to all local amenities that enable them to indulge upon their every whim while on vacation.

Since Covid19 was thrust upon us, this means life, in general, had changed for the moment and we have already seen how the villa rental world is evolving with what has all taken place in the past couple of years.

Without hesitation, as soon as borders opened, many who booked a property rental last season but who had to cancel due to the Coronavirus situation have been able to carry that stay over to this summer, meaning rental stock became low immediately after travel restrictions started to be lifted yet new requests still had to be filled.

For us, since we have over 60 partners throughout France that we work with, this has been a benefit when seeking out a villa rental. Of late, we have also started to suggest other alternatives, that maybe even our guests haven’t considered and that will offer the “Wow” factor for their trip.

One of them is, how about a yacht charter rental for your holiday stay?

The Cote d’Azur is known worldwide for its yachting industry and we are well connected within it. In this part of the globe, as many will attest to, yachts come in a variety of styles and sizes to suit the requirements of everyone.

Best of all, on a holiday yacht charter, you can wake up in a different location along the French Riviera every day if you choose while exploring numerous natural settings within a short amount of time. More so than one would with staying in one place at a villa and from a new vantage point, and always with a magnificent sea view.

Like luxury villa rentals, rates and services can be very much the same, only on a yacht, you are more mobile.

Want to check out a specific cove, beach, or diving area? Want to taste the local cuisine at a seaside restaurant? Need to do a little shopping? Let your captain take you where you want to go.

The calming clear blue Mediterranean Sea will consistently soothe your senses both day and night while also providing you with the utmost social distancing benefits with no worries of unexpected guests stopping by to interrupt your private holiday stay.

With those few ideas, we’d like to introduce you to Inge Nielsen, founder of the Inge Nielsen Collection. Curator of spectacular moments at Inge Nielsen Collection.

Not only is Inge an exceptional business partner in the villa rental industry but she is also an expert in the yachting world. With 10+ years of experience, able to offer all the aspects and services one might not even be aware of when chartering a yacht.

Together, as in what we do daily in the realm of luxury villa rentals, we will work as your team with you directly on how you envision your yacht charter stay looking, with everything from the gourmet food and drink choices, locations to discover on your journey, to the suitable size of the yacht charter you will require so that everything is responsibly set up for the minute you arrive in the Cote d’Azur.

Let our combined years of experience and services make your yacht charter holiday wishes come true.

Connect with us today.

Lou Queernaval 2022

 

 

Cancellations and Covid19. Both have been going hand in hand with life as we all know it for the past couple of years.

Finally, after the past two years of cancellations due to Covid19 and the pandemic, perhaps not quite at its usual full tilt, but still happening. Queernaval will be making its LGBTQ presence known at this year’s carnival on opening night.

We are pleased to announce the participation of a delegation of Queernaval at the opening ceremony of Carnival 2022 on Friday, February 11 at 6:30 pm on the Place Masséna.

A small but strong contingent of entertainers will be on hand: gogo dancers, drag queens, members of LGBT associations in costume ... who will parade among King, Queen, and their entourage, flowered floats, flag bearers, musical troops, dancers, and visitors.

Celebrating diversity and tolerance among everyone, you will see an array of sequins and rhinestones attached to some of the most amazing costumes along with rainbow flags, a feeling of extravagance, and a surge of happiness and love for all.

 

Lasting one hour, this free ceremony is the official kick-off of the Carnival of Nice with an outstanding sound and light show.

 

Information:

Tickets are to be collected at the Ticket Office of the Paillon - Promenade du Paillon from 10 am to 6 pm (except on 6/02) and on 11/02 until 7 pm.
Access to the grandstand: Zone A only.

For any further information please consult the following link: https://www.nicecarnaval.com/programme-officiel

The participation of this delegation will give all the spectators a forecast of what will be in store for Queernaval 2023!

Sunset Nice Bar & Restaurant

It takes a lot of balls to open up a restaurant during a pandemic but if anyone can do it, it’s the owners of Le Sunset Nice.

When Covid19 hit France and the lockdowns went into effect in the middle of March 2020, the owners of L'Omega Club had to temporarily shut their doors to the public.

As time went on and as restrictions started to be eased, the same people associated with the nightclub, used their entrepreneurial skills and opened Sunset Nice on the edge of Vieux Nice along the famous Promenade des Anglais.

Although still limited in their capacity of what they wanted to provide customers at first, they followed the Covid19 guidelines set into place and were allowed to serve a variety of drinks and take away food items out front of their establishment.

Quickly, Sunset Nice became known as a safe gathering place for those both in and out of the LGBTQ community to meet up outside and garner at least a small amount of human interaction during the pandemic.

Becoming increasingly popular while restrictions continued to be lifted. Before long, Sunset Nice was the place to hang out both day and night and still is today.

Given its prime location, The Prom (as us locals call it), is always active with people strolling by or heading to the beach, and with the opening of Sunset Nice, things just became that much more positive and brighter during Covid times.

The bar-brasserie-restaurant offers more than delicious drinks and a wide range of splendid food items at reasonable prices to enjoy. Here, it’s not unusual for a cabaret night to take place, a DJ to spin music alongside the crowd, or for the most memorable occasional outdoor drag show to happen.

You can sense the enthusiasm behind the owners, with a fresh, ever-changing menu to go with the seasons, and a happy, attitude-free environment, Sunset Nice is a welcoming venue for everyone to enjoy.

As a side note: L’Omega Club was still able to open when the lockdowns got lifted during the pandemic and will be open again this month. Très excité !


Photos courtesy of Sunset Nice

The Revitalization of Cap d’Ail France

Located next to the Principality of Monaco, Cap d’Ail is popular with many people, whether they be on holiday or live in the area.

Not traditionally known as a LGBTQ travel destination, yet still definitely worth the visit. Cap d'Ail is peaceful seaside town has always been more laid back with a strong sense of community. The area is filled with historical estates, most still occupied and from a bygone era, while its quaint shops and restaurants are popular gathering spots for locals.

There is a sporty side to Cap d'Ail, with many people from all over coming here to take advantage of the hiking trails above town towards the Tete de Chien and the swimming at Plage Mala, the gay nude beach in St. Laurent Eze is only minutes away as well. So put those hookup apps to work, if that's what you are after.

Down towards the sea, you will come upon the Sentier du Littoral that offers outstanding sea views with a couple of beautiful restaurants to enjoy while taking in the scenery. The choice is yours on which direction you want to take on the footpath. By walking West, you will be led along the path to the famous Plage Mala; go East, and you will be strolling into Monaco. Either direction you choose, it’s a leisurely way of getting to know the coastline.

Like many that want to live in the Principality of Monaco but can’t afford the prices, Cap d’Ail has always been known as one of the best alternatives. If you are a local or on vacation, property rentals are of a good size and reasonably priced while within walking distance to all amenities.

Suppose you are looking for a real estate investment. Many people in Monaco tend to be looking for more space, and Cap d’Ail is usually one of the first places they consider due to the proximity to the Principality and the numerous established and new properties to choose from on the market. For example, a two-bedroom detached home can range from just over a million euros to some of the most breathtaking sea view properties available well over the 10 million euro mark. Usually, if you have a decent budget, you can find something that will suit your requirements.

Several revitalization programs are currently underway in Cap d’Ail to update accessibility and infrastructure to the area.

One of those upcoming private projects is in Cap d’Ail with the proposed Kempinski luxury hotel offering 130 rooms, located on the road to Marquet beach. Once administrative issues are complete, the project will be presented to residents and the press in February on the site. The permit is expected to be issued this summer, and work could start in the last part of 2022 for a period of two years. The ambitious project, located only 150 metres from the Principality, is expected to both transform and be a big draw to the neighborhood for the better.

The new Maritime shuttle, a joint project between Métropole and the Principality, is in its early stages. The first selection of candidates has been made, and they are expected to submit their proposals soon. If all goes according to plan, the new shuttle service may be ready by year-end.

As for traffic flow, the Beausoleil motorway exit is a project which should lighten traffic on the Moyenne Corniche. In addition, the Mayor of Cap-d’Ail, Xavier Beck, has recently proposed removing a line of thirty time-stamped parking spaces to create an additional entry and exit lane at the Exotic Garden roundabout, above the hospital. Construction should start at the end of the year. New speed cameras are also in the works, as they were supposed to be installed on the Moyenne Corniche last summer.

The Moyenne Corniche hopper has recently been a topic of discussion for commuters leaving the Principality in the morning and would save motorists between four and seven minutes to return to the Principality. But at the moment, the project is still under discussion.

Overall, Cap d'Ail is steeped in history and a wonderful place to discover during a holiday or if you are looking for a property investment.