SOUTH OF FRANCE: NICE TRAVEL GUIDE BY LIZA URLA FROM GEM-A-PORTER WEARING HER FAVOURITE MEIRA T PIECES
Gem-A-Porter was lucky enough to spend this summer in the city of Nice, set in the beautiful South of France. This really is the seaside resort of glamour! Especially wearing the Meira T sapphire collection, an essential in my jewellery box.
Wearing my favourite Meira T Blue Sapphire 4.65 cts and Diamond Bezel .39 cts 14kt White Gold Bracelet click here to shop.
The Meira T Sapphires perfectly match the stunning blues of the Côte d'Azur. The diamonds set around sapphire slices really sparkled in the summer sun!
Wearing Meira T Rough Cut Blue Sapphire .65 cts and Diamond Bezel .04 cts 14kt White Gold Beaded Bracelet click here to shop
One of the amazing things about Meira T sapphire collection is that any of the pieces can be worn day or night. Even wear two together for instant nighttime glamour! Stack your sapphire bracelets together for a quick and fun beach club look and just wait for the compliments!
Wearing Meira T Blue Sapphire Silce 18.05 cts with Diamond Halo .66 cts Silver Ring click here to shop
During my stay, I was booked in a fabulous villa from Airbnb, one of my favorite areas of Cimiez with gorgeous views overlooking Nice. One of the most beautiful residential areas, it's set on a quiet hillside a few miles above the city. This is also the place to visit if it's culture that you love, there are some great museums in town! My morning run would nearly always be interrupted by a visit to the Musée Matisse, 164 Avenue des Arènes or Musée Marc Chagall, Avenue du Dr Ménard.
Known also as 'Mini Paris', one of my favorite streets in Nice is Rue Longchamp. It's full of vibrant boutiques along the French Riviera, which it is so famous for. If you are in Nice, check out the fashion boutique Sharon, 5 Rue Longchamp. The eclectic mix is fabulous; the girl running this busy boutique is also the buyer for the store and has an amazing eye for fashion mixes.
Also nearby is the Poles fashion boutique, 16 Rue Marechal Joffre. This is a 'must visit' for those looking for signature and unique pieces. Here one will find edgy and unique fashion, this boutique was a real magnet for the senses!
There are more fab bargains to be had, I discovered Un Monde à Part, 12 Rue Alexandre Mari and was delighted to find brands like Azzedine Alaia and Balmain. The 60 percent discount was also a massive bonus! It's good to see that Nice has not escaped the Italian influence!
My favorite breakfast stop is the Cours Saleya market, set in the centre of Old Nice, it is only one street away from the stunning seafront. Choose locally produced lush strawberries, oversized cherries, sweetest peaches and juicy apricots- the perfect way to start your day!
Click here to shop online this fabulous Meira T bracelet.
A step away is the Patisserie Maison Auer, 7 Carriera San-Francès-de-Paula for those who have a sweet tooth. But it's not just the best chocolate and candied fruits that I love. The flamboyant décor was created in 1820 by young Swiss confectioner Henri Auer. Since then the shop has been passed down from father to son for five generations. If you do pass by, I highly recommend the chocolate almonds (Best served out of the freezer and enjoyed by the pool)
For lunch head to Le Meridien La Terrasse, 1 Promenade des Anglais, it is here you will see the most captivating seaside views in Nice. This is a popular stop so tables will need to be booked well in advance.
The Russian cathedral, Avenue Nicolas II, is where my siblings were baptized this summer. This stunning location is known as the most beautiful Orthodox church outside Russia! The cathedral itself was built before the Great War for a noble Russian community who were as keen on spending the winter in Nice as the British. The architecture alone is well worth a visit.
Wearing luxurious Meira T Blue Sapphire 29.60 cts and Diamonds .65 cts 14kt White Gold Bracelet click here to shop.
An unusual recommendation but a place that comes highly recommended by us at GEM-A-PORTER is Palais des Thes, 3 Rue de la Liberte. One will find the freshest tea and silk bags to keep them in! Quality tea is something I cannot live without. Discover some of the rarer teas at the back of the tea boutique when visiting. I suggest green tea from Nepal, a fabulous change for my usual favourites of silver needle white tea and oolong teas. The staff with their tea expertise and impeccable service make the visit worthwhile.
To stay out of the hot afternoon sun, you could pay a visit to CARITA, at the prestigious 2 Rue Paradis. This is pampering at it's absolute best! The soft satin skin treatment is a great way to keep yourself looking your best! Then the Cap Feratt, either at Paloma Beach, 1 Chemin de Saint-Hospice or the Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, 71 Boulevard du Général de Gaulle, are perfect for sun bathing. Both locations serve up an excellent lunch.
For an unforgettable evening dine at the La Petite Maison, 11 Rue Saint-François de Paule. The Nice version of this restaurant is far superior to the London location. But book 3-5 days in advance to be guaranteed a table. An ideal place to celebrate birthdays and other special celebrations. GEM-A-PORTER guide to France would not be complete without mention of the best oyster place in town and a real GEM-A-PORTER favorite: Le Boccaccio, 7 Rue Massena in Nice is an important stop off on any French culinary journey!
Liza Urla from GEM-A-PORTER.com