Our train from Torino to Nice took us over the Italian Alps, which were still covered with several feet of snow, and down to the beautiful Mediterranean. Warmer weather awaited!

With just one night in Nice, we had only modest hopes for a memorable stay. But the 30-something couple we stayed with were wonderful. Heather, a California transplant, greeted us and gave us some great tips for a quick walking tour of the city. Like so many European cities, Nice has an old town and a bustling modern area with a long boulevard reserved for pedestrians. It was wonderful to soak up the sun while seeing the sites.

In the evening we met Sam, a Frenchman from Brittany, who works for the French park service. Sam was a pleasure to talk with, telling us all about his travels around the world, the virtues of the French work/life balance (8 weeks of vacation per year) and his plans for the future. Like so many of the AirBNB (the Internet-based booking agent we used) hosts, Sam is passionate about travel and new experiences.

Before we grabbed our car, we made it to the Chagall museum a few minutes' walk from the apartment. Designed by Chagall himself, the museum houses a large collection of his religious art, some sculpture, several drawings completed throughout his life, photographs and an excellent film about the artist.

Then it was off to Saint-Remy...