Our winter holiday consists of a compromise…
Someplace with skiing for the Major, and someplace warm for me.
Smalls is only along for the ride, although her opinions have become much more forceful lately…
We begin our adventure in Gressoney-La-Trinite, in the Aosta Valley of Northern Italy.
At the Chalet du Lys.
Where the ski trails literally pass by the front path of the hotel.
While the Major explores the slopes, Smalls discovers the joys of European hot chocolate…
Somewhere between a hot chocolate pudding, and a sugar-induced coma, it provides enough two-year-old energy to vocally encourage many trips up and down snow covered scivoli (slides).
With gusto...
Other delacacies, are not as successful…
At night, however, we dine at the hotel, on local Italian cuisine, including leg of lamb,
And desserts that were as delicious as they were pretty.
There are a few small shops and bars neighboring, where we discover a couple of cheeses and a lovely local liquor.
Conveniently, it's cold enough to use our balcony as a refrigerator.
After plenty of ski runs, and a few hours logged in the complimentary spa, we are sated enough to head south, towards the French Riviera.
First stop: Nice.
Well, technically, first stop: The second smallest country in the world - Monaco.
It's raining when we arrive, but we manage to catch a glimpse at the infamous Monte Carlo Casino before unknowingly ducking into a horse-betting cafe for coffee. Smalls is thrilled by the horses running on TV, and the men studying their bets seem amused by her presence.
Hedging our bets, we slowly wind our way along the curvaceous highway where Princess Grace lost her life, arriving in the charming Nice la Belle.
Though the rain contined to fall, in the old town we found plenty of markets and restaurants to entertain…
And delight…
(bacalao)
And contemplate….
(stuffed rabbit)
And then there were crepes…
Even Santa was getting in on the action.
On our way to Marseille, we swing by Aux-en-Provence. Where we find the perfect materials for a car picnic.
(sausages)
We round out the supplies with bread, fruit and magical avocados.
Smalls finds a yellow brick road, just her size, and we follow it on towards Marseille.
