A few weeks before Christmas I was invited on a press trip to the French Riveria by Bridgestone Tyres. I was lucky to travel to Rome with them last year and doubly blessed to receive this invitation too. Last Tuesday, I set off to begin my adventure and I wanted to share it with you. I will post more about the specifics of the product that was being launched in a day or so, but I thought I would give you an inside look at the press trip first. Just a warning this is a VERY picture heavy post, ooops!
The first exciting thing to happen was meeting up with one of my best friends Hannah at the airport. It was fabulous to see her, as we haven’t met up since BlogFest. We found some other members of the group and set off to Nice. After the flight and a coach trip we arrived in Monaco at the Fairmont hotel, which is positioned on the hairpin bend on the Grand Prix circuit, with stunning views to the rear of the hotel.
We dropped off our bags and popped out to explore the local area a little and obviously we needed to give our cameras a work-out.
It was fabulous to spend time with Hannah with nothing else going on, no blogging sessions or speakers to listen to or kids taking over (as happens every time we Skype!).
Also on the trip was Sally from Raring to Go , who I previously went to Rome with.
We wandered along the sea front and took in all the sights, it was so beautiful.
I loved the coloured lights along the walkway. We couldn’t stop snapping, there were just too many opportunities.
As you can see the view from the back of the hotel was awesome.
I loved the Champions Promenade featuring so many famous footballers.
I had to see if I had similar sized feet to a famous footballer!
We headed back to The Fairmont to get ready for the evening dinner and entertainment.
We didn’t know what to expect and the entertainment was amazing! Gorgeous food, lots of wine and lovely company; it was such a fabulous night.
Yes, those guys are on stilts!
We all then decided to head to the Casino, which was an incredible building, stunning architecture, similar to a palace. Unfortunately, you are not allowed to take pictures inside, which was so frustrating.
We retired to the hotel bar (which was within Nobo) and chatted, until the early hours, with the other writers and the Bridgestone team. It might have been quite late when we eventually hit the hay.
The next day we were up and out of the hotel early to head to a Chateaux for the product unveiling. I will share more soon, but we spent most of the day driving cars and eating scrummy food, before heading to our new hotel, The Martinez in Cannes.
I felt as if I was in the Great Gatsby, such a stunning hotel, with a view of the Cannes sea front.
After a little local exploration we decided to get ready and head to the hotel bar for a cheeky cocktail.
I had a Lemon Tree, which was pretty much like a lemon meringue pie in a glass.
We enjoyed another wonderful night in a local restaurant, where we laughed until our sides hurt. Everyone on the trip bonded so well, which made for a good crack. We returned to the hotel bar, where we spent a fun filled few hours. I was going to bed at around 11pm and eventually got there at 3am ish!
The next morning it was a day of fun, starting with driving (or being driven) classic sports cars. Outside the hotel was 5 million pounds worth of classic cars. Quite an amazing sight. Sally and I decided not to drive and so hopped in the back of the DB9 (of James Bond fame) and were driven by two chaps on our trip.
Driving along the Cannes sea front in a DB9 in the sun is not what I usually expect from a January day. I had to pinch myself to ensure it wasn’t a dream. I was quite proud that my blog had got me there.
Although the sun was shining, Sally and I ended up sitting with a blanket over us; resembling Driving Miss Daisy!
As we drove round in a 20-30 car convoy, the views were so beautiful, it was so hard to capture everything.
We drove to a lighthouse where we swapped cars, to experience another awesome classic car.
This time Sally and I hitched a ride in a Ford Mustang, which was much more comfortable than the DB9; the back of sports cars are not designed for long legs! I have the bruises to prove it.
The next part of our day was Macaron making at the Majestic Barriere.
Sally and the fabulous Stuart from Bridgestone being creative with chocolate.
A major result was we got to eat what we made, and they were very yummy.
Lunch was calling and I never expected such an amazing venue in which to dine.
Walking down the steps, almost like we were just going to the beach and then we saw the stunning restaurant.
Again the food was amazing, we were well and truly spoiled by Bridgestone. I have never eaten in such a stunning venue before.
We took one last look at the classic cars on the walk back to the hotel.
We had a few hours to kill before leaving for the airport, so after a gorgeous massage, compliments of Bridgestone, Hannah and I hung out in my room, working and chatting; it was lovely and great to sit down too!
I eventually got home at 11.30pm, very tired and with sore feet but so grateful that I got to share such a wonderful experience with an awesome friend AND meet some new friends along the way.
I made a video of the trip, I hope you enjoy!
A HUGE thank you to Bridgestone and all the wonderful staff for inviting me and for giving us all a truly unforgettable experience.
Disclosure: This press trip was complimentary.
All opinions are my own and I wasn’t asked to write this post.
Comments 22
This looks and sounds like a fab trip. Nice is one place I hope to visit at some point. I enjoyed all the photos and reading about your adventures. The cars sound fab and it looks like one fantastic trip!
Angela
What an amazing trip! Your photos are absolutely stunning too. Thanks for giving us a glimpse of the glamour! x
What a trip – it looks like you had an amazing time! So many fantastic photos – I love the colourful sidewalk and those brightly coloured sculptures! What a beautiful place.
Woweee! What an amazing post – your photos are really stunning and totally do the glamour justice. I still need to edit my photos, so I’ll be getting my post up later in the week 🙂 Once again AMAZING to go away with you, here’s to many more press trips! xxx
WOW!!! What a super, super post! It looks like you gorgeous gals both had an absolute ball! Stunning photos darling and what an experience. Incredible and very well deserved. Thanks for sharing all the glamour and can I just say, you’re a natural on camera. Mwah! X
What a gorgeous trip and you do not have to apologize as I enjoyed oohing and ahhing over all your pretty photos. Great itinerary
Looks and sounds amazing! Thank you for sharing these lovely pictures, it’s making me dream of warmer days, as I sit here looking out at the rain!
Oh so jealous. Looks like you had a great time.
Can’t imagine what it’s like looking out the hotel window and seeing the hairpin bend.
Some fab pictures.
Oh wow, what amazing pictures – and what a fantastic trip! You look like you had such an incredible time.
I would love to visit more of the South of France, especially Monaco. it looks so beautiful and I have fond memories of going there when I was little. It looks like it was very glamourous! x
Wow, that looks like it was an amazing trip and experience. I love the spiral staircase photo especially
wow! what a fabulous experience. I think you hit the jackpot of events to attend and looks like you had a great time. xx
Wow what an amazing trip – it looks an incredible opportunity, and you did so much too! Love all your photos, what a memory! Kaz x
Such beautiful photos Aby! A couple of hotels..a DB9, a Ford Mustang, all those drinks, stunning views at every turn and great company? I’m not jealous at all 😉 It sounds like you had a truly fabulous time and you should be very, very proud that your hard work and blog took you there! X
Wow- you’re so good. Loving the video (and that I have a starring role – thank you!) How cruel are you to video Hannah asleep though, and yet how brave are you to vlog when you had a wee hangover. Hats off to you, Mrs x
What an amazing trip it looked amazing. You should be so proud of where your blog has taken you. Amazing. That restaurant on the beach looked stunning and those hotels, WOW. 🙂
How exciting! What a great trip and so many photos making me want to go.
Wow it looks so beautiful. I have been there briefly years ago but would love to go for a proper visit. Can’t wait to read more about it. x
This just sounds simply amazing what a one of a kind experience – well done you, everything you have achieved with your blog lead to that moment I hope there are many more for you xx
It looks like you had an amazing trip. I do love your pictures and I am sure they are a bit different to how they used to be, have you changed the editing? What do you use? I just love them!
Oh my, what a treat! Monaco and Cannes are places I’d love to visit (Mr TB has done both without me – the git) and your pictures capture them beautifully. This blogging lark is amazing, isn’t it?! X
Wow this looked like my dream press trip! It reminds me so much of my Citroen DS5 Five Star Experience in St Tropez and driving around France, making perfumes, eating fine foods and drooling over classic cars. Lucky you, I can’t wait to see the next post . . .