Dreaming of the French Riviera ✨
There are places in the world that capture your imagination long before you ever step foot there. For me, France has always been one of those places. Paris was my first love — the art, the architecture, the way every corner feels like a postcard — but the French Riviera has been calling my name for years.
I’ve always pictured myself wandering through colorful seaside towns, strolling Menton’s markets, enjoying gelato with my family by the water, and hopping trains along the coast. There’s something magical about the Riviera — that mix of French elegance with Mediterranean sunshine — and I can’t wait to experience it in 2027.
✨ Menton, the “Pearl of the French Riviera” ✨
Colorful seaside streets, citrus-scented markets, and that perfect blend of French elegance with Italian soul. 🍋🌊
I can’t wait to make this our home base in 2027 as we explore Paris, the Riviera, and beyond with Cultured Compass Collective. 💛
Where France Meets Italy 🍋🍝
One of the things I love most about the Riviera is how it blends cultures. Because this region sits so close to the Italian border, you really do get the best of both worlds: the elegance and charm of France with the flavors and warmth of Italy.
Think fresh French pastries in the morning, Italian-style gelato in the afternoon, and Mediterranean seafood for dinner — all enjoyed against the backdrop of colorful seaside villages. In Menton especially, you’ll notice Italian influences everywhere, from the language you hear in the streets to the citrus flavors that inspire local festivals. It’s the kind of place where Parisian sophistication meets Italian soul — all wrapped up in a breathtaking coastline.
And it works both ways: just across the border in Italy’s Ligurian towns, you’ll also find French touches in the food, architecture, and café culture. For travelers, this means you can experience Riviera charm from both sides — sometimes at a lower cost if you stay in an Italian coastal town and day trip into France. 🚄
Travel Tip: Stretch Your Budget on the Riviera
Love the Riviera but worried about the price tag? Stay just across the border in Italy’s Ligurian coastal towns. You’ll enjoy French-influenced cafés, markets, and seaside charm at a lower cost — plus it’s an easy train ride into Menton or Nice for a day on the French Riviera. 🚄🍋🍝
The Train Journey I’ve Always Dreamed About
Here’s a little confession: one of my biggest travel dreams has been to take a train journey from the Riviera (or even Italy!) across southern Europe into Spain.
There’s something so romantic about the idea of boarding a train by the sea in Menton or Nice, watching the landscapes shift as you pass through Provence, then continuing on through the Pyrenees and arriving in Barcelona. It’s slow travel at its best — the kind of journey where you can sip coffee by the window, watch the scenery roll by, and feel the adventure unfolding long before you even arrive.
And the best part? I’m finally weaving this dream into our Cultured Compass 2027 Collective Trips! 🙌
What’s Coming in 2027 🌍
In May 2027, we’ll kick things off in Paris (because no trip to France feels complete without it), then head south to the French Riviera, where Menton will be our coastal base. From there, we’ll take that dream train journey into Spain, continuing the adventure into Barcelona, Seville, Porto, and Lisbon — with an optional extension into Morocco for those ready for something truly unforgettable.
This won’t just be another trip on the calendar. For me, it’s about finally saying yes to a travel dream I’ve carried for years — and creating a way for other families to experience it, too.
Why I’m Sharing This Now ✨
Part of the joy of planning these trips is dreaming out loud. I want you to know what’s coming — not just so you can start pinching your pennies, but so you can start imagining yourself there with us.
Whether it’s your first time in Europe, your kids’ first time on a high-speed train, or your tenth time falling in love with French food, I believe travel is always more meaningful when it’s shared.
So here’s to dreaming big, slowing down, and chasing the kinds of journeys that have lived in our hearts for years. I can’t wait to experience the French Riviera and beyond with you in 2027. 💛
✨ want to join us? ✨
Pre-register your interest for our 2027 Collective trips, or lock in your spot for the France 2027 trip, with only $500 Deposit!
