Europe Trip Revealed Part 1: Purposes

A week ago I announced that my Schengen Visa was approved. I know you've been dying to know and wondering where exactly I will be going to and what I will be doing during the trip. So, without further ado, read on.

Have you ever heard of French Riviera? It sounds exotic and magical, isn't it? French Riviera (or Côte d'Azur as said in French) is a region in southern France along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, from Saint-Tropez on the west to Menton which bordering with Italy on the east. Yes, I'm going there, in Nice to be precise, for the main destination.

Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur regional map

Nice is the 5th most populous city in France and the 2nd biggest city in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. It's also the 2nd most-visited place in France as well as 2nd busiest airport after Paris. Boasted with beauty and nice climate, it's a really popular destination. In summer, most of the Parisians and other France residents as well as travelers from around the world go here for vacation.

I will be in Nice from March 6 to May 27, 2011. What the hell am I doing in a foreign city for that long, you ask? I am going to learn French there. Indeed, one of the best way to learn a foreign language is living in the native country of that language to experience a full immersion. So, I'm hoping that the 12 weeks of language learning will improve my French a lot, while still be able to travel around the regions in France and the bordering countries.

I enrolled in the half-intensive course, Monday-Friday from 8.45 am to 12.50 pm with 5 lessons daily (45 minutes per lesson). The first 4 lessons each day are general French, while the 5th one is focused on oral French. Ideally, I would like to enroll in the intensive course as the price difference is very little. But the class ends at 3.45 pm, so I figured I won't have enough time in the afternoon to explore the region. There is also a standard course that ends at 12.00 pm, but I think the half-intensive course is the most suitable course with the balance between studying and free time for traveling.

There are many attractions in Nice itself, not to mention the places to see and things to do along the French Riviera region ranging from coastal towns, beaches, mountain cliffs, to medieval villages.

It's not over yet. This is only the first part of the series. By the end of this series, all your curiosities will be satisfied. Stay tuned for more details!

UPDATE: read the second part here.