Welcome, readers, to the final leg of my family’s two-week summer adventure across Europe! We began our journey in Lithuania, then made our way through Sweden, Finland, and Estonia, before finally arriving in France. This was the longest stop of our trip, where we enjoyed exploring the stunning cities along the Côte d’Azur, the French Riviera.

Upon arriving in Marseille by flight, our adventure began with a bit of a hiccup at the rental car desk. It was late at night when we realized that my mother, who had booked the car under her name, had forgotten her driver’s license. This meant we couldn’t pick up the car and would have to wait until the next morning, as it was already too late. Fortunately, a nearby rental company was still open at 10 pm, and we were able to secure a car there. Lesson learned: always bring your driver’s license (obviously!), and if you need to change the name on the booking, make sure the new driver’s details are updated in advance.

The following morning, we did a self-guided walking tour booked through GetYourGuide. Although the tour itself was well-organized, we only completed a quarter of it before veering off on our own. We got sidetracked by buildings and alleys along the way and decided to do our own thing. Our first stop was the impressive Notre-Dame-de-la-Major Cathedral. We took some time to admire its stunning architecture and the beauty inside before resuming the schedule my sister had set for us. Living in France, she was familiar with the coastline and had crafted her own tour and itinerary for our trip.

After the exploring, we drove to our next destination: Aix en Provence. We really enjoyed this charming city, small but quaint. We got to try their famous Calisson candies and the Navettes, both specialities of Marseille. We also picked up bags of lavender harvested in the region and the famous Savon de Marseille (soap). Before leaving, we grabbed some cheeses and wine from a really cute wine store called La Fromagerie du Passage. Then made our way towards Fuveau, a quaint local town where we spent the night.

In the morning, we picked up sandwiches from a bakery that we would be having for lunch. Our intended destination was Calanques National Park, but we began with a small detour at a lookout point called Forêt Communale de Cassis. From there, we enjoyed a stunning view of the city of Cassis and its harbor from the highest vantage point. Despite the strong wind, the breathtaking blue water and view of the city made it worthwhile.

Continuing on, we reached the entrance to the National Park and began our hike. Not long into the trail, we encountered a set of cliffs where I and another in our group jumped into the ocean. At about 14 meters (~45 feet) high, the jump was thrilling, and the water was incredibly refreshing. Though the salt left on my skin wasn’t ideal for the rest of the hike, it was definitely worth it. The views along the way kept getting better and better and after about 4 km (2.3 miles), we arrived at Calanque d’En Vau. This is a picturesque swimming spot where we enjoyed our sandwiches and the beautiful scenery. We also had a bit of unexpected entertainment when a seagull swooped in and devoured the food left behind by some nearby hikers who were off swimming. By the time we noticed, it was too late—the seagull had already claimed its ‘prize’ by taking off with the cardboard that held the tomatoes it had eaten! Overall, the entire day was unforgettable. I would 100% recommend visiting this national park if you’re ever in France, it’s an experience you won’t want to miss!

After the hike, we drove to Hyères and spent the night by the harbor. This was more of a stopover due to its proximity to our next day’s activities, otherwises I wouldn’t say that this is a must visit destination.

The following morning, we took a boat shuttle to Porquerolles, a charming island known for its beautiful beaches, quaint town center, and plentiful bike rentals. After renting bikes, we made our way to Fort Saint-Agathe, an old fortress perched on a hill, and explored the nearby windmill.

Feeling adventurous, we decided to bike further up the mountain to try and reach a remote beach. However, the road was incredibly steep, and before long, we hit a dead end—no bikes were allowed beyond that point. We had no choice but to backtrack, losing all the hard-earned progress we had made. Let’s just say my sisters weren’t thrilled about this!

After grabbing some sandwiches at a grocery store in the center, we found a closer beach that didn’t require riding up another mountain. Swimming and relaxing there was very peaceful, but my go-go-go family soon wanted to move on. Instead of heading straight back, we biked a bit farther to Domaine de l’île for a quick wine tasting before catching a boat back.

Back on the mainland, we drove towards Gassin, where we would stay the night. It’s right next to St. Tropez, the town in which my sister lives and works. Along the way, we stopped at a few wineries for mini wine tastings, including Château Trémouriès and Domaine Bertaud Belieu. Although we had planned for a fancy dinner in St. Tropez, upon arrival, we ended up at a nearby sushi restaurant in Gassin instead.

The next day, we weren’t too disappointed about missing dinner in St. Tropez. In fact, we weren’t particularly impressed with the city and were puzzled by its fame. Although there were plenty of luxury yachts and high-end designer stores, including a Dior where we had coffee, the town itself didn’t stand out much. The architecture in neighboring towns and cities was far superior. Although the famous Tarte tropezienne was quite delicious.

Anyway, we didn’t linger long and, before setting off for Antibes, our final destination in the two-week journey, we stopped at Tahiti Beach Club. It’s one of many along the water and another thing St. Tropez is known for. We enjoyed a quick drink with a beautiful view, though it would have been even better on a sunnier day.

Upon arriving in Antibes, we quickly realized how charming the town was. We regretted not leaving St. Tropez sooner to spend more time here. After arriving in the late afternoon, we headed straight to La Guinguette for dinner. The restaurant, with its open ceiling and cozy ambiance, was a lovely spot. Just as we finished our meal, it began to rain, which was perfect timing as we were already done. Despite the chill, we enjoyed an ice cream while strolling back to our accommodation.

The two weeks were absolutely wonderful. Traveling with my family is always an adventure, and this trip was no exception. Although we were a bit short on time at each stop, the experience was enriching and unforgettable. By dipping our toes into the waters of each country, we got a good sense of where we’d like to return and explore more deeply, as well as what we wouldn’t necessarily need to revisit.

It was the perfect way to cap off my summer before the new semester starts, especially since my free time is about to shrink significantly. But don’t worry—I’ll still be squeezing in weekend getaways whenever I can, so stay tuned for more adventures!