Our trip didn’t exactly begin in a calm, organised fashion

We left home late on Saturday night and headed to Manchester, staying at TRIBE Manchester Airport — a great, practical choice for an early flight. Sleek, comfortable, and most importantly, close enough to grab a few hours’ sleep before the alarm went off at 4:30am.

And yes… it felt as brutal as it sounds.

We’d planned a smooth airport experience — lounge, coffee, quiet start.

Reality? Total chaos.

The lounge was having technical issues and the whole thing was, frankly, a bit of a shambles. Not quite the serene pre-flight moment we’d imagined.

So we pivoted — and actually ended up far better off.

Breakfast at San Carlo was excellent. Proper service, good coffee, and a much calmer start than the lounge would have offered. One of those moments where the “plan B” turns out to be the win.

We landed in Nice and everything initially went perfectly.

First off the plane.
Straight through security.
Feeling smug.

And then…

No suitcase.

We waited. And waited. And then waited some more — until the belt stopped completely. Not a bag in sight.

So off we went to file a lost luggage report, slightly deflated and already planning emergency outfit shopping.

And then — just as we were walking away with the paperwork — the bag appeared.

On a completely different belt.

Disaster very much averted.

A quick Uber later and we arrived at Hotel Suisse.

Despite being very early, our room was ready — always a small travel miracle.

The weather? Not great.
The view? Absolutely worth it.

We headed straight down to the port for a long, relaxed lunch — the kind that gently resets you after an early start and a mini airport crisis.

Even under grey skies, Nice has that effortless Riviera feel. Boats bobbing, glasses clinking, no rush anywhere.

Back to the room for what was meant to be a short rest…which turned into a proper nap.

Travel rule: if the bed is good and you’ve been up since 4:30am, don’t fight it.

Dinner was at Safari — and it was exactly what we needed.

Buzzy, lively, full of energy.
Great pizza, salad and Porchetta.
Great atmosphere.

One of those places where you instantly feel like you’ve arrived somewhere good.