“Here come the girls (girls, girls, girls-girls), Here come the girls (girls, girls, girls-girls)… again. That’s right, we’re on our second Decision Marketing Girls Weekend Away at last, and, of course, there’s only one place to go at this time of the year, and that’s the Cotes D’Azur.
Surrounded by the serene blue waters of the Baie des Anges and sheltered by the foothills of the Maritime Alps, Nice has it all my dears.
The cobblestone streets of Vieille Ville, with its maze of narrow alleyways and a lively ambience reminiscent of Italy; the Promenade des Anglais, the most emblematic street in Nice, the gorgeous pedestrian area follows the curve of the beaches and is lined with planted palm trees and filled with elegant gardens; then there’s the Parc de la Colline du Château, a shady oasis of leafy palms, waterfalls, and winding paths that invite leisurely strolls.
Or, if culture’s your thing, there’s the Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain, whose collection represents a cross section of fine arts from the 1960s and 1970s, including pop art and American abstract art.
Naturally, we’re more likely to be found at the Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée, quaffing Domaine D’Ott by the pool, or even at the the Hotel La Pérouse, which offers offers gourmet dining in the garden.
Sounds too good to be true doesn’t it?
And, sadly, it is, as we are heading off for a weekend in Skeggy, with Meggy and Peggy, complete with Fantasy Island Theme Park, Skegness Pier and even Tiny Tots Village Indoor Playzone for the golden grandkids.
OK, gourmet dining and D’Ott will be in short supply but at least we’ve got Pie Palace, A Proper Little Chippy, Cod & Cockerel, and our personal favourite Hussey’s Fish & Chips – all highly recommended on TripAdvisor to boot.
And, of course, Skeggy is where the Butlin’s story began, founded in 1936 by Billy Butlin. According to the marketing blurb, “it was the UK’s first-ever holiday camp and is just as popular now as it’s always been. We’re super proud of our rich heritage, so you’ll find lots of original elements combined with 21st-century facilities”.
In September they are holding the “Absolute 80s Weekender”. Over to the marketing team once more: “We’re taking you back to the era when perms, shoulder pads and neon colours were all the rage. Join us to see some of the biggest and best stars of the 80s”, including, er, Black Lace, Chesney Hawks, and The Fizz. Don’t say you haven’t been warned.
Mind you, hopefully by then we will actually be as far away as possible on the “Cotes D’Ott”…
You can now follow Foxy on Twitter and Instagram (although don’t expect too much)