European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 13, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A a a t5l a o a v5 a a a a a in kiss kiss a. Stroll along the promenade in Cannes and look for the Rich and famous but Don t be disappointed if you just Concow for a Lions convention. Have a smacking Good time hobnobbing with the Rich and famous by James Kindall new Day i had just washed Down a perfectly grilled slice of Salmon with two glasses of chilled Rose and was lurching for the dessert table when an anxious waiter headed in my direction. People Are Seldom anxious in Golden St Tropez. I certainly was t. A a. The food at my dockside restaurant was delicious. A Stone s throw from the table a yacht the size of a Small City was churning toward the open Mediterranean. On nearby beaches half naked people were cavorting in water As Blue As Antifreeze. So what was the problem the waiter was terribly apologetic. My Lamb and eggplant dish was just emerging from the oven he explained. Would t i prefer that before heading for the fresh Melon Raspberry tart or mousse a chocolate Mon Dieu the things one must endure on the French Riviera. ,. Other pressure cooker decisions had been required during my week s stay in the legendary Cote d Azur should today s activity be a swim at the Beach or a walk through a quaint coastal town should the evening be spent at a nightclub or on a Moonlit promenade my first Long term exposure to the Southern French Shoreline was pleasantly surprising overcoming my scepticism about its glittering reputation. T because of time considerations i confined my trip to the Sun soaked part of the coastline from Monte Carlo in the East to St Tropez in the West. What i discovered was that avoiding the few drawbacks of the Riviera while enjoying its legendary benefits requires strategy. That being the Case i devised what i Call the dawdling. Along the Riviera looking at intriguing and nifty geography Battle plan or Darling for Short. Sights Are rated using the system of one to four air kisses the lesser attractions rating a Peck on the Cheek and the Best a flurry of affection. Quo this strategy allows Cote neophytes the Chance to Catlike a Riviera Beautiful person and enjoy the benefits of a Beautiful person lifestyle without Ever having  to Robin Leach. One of my first lessons about the Cole d Azur came after an initial stroll on the Beach at nice., obviously basking is not a pastime Here it s practically an olympic sport. Quot a a. Sun worshipping seems to be done Best wearing As Little As possible. Entire sections of coastline exist where you could put every article of clothing on the Beach in an opera purse. How much  to keep on or take off is entirely a personal matter since after All no one s looking. Well of everyone s looking but that s the Point. Nice May be a historically significant City boasting former residents such As artists Monet and Renoir and authors Flaubert and Tolstoy but an isolated vacation spot it is not. Visitors pack the Shoreline by Day and the restaurants by night. Beaches Range from Rocky to passably Sandy and the Boardwalk has the tired feel of a tourist besieged town. \. A. Give it a single air kiss. The Darling plan Calls for a tour of the old City arid the Chagall museum then hitting the Road. Trains Are a credible Way to Sample the Cote since they Stop at All major towns but for breathtaking views of the area consider renting a car. The route heading Northeast out of Nice for example provides a dizzying pan Aroma of the Blue eyed Bay of Villefranche filled with sailboats. Circling downward i explored the Villa packed Peninsula of Cap ferrat with its birthday cake mansions and passages the Width of Burro paths. A ,. Another Benefit of my own drive was the discovery of a modestly priced Roadside hotel in Cap d Ai where the Seaview from the Balcony stretched to Infinity a walk Down to the water revealed a secluded Crescent shaped Beach occupied by a Small cafe and just enough people to Cre Fite a chatty but not overpopulated atmosphere. The next morning while sipping Coffee and watching a continued on Page 4 october 13, 1994 stripes Magazine