Holiday Resort Balzi Rossi is popular for families with teenagers. Because we have only 9 vacation homes, teens easily connect with each other. After a few days we see them swimming, snorkeling and chilling together. And that’s very relaxing for you as parents, too. But from Balzi Rossi you can take trips with teens: from a city trip to Monaco to perfume making in Grasse.
These are the most fun trips to take with teens.
City trip to Monaco.
Our teens love Monaco. They love to marvel at luxury cars like Ferraris and Lamborghinis in Monte Carlo. A drink at the hotspots: Buddha Bar, Nikki Beach or Café de Paris. In the port of Monaco you will also find a cool sports bar where you can always watch Formula 1. If you go to Monaco: dress up. Because shorts and flip-flops won’t get you into the hotspots. When our oldest son turned 18, he was waiting for us at the airport in Nice with his suit under arm. His big wish was to visit the casino in Monte Carlo. In Monaco you can take a nice tour with the tourist bus, passing by the ports and the palace. For younger children, the Oceanographic Museum in Monaco is great fun. Monaco is only 13 km from Balzi Rossi but your teens can also easily catch the train by themselves from Menton Garavan (2 km).
Cool off in the waterfalls of Rochetta.
If you drive 23 km into the mountains, you will reach the beautiful Rochetta Nervina. Especially on hot days this is a wonderful trip. You walk through the village and follow the path along the river up. After 20 minutes of hiking you come to a beautiful waterfall. The water is nice and cold and crystal clear. If your teens like adventure, excitement and survival…. go down the river (from 13 years approx). On the village square you will find some nice local restaurants (see also our vacation tip: The 7 most beautiful villages near Balzi Rossi).
Shopping with teens at the market in Ventimiglia.
The largest market in Europe can be found every Friday along the beach in Ventimiglia. You can buy beautiful leather bags for € 20. But also clothing, belts, jewelry and tasty local products like olive oil and pasta. Go to the market early because in the summer it is very crowded so you sometimes have to search for a long time for a parking spot. On Thursday mornings there is also a nice market along the beach in Bordighera. This one is less touristy.
Cycling along the Flower Riviera.
In Ospedaletti begins the twenty-four kilometer bicycle path along the old railroad line: Pista Ciclabile. It is a beautiful route through eight historic fishing villages such as San Remo, Bussana, Arma di Taggia, Santa Stefano al Mare, Riva Ligure, Cipressa and San Lorenzo al Mare. Along the Pista Ciclabile, there are several offices of bike rental company ‘Nolo-Bici‘. Bring your swimsuit for a refreshing dip along the way. And in the cozy villages you can have a delicious lunch. Ristorante ByBloss in Ospedaletti is the favorite restaurant of our oldest son (21). Did you know they even have a Michelin star? As a student, of course, you’ll find that very cool. After your lunch, relax in the beach club downstairs. Give Marco our best regards!
Making perfume in Grasse.
It is a 1 hour and 15 minutes drive from Balzi Rossi but great fun for teens: the perfume city of Grasse. Most of France’s perfume production takes place here. In the city you will find in addition to many perfume stores, three major perfume houses: Galimard, Fragonard and Moulinard. Also the airport in Nice they have a store with their delicious affordable perfumes. You can take a look at one of the perfume houses but also the International Perfume Museum is really worth a visit. Around the square you will find many perfume stores where you can make your own perfume, cozy cafes and restaurants.
