For years, my wife and I had dreamt of exploring Europe. France, especially, held a soft spot in our hearts. Maybe it was the allure of Paris, the whispers of the Eiffel Tower in every romantic film, or the idea of waking up to fresh croissants and cobbled streets. Whatever

“Are we really here?” my wife whispered, squeezing my hand as we stood on the balcony of our hotel room in Nice, overlooking the shimmering Mediterranean Sea. The golden sunset cast a warm glow over the coastline, and the salty breeze carried the distant laughter of people strolling along the