I'm going to have to own up and say that I'm somewhat behind in sending out the March Newsletter. What with family visits (which we love to bits) and then my computer deciding to go into a nose dive on Saturday evening, I'm rather late in finishing my articles causing repercusions for the newsletter. However, if you all bear with me I'm sure the wait will be worthwhile (Newsletter out next Wednesday).

When I started the website a few years ago it was all very "static" with "entries" in the shape of complete articles.  Now, however, it's become great fun just dashing off a few lines about something that I've enjoyed or done during the day and can then write about in fuller detail a little later.

So it was today as, once again, my taste buds were pampered (as I write this I have a horrible feeling you must all think I spend half my life eating in restaurants) with a delicious meal up in La Turbie. We've all experienced the weird cosmic joke of hanging about for ages for a bus and then three turn up at once: so it has just recently been with my visits to restaurants. Today was my third one in as nearly so many days.

If you've never heard of this small hilltop village, La Turbie is a charming place that overlooks the Principality of Monaco from the heady height of 1,150m. From here you'll have stunning views down to the Mediterranean Sea, stretching as far as Ventigmilia in Italy on one side and across to Antibes and the Estérel mountains on the other. La Turbie is also famous (apart from "Ronin" with Robert de Niro and Jean Reno which was partly filmed there in 1998) for the ruins of an outstanding circular Roman colonnade built out of local white stone, called the "Trophée des Alpes" and which once stood 50m/ 164ft high. Built between 7 and 6 AD it is dedicated to Augustus's conquest of the Alps and of the 44 tribese who posed a constant threat to communications between Rome and its possessions in Gaul and Spain.

Snuggled in the middle of this delightful village is a wonderful restaurant called "La Terrace" which is run by Jacques and Helen Barraja. I first discovered it last year and have since taken family and quite a few of my private guided tour clients there too. They always serve a fantastic "Plat du Jour" although they have an excellent menu offering a wide range of quality local produce that Jacques personally purchases himself every morning. Helen is absolutely marvellous with a bubbly personality and charming disposition. This is fast becoming a much sought-after restaurant (even Rick Steve's visited them and gave them an excellent write up) so I would suggest booking in advance. Views from their terrace straight across to the Mediterranean Sea and St Jean-Cap Ferrat are really super and add to the whole dining experience.

(Photo courtesy of Helen & Jacques Barraja)