South
of France Travelling Tips By Toni
James
 Ahh
the Wonderful South of France. Blue
and red parasols, sailing ships, a light breeze and a cloudless blue sky - the
Cote d'Azure, or Azure Coast as it is literally translated, lives up to its name.
It
is a good idea to plan your trip to the South of France for early September to
avoid the madness of the Cannes film festival in May, and the sweltering heat
and the crowded coastal highways that besiege vacationers in July and August
As
the high season ends, the hoards clear out and you can truly appreciate the charm
of these classy seaside resorts. The
Provence has a heavy Mediterranean influence so be sure to dine heartily in the
early afternoon as most restaurants are closed from around three until seven.
The
local Nicois cooking is Italianate in flavor and features delights like aioli,
a yellow garlicky sauce served over everything from raw vegetables to fish, and
ratatouille, a combination of fresh tomatoes, eggplant and squash stewed together
with green peppers, garlic and various herbs. Also, don't miss the bouillabaisse,
a magnificent fish stew. In
Cannes, make time for some world class window shopping and to engage in a favorite
pastime in this glittering bastion of wealth, people watching along the Blvd.
de la Croisette, probably the classiest seaside promenade in the world. If that's not enough
excitement for you, drive along the precipitous and tortuous coastal highways
that Grace Kelly raced over in Hitchcock's To Catch a Thief to reach the small
nation of Monaco. Here, visit the famed Monte Carlo Casino (think James Bond).
This gambling resort is no Las Vegas. Ringed by Ferrari's and Rolls Royce's, it
features a Private Salon into which only the properly clad (no shorts; jacket
and tie required for men) may enter. Also, if the shopping in Cannes didn't exhaust
you, Monaco's pricey haute couture will make you drop (at least that's the effect
it had on my husband ):O For
those not enthralled by world class beaches, monstrous yachts, and movie stars,
you can visit the charming region of the Haute Provence, an area featured in the
literary classic The Three Musketeers. Envision moonlight, lavender fields, old
abbeys and intimate villages, red wine, and fresh baguettes. One
thing worth doing while driving around the South of France, is stopping to try
some fresh french bread accompanied by chevre or goat's cheese (one of the hundreds
of delicious fresh cheeses to be found in France). The
Verdon Gorge, in the heart of Provence, is known as the Grand Canyon of Europe.
It's 3000 ft. walls of chalky white limestone offer some of the best opportunities
for rock climbing and other adventure sports anywhere in the world. While the
kayaks bob and weave down the torrents far below, the tourists creep on all fours
to the canyon edge to take in the awesome view and watch climbers ascend the sheer
cliffs. Like Yosemite Valley, the Verdon Gorge offers experienced rock climbers
a big wall experience, but without having to haul loads of gear as you can climb
in shorts and rock shoes with a minimum of equipment The
captivating Haute Provence, with it's blend of white limestone hills, rough stony
pastures, and charming villages proved to be the highlight - but sadly also marked
the end - of our trip. The
next day, as the plane banked away from the coastline with its piercing light,
deep blue waters, and diamond like white caps, we realized that we had only experienced
a small taste of the rich landscapes and peoples you will find in the South of
France. . Andy
James is one of our many travel experts, that visit the top worldwide destinations
in order to make sure we can help you choose the best Vacation Choices no matter
what your taste and your budget want to take you. Visit us at http://www.bargetravelpoints.com
or http://www.travelpoints.com for more
info on how we can help you make the most of your Travel Plans. Article
Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Toni_James
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do not take any responsibility to its accuracy ©jmlpropertyservices01/06
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Photos
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of France Fact File Click
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