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Showing posts with label French Riviera. Show all posts
Showing posts with label French Riviera. Show all posts

French Riviera - Cote d'Azur: Taxis & Rental Cars

Taxi Service

Taxis in the French Riviera are abundant and easily accessible; however, because most of the towns are so small there is usually an imposed minimum fee of 8 euros per cab ride. Nice, the biggest city in the riviera, is mostly walkable but if you're trying to get to the Musee Chagall from Old Town or the Promenade des Anglais, a cab is worth it. It is easy to catch cabs on the curb and it might be more convenient and time-saving than taking buses to certain attractions.

At the peak of tourist season (July-August), traffic becomes a problem if you are trying to get from one town to another via taxi during the day but if you miss the last train or bus back to your hotel, keep in mind that most towns on the Riviera aren't very far from each other, especially if your accomodations are in a central location (such as Nice.)

Rental Cars

Renting a car is also an option for exploring the French Riviera and this service is available at airports and large railway stations. Although renting a car can make many areas that are unreacheable by public transportation accessible, it is drastically more expensive than renting a car in the US. Also, mostly all available cars are manual transmission. You have to make advance reservations for automatic cars and these are only available in the large cities. Traffic is a concern in the summer: taking secondary roads or public transportation is a good alternative.

(http://www.tripadvisor.com)

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Guide To A Yacht Charter In France

France is a highly diverse country. Think of its climate alone. A combination of stormy summers, lesser rain, and colder winters exists inland. Close to the Alpine mountains, the temperature can even fall below freezing point. Meanwhile, people who are living in the southeast region will experience a French climate perfect for a little sailing in Mediterranean.

Yacht charter in France in the famous Côte d'Azur is in many ways more fitted to those who prefer to find their pleasures ashore. Sailing into such glittering places as St Tropez, Cannes or Antibes is an experience that is difficult to find anywhere else and it is worth the long diversion just to spend some time among the most beautiful collection of yachts in the world. Excellent facilities are at Antibes, in the St Tropez-Cogolin area and in Toulon. Many harbours east of Toulon charge from noon to noon, not on the basis of a 24 hour period from arriving. Also, there is plenty of charter yachts available in this area but crew experience could be tricky.

Close to the French Riviera is Cannes, a little city and commune located in the southern part of France. Besides hosting one of the prestigious art festivals in the world, the Cannes Film Festival, many tourists flock Cannes to enjoy its yacht marina. Taking a stroll means feeding your eyes with the loveliest docked sailing yachts and motorboats owned by some of the richest Europeans. When the weather seems fitting for a Mediterranean cruise, you can watch a majority of them gliding through the crystal blue waters of French Riviera. For the average tourists, however, you can find perfect view of them in Quai St. Pierre.

The principality of Monaco depends on its tourism for a bigger portion of its income. Every year, numerous tourists arrive in its ports to while away time in their casinos or to simply relax in its pleasant climate. Sailing in Mediterranean is most convenient in Monaco as it continuously improves its piers and harbors. This is to accommodate the growing number of cruise ships hoping to dock in there. Monaco is also very near to the French Riviera, which is sought after because of its splendid beauty.

The island of Corsica, off the Mediterranean coast offers a wide selection of ports and incredibly beauty. As with any France destination, it is ideal to visit Corsica outside of the peak summer season, as you will struggle to get space, even at anchorages. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it is a favorite holiday destination for sailors from nearby countries, as well as, of course, the French. West coast and East coast offer the best facilities and services, so if you require repairs head to either Ajaccio or Bastia.

Sailing through the famous Côte d'Azur means choosing either of the two fantastic Mooring locations: Nice or Hyères. The glamour of Nice could be attributed to how the people were able to keep their long-standing customs and traditions. Day in and night, there are numerous activities you can explore. Cours Saleya, a very colorful Nice market, is filled with vegetables, fruits, and flowers. Drop by -François Square for experience the lively fish market.

Hyeres, on the other hand, is a French coast lined with culture and fine cuisine. Its mountains meet the sandy and windy bays of the country. The place is also an invitation for a good look at the Golden Islands. It features unspoilt preserves of nature such as the Ile de Port-Cros and Ile de Porquerolles.

There is a system of winds that blow from the coast towards the centre of the sea. These winds have different names, depending on location: Scirroco, Ghibli, Khamsin, Meltemi, Etesian, Bora, and Mistral all blow from the land towards the sea. Prevailing winds are northerly and South Westerly, South Westerly (occasionally very strong to gale force) due to endless stream of low pressure cyclones arriving from the Atlantic Ocean. Winds along the Mediterranean coast and Corsica are more variable, but generally less severe.

Sailing in Mediterranean means bringing with you a lifetime of wonderful memories. It's more than just cruising along the river or the sea. It also implies meeting wonderful French locals and simply relaxing into France's beautiful midday sun.

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Top Five Tourist Activities In France

When it comes to tourist destinations, France is among the top countries in the world, a position it has enjoyed for years, stretching back really into centuries. The combination of arts, history, natural beauty, and climate make France one of the most interesting places in the world. Add to that the country’s reputation as a place for great romance (including the most romantic city in the world in Paris) and the security most developed countries of the Western world enjoy, and it is easy to see why tourists flock to the country every year. As you might guess, there is a lot to do throughout France, but here is a list of the five things that seem to be on every tourist’s agenda.

Cities: The big pull in terms of French tourism is the unique and ancient culture that can be found in the cities around the country. Paris is of course preeminent among the cities of France. As the capital, it is home to rich storehouses of information about France and the French people, from ancient to current times. All of the cities of France have a certain degree of romance about them, but it is Paris where lovers worldwide dream of going together. Paris has seen many important architectural designs commemorating great developments in the Western world, including the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower. Other cities around France that are popular with tourists include Nice, Orleans, and Avignon.

Museums: Paris is also home to one of the most important buildings in the art world in the Louvre museum. This museum is one of the largest centers of art display in the world, and houses pieces famous the world over such as the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. The national Museum of Natural History is also located in Paris. For military history buffs, the museums of the army and navy include some of the most important pieces in the development of the western world, including the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Wine Tours: France, of course, is well known for its production of some of the world’s finest wines and champagnes. It should come as no surprise in this age where wine tasting and collecting has become a hugely popular hobby that the wineries and vineyards of France have experienced a growth in terms of popularity among tourists. Thus, the countryside has become as much of an integral part of France’s tourist economy as the cities have always been. There are vineyards located all over France, with some of the most popular located in the provinces of Alsace and Lorraine.

Skiing: Skiing became a big draw for tourists in France when the government began to promote the activity in the French Alps in the 1960s. Since then, the skiing along one of the most famous mountain ranges in the worlds has extended so much that the country can boast some of the world’s longest ski trails.

The Beach: The French Riviera stretches along the southern border of the country where it borders the Mediterranean Sea. The whole area is known for its luxurious beaches and its mild weather in both winter and summer. One of the most popular sites here includes Menton, which holds an annual festival celebrating the citrus fruits which grow in the area.

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