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Vacations - French Riviera
By Jay Bauder, Thu Dec 8th
The southeast corner of France known as Provence - called theFrench Riviera for its maritime area between Toulon and Nice -is a romantic location with a little bit of everything to offerthe traveler. Provence stretches from Cap Nègre on the Maures ledge, to CapBrun in the Esteral area, and from Cap Roux near Toulon to theIles d'Or (the Golden Isles) out in the Mediterranean Sea.Inland, the area runs as far as the Argens and the Verdon Riverto the north. The region of Provence is so called because it was one of thefirst outlying provinces established by the Romans. They calledit "Provincia Romana" and it was one of the jewels of the RomanEmpire. Gradually, over hundreds of years, the word Provinciachanged to Provence. "Provencal" is a dialect still spoken hereby many people.
Remnants of the ancient empire still abound. There is the PontduGard aqueduct that towers 160 feet above your head and a Romanarena still used for bullfights and concerts in Avignon. Arles,with its famous Roman arena, and Frejus (a city named and builtby Julius Caesar) still has traces of the port where Caesar'snavy once docked. Everywhere you go, historical sites abound with majestic stonecastles sitting regally just off the side of country roads, andyou might find the remnants of a pagan temple next to an austereCatholic church with tall spires and towers that took decades tobuild. The rich and famous flocks to the Riviera every year, much likethe swallows to Capistrano. Walk along the city streets in thespring, or one of the many bustling open-air fruit and vegetablemarkets, and you might just find yourself passing a famous moviestar or fashion model. Even the names of some of the Riviera's most famous cities bringto mind pictures of white sandy beaches, a turquoise sea, andendless days under a tropical sun -- St. Tropez, Monaco, Nice,Cannes. Do you enjoy and hiking? Swimming? Boating? How abouttaking a walking tour along narrow cobblestone streets in tinyvillages that date back to mediaeval times? A romantic rivercruise? Swimming in the Mediterranean Sea? You'll find all ofthis and more in Provence. And of course, there are numerous opportunities for experiencingFrench cooking at its best. Dining in France is almost areligious experience! When dining at someone's home, it's notunusual for dinner to last three to four hours. If the occasionis an especially memorable one, dinner can go until two or threein the morning! When eating at a French restaurant, it won't matter if youchoose a four star restaurant, or a tiny sidewalk café. Yourexperience is sure to be a gastronomic delight for your palette.And don't even think
of rushing through your meal! Each courseis presented with a certain formality and ceremony that makesdining a pleasure. And you are always given plenty of time tosavor each course and never made to feel as if you must vacateyour table quickly for the next diners. The Mediterranean Sea is breathtaking, whether you're seeing itfrom the air for the first time as your plane lands in Nice, orwhile walking along the rocky beaches at Cannes. Its colorschange with its moods - turquoise, emerald, and sapphire - andthe water is clear and warm for 6 months of the year. In thewinter, although it's too cold to swim (except for the mosthardy of souls), the Med's mood and color matches the steel grayclouds, and you'll enjoy the practically deserted beaches andthe bracing wind as you walk along the shore. You have many choices for lodging in Provence. Stay at afour-star hotel, and you may find yourself sleeping on crispEgyptian cotton sheets, in a bed once used by kings and queens.There are charming bed and breakfast cottages, where you'll beserved your meals family-style and learn the history behind thebest places in the area to visit from your hostess. Or choose aformer monastery, where you'll find peace and tranquility,staying in small, quiet rooms with thick stone walls and enjoywalking through outdoor gardens with large fountains where wildrosemary and thyme grow abundantly. The people of Provence are friendly and helpful. They won't mindif your French is a little rusty, and will go out of their wayto talk to you, and answer your questions. Each season has its own charms. Spring, when the mimosa treesare bursting with the delicate yellow blooms, red poppies growwild alongside the autoroute and there are fields of tulips torival those in Holland. Summer, when succulent fruits are abundant everywhere, theleaves of the grapevines become an endless "sea of green" whenviewed from the road, and the Mediterranean sea offers a respitefrom the tropical heat. Fall, when the grapevines are heavy and full with their harvest,the red, yellow and oranges leaves clothe the trees in splendidcloaks and community festivals happen almost every weekend. Winter, when the weather is mild and sunny days are plentiful,but tourists are not. Provence is an ideal spot for the perfect vacation at any timeof year. The area is so spectacular that even visitors who arejust "passing through" find it hard to say good-bye. About the author: Jay is the web owner of http://www.Rental-Cars-In.com Rental Cars, a websitethat provides information and resources on rental cars,vacations, airfare, hotels, and travel. You can visit hiswebsite at: http://www.hotels-in.net Discount Hotels
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