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A Trip Round The French Riviera

Claire — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 22:59:24 +0000

There’s a Turkish Riviera, an Italian Riviera, a Mayan Riviera and even an English one and the names for all these coastal resorts have been inspired by the stretch of coast in the South of France that first became popular as a winter resort in the 18th century. Eventually, someone found out that the area was also lovely in the summertime, plus the railways arrived, and voila, it became one of the first modern resort areas largely frequented by the English.

Here are just a few of the towns and their attractions to be found along the coast:

Nice

Probably one of the city’s most famous features is the 7km long Promenade des Anglais, named after those English tourists. It follows the coast, is long and wide and is a magnet for line skaters and skateboarders as well as promenaders (it’s wide enough to accommodate everyone).

The Old Town is not to be missed and neither is the pedestrianised Cours Saleya, home to a fruit and flower market some days, an antiques market the rest of the week, and lots of restaurants and cafes for lunch and dinner. Beautiful Belle Epoque buildings including the gorgeous Negresco Hotel grace the city with their presence.

Nice, French Riviera by Jean-Pierre Dalbéra

Saint-Tropez

Saint-Tropez is of course well known for its rich, famous visitors, and the eye-bogglingly expensive yachts belonging to these people are certainly worth a stroll round in Quai Jean Jaurès.

There’s a 16th century citadel on a hill overlooking the town from which there’s a great view out to sea and if you’re in the mood for a proper walk, take advantage of the 7 mile track around the coast to the Pampelonne beaches, past Bridge Bardot’s house and Roger Vadim’s grave.

Saint-Tropez, French Riviera by Alessandro Prada

Cannes

Home of course to the film festival in May when you’ll be hard-pressed to find a luxury hotel, the old town (Le Suquet) on the hill is accessible all year round and a wonderful place for people-watching while sitting at a cafe. Cannes, too has its share of big boats that can be viewed in the Old Port area.

The city’s equivalent of the Promenade des Anglais, and just as famous, is the La Croisette with the sea on one side and a myriad of expensive hotels and palm trees on the other.

Cannes, French Riviera by Christophe.Finot

These are all famous, large towns well-visited by multitudes of tourists, but there are also some smaller towns on the French Rivieria …

Julie is a world traveller who loves combining her passion for writing and travelling in fantastic short travel guides. She also writes for Fortina Spa Resort, one of the top Hotels in Malta, situated in a prime seafront location overlooking the capital city Valletta.

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London’s best kept secrets

Claire — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 11:20:39 +0000

Yes, the Tower of London, Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace, are amongst the long list of ‘must do’ in London, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be tied down by the guide book. London offers a massive variety of places to visit, and something for everyone, not all of which are known. Here are a few places that are well worth a quick visit for a slightly different experience.

Spuntino

Well kept secret, mainly because this delicious and well-priced food joint has no phone, takes no reservations and is pretty hard to find if you don’t know where it is. However, it’s no secret to those who know this American-style diner that the truffled egg toast is a must have.

Tottenham Court Road Tube Station

The tube map is not the only part of London’s transport which is seen as a piece of art. Visit this tube station for Eduardo Paolozzi’s mosaic masterpieces representing the variety of electronic shops opposite the station.

Tamesis Dock

The Embankment is a great place to see the River Thames, particularly with the large number of tourist attractions clustered together creating a particularly beautiful scene at night. However, this fun old barge is a great way to experience the view whilst enjoying the local atmosphere.

Phoenix Gardens

Quietness in the centre of bustling London is rare, but Phoenix Gardens provides a restful environment in the heart of Soho and Covent Garden. Originally one of five, and now the only one remaining, this community garden is looked after by volunteers. Take a small break here from walking and the crowds for a picnic or coffee.

Phoenix Gardens, London, UK by Ewan Munro

Columbia Road Flower Market

Every sunday this street becomes home to a large and loud flower market. Almost stopped in the 80s, this historic market was saved by the local community. With live music and small independent galleries and shops lining the market, walk along to enjoy the smells and sounds. Not the biggest secret, but often missed by tourists. Nearby to the Sunday Upmarket at Brick Lane, and also Spitalfields.

Summer Cinema Season

Although England’s summer is pretty short, full advantage is made with these outside cinema projections across London. Seeing a film when exploring another city always feels like a bit of a waste, but with impressive backdrops from Kew Gardens to a rooftop in Shoreditch, it’s a special viewing. However, blankets, scarves and coats should be taken with you because it is still England after all.

Cockney Bank Machines

Secret locations across parts of London, with one being located on Commercial Road. Unlike the usual trip to the bank, you can choose to have bangers and mash instead of pounds.

Katie is helping to start up a new online bookings website Hire Space a new website where people can compare venues online

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A Day in London on a Budget

Claire — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 14:05:41 +0000

So, you’re visiting London, one of the most visited cities in the world; in order to spot some of the city’s most interesting neighbourhood and hidden gems, it’s a great idea to do a little research before heading out. There are plenty of cheap and cheerful alternatives when it comes to finding things to do during day and night, so without further delay let’s take a look at some of the best ways to enjoy a day or two in London without breaking the bank!

Big Ben and London Double-Decker Bus by Kevin Poh

Travelling

First things first: buy an ‘Oyster Card’. With this you can get around the city by bus, tube and boat! You can order your card online from the London Transport website or simply pick one up from a London station. To spot a few more landmarks, jump on the popular number 15 red bus; this authentic London double decker is much cheaper than the conventional sightseeing buses and still packs in many popular attractions. There are many bike docking station located all around London city centre, this allows you to easily rent a bike with minimum effort and fuss and get a good workout while travelling too!

Entertainment

The West end is London’s famous entertainments centre; blockbuster films premier in Leicester Square which often plays host to worldwide-known movie starts and celebrities. Instead of paying top-dollar to see a new release, head around the corner to the Prince Charles Cinema for cheaper showings.

If you fancy seeing a show, The Coliseum is a fantastic venue and as one of London’s largest theatres that offers cheap tickets for certain performances you’re more than likely to be able to get a seat last-minute.

The Coliseum, London, UK by Steve James

Once an old flower market, there’s never a dull moment in Covent Garden. If you are going to check out the street artists, avoid emptying your pockets by skipping outdoor eateries; instead, buy a quick snack and find a comfortable spot on the curb. Next, head to neighbouring Trafalgar Square; here you can find the National Gallery that offers free entry and cheap Saturday cinema tickets. The national portrait gallery is just next door too!

Dining

If you’re after a quick bite before a show in the west end, head down to China town for some affordable treats; for a hearty, authentic meal, find a restaurant with lots of Chinese customers. Head along Neal Street and Neal’s Yard for tasty vegetarian dishes at the modern World Food Café; there is no shortage of stylish boutiques and vintage shops to distract you on the way.

At Borough Market there’s a fresh selection of top quality produce to sample; boasting delicious coffee, smelly cheeses, crispy pastries and roasted meats, Borough Market yields plenty of mouth-watering treats to keep you busy for more than a few hours! Fill your belly with free samples or purchase some delicious snacks to enjoy later!

So there we are some affordable entertainment and snacks to enjoy whilst out and about in London city centre. Remember, don’t be disheartened by the expensive restaurants you will likely see when researching on the internet, there are plenty of affordable places to spend your time.

Daniel Travis – Brown is an avid traveller and visits London on a regular basis to enjoy all the West end has to offer! He writes travel guides regularly on behalf of Skypark Stansted Airport Parking and shares his articles with his Twitter followers! Find him on Twitter @DanTravisBrown

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A Look at Cote d’Azur in France

Claire — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:37:37 +0000

Cote d’Azur is known as the French Riviera in English and gets its name from Stephen Liegeard, a French writer who wrote a book on this area in the 1800′s. It is located in the southeastern regions of France. The boundaries of this region are not clearly defined.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Andrew Crump

An overview of the region

The largest city in the area is Nice with a population of about 350,000. It is a popular tourist destination among celebrities and common people alike. It features a beautiful flower market apart from its commercial port. The airport is the third busiest airport in France after both the airports in Paris. The low budget airlines have contributed greatly to the increased tourists arrivals in this region.

To the east of Nice you will find the resort of Menton, known for its lemon festival and stunning villas. Cannes, the city popular for its film festival, is also located on the French Riviera and witnesses a lot of tourist activity. Towns like Mandelie-La Napoule, located further to the west of the region, are known for their unique chateaux and marinas. St Tropez is another popular holiday destination, which is a favorite among celebrities and movie stars. Small villages surrounding St. Tropez have managed to retain a bit of their fishing village atmosphere.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Michael Gwyther-Jones

The French Riviera is often associated with wealth, glamorous lifestyle and yachts. But taking a stroll into the old areas may change you outlook. You will find a number of quaint towns and villages on the coast. Several of these unassuming little towns attract artists, who find inspiration in the serenity and beauty of the region. Businessmen are known to purchase Cote d’Azur Villas in France, which are primarily used as holiday retreats. Other than painting, which is seen all over the region, Cote d’Azur is also known for activities like perfumery, pottery and glass blowing.

Villas at Cote d’Azur

France exhibits some of its most exquisite architecture in the villas located on the French Riviera. These properties are owned by some of the richest people in the world, many of whom are famous. Sean Combs, Tom Cruise, David Beckham and Johnny Depp are among the some of the rich and famous that own property here.

Cote d’Azur Villas in France, although expensive, are a worthy investment. The properties often include waterfront houses with private beaches with enough space for a yacht. Others are characterized by beautiful marble staircases and wrought iron grills. A large number of contemporary villas have been seen cropping up recently made entirely with chrome finished glass. This timeless destination is a hotspot for international investors, especially because of its warm sunny weather. Hiring a real estate agent can be helpful when purchasing or renting a villa as they are well versed with the local laws, tax regulations and other such rules.

Want to find out more about luxury holiday villa rentals in France, then visit Burger Davis Sotheby’s International Realty, the luxury property rental specialists for apartments to rent in Cannes and villas throughout the South of France.

View A Look at Cote d’Azur in France in a larger map

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