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Archive for the ‘cannes’ Category
P&V: A playground for the rich and famous – Monaco!
This week’s customer blog comes from James, who shares with us his adventures in opulent Monaco.
“On a recent trip to the south of France, my girlfriend Jen and I explored Monte Carlo on a day trip from Cannes.
Travelling to the principality could not have been easier; we simply turned up at Cannes train station, approached one of the easy to use ticket machines and paid for our tickets, hopping on the next train headed east along the coastline. The journey was smooth and efficient, with some great views out to sea and over numerous idyllic seaside towns – perfect for eyeing up another day trip.
Handy tip: if you are visiting Monte Carlo for the day by train, simply buy a single ticket. If you want a return you will have to specify the train you wish to return on, and this not only cuts down on the flexibility of your day, but also does not work out any cheaper.
As we pulled in to Monte Carlo, I was keen to head out of the station to feast my eyes upon the opulence of the area. I wanted to ogle the material fruits of the rich and famous that call Monaco, a world-renowned hub of exuberance, home. Sure enough, I was not disappointed. As Jen and I headed up from the harbour towards the Monte Carlo Casino, we began to drink in the picturesque views back down to the harbour and across to the far side of the bay, where the Monaco Palace, Cathedral and the world-famous Aquarium stand.
Heading a little further up from the harbour, I marvelled at the side-by-side stores of Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana and Dior, plus many others. I imagined one day being invited in to these stores, rather than alarmingly dissuaded by the odd serious looking doorman with a frown that seemed to be tattooed to his forehead. Needless to say there were no price labels, and plenty of disgustingly good-looking staff inside. No doubt they enjoyed watching as I stumbled past the glass-fronted strip, keen for a cold drink and a blast of cool air from their sweet air-conditioned fortress, but happy in the knowledge I, unlike them, could enjoy a pork pie from time to time without my vanity entering the equation.
One of the quintessential Monte Carlo experiences must be sitting out on the umbrella-adorned pavement of the Café de Paris, looking across to the Monte Carlo Casino, watching the world go by. So that is exactly what we did. A cold glass of beer in hand, sunglasses on, time to look the business. Oh yes indeed. Here I marvelled at the sights in front of me: a delicately contrived garden leading the way up from the Casino, complete with fountains spewing a cool fine mist from their fulcrums, the Monte Carlo Casino yards away, Hotel de Paris across the road, and cars. A plethora of the finest and most expensive cars I will ever see lay in front of me. I observed as a man pulled up to the Casino in a brilliant white Audi R8, hopped out, tossed the keys to the valet boy, and went merrily on his way: the epitome of wealth.
As I wandered around the lobby of Monte Carlo Casino, I pondered the meaning of life. I need not have pondered long, as the answer was apparent in this princely principality: money! I promptly paid my €10 entrance fee to the casino and eyed up the tables. Secretly trying to spot one where I would not be forced to gamble beyond my means (another €10) I found a Blackjack table and braced myself for riches…
Moments later Jen and I found some shade in the aforementioned gardens and I stared longingly at the gunmetal Porsche Carrera GT yards away from me, the sunlight reflecting of its luxuriously polished metallic body stinging my eyes. So much for all those riches!
The Casino was superb though, opulent yet understated, and the buzz of being in a room where money is used merely as a toy by those who can, was great.
Jen and I then jumped on the bus, not because we did not have a Ferrari we could use of course, but because we had just had that beer at the Café de Paris you understand, and headed across Monte Carlo. At just €1 per person per journey (or €3 for a tourist day ticket), the bus is a little bonus after the inflated prices elsewhere. With the steep climbs through the hilly principality as well, I thoroughly recommend it. Since the buses run on liquid gold it would be rude not to try it too.
Wandering through the quaint streets of Monaco-Ville showed another side to the principality, something of a feeling of homeliness, an inviting side that escapes the obvious and somewhat intimidating wealth of the Monte Carlo Casino and the Café de Paris, for example. Jen and I arrived in front of the Monaco Cathedral, a grand structure and snapped a quick photo before ambling down to the Oceanographic Museum and Aquarium. The aquarium held an array of fish, sharks and jellyfish, not to mention a cute tank littered with hundreds of minute clownfish. If fish are not really your thing, then it is arguably worth paying the entrance fee to escape to the top floor, where the views are superb. I tried to make-out the Formula One circuit, recognising parts of the track as I took in the views back down across Monte Carlo, and imagined racing and taking the chequered flag in this most impressive setting of all for a motor race. I then picked out my future residence, car for the drive and yacht as my eyes feasted on the sights across Monte Carlo. One day, one day…
A short while later Jen and I found ourselves alongside the harbour and arguably the most impressive sight of all was in front of us; the staggering number and vastness of the yachts. It really is something to marvel, all those ultimate must-haves for the super rich and famous lined-up like a fashion parade.
Ready for a bite to eat, having played ‘I wonder how much that one is worth?’ for a good while, we found a creperie and ordered cold beers alongside, to wind down an excellent day. With room still for a decadent ice cream, we strolled along the harbour one last time, wallowing in the wealth that surrounded us, sure that this really was the ultimate playground for the rich and famous”.
Where to stay
If, like James, you wish to bask in the surroundings of the rich and famous, P&V have two self catering propertie
s in Monaco. The Adagio Monaco Monte Cristo is located in the residential Beausoleil, situated close to the yachting marina and golf course. The Adagio Monaco Palais Joséphine is located in the lively “Carré Belle Epoque” quarter in Beausoleil. The luxury residence is built in typical Monaco style and has spacious and comfortable apartments and a swimming pool on the roof in terrace.
Beat the Euro
An A-List holiday in the South of France on a Z-List budget is feasible with the ‘Beat the Euro’ offer. PV-Holidays.com are returning travellers to the dizzy days of 2008 Euro exchange rates, saving them up to 45 per cent on the cost of summer family holidays to France or Spain. The offer is available on all P&V properties on all dates, meaning that a holiday to the South of France is well within your grasp.
To claim your discount, the discount code for Beat The Euro is: 8258. Enter it on the Beat The Euro page on the website. The offer is valid on all holidays until November 7th.
Find more information on the Beat The Euro page and as always, find a wealth of information on P&V’s website PV-Holidays.com.
P&V: So chic – Girly weekend in Cannes!
This week we have a travel diary from Melissa Wood, who recently jetted off for a weekend in Cannes with her friend Laura.
“I’m a city girl through and through but lately, the big smoke had been getting to me. So- when my friend Laura proposed a girly weekend in France I couldn’t think of anything better. We went to Cannes for a weekend just before the festival started and decided to involve ourselves in all things chic…
Saturday
After a relatively easy (but early!) flight with Easyjet we arrived at Nice armed with our overpacked suitcases, big sunnies and a handful of French phrases. It was recommended to us that we get a bus from the airport to Cannes centre- and I’m glad we followed this advice. The bus terminal is the first thing you see, as you exit arrivals. For just 11 euros we managed to get a straight bus from Nice to Cannes (Hotel De Ville). The driver was friendly and actually helped us with our bags straight from the arrivals door.
Hotel De Ville is situated right next to Cannes Harbour and the main location when getting busses/taxis into town. This quickly became the hub of our stay. Buses depart here for local areas and cost just 1 Euro. There is also a taxi rank which always has at least five cabs waiting for pick up.
Thankfully we could get a bus straight to our apartment in La Bocca (Also known as ‘The Old Cannes’) within 15 minutes. Because of our cases we decided to plump for a taxi and this cost us 10 euros. We were staying at Pierre Vacances Cannes Beach in La Bocca- purely because if we stayed in town, we’d never go home and our main aim for the break was to find some time to relax!
We were really impressed with Cannes Beach, it’s a pretty big residence but it’s clean and has a very relaxed atmosphere. The receptionists are fine with our embarrassing attempts at French and were happy to speak English when we gave up. Our apartment was adorable, we had our own balcony overlooking the pool a little kitchen and dining area, a living room with 2 fold out beds, a double bedroom and a bathroom and toilet.
Self-catering is always better for girls like us. Yes we wanted a girly holiday, but we were on a budget. I’d also promised Laura I’d cook for her and was excited about showing off some of my cooking skills whilst we were there. By the way, I’ve now been christened The Omelette Queen!
The sun was blazing, so we decided to walk out of the other entrance, under the subway and onto the beach, which backs onto the residence. Our tip would be to use this route as a really pleasant walk into town but not as a place to sunbathe- the beaches towards Cannes are much more accessible, vibrant and have cute little stores to buy ice creams, crepes etc.
In a cab or by bus, you are 10 minutes away- but the walk to the harbour took us around 40 minutes. It was such a beautiful day and we weren’t in any rush.
Once there, we explored. We spoke to people who had boats, visited the tourism office, browsed the market in the square, walked around the cobbled streets and finally, decided we had better eat some lunch.
There are lots of lovely coffee shops and cafes overlooking Cannes Marina. Take note of which hotels also own the restaurant/beaches on the sea front. Nothing signifies a girly weekend like sitting on a beach in Cannes having a waiter serve you a cocktail! We visited a café which backed onto the market and decided to have some savoury crepes. The French know their food so this was a much-appreciated meal, and with drinks cost us 15 euros each.
It was early evening now, so we decided to walk back to La Bocca and pick up some supplies for our break. There weren’t any supermarkets in town, but there are three or four dotted along the bus route on the way back to La Bocca. We ended up at one with the most gorgeous range of cheeses. Forgetting our no-carb diets we filled up on essentials. All in all, our food for the next 4 days cost us just 40 euros.
Tip: Bus routes into La Bocca- I’d recommend route 1,2, 14 and 22. They are the quickest and all can be found at Hotel de Ville.
That night I cooked us a lovely chicken salad and we decided to stay in and chat and read on the balcony instead. Thankfully we remembered our Ipod speaker, and it provided nice background music as we relaxed. Cannes Beach is set up so that most rooms look over the swimming pools. There is also an outside eating/bar area where people seem to congregate. We popped down for a drink and met lots of people from all over the world- however; everyone seemed to be in town for the Festival- bar us!
Sunday
This was our day of exploring. We both wanted to get on a boat, so got up early and made it down to the dock. The Îles de Lérins are a fabulous side to Cannes. Filled with extreme beauty and history, both islands; Île Sainte-Marguerite and the Île Saint-Honorat make a great day out. From Cannes harbour you can also catch boats to Monaco and St Tropez- we would have loved to have visit if we had some more time.
St Marguerite is an area of “extreme beauty” and was also home to the Man in the Iron mask. We decided to visit Saint Honorat After being told its very serene, peaceful and full of old churches to explore. This is as far removed from London as you can get, and injected some culture into our chic visit.
After arriving, we walked around the island and stopped to explore little coves and bays which were relatively untouched.
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We walked round and explored old churches, chapels and a castle which we climbed to the top of the one so we could see Monastery- Laura was very amused to find that even Monks use solar panels!
We took in the views for a while and then decided to explore the churches more fully. We had been playing around the whole day, laughing and joking- but the “silence” rule in the monastery meant we had to explore calmly and we were glad, it made us take in the surroundings better.
We passed a few monks amongst the lush surroundings and they were so peaceful and happy- a model to us all!
We then explored the vineyards and decided to have the snacks we packed sitting amongst them. Chickens were running around, the sun was beating down and I was very, VERY happy. Then we made our way back to the restaurant where we had hot chocolates over looking the bay before we went back to the boat and the mainland.
We caught the bus back to the apartment to grab some dinner. I made an amazing omelette and salad in our kitchen and it set the evening off nicely. It was 5pm and the pool was empty, so we grabbed our bikinis, ran down and had a swim for a good hour or so. Once ready, we got a cab back into town.
There are plenty of bars and clubs in Cannes, depending on what you like from a night out. Jimmy’z is on the marina and seems like the biggest club- but that isn’t our thing. We just wanted to have a drink and chat to people. Because of the festival, there were so many people about. It was so funny to see the town magically transform over night- the shops, bars and restaurants are heaving with people from all over the world. I can imagine how kitsch the town is for the rest of the year, too.
Tip: for other girls is to venture up to Rue D’Antibes if you aren’t confident with your language skills the first day you arrive. There are a few English/Irish bars, which serve nicely for your first drink. This gives you a chance to practise your French and talk to the barmen who will also recommend other traditional places in the local area. All the drink was very well priced, but we are used to London prices so we are rarely shocked at a bar bill!
Monday
The next day we had a lovely breakfast overlooking the pool. We had friends who had flown in for the festival, and were staying just down the road at Villa Francia. We decided to meet them for lunch and were told to bring our swimming gear- we were glad we did! Situated in the hills above La Bocca, Villa Francia has the most gorgeous infinity pool, which looks right over the bay.
We ate lunch on the terrace and finally were dragged away from the gorgeous view because Laura wanted to explore La Croisette. This is the more uptown part along the coast, you will notice endless of amounts of designer stores such as Dior and Gucci, but the prices of the restaurants and cafes increase also.
We jumped on a bus again, and decided to take in the different hotels. Overnight Cannes had transformed into a Hollywood mecca. Paparazzi had begun to gather, the red carpet was being put up, hotels had film posters, cars with blacked out windows were cruising the streets, tents for the illustrious press conferences were being put up- it was an amazing sight.
It was during our walk I noticed the town is very accessible by foot, as you do not even realise how far you have walked. The town itself if beautiful with Artwork on buildings and artwork in sand, you are consistently entertained by small characteristics of the town. I think we were very lucky to experience the town both before and during the festival.
We decided to play tourist and spent some time on the walk of fame. We ventured down to the sandy and walked up as far as we could. Everyone was so friendly. We treated ourselves to a massive ice cream before heading back to the hotel for dinner and spent some time in the restaurant chatting to both staff and other customers. After venturing into town for a while, we went back to the apartment, absolutely shattered.
Tuesday
This was our last day, so I finished up the last of our supplies by creating a great breakfast. Laura popped to the markets in La Bocca to pick up fresh fruit and orange juices. We finally managed to shut Laura’s suitcase and made our way down to reception- the receptionist was really nice, our bags were taken into a room to be looked after for the day and she also asked the shuttle bus to wait for us.
Tip: During summer months (starting with the festival) there is a free bus into town, which saves on cab and bus far
es- the driver was so friendly and told us a few places to stop in at before we left.
Tuesday meant one thing for us- shopping! Normally I’m not brave enough to walk brazenly into designer shops back home, but we had so much fun exploring Dior, Gucci and the other shops. We spent a fair bit on clothes, but I also managed to stake out a few French shops where we could pick up a few summer items.
We hit the beach again, after making our way through the crowds.
Festival fever had really hit. We stopped at a pavement café and decided to people-watch for a while. Then we started on the souvenir hunt. Our driver had recommended a traditional sweet shop and a few film memorabilia stalls to pick presents from. The market was on again, and was filled with antiques and art- we made a few guilty purchases there, too.
We took a stroll around the marina and were amazed at the size of the boats after pausing to look at them in detail. Eventually we made our way back to Cannes Beach to grab our cases. We decided to leave a little earlier and save money on getting the bus back to the airport, where our flight was delayed, but we didn’t really matter because we were so content.
All in all, Cannes was exactly what we needed- the chance to be girly, cultured and relaxed in one swoop. I still can’t believe somewhere as beautiful as this is just 1 ½ hours away. We had the most glorious time. Choosing self-catering meant we had the time and money to indulge in French food and drink without breaking the budget.
La Bocca was so adorable. Full of bakeries, butchers, tiny bars and an exciting mix of people from all over the world- I’m glad we stayed here. La Croisette is a gals dream, and a great place to indulge for an afternoon- everyone likes to pretend they are in a fairy-tale, don’t they! Îles de Lérins- Never overlook these islands if you visit Cannes, those islands seem more magical than Gucci ever will!”
Where to stay
Melissa stayed at Pierre Vacances Cannes Beach, and flew in to Nice from Gatwick with Easyjet. Melissa also visited friends at the Pierre Vacances Villa Francia. Both properties are situated in La Bocca but PV-Holidays have many other properties in the Cannes/Nice area.
Save at least 22% on your next holiday with PV-Holidays by taking part in our Beat the Euro campaign. If you visit the website and enter the code: 8258, you can claim your discount. Great news for all is that the code can be used in conjunction with any summer holiday dates- which is ideal for any other girly mates, families or couples who want to visit France or Spain this summer.
Visit www.pv-holidays.com for more details.
Thanks for reading,
PV-Holidays
PV-Holidays: A film buff’s guide to Cannes
By Athena Stavrakis
All showbiz eyes turn to the South of France in May as the coastal captial of chic plays host to directors, producers and movie stars for the sparkling Cannes Film Festival.
In the space of a fortnight, films are screened, works are distributed and careers are made or broken. And all under the intense gaze of the media and public.
Launched in 1946, this renowned and exclusive event has attracted the Hollywood elite and is known for its legendary parties as well as its screenings. The Cannes Film Festival has been an focal showcase for directors, new and old. This year’s event, the 62nd Festival de Cannes, will bring in such big names as Pedro Almodóvar, Quentin Tarantino and Francis Ford Coppola…..and many more.
You’d be mistaken in thinking the festival was only for luvvies and stars. In fact, spending the weekend in Cannes during the festival could mean you can enjoy the good weather and possibly spot your favourite star whilst getting caught up in the A-List atmosphere in town. But aside from the festival- what else is there to do in Cannes?
Here are P&V’s top tips for UK film buffs on how to enjoy Cannes and the festival, on a budget:
Sun, sea and star spotting
Cannes is a stylish and scenic resort that’s rich in history, culture and wine! Take in the amazing atmosphere by promenading on the iconic La Croisette. This waterfront avenue of Cannes is littered with paparazzi trying to catch a glimpse of the rich and the famous. Who will you see?
Pedro Almodóvar and Penelope Cruz, both Cannes favourites, team up once again and showcase his psychological thriller, Broken Promises at this year’s festival. Cruz, no stranger to Best Dressed lists, gave the paparazzi plenty to flash about at last year’s festival and doubtless will be doing the same this year.
Boasting playboy beaches, with a nearby array of restaurants, cafes and boutiques, La Croisette is the number one location to visit when staying in Cannes. La Croisette stretches along the shore of the balmy Mediterranean, with the Lerins islands off the coast and the Esterel mountain range, making it a scenic location to start your star spotting
Revel in Romanticism
Jane Campion, a Golden Palm winner for the film ‘The Piano’ and the only female winner to date, returns to Cannes with her film ‘Bright Star’. Bright Star is a dramatisation of the love between the great Romantic poet, John Keats and his muse, Fanny Brawne.
Featuring rising stars, Ben Whishaw and Abbie Cornish, it is set to be well-received at the festival this year. Meander along to the old town of La Suquet, where you can take in the views of La Croisette. It took The Man in the Iron Mask 11 years to leave the tiny, forested Îles de Lérins and it is here you can visit his cell in the Fort of St Marguerite, now renamed the Musée de la Mer (Museum of the Sea), a perfect accompaniment to Keats’ poetry
Peace and Quiet
Make St. Honorat Island another spot to explore when visiting Cannes. A contrast to the wanton celebrities who are drawn to the resort during the Cannes Film Festival, this island has been inhabited by Cistercian monks since AD410.
At the height of their powers the Cistercian monks owned Cannes, Mougins and Vallauris. However, between prayer these monks are well-known for producing fine red and white wine.
The peaceful and holy environment of St. Honorat Island is a far cry from daredevil auteur, Quentin Tarantino’s latest offering to Cannes, Inglourious Basterds. Tarantino’s intriguingly-titled Second World War epic, starring Brad Pitt, tells the tale of a leader of a squad of Jewish-American soldiers in Nazi-occupied France.
Whilst recent films have not been well received by film critics, Tarantino hopes to repeat the success of his 1994 Palme d’Or awarded film, Pulp Fiction.
Cannes enjoys an average of 12 hours of sunshine a day during summer and sees a relatively low rainfall. The resort is worlds away from the rainy streets of Britain but flying the flag for our fair isle is former Palme d’Or winner, Ken Loach.
Loach returns to Cannes with his social-realist fable, Looking for Eric. This film is centred on the trials and tribulations of a football mad postman, who seeks guidance in life from former Manchester United star, Eric Cantona.
The Hot Dates: 13th – 24th May 2009
Many of P&V’s properties are ideally located for both celebrity spotting at the ‘Palais des Festivals’ in Cannes and exploring the beaches and towns along the French Riviera, including the lively harbour of Antibes and picturesque Mandelieu.
P&V are offering a range of affordable accommodation on the French Riviera, for those who want to experience the glitz and glamour of the Cannes Film Festival whilst staying within an affordable budget. Find a full list of P&V’s apartments in Cannes
on the PV-Holidays website.
Accommodation includes centrally located properties just 50m from Cannes Beach, with prices starting from as little as £32 per person, per night. Located just 50m from the beach and with stunning sea views, the Pierre & Vacances Cannes Beach property is in an ideal location for a short break on the French Riviera.
PV-Holidays.com are offering three nights in a studio apartment sleeping two people, starting from £328 per apartment from the 13th – 16th May 2009 – just £55 per person, per night.
The Palais des Festivals, which hosts the film festival, is less than 10 minutes away from the residence and the Cannes-La-Bocca shopping quarter is on the property’s doorstep. We recommend you stock up in local supermarkets for tasty treats for the week and retire back to your apartments after a day filled with celeb hunting!
Another top offer is Résidence Pierre & Vacances Mandelieu, P&V Holidays are offering three nights in a studio apartment sleeping two people starts from £310 per apartment from the 13th – 16th May 2009 – just £52 per person, per night.
For more information and other latest deals, visit www.pv-holidays.com.
