Posts Tagged ‘Travel’

Olialia MIPIM Travel – Day 2 – Cannes

Travel to French Riviera?

My fiance and I want to go to the French Riviera for our honeymoon this August, but have no clue which city is the best to go to for culture and relaxation, what airport to fly into, where to stay, etc…

Can anyone who has been to this region of France offer up some suggestions?

Thanks!

Best way to travel from Paris, to Cannes, to Monaco and back to Paris!!?

Hi!!

I am leaving for Paris on Friday evening for the first time! I am trying to visit Cannes and Monaco as well, but don’t know the best way to do it!

I’d like to think my best route is Paris, to Cannes, to Monaco, and back to Paris?

Or would CAnnes and Monaco be switched? Does it even matter?

Ok any help would be great! Thanks!

Tim

What is the best way to travel from city to city in France on a budget?

I am traveling to Europe with my friends and we are on a serious budget. I was wondering how you would get from city to city like Provence to Cannes, Nice, Monaco.

Traveling from Cannes to Rouen, Need Travel Advice?

I’ll be departing Cannes on June 21st and must arrive in Rouen by July 5th. (Will probably spend the night of July 4th in Paris and take the train to Rouen the next day).

I need advice on transportation, places to go and things to do, during that journey. Train or bus, I guess. Marseilles? Montpellier? Lille? Help! Please and thank you.

Travel the Garden Route South Africa

 

Our family simply love it, travel in South Africa is easy for us, we live here. From our base in East London, in the Eastern Cape, we have a short hop through Port Alfred and on to Port Elizabeth. The start (or end) of the Garden Route, it depends which way youâ??re coming from. For this travel article weâ??ll take you from Cape Town toward Port Elizabeth and try and give new visitors to the area an insight into this beautiful part of South Africa.

Many LOCALS RATE this region of the Western Cape and Eastern Cape as one of the prettiest in the South Africa. There are a few arguments perhaps as to where the actual Garden route begins and ends as many say the Garden Route begins as one leaves Cape Town and ends on entering Port Elizabeth, whilst this might be true, the real Garden Route, the most beautiful section anyway, starts from the town of Mossel Bay and ends in Port Elizabeth.

We’ll take you through the route from Cape Town as if you were driving through. The road winds it’s way along the excellent N1 National Road, you won’t see much of the sea until you start the downhill section toward the town of Mossel Bay, passing the Sasol oil refinery, approximately four to five hours easy travel from Cape Town. Mossel bay can be described as a small but historical fishing town, built  on the edge of a beautiful bay. Mossel Bay is currently being re-discoverred  and has re-invented itself as a travel destination. Recently completed additions are the Casino complex; the Pinnacle Point Golf Estate, many residential apartments and accommodation options around Diaz Strand and the recently upgraded Mossel Bay Golf Club. One can either by-pass Mossel Bay on the N2 or take the easy detour through the town. This detour can be extended through the holiday resort villages of Klein Brak and Groot Brak Rivers , popular holiday resorts with many holiday homes, busy over the Christmas season.

Not too far along the highway you will by-pass the George Airport, serviced by SA Express airline and also the town of George and the large Garden Route Shopping Mall, recently built and confirming the role of George as the commercial hub of the Garden Route. George has wonderful examples of South African architecture, illustrating the influence of the Dutch extending from the 1600′s, commonly referred to as Cape-Dutch Architecture. George is the home of the famous Fancourt Golf Estate, a golf and residential complex  where the Presidents Cup competition and many others have been played, if golf is your game, do not miss the more traditional George Golf Club, rated usually in the top ten in the country. If you intend heading for Oudtshoorn and the Karoo, this is where one can turn toward the North.

As you pass George you could take a turn to the right, a lovely little Bay, also a popular surfing spot, known as Victoria Bay and commonly referred to as Vic Bay by the locals, take a break and walk along the road in front of the houses, the writer was once fortunate enough to watch a cormorant (SA sea-bird) fishing a deep pool in chrystal clear water. Just after Vic Bay, some tight turns, a lovely section, through the Kaaimans Pass. Take it slowly and beware of speed restrictions through the turns and you will pop out over Dolphins Point, a great place for a view stop, look out for the schools of Dolphins but if you don’t see any, enjoy the vista of the Kaaimans River Mouth, the Indian Ocean and the Wilderness coastline.

Wilderness started off as a small resort village along one of the many rivers that link a series of lakes around the Wilderness town area and National Park, a nature reserve where water birds are abundant. Wilderness has since expanded with residential and accommodation developments between the N2 and the shoreline. The Wilderness can no longer be described as a small coastal area or resort town due to it’s expansion but it has succeeded in maintaining it’s natural beauty. For a little peace and quiet, particularly if you enjoy birding, walking or mountain biking, the Wilderness is a wonderful place to consider spending a night or two if you are touring or even longer for a family holiday. It is well situated with easy access to the rest of the Garden Route wich can be accessed by shorter day trips.

As you leave the Wilderness area, you will still feel part of the lake region as you travel the short hop, perhaps half an hour, toward the resort town of Sedgefield. Sedgefield is situated toward the end of the lakes and is a small holiday village that stretches out along the edge of the various waterways. Populated by many holiday homes and serviced by a shopping area along the N2, keep a look out for some local shops of interest, the whole area is home to forests and also some extremely able furniture manufacturers that have remained long after the last tree was ever brought down, this no longer being the practice.

A drive along the N2 for approximately twenty km’s takes one along the shores of Lake Pleasant to the turn off to Buffels Baai, or Buffalo Bay. As you drive along look out for the Outeniqua Choo Choo as it’s known, one of the last operating steam trains which plies the route daily between Knysna and George. Just a few minutes from the N2 along a tar road is the resort village of Buffels Baai where a lovely beach, one of the nicest along the Garden Route, lies shelterred in a small bay. An ideal stop over for a swim break, a lovely shop and reataurant and a long beach walk if you need to stretch your legs.

The next town is one of the reasons that makes the Garden Route a destination of choice. As you leave Buffels Baai and return to the N2, you will go up and over steep hill and cross the long bridge over the Knysna River, to your left the hilis and the River, on top of the hill you will see the Simola Golf Estate in the distance , to your right the full expanse of the famous Knysna Lagoon. A lovely scenic road takes one into the Knysna village, once the home of the timber industry in the region, now one of the most popular tourist destinations in South Africa. Knysna, with it’s Knysna Waterfront; Thesen’s Island; the Heads and Leisure Isle is an exciting holiday town with much to offer the visitor. certainly a good place to make your base as you tour the Gardeb Route. Accommodation options include many Hotels ; Guest Lodges and Bed and Breakfast accommodation.

The short area between Knysna and the next town, Plettenberg Bay has many quaint farm stores selling an assortment of local wares, there are also restaurant and accommodation facilities for those wanting to take their time along this section. One actually turns off the N2 into the holiday mecca of Plettenberg Bay, known to many as the Nice , Cannes, and even the French Riviera of South Africa, Plett, as it is commonly referred to, is the chosen holiday resort of many a well known South African businesses person, teeming with luxury homes, fine restaurants and a lovely, up-market shopping area. Add the mix of two good golf courses, Plettenberg Bay and Goose Valley, the beach, the polo fields and arguably the best weather along the coast and Plettenberg Bay has simply got the recipe just right for an African beach holiday.

One leaves Plettenberg Bay, having perhaps made a visit to the nearby Keurbooms River and lagoon along the N2 toward the Tsitsikamma forests and Nature Reserve. Either take the toll road or if you are not in a hurry, take the older road that passes through the forest and natural terrain, it is suggested you have a map with you, this is certainly the more picturesque route through the village of Natures Valley. At a small village called the Craggs, is the Bird’s of Eden, the largest under cover aviary in the world, set aside and hour or two for this and it’s sister attraction, Monkeyland, both well worth the visit, you must remember to take off your shiny articles, such as earings, some of the birds are a little too playful, a lovely experience not to be missed.

Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve is home to the Storms River Mouth area, camping, chalets and very well positioned along the rugged and exciting coastline. Storms River offers visitors nature walks, some exciting adventures such as tubing on the Storms River, scuba diving in the reserve, abseiling and quad biking for the young at heart.

As you wind your way toward Port Elizabeth, consider stopping over at Jeffries Bay and St Francis, both popular seaside resorts with many holiday homes available for rental.

 

 

YOUR INPUT IS CRITICAL��.. Please send any travel tip or travel idea to info@staysa.co.za  help fellow travellers to enjoy safe and happy travelling. We will gladly assist with travel information or visit the site at www.staysa.co.za where you will find comprehensive travel and accommodation information.

 

 

Alan Hawkins â?? CEO

www.staysa.co.za

Where to find the best in luxury travel, entertainment and lifestyle? Blog Purentonline is your answer

If youâ??ve ever wondered where to find the best in luxury travel, entertainment and lifestyle, look no further; Blog Purentonline is your immediate access to the world of luxury.

In todayâ??s overcrowded media world where consumers are always on the move, luxury brands are finding it more difficult than ever to target their elite, affluent, niche audience. Blog Purentonline is a nice publication thatâ??s ideal for advertisers and readers who seek to have access to unique and exclusive products. Maybe you are a tourist and are interested in booking your stay at the best resorts, hotels and spas; or you like the advantages of renting a sea-view luxury villa in the best worldwide destinations. Perhaps youâ??re a jet setter and a selection of the most luxurious yachts and private jets to charter interests you; or youâ??re simply a globetrotter, passionate about the world-class restaurants, the gadgets and jewellery, the trends in menâ??s and womenâ??s fashion, the international sporting and cultural events, the fine living ideas and many more.

At Blog Purentonline, readers are given many choices between the three categories: luxury travel, entertainment and lifestyle. Each category offers the readers a wide variety of articles and luxury bespoke experiences featuring some of the worldâ??s finest brands. As an example, you will find articles about one of the most luxurious villas for rent in France located on the borders of Cannes and Mougins, a beautiful resort set in a picturesque corner of the Maldives (Rangali Islands), a 40 metres luxury yacht â??Sanooâ? to charter on your next vacation across the Mediterranean and unique packages for the Michael Jackson London shows in July 2009. Other features include the 2009 Zegna ad campaign shot in the hectic streets of Jaipur, the amazing limited edition watch: the Rolex Jacques Piccard, the most exquisite humidors in the world, one of the most expensive home in London: â??The Mansionâ? designed by Harrison Varma, the new Lâ??Or de Jean Martell by Martell Cognac, the fabulous Domes of Elounda in Greece, the Fred Perry 100th Anniversary Vespa scooter, the all new Grand Bentley and many more.

Blog Purentonline is a very unique luxury blog/magazine because not only readers enjoy exclusive articles that keep them informed and interested in everything luxury, but more importantly they have access to the luxury bespoke experiences and concierge services they tailor made to clients. Blog Purentonline is part of Pure Entertainment Group, a bespoke event management and luxury concierge company based in Montreal, Canada. Indeed, Pure Entertainment Group offers the finest luxury lifestyle experiences to clients; therefore, Blog Purentonline is the best place for luxury travel, entertainment and lifestyle. Readers/clients who are interested to rent a luxury villa, charter a yacht or a private jet, to book a custom trip can contact Pure Conciergerie at concierge@purentonline.com

Travel Picks: Top 10 Mediterranean beach towns

Travel Picks: Top 10 Mediterranean beach towns
SINGAPORE (Reuters Life!) – The days of vintage Mediterranean style are back in force, and here are the places where it all began, with website AskMen (www.askmen.com) coming up with a list of top towns bordering the sea that have become the playgrounds of the rich and famous.

Read more on Reuters

The French Riviera – Travel and Tourism in and around Nice

Nice, with the principality of Monaco and Italy just a stone’s throw away to one side, and the ancient port of Antibes and the rest of the Riviera (with miles and miles of tourist-pulling beaches) as far as St Tropez on the other, is a popular tourist destination and also a thriving city with a fascinating history and an abundance of culture.

For many, visiting Nice outside the summer months is more enjoyable. It is less crowded, less expensive, but there is still more than enough to see and do. Nice is jam-packed full of museums, galleries, concert venues, theatres and a myriad of things to see and do.

To spend just a few days in this little corner of paradise, it soon becomes obvious why many artists and writers made it their home – from Renoir in the 19th century through to Matisse, Dufy, and Chagall in more recent times. Many artists lived here for lengthy periods, finding inspiration in the city’s varied seaside and mountain landscapes. Claude Monet was also a regular visitor.

But Nice is an ancient city with a history dating back almost 400,000 years. You can uncover some of this ancient history at the Terra Amata Museum. Later on, the Greeks established a trading post here which they called “Nikaia”, meaning “victory”. Later still came the Romans who established the town known as Cemenelum, the seat of government for the region.

From the Middle Ages right up until the 18th century, the area comprising Nice became a part of and then separated from many geographic entities and underwent many political upheavals. It was not until 1706 that Nice became a part of France. However just 7 years later, it was handed over to Victor Amedee, King of Sicily, and didn’t return to French ownership again until 1860.

There are many ways to see Nice and public transport is reliable and inexpensive. There is also a new tramway currently under construction and due for opening in 2007. But for those with time available, a walking tour is by far the best option. Stroll along the Promenade des Anglais and step back in time to the Victorian era along the palm tree-lined shore with some of the finest hotels, cafes and restaurants on the Riviera.

Many of the hotels along this famous five-mile stretch combine modern comfort with the splendor of the Belle Epoque. Typical and perhaps the most splendid is the exquisite Hotel Negresco, which quite nonchalantly houses four centuries of French art – worthy of a museum – for all to see. Go and take a look. Don’t be daunted by the doormen and hall porters dressed in traditional 18th century French attire. They will welcome you courteously with a smile as you enter the splendid lobby decorated in Louis XVI style.

Opposite the Hotel Negresco – being careful as you traverse the sometimes crazy palm-lined dual carriageway – you’ll find a beautiful, though rocky, stretch of beach. This extends as far as the eye can see and beyond. But fortunately the stones are smooth, making walking on the pebbles less painful than it might seem.

From the Promenade des Anglais, you can then make your way along the coast to the port. Here you’ll find the beautiful church of Notre Dame du Port, standing guard over the harbor, blessing seafarers as they leave the city. The port is always highly active and welcomes cruise liners from around the world.

The old town, known as Vieux Nice, delights visitors with its picturesque narrow streets and eclectic mixture of architectural styles. Several parts date back to medieval times.

One of the most interesting buildings in Vieux Nice is the Opera house. Built in 1885, it is a fine example of Second Empire architecture.

A few steps away is the Cours Saleya, a little like Paris’ Left Bank, with a myriad outdoor cafes welcoming locals and tourists alike. Don’t forget to try the local specialty dishes – they are numerous and all delicious. The nearby flower market, which on Mondays becomes an antiques flea market, sweeps up passers by into a symphony of sounds, scents and colors. Here you can also investigate other staples of Nice cuisine, such as figs, goat cheese, olives and even candied fruit. Don’t forget to try the local favorite known as “socca”, a savory pancake made from chickpea flour. It’s inexpensive, great with a beer, and beats a hot dog any day!

Dining in Nice ranges from the casual to the most elegant, with the city possessing some of France’s most renowned restaurants.

Seeing Nice by night, with the lights from the palatial hotels along the coast reflecting off the moonlit Mediterranean, is an almost surreal experience – a fantasy of light, sounds and savors. The city’s nightlife is also legendary, including cafes open to the small hours and nightclubs, discotheques and casinos – including the famous Casino Ruhl and the newly re-opened and sophisticatedly decadent Palais de la Mediterranee.

There is much more to see in and around Nice. But we hope that this is just enough to whet your appetite. Given a month, you would only just be able to touch the surface of this jewel of the French Riviera.

The most popular travel destinations in the world

Every country is beautiful in its own manner and is really worth visiting, but there are some countries that attract much more tourists than others. There is the list of the 5 of the most visited countries of the last several years1) France (76.7 million visitors a year)2) Spain (51.7 million visitors)3) U.S. (41.9 million visitors)4) Italy (39.8 million visitors)5) China (36.8 million visitors)

This is the data of 19981) France (70 million visitors)2) Spain (47,7 million visitors)3) United States (47 million visitors)4) Italy (34,8 million visitors)5) United Kingdom (25,4 million visitors)

The top 4 has remained the same since the end of the last century, but fast developing and becoming more and more popular China replaced the United Kingdom on the fifth place. You can also see that china is going to overcome Italy in amount of tourists. You can also see that the total amount of tourists has increased – people became to travel more. So, the most popular country with a big odds given is France. Without any doubt the most famous and popular city in France is Paris. It receives a huge amount of visitors any season. In summer the whole Cote d’Azur with Nice and Cannes becomes the most fashionable and prestigious beach resort. Spain, mostly visited in summer is also very popular beach destination with its resorts of Costa Brave, Costa Dorada, Costa del Sol. Spanish islands – Canaries and Balearics also attract millions. Barcelona and Madrid are on the top of the list of the most visited Spanish cities.
United States have the third place with the significant number of tourists, but mostly they are Americans. New York is the most visited by tourists city and Florida and California are known for their beach resorts. Italy, full of ancient attractions and sea resorts is also among the leaders. Rome, Milan, Venice, Florence – everybody knows these symbols of Italian bloom and the tourist stream never exhausts.Among other popular travel destinations we can name Thailand, although after tsunami it suffered a lot of problems. Now it begins to rise again. According to some questionings it is named the best place for swimming and beach rest. These are the destinations popular worldwide. However every country has its own favorites. For example, it’s known that Americans prefer to spend their holidays in Mexico, many French like to visit Martinique and so on. In conclusion I can say that nothing threatens France’s leadership in the list of the most popular countries but people open new, exotic destinations which popularity is growing up.