Beaches here are tiny! Breakfast in “Etap” Marseilles was very disappointing. Not a croissant, pain au chocolat or any pastry to be seen. No fresh fruit either. Terribly basic but they did have a toaster for the numerous types of bread they supplied. One even had chocolate scattered through it!
First on the agenda was an open topped bus tour, where you can hop on and off at will. It certainly wasn’t busy and I couldn’t work out why the bus wasn’t stopping at stops – took me half the trip to work out that you had to go to the top of the stairs and push the “stop” button. Never had to do that before, normally they stop automatically at each stop. Never mind we just stayed on the bus for the whole trip, just over 1:30 hours. Amazingly there wasn’t that much to see really. Apart from this striped church!
I am amazed at how hilly the coast is and how white the hills and cliffs are – I hadn’t realized we would be climbing over mountains and dropping to other little bays and coves or in French lingo calanques where you only can access them by boat.
Back to collect the car and head off to St Tropez further up the coast on the Cote d’Azur. Unfortunately the tight squeeze was a bit too much on the reverse trip up the elevator and the car got a wee scrape! 
St Tropez (pop 6000 in winter and 60000 in summer!)– about an 1:30 away through the mountains and drop back down to the coast. The land of the rich and famous and where everyone comes to play in Summer. Even for winter the town was humming! It was about 15 degrees and lovely sunshine. The mega rich had their super yacht/ launches moored straight up in the centre of town and many more moored at the marinas. Just looking at these was a lesson in itself – wow! They are breathtakingly luxurious – with spa pools at the stern etc. We were lucky enough to see some crews working and tidying while the owners were on shore and even spotted some getting on. Not sure who or how these people made their money but it was fun to try and guess. 
I was madly trying to spot a celebrity – any one wearing big dark sunnies was a suspect! Unfortunately the sun went down and we HAD to head on as we certainly couldn’t afford to stay here. Even though half the town and hotels were shut for winter it was still a small impressive place. Reminded me slightly of Wanaka and Queenstown combined – Queenstown marinas (only the very last boats were equivalent) with the laid back feel of Wanaka township. Naturally most celebrities who come here have an amazing launch to sleep on and play out at sea so you wouldn’t necessarily see any unless you went on a jetski searching! 
So off we headed for Nice (pop.346000)- just over an hour away– First impressions are what a gorgeous city. We drove along the beachfront – Promenade des Anglais, so many were out walking and exercising along the sea front. All the palm trees that lined the promenade were all lit up and it provided a wonderful atmosphere. The weather too helped, a very mild 10 degrees. Arrived in the dark and after a bit of searching found accommodation that can take 4. Wasn’t so easy this time but we got a great deal and cheaper than everywhere else we have been, also the room is fantastic and a very large bathroom so will stay here for 3 nights and do day trips from here. Also parking is a problem at Hotels here, they all use public car parks but last night the lady let us leave the car out the front till 11:00 this morning. That saved us some cash!
Tea was a Chinese restaurant where you see all the meals ( bit like Golden Cobweb but much bigger selection, including all the springrolls etc…) but they are cold. You pick from all the selections and then they heat it for you. You help yourself to the carafes of water, sauces and can reheat meals again in a microwave provided etc..
Sleep!!!
First on the agenda was an open topped bus tour, where you can hop on and off at will. It certainly wasn’t busy and I couldn’t work out why the bus wasn’t stopping at stops – took me half the trip to work out that you had to go to the top of the stairs and push the “stop” button. Never had to do that before, normally they stop automatically at each stop. Never mind we just stayed on the bus for the whole trip, just over 1:30 hours. Amazingly there wasn’t that much to see really. Apart from this striped church!
I am amazed at how hilly the coast is and how white the hills and cliffs are – I hadn’t realized we would be climbing over mountains and dropping to other little bays and coves or in French lingo calanques where you only can access them by boat.
Back to collect the car and head off to St Tropez further up the coast on the Cote d’Azur. Unfortunately the tight squeeze was a bit too much on the reverse trip up the elevator and the car got a wee scrape!
St Tropez (pop 6000 in winter and 60000 in summer!)– about an 1:30 away through the mountains and drop back down to the coast. The land of the rich and famous and where everyone comes to play in Summer. Even for winter the town was humming! It was about 15 degrees and lovely sunshine. The mega rich had their super yacht/ launches moored straight up in the centre of town and many more moored at the marinas. Just looking at these was a lesson in itself – wow! They are breathtakingly luxurious – with spa pools at the stern etc. We were lucky enough to see some crews working and tidying while the owners were on shore and even spotted some getting on. Not sure who or how these people made their money but it was fun to try and guess.
I was madly trying to spot a celebrity – any one wearing big dark sunnies was a suspect! Unfortunately the sun went down and we HAD to head on as we certainly couldn’t afford to stay here. Even though half the town and hotels were shut for winter it was still a small impressive place. Reminded me slightly of Wanaka and Queenstown combined – Queenstown marinas (only the very last boats were equivalent) with the laid back feel of Wanaka township. Naturally most celebrities who come here have an amazing launch to sleep on and play out at sea so you wouldn’t necessarily see any unless you went on a jetski searching!
So off we headed for Nice (pop.346000)- just over an hour away– First impressions are what a gorgeous city. We drove along the beachfront – Promenade des Anglais, so many were out walking and exercising along the sea front. All the palm trees that lined the promenade were all lit up and it provided a wonderful atmosphere. The weather too helped, a very mild 10 degrees. Arrived in the dark and after a bit of searching found accommodation that can take 4. Wasn’t so easy this time but we got a great deal and cheaper than everywhere else we have been, also the room is fantastic and a very large bathroom so will stay here for 3 nights and do day trips from here. Also parking is a problem at Hotels here, they all use public car parks but last night the lady let us leave the car out the front till 11:00 this morning. That saved us some cash!
Tea was a Chinese restaurant where you see all the meals ( bit like Golden Cobweb but much bigger selection, including all the springrolls etc…) but they are cold. You pick from all the selections and then they heat it for you. You help yourself to the carafes of water, sauces and can reheat meals again in a microwave provided etc..
Sleep!!!
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