Saturday, September 5, 2009

Your Next Vacation to the French Riviera is Real St. Tropez

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When planning your next vacation, consider a trip to the French Riviera. Although it's famous for making a playground for the jet set, its miles of grey sandy beaches, and gourmet food the present is as much of a treat for the eyes as it is for the palette, the French Riviera has much more to offer.

Take St. Tropez for example. Known as one of the "jewels of the French Riviera", St. Tropez is a beautiful and busy seaside village that grew up in the 50s and 60s after being discovered by Hollywood. (Roger Vadim's "And God Created Woman" was responsible for launching both Brigit Bardot's acting run and St. Tropez to a mecca for the rich and famous).

But for a while before St. Tropez was discovered by Hollywood, it was also a favorite place to live and work for some of the world's highest quality famous artists and sculptors. There is just somewhat about the light here that causes it unusual from what i read in everywhere else along the Mediterranean Sea - it shimmers like a pearl that's been dipped in gold.

You'll feel like you have walked into a picture postcard when you take a walk along the the pier and watch the sun sinking into the azure green waters of the Med. It colors the sky with the paints of ripe apricots, old gold and ruby red. A playful breeze pulls at the jewel-colored awnings above the sidewalk cafes, and the evening air is fragrant with jasmine and mimosa. And when you see the pastel colored housing with the red-tiled roofs, colorful flowers spilling out of window boxes and balconies, and the trim wooden sailing boats in on the tall masts bobbing gently next to sleek, black and white yachts, do not be surprised if your "inner artist" wants to turn up out and do a little painting too.

St. Tropez is continue to one of the favorite vacation spots of the "tres chic." Walk for the duration of the open-air market in the Place des Lices (it's open on Tuesday and Saturday mornings), and you'll hear accents from all over the world. International stars of phase and screen come to see and be seen, and you never know who you'll catch sight of while enjoying a cup of coffee or glass of wine at one of the multitude of outdoor cafes. In fact, shoppers watching is one of the favorite pastimes here, especially over the spring and summer months, when the sidewalks and narrow winding roads are crowded investing in tourists and sun worshippers.

The beaches of St. Tropez are almost as famous as the village itself. Arguably the a large amount of well&wshyp;known is the "Plage de Pampelonne" which offers something like 5 km of glaring white sand, exotic boutiques, tiny sidewalk cafes and elegant restaurants. If you want to rub elbows among the "beautiful people," stop in at Club 55 ensuing dark for a drink and a little dancing.

At the north end of St. Tropez, you will bring in the "Plage de Tahiti" that is another well-known haunt of famous - and infamous - celebrities. It's always crowded, so go the beginning of if you want to find a place to stake a say and lay your towel for the day.

Other beaches that offer breathtaking views, and great places to cool off in the Med are the Bouillabaisse, Baneliers and Salins beaches. Or head south past the Plage de Pampelonne to Cap Camart, and just beyond it - a tiny less accessible but a great deal decreased crowded because of it - are the "Plage de l'Escalet" and the "Plage de la Briande." And if you're feeling adventurous and really ask for to get away on the crowds, go a little further southern until you reach "Gigaro" - a exceptionally beautiful beach and the village of La Croix Valmer.

All together, there are over 40 beaches in this area of the French Riviera alone, so if you desire to lay in the sun, soaking up the rays during your vacation, you won't have to visit the same beach twice. But if your taste functions to the more and more adventurous or active, then you have still appear to the right place for your French Riviera vacation! You'll can find all of such activities (and more) here: Amusement parks, biking, boating, golf, hiking, tennis, raquetball, several fitness centers, fishing, horseback riding, miniature golf, surfing, swimming, snorkleing/scuba diving, windsurfing, para-sailing, jet-skiing, sailing, etc. And hang onto your credit cards, while the shopping here is out-of-this-world! You can see a small amount bit of everything from the very low cost to the very, particularly expensive and luxurious.


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And if you enjoy a good meal, subsequently dining on the French Riviera is an experience to be savored. From the tiny sidewalk cafes, at which the owner is just as likely to be your chef, to the fabulous three and four - star restaurants, eating has been raised to an art form. You'll find the food is continually fresh, employing the finest factors of the season, and presented so that it appears as beautiful as it tastes. (And do not even am sure about rushing over a meal. Here food is savored and enjoyed, and your waiter would never try to rush you.)

When you are tired of soaking up the sun, move inside and soak up a little culture instead. St. Tropez is home to specific unique museums, avant guard art galleries and there are special concerts, exhibits and special incidences scheduled year round.

A few places that should not be missed include:

The "Musee de l'Annoncaide" (Place Georges Grammont, pretty near the harbor). The museum is housed in the former chapel of the Annonciade. It opened in 1995 and now contains one of the best modern art collections in the entire Riviera. Many of the paintings on permanent exhibt are of St. Tropez itself, but there are also paintings by artists such as Seurat and Matisse that produce it well worth the visit. Other artists who are spotlighted insert Bonnard, Braque, Dufy, Utrillo, Derain and Maillol.

The Open Air Market (Place de Lices) Open on Tuesday and Saturday mornings, the open-air market is a fun and interesting way to spend a few hours. You'll want to sample some of the amazing current fruits and vegetables, haggle surrounded by the street venders and probably pick up a souvenir or two. Bring your camera, and do not forget to keep an eye out for celebrities!

Le Quartier de la Ponche is the old portion of the city. It's easy to get lost wandering around the narrow twisted streets and back alleys, although if you do, just stop and ask for directions - even people who don't speak a word of English know the word "harbor" and is able to be happy to explain how you get back.) And you will enjoy exploring the shops and houses that are strong reminders of the days before St. Tropez became "hip."

Musee Naval (Rue de la Citadelle) is a memorial to the days when St. Tropez lead to greater number of to sea captains and admirals than to the sun worshippers of today. There are balance models of cannons and ships, old photos of the town, and a wide variety of interesting little oddities. The museum is a part of the Citadel, a structure dating back to the 1500s. (And if you get hungry during your visit, the Citadelle is a great place to take a break and undergo a dim picnic lunch as well!)

La Maison de Papillons (Rue Etienne Berry) Papillon is the French word for butterfly. The "House of Butterflies" is one of the most incredible places to visit in St. Tropez. It houses over 4,500 different critters of butterflies, plus selected that are almost extinct.

When you're wandering across St. Tropez, don't forget the nearby hills and mountains. Two of the small medieval villages the are worth research are Eze and St. Paul de Vence, now occupied by artisans and crafts people. Or if you prefer, plan a trip to nearby Roquebune, providing its castle such a goes back to the days of Charlemagne. La Turbee offersvistors a look at Roman ruins and monuments - and is a vibrant testimony to the strength and power of the Roman Empire of the past.

No matter how long you decide on to stay, you'll find it difficult to tear yourself away from the beauty and excitement of St. Tropez. Even before you leave, don't be surprised if you are already planning to come back. You will...

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