City Guide to Marseille, France

John McCarthy once said "If I owned Marseille and Hell, I'd rent out Marseille and live in Hell" which to be fair isn't too kind to old Marseille; it has to be one of the most underrated places in France!

I had never thought of visiting Marseille before however through the powers of social media (Instagram to be exact), Intercontinental Hotels posted a photo of the view of the Vieux Port from their new hotel earlier this year and I booked straight away.

Obviously we stayed at the newly opened Intercontinental Marseille Hotel Dieu which is a beautiful historic building that has become a tourist attraction in Marseille since the hotel opened; it was the old hospital so a number of ex hospital staff and locals alike are visiting.

The rooms themselves are a little too dark for my liking however if you do get a Port view room (well worth the extra expense) the view is to die for as you look over the Vieux Port and the Notre Dame de la Garde and it's a view you will never tire of. I have a number of photos to prove it!

The Terrace rooms give you the opportunity to order room service and they will come in and set up a table for you on your terrace (as below).
My favourite view of the Hotel was at night, it's just spectacular and this photo doesn't do it justice.
The Le Capian Bar is a nice area to take a cheeky cocktail (they have a great selection of Champagne cocktails for the girls) and to take in the views from the terrace.

The hotel has a Spa by Clarins and G went for a deep tissue massage before we left and said it was definitely deep tissue! The treatments are pricey (but you expect this at a hotel plus a Clarins spa). The swimming pool is free to use for the guests however unfortunately you need to pay to use the hamman and steam rooms at a fee of €20 a day. All the toiletries in the rooms are Clarins.

2013 is Marseille's year as it is the joint European Capital of Culture with Kosice in Slovakia, while most cities just throw on a few exhibitions and displays, Marseille took the opportunity to clean up the Old Town area and it was money well spent. Almost every weekend there is a new exhibition or show to watch so you won't get bored while visiting.
Unfortunately like the real elephants, the elephant above has also lost its tusks!

I do like kooky art exhibitions (however detest the Tate Modern, yes I said it!) and we decided to visit the Musee Regards de Provence which had a couple of very interesting displays and a dead Mickey Mouse!

And I thought I had big feet, my Topshop ballet flats are still going strong! The second pair of these shoes are safely tucked in the back of the shoe room until required.
The Musee Regards de Provence is located in the Le Panier area of Marseille which was my favourite part of town, with its narrow little streets with pastel coloured buildings, clothes floating in the breeze, cute little flowers hanging off the window shutters; basically all I needed was a man playing an accordion wearing a breton stripe top and I would have died happy!

One trip I was really looking forward too when visiting Marseille was a boat trip to the Calanques National Park however due to the Mistral wind (it's the famous Provence wind) we couldn't take any boat trips to the Calanques as they were cancelled; which I was gutted about. Our concierge recommended Croisieres Marseille Calanques for the boat trip and the start point is at the Vieux Port.

However we did take a trip on the Petit Train up to the Notre Dame de la Garde which sits overlooking Marseille offering one of the best vantage points of the city as it sits on the highest point in Marseille. The train takes you along the Coastal road, then winds up through the narrow streets of Marseille; for €8 pp it's not a bad deal especially on a warm day as I wouldn't fancy the walk up. You get complete 360 degree views of this great city.
The interior of the Notre Dame de la Garde is just stunning and the mosaic decoration is breathtaking especially since a lot of work has been done to restore the Basilica. The Basilica is considered to be the guardian of Marseille.

We went in the early afternoon and the area was packed with tour groups from the Cruise Ships that were in harbour, so if you want to avoid the crowds then go late in the afternoon when it's less packed.

My tip on what to wear when visiting the Notre Dame would be to avoid a 1950′s summer dress as the Mistral Wind will have you flashing half of Marseille and almost every tourist currently on a Mediterranean Cruise! I can multi task like any lady however trying to hold down a dress, a hat and take photos, something had to give and unfortunately it was my dress!

One afternoon we strolled to Palais Longchamp where you will find a number of Museums however for me the best part was taking a stroll through the park and watching the families enjoy a Sunday afternoon in the sunshine. I was very taken with the pink dolphins in the water feature; these made me giggle.

The Vieux Port draws all the tourists as it's where the boat trips leave for the Calanques and it's where the fish, flower and craft markets are held each day in Marseille. The Old Port is gorgeous and a boy's dream as they spend hours looking at all the boats.

I'm one of those girls that find it important to support the local economy when on holiday so I am happy to take one for the team and do a bit of retail therapy. The shopping in Marseille is pretty impressive with a number of designer shops, high street brands and a few boutiques thrown in. Never fret girls, there is a Galleries Lafayette to flash your credit card in!
Marseille is in Provence and it's famous for soap and perfume which make great little presents to take home with you. If you are looking for the best then visit L'Eau De Cassis which was established in 1851 - the interior is just gorgeous and the scents are divine; my next visit I will be purchasing a new perfume!

G is English and he likes a cup of tea and we stumbled on a cute place for a cuppa called "Cup of Tea" which was a short skip and a hop from our hotel in the Le Panier area. They offer a great selection of tea or if the mood takes you then there is wine.
Obviously as I'm gluten free and love cake; I did eat a few Meringues and Macaroons while in Marseille and then felt guilty and used the gym at the hotel (okay I only used the gym once and ate cake more than once!).

If you are looking for a day trip from Marseille we found that there was not many options however the Tourist Office did provide details of a company they recommended called Provence Connection Tours who offer tours to Monaco, Cannes, Aix-en-Provence and Cassis.
When we visit Marseille the next time I will be doing this wine tour with Provence Wine Tours and fingers crossed the Calanques boat trip.

How to get from Marseille airport to Marseille
There is the Navette Shuttle bus that runs from the airport every 10-15 minutes and takes you to the Gare St Charles Train Station in Marseille. Turn right as you leave the MP1 or MP2 terminals and follow the signs to the bus station - you will see a row of kiosks selling tickets - purchase the ticket at the kiosk at the far end prior to boarding the bus. Journey time takes around 30 mins but depends on the traffic. We caught the bus to the Train Station and then jumped in a taxi to the hotel. The bus has free wifi on board!


Have you visited Marseille, what did you think?
xx

My name is Kelly, originally from New Zealand but now living in Engand. I write a travel blog called Around the World in 80 Pairs of Shoes which details my travel adventures around Europe and the World; showcasing Gluten Free Afternoon Teas, luxury hotels and city break destinations. http://www.aroundtheworldin80pairsofshoes.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelly_Michelle

Read More

Top 5 Reasons to Visit France

With over 80 million tourists a year, France is the most visited country in the world. Here are the top five reasons why people from all over the world visit France - the very same reasons you should be planning your own French holidays, too.

1. The Most Romantic Place on Earth
France arguably has more romantic spots than anywhere else in the world. These include stunning gardens such as the world-famous gardens of Versailles, where kings and queens once walked, the gardens of Latour-Marliac in Giverny, which provided the inspiration for one of Claude Monet's most famous paintings and the Loire Valley, which, with all its golden sunflowers, is a huge garden in itself - all of which are perfect places for a stroll with your loved one. There are also many fairy tale castles for you to tour, such as the Chateau de Chambord, Cheverny Castle and Fontainebleau Castle and you can even spend the night in one if you like.

Of course, you should also spend some time in Paris when you visit France on a romantic getaway. After all, the city is synonymous with romance. Savor the breathtaking views from the top of the Eiffel Tower, walk hand in hand along the Seine - while stealing a French kiss or two, or simply sit side by side in a small cafe and watch the city go by.

2. Gourmet Dining
It is a well-known fact that French cuisine is one of the world's most popular cuisines, as well as one of the most refined. True, you can easily find a French restaurant in many corners of the world, but nothing still compares to eating fois gras, coq au vin, ratatouille, bouillabaisse, souffle, eclairs or ganache in one of the best restaurants in France. For a truly gourmet dining experience, reserve a table at one of the country's Michelin three-starred restaurants, like Guy Savoy, Le Meurice or Plaza Athenee.

Be sure to order wine with your meal, since France also produces the best wines - whether red, white, or sparkling wines. You can also visit various wine estates and cellars during your French holidays in the regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne so you can see how wines are made while treating your tastebuds to a wine-tasting escapade. And if you like cognac, you should try it at the town where it originated.

3. World-Class Art Museums
France is home to the Louvre, the world's most famous museum, which, in turn, is home to over 30,000 priceless works of art. Its collection of paintings is the most impressive, containing masterpieces by the likes of Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Caravaggio and Rembrandt, although it also has various sculptures and artifacts from ancient Egypt and Greece. Aside from the Louvre, you should also drop by the Musee d'Orsay, which houses Monet and Renoir masterpieces among others, as well as the Musée National d'Art Moderne at the Centre Georges Pompidou, when you visit France. You can view exceptional works of art at the Palace of Versailles, too, and in many galleries outside Paris such as the Musee d'Unterlinden in Colmar.

4. Shopping
For the ultimate shopping experience, you should definitely come visit France. You will find many fashionable shops on the streets of Paris, particularly world-famous boutiques selling the best and latest in shoes, bags and clothes and fashion accessories. The specialty food shops are just as popular, such as the pastry and cheese shops, although you won't be able to bring these home as souvenirs. For more unique finds and better bargains, don't be afraid to try the Saint Ouen Flea Market and other flea markets in Paris and other cities, though you should be mindful to come early and be on guard against pickpockets.

5. Beautiful Beaches
Many tourists visit France for its beaches, and why not, when its beaches offer fine sands, sparkling Mediterranean waters, spectacular scenery and great facilities? Most of the fine beaches in France can be found on the Cote d'Azur or the French Riviera, particularly near the cities of Cannes and Nice, such as the St. Tropez Beach and the Villefranche sur Mer, although you can also find great beaches on the coasts of Brittany and Normandy, as well as on the Atlantic coast, like Biarritz.

Isabella Olsen writes for various travel magazines and has traveled to many global tourist destinations including France by car. To book your car hire France or learn more about cheap car hire worldwide, visit Zencarhire.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Isabella_Olsen

Read More

France, Paris Travel Guide

When looking into going to Paris, there are many places to see and lots of things that can be done while in Paris. You can look up all the places you want to see and make a check list or you can use a Paris Vacation Package, either way you will find plenty to do in Paris while you are there.

There is the Paris Island Vacation Package, where the package will include the hotel stay, travel to get there, most of your meals and all your activities you want to do while on the island. Where you can stay on the beach and visit all the different local attractions on the Island. These packages will cost a little more than you probably want to spend, but they nearly include everything you will need while you are in France.

There are many museums to visit while in Paris such as the Musee D'Orsay which has the largest collection of impressionist paintings you will find under one roof. Then there is the Rodin Museum which house the "Thinker", all of these places will be awesome to see while in Paris and a must on your to do list.

There are over forty million places to eat while you're staying in Paris. Some of the most famous restaurants you will want to visit are the Gourmet Restaurant, the French Bistrots, and many of the cafes you will find along the streets of Paris. You will not want to miss out on these places to eat because they have beauty and the history of France in them.

When looking for a place to stay in Paris you will have plenty of places to pick from because there are over one thousand and four hundred and fifty places to stay. You will find cheap hotels all the way up to the extremely expensive hotels. You will want to find a cheap hotel near all the restaurants and entertainment places you want to visit, that way you will not have to walk very far, or worry about transportation while in Paris. Many of the hotels here in Paris are historical and charming, so you will not be disappointed with were you choose to stay.

There is so many things to do and see in Paris make sure you plan enough time to spend at each one of the famous buildings and eat at the local cafes to learn about their history and culture.

http://vacation-package.co/paris-travel-guide/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sirhan_Salam

Read More