| Ahh the Wonderful Sounth of France.Blue and red | | | | movie stars, you can visit the charming region of |
| parasols, sailing ships, a light breeze and a cloudless | | | | the Haute Provence, an area featured in the |
| blue sky - the Cote d'Azure, or Azure Coast as it | | | | literary classic The Three Musketeers. Envision |
| is literally translated, lives up to its name.It is a | | | | moonlight, lavender fields, old abbeys and intimate |
| good idea to plan your trip to the South of France | | | | villages, red wine, and fresh baguettes.One thing |
| for early September to avoid the madness of the | | | | worth doing while driving around the South of |
| Cannes film festival in May, and the sweltering | | | | France, is stopping to try some fresh french |
| heat and the crowded coastal highways that | | | | bread accompanied by chevre or goat's cheese |
| besiege vacationers in July and August.As the high | | | | (one of the hundreds of delicious fresh cheeses |
| season ends, the hoards clear out and you can | | | | to be found in France).The Verdon Gorge, in the |
| truly appreciate the charm of these classy | | | | heart of Provence, is known as the Grand |
| seaside resorts.The Provence has a heavy | | | | Canyon of Europe. It's 3000 ft. walls of chalky |
| Mediterranean influence so be sure to dine heartily | | | | white limestone offer some of the best |
| in the early afternoon as most restaurants are | | | | opportunities for rock climbing and other |
| closed from around three until seven.The local | | | | adventure sports anywhere in the world. While |
| Nicois cooking is Italianate in flavor and features | | | | the kayaks bob and weave down the torrents |
| delights like aioli, a yellow garlicky sauce served | | | | far below, the tourists creep on all fours to the |
| over everything from raw vegetables to fish, and | | | | canyon edge to take in the awesome view and |
| ratatouille, a combination of fresh tomatoes, | | | | watch climbers ascend the sheer cliffs. Like |
| eggplant and squash stewed together with green | | | | Yosemite Valley, the Verdon Gorge offers |
| peppers, garlic and various herbs. Also, don't miss | | | | experienced rock climbers a big wall experience, |
| the bouillabaisse, a magnificent fish stew.In | | | | but without having to haul loads of gear as you |
| Cannes, make time for some world class window | | | | can climb in shorts and rock shoes with a |
| shopping and to engage in a favorite pastime in | | | | minimum of equipment.The captivating Haute |
| this glittering bastion of wealth, people watching | | | | Provence, with it's blend of white limestone hills, |
| along the Blvd. de la Croisette, probably the | | | | rough stony pastures, and charming villages |
| classiest seaside promenade in the world.If that's | | | | proved to be the highlight - but sadly also marked |
| not enough excitement for you, drive along the | | | | the end - of our trip.The next day, as the plane |
| precipitous and tortuous coastal highways that | | | | banked away from the coastline with its piercing |
| Grace Kelly raced over in Hitchcock's To Catch a | | | | light, deep blue waters, and diamond like white |
| Thief to reach the small nation of Monaco. Here, | | | | caps, we realized that we had only experienced a |
| visit the famed Monte Carlo Casino (think James | | | | small taste of the rich landscapes and peoples you |
| Bond). This gambling resort is no Las Vegas. | | | | will find in the South of France.Andy James is one |
| Ringed by Ferrari's and Rolls Royce's, it features a | | | | of our many travel experts, that visit the top |
| Private Salon into which only the properly clad (no | | | | worldwide destinations in order to make sure we |
| shorts; jacket and tie required for men) may | | | | can help you choose the best Vacation Choices |
| enter. Also, if the shopping in Cannes didn't | | | | no matter what your taste and your budget want |
| exhaust you, Monaco's pricey haute couture will | | | | to take you. Visit us at or |
| make you drop (at least that's the effect it had | | | | for more info on how we can help you make |
| on my husband ):OFor those not enthralled by | | | | the most of your Travel Plans. |
| world class beaches, monstrous yachts, and | | | | |