Each year, thousands of tourists flock to the South of France in search of high-end travel experiences, delicious food and wine, and lasting memories. Home to some of the region’s most charming towns and areas of natural beauty, it’s easy to see why it has become such a popular tourist destination.
Photo by Anthony Salerno on Unsplash
With that in mind, here are some top tips for planning a truly unforgettable trip to the South of France.
Write down a list of must-see destinations. When planning your luxurious trip to the South of France, deciding which areas you’d like to visit ahead of time is key, especially when you have so many options to choose from. For example, you may want to stop by Nice, which is otherwise known as the cultural capital of the French Riviera, or Gordes, a village often considered to be the prettiest in the entire country.
In addition to this, it’s also useful to know in advance which specific attractions you’d like to visit, whether that is museums and historic palaces, wineries and vineyards, or something a little more family-friendly. This will allow you to put together an itinerary that caters to your every need and interest, ensuring that you never run out of things to do.
If you’d prefer to leave the planning to someone else, now is the perfect time to reach out to a travel agent who can take care of this for you. Be sure to discuss your vision for your holiday with them in as much detail as possible, however, in order to ensure they can plan a trip that you’ll genuinely enjoy.
Time your trip wisely. While travelling during the peak summer months may seem like a great idea, especially if you’re in need of some sunshine, it can mean that you’re also dealing with crowds and significant price hikes. As such, you may prefer to travel between May and June, or September, to enjoy pleasant weather without being surrounded by thousands of other tourists.
Charter a yacht. Want to explore the coastal areas surrounding the South of France, in a truly unforgettable way? Look into superyacht charter opportunities in the area, which will make for a high-end travel experience like no other. After all, not only will you be surrounded by panoramic views of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region and the Mediterranean Sea, but you’ll also have every need catered to by attentive staff who are on hand to make your trip as memorable as possible.
Find the best accommodation. Whether you’re choosing one town/city as your base and planning daytrips to neighboring areas, or moving from place to place throughout the duration of your trip, there are plenty of options when it comes to accommodation. For example, you can use platforms such as Booking.com to make reservations at 5-star hotels or to rent out private luxurious apartments. Generally speaking, the sooner you book, the better, as you can ensure these spaces are not fully booked before you get the chance to stop by.
Make a reservation at a Michelin-star restaurant. While you’ll be able to find delicious meals throughout the region, visiting one of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur’s Michelin-starred restaurants is also a must. Fortunately, you have plenty of options to choose from in this regard, from the 3-star rated Le Petit Nice in Marseille to La Table du Castellet in Castellet, which is known for its delicious desserts and pastries.
Again, you should book in advance when dining out, to avoid disappointment when being turned away at the last possible minute. This also gives you the chance to check out the menu ahead of time, which is particularly important if you have any dietary restrictions that you must cater to.
No matter which restaurants you decide to patron, be sure to try some of the region’s most famous dishes, such as Bouillabaisse, Ratatouille, Aïoli and Tarte Tropézienne. You cannot go wrong with seafood dishes, either!
Make time for a round of golf. If you’re an avid golfer, then setting aside some time for a round or two of golf is also a great idea. After all, this means that you can indulge in one of your favourite hobbies while surrounded by some truly stunning views. There are many excellent golf courses in the area, including Royal Mougins, where the Cannes Open is held every year, and Ste. Maxime, which overlooks the St. Tropez coast.
Ensure that you relax, too. While you may be keen to fill your itinerary with a range of activities and dining experiences, remember that the whole point of going on a vacation is to relax. This means that there’s nothing wrong with leaving some gaps in your itinerary, either. For example, you could spend some time lounging by the pool (sampling your hotel’s cocktail menu) or strolling along the beach. Either way, this will allow you to recharge and refresh, so that you’re able to keep up with the rest of your plans!
Rent out a luxury vehicle. While the South of France does have an excellent public transport system, it’s not necessarily something that you want to have to deal with when on vacation. You can bypass the crowds and guarantee yourself a more high-end experience by renting out a luxury car instead of time. After all, this will allow you to move freely from place to place, while also ensuring that you travel in style. If you don’t want to be behind the driver’s seat yourself, don’t worry, plenty of companies also run chauffeur services you can rely on during this time, which saves you a great deal of hassle.
Final thoughts. Whether you’re heading out on a solo venture or traveling with your partner and family, there’s plenty to see and do in the South of France, making it a must-visit stop on your travel bucket list. Be sure to refer to this guide when planning your trip, in order to make the vacation as memorable as possible.
