Budget Coté D'azur Travelling the south of France on a Budget. tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7206495 2006-11-22T16:43:27Z Blogger
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 true tyke 2004-07-15T16:01:00+01:00 2005-11-11T17:34:20Z 2004-07-15T15:05:16Z tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7206495.post-108990391661622383 Cote D'azur - France false tyke 2004-07-13T12:23:00+01:00 2006-04-19T13:16:17Z 2004-07-13T11:23:45Z tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7206495.post-108971782591864201 Thomsonfly - Nice to Coventry Thomsonfly operate a number of services from Cov. Spawn of a much larger fish Thomson (TUI), the service on board is much the same as you would expect from an large operator. The toilets were smelling a bit, but that disappeared when we got going. Coventry airport is the preverbial shed in a field. From airport, was directed to small village bus stop where I waited for an hour for a bus to false tyke 2004-07-13T12:23:00+01:00 2005-09-14T11:36:21Z 2004-07-13T11:24:03Z tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7206495.post-108971784336414126 FlyBe - Birmingham to Perpignan FlyBe operate what they call a local network, basing their business model on cheap regular flights. An alternative to other modes of transport for scheduled travellers. It was the first time I'd been on a FlyBe flight and I was impressed that I didn't have to walk across the runway, you could pay with plastic, and you didn't have to queue for boarding as seats were issued at check in. All false tyke 2004-07-10T17:26:00+01:00 2005-09-14T11:19:55Z 2004-07-10T16:31:03Z tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7206495.post-108947706356127638 Budget Coté D'azur - Costs Summary Here is a summary of the costs you can expect to pay. I have used my experiences as an example, these are not always representative of truely the cheapest, you will always find cheaper if you want to work through all the options, but here we go: ESSENTIALS Flight Birmingham to Perpignan and from Nice (£81) thomsonfly flybe Hotels/Hostels - 13 nights (£465) Cost of Travel Barcelona - Nice (via St. false tyke 2004-07-10T16:52:00+01:00 2005-09-14T11:18:34Z 2004-07-10T16:25:22Z tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7206495.post-108947672239029485 Nice - Street Map Here is a map of nice where i have marked up all the best spots for your perusal. false tyke 2004-07-10T16:32:00+01:00 2005-09-14T11:29:47Z 2004-07-10T15:52:12Z tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7206495.post-108947473291588025 Nice - Nice in Nice For my last night have decided to attend a concert, open air. Here I can vent my emotions and generally get in the spirit of the occasion. It has started to thunder and lightening and my performers are being rained on like myself. Instead, i decide that it may be better in the casino which may have a black jack wheel or something I can get my fingers stuck in. On reaching casino they decide that false tyke 2004-07-10T16:30:25+01:00 2004-07-12T16:57:25Z 2004-07-10T15:32:44Z tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7206495.post-108947356490808421 Nice - Football For no other reason apart from that I'm sat at the computer thought I ought to mention Euro 2004 and those rediculous monkeys they let wonder round the pitch when people are wanting to watch the football. If I was in Portugal, I would have been throwing bottles. Hiall Hitler. false tyke 2004-07-10T16:14:00+01:00 2005-09-14T11:12:14Z 2004-07-10T15:30:09Z tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7206495.post-108947340912219193 Nice - Museums Nice has its fair share of Musuems. Due to failing weather, I felt that these museums would be a worthy way to while away the hours. Kitting myself with cagoule, camera and other shoes and stuff I set out bright and early to this museum of one of the most famous artists who has hailed from Nice. That famous artist Matisse. Taking the bus, not the bugger bus, but a normal one no. 15 or 17, (for false tyke 2004-07-10T16:04:00+01:00 2005-09-14T11:10:48Z 2004-07-10T15:14:12Z tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7206495.post-108947245291248004 Nice - Bus For this day, due to failing weather conditions, I have planned a bus trip. For this in Nice you have a choice of modes, you have the small white choo choo bus, shaped like a train, favoured by very old and very young. Views aren't great from the choo choo bus, pasengers simply have to satify themselves that they are making a spectacle and crawl along at exhaust pipe level until they reach their false tyke 2004-07-10T15:48:00+01:00 2005-09-14T11:08:47Z 2004-07-10T15:04:18Z tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7206495.post-108947185884613993 Nice - Dogs The French have a national obsession.. with dogs. A Frenchman owns a dog much the same as anybody else would own a car, he buys it from new or secondhand, drives it around for a little showing it off. This is the French way. I have included this picture of a classical French dog and pose. When visiting French parks, especially city parks, you will becomes aware of just how important the social false tyke 2004-07-10T15:41:00+01:00 2005-09-14T11:07:04Z 2004-07-10T14:48:04Z tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7206495.post-108947088495782218 Nice - La Pietonnerre After little wandering between beach and hotel, have stumbled apon this Pitonnere area place, all narrow and magical, authentic window boxes, french smells, bohemian style town houses, and dog poo. The real France.. false tyke 2004-07-10T15:34:00+01:00 2005-09-14T11:06:27Z 2004-07-10T14:41:23Z tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7206495.post-108947048383370697 Nice - Nice Arrival After strenous previous days travelling around, found a cheap hotel 52e per night up by station area. Nice was one of those cities to which I took an instant liking. The people and place, attitudes of the big city refreshing after wandering outback D'azur. I have 5 days before I fly back to England, plenty of time to explore the city, kick back and relax. false tyke 2004-07-10T15:10:38+01:00 2004-07-12T16:53:38Z 2004-07-10T14:34:39Z tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7206495.post-108947007919648978 St. Tropez - Boat trip Took a little time to write up some blogs whilst waiting for the bus, Croque Monsueir in hand. As with many things continental, bus timetables cannot be relied apon, and my maticulous timing in finishing my mid morning snack had not co-ordinated with the real arrival and departure times of the bus to St. Raphel. Taking this as a glitch to add another few travel hours, I decided rather than false tyke 2004-07-10T14:55:00+01:00 2005-09-14T11:03:21Z 2004-07-10T14:10:03Z tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7206495.post-108946860395828146 St. Tropez St. Tropez renowned playground of the rich, famous, Bridget Bardot and Harry Seycombe, liggers and hangers alike gather to bask in St. Tropezs' opulent reputation. The port areas yachts intimidate the promenade as you walk along the sea front. My hotel cost 121e per night so I decided only to stay for one night. Spent a little time walking around designer boutiques and amongst exclusive false tyke 2004-07-10T14:36:03+01:00 2004-07-12T16:52:03Z 2004-07-10T13:55:20Z tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7206495.post-108946772079485552 Cassis - Vive le France Have realised in Cass the importance of being French, where this is not possible, you will have difficulties. Things have changed in France since my last visit 4 years ago. Then the French would attempt to communicate in English where you make the effort. Obviously now it seems due to our diplomatic naughtiness, this is no longer the case. French must be spoken at all times. Underlying French false tyke 2004-07-10T14:17:00+01:00 2005-09-14T11:01:08Z 2004-07-10T13:36:49Z tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7206495.post-108946660954844118 Cassis Have left Nimes behind. Am now in Cote D'azur proper - Cassis, as in Crémé de Cassis. Just south of Marseille between the mountains and the sea. For those that don't like the town of Marseille, don't worry, the mountains have acted as barrier keeping out the smells of the city. Cassis Town Centre The town centre is focussed around a small port area which is surrounded by shops. I am staying in false tyke 2004-07-10T13:53:31+01:00 2004-07-12T16:50:31Z 2004-07-10T13:15:31Z tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7206495.post-108946533161086547 Nimes Town Nimes is a town much like any other in France, Tours, Poitiers etc. French atmosphere and culture, plus, with Nimes, you get few historical sites thrown in for good measure. The Pont-du-Gare, is easily accessible from regular buses from Nimes, and due to its status as an UNESCO site, entry is free to most of the site. Nimes also has an amphitheatre which you can get in for 3e. They still false tyke 2004-07-10T13:47:43+01:00 2004-07-12T16:49:43Z 2004-07-10T12:50:02Z tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7206495.post-108946380249333959 Soz Due to different circumstances beyond my control, this blog has been delayed. For this I apologise. Next blog I will know not to make the same mistakes twice. false tyke 2004-07-04T15:20:51+01:00 2004-07-06T11:07:51Z 2004-07-04T14:21:58Z tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7206495.post-108895091812038230 Nimes - Cats Have been in Nimes for one day now. Am staying in the 'Cat' Hotel. Luckily there are no cats, nor signs that cats have been here, the place is clean and cheap. More later.. false tyke 2004-07-04T15:08:00+01:00 2005-09-14T10:57:24Z 2004-07-04T14:20:02Z tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7206495.post-108895080292254383 Port Bou - Moving on Call it Port Boo, it annoys the locals and can be used to confuse border officials. The sort of mentally symbolic gateway between France and Spain. Wait Rather than wait for 2hrs in Port Bou, I felt the 5 minute train journey over the border could easily be taken on foot. Alpha male like myself would not find this a problem, and I set off through the Boo heading for the French border. Aside false tyke 2004-07-04T14:59:00+01:00 2005-09-14T10:53:49Z 2004-07-04T14:08:06Z tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7206495.post-108895008683419263 Barcelona - Football Managed to wander round, get drunk and watch the football. Good constructive stuff. Didn't bother with the museums. Got some pictures of bits and pieces which I will be adding later. Due to excessive American students, have decided to give myself a new name for each independent tourist encounter. So far have been Harry, Jim, Fred, Geoff, Brin, Mat, Damon, Lodger and Pimp.. This saves time false tyke 2004-07-04T13:56:00+01:00 2005-09-14T10:51:31Z 2004-07-04T13:58:52Z tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7206495.post-108894953231501122 Barcelona - Scam Barcelona hosts the best backpacker horror stories. Snatchings, street scams pickpockets, all the best stuff for those travel yarns. This one of the more popular scams you're likely to encounter on Las Ramblas. Find the Lady Hat and balls trick on cardboard table. Balls are exchanged between hats, money is exchanged between Spaniards, all is jolly, all is normal.. Hat is chosen by false tyke 2004-06-07T17:12:00+01:00 2005-09-14T10:45:15Z 2004-06-07T16:22:14Z tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7206495.post-108662533428625666 Continental Bloggage Following the success of previous blog - Budget Slovenia, demand suggests the south of France to visitate and analyse on behalve of the nation. I have just bought my tickets at the following knock-down prices: Birmingham - Perpignan - £45 Nice - Coventry - £32 false