| ign="center"> | | | | America, they are generally friendly and open to |
| Do's and Don'ts for Your Vacation in the South of | | | | Americans. After living here for quite awhile, we've |
| France. | | | | only had one unpleasant, anti-American experience - |
| By Paul Lacter, Director of European Operations, | | | | and he turned out not to be French at all. There is a |
| Luxury Riviera Travel | | | | genuine fascination with the United States and you |
| With almost 40 million visitors a year, the South of | | | | may find yourself in an interesting exchange of views. |
| France remains one of the most sought after vacation | | | | And, with the exception of Paris, you'll find more English |
| destinations in the world. However, some basic | | | | speaking natives here than anywhere else in France. |
| knowledge of the area before you go can | | | | 6. Do try out new foods: Yes, there are plenty of |
| significantlyincrease your enjoyment of your visit to the | | | | McDonalds here and you can even get some |
| region. Our company, Luxury Riviera Travel, specializes | | | | Tex-Mex but that's not the reason you came to |
| in top-of-the-line vacation packages to the region and | | | | France. |
| we've developed a list of "do's and don'ts" based on | | | | Restaurants can however be expensive, especially |
| our ownexperience. | | | | with the weak dollar and you're unlikely to find a meal |
| 1. Do choose your trip dates carefully: Very few | | | | here for under $10. But you can find plenty of good |
| vacation destinations are as effected by seasonal | | | | restaurants with a three-course menu between |
| variance as the South of France. If at all possible, avoid | | | | twenty and twenty-five dollars. Or, do as the French |
| traveling there during the months of July and | | | | do and buy a sandwich on a wonderful loaf of French |
| Augustwhen millions of Europeans flock to the area | | | | bread for around five dollar. |
| from the four corners of the continent. Everything | | | | 7. Don't gather where the other American tourists go: I |
| becomes more expensive, more crowded, more noisy | | | | know there's safety in numbers but not necessarily for |
| and more chaotic during those two months. If you | | | | Americans traveling abroad. Besides, any spot that |
| must travelduring the summer months, it's a good idea | | | | caters to tourists is going to price themselves |
| to book your accommodations well in advance as the | | | | accordingly. Why pay a premium to be with the same |
| best rooms in the best hotels will generally be taken by | | | | folks you can see at home? Turn the corner and find |
| the middle of May. | | | | that little café ¹ou came to France for in the first |
| 2. Don't take a lot of cash with you: There are at least | | | | place. |
| as many ATM's in the South of France as there are in | | | | 8. Do make use of your hotel's concierge: A good |
| the average American town and almost all of them will | | | | concierge can arrange everything you'll need from a |
| allow you to make withdrawals directly from your | | | | haircut to concert tickets. While tipping is not required in |
| U.S. bank account. Naturally, there will be a limit to the | | | | European hotels and restaurants, it's a good idea toslip |
| amount of each withdrawal so check with your bank | | | | the concierge twenty euro when you arrive at your |
| before leaving. Furthermore you'll be able to use your | | | | hotel. This is an investment in service that can pay big |
| American credit and bank cards in almostevery shop, | | | | dividends in your enjoyment of your vacation. |
| hotel and restaurant you visit. Finally, in addition to | | | | 9. Do plan to go "inland" and visit some Provencal sites: |
| avoiding the potential dangers of carrying cash, credit | | | | The South of France has one of the richest histories |
| cards will often give you a better exchange rate than | | | | of the country. France's first city was Marseille, |
| you can get in banks and airports. | | | | founded by Phoecian traders in 600 BC. The |
| 3. Do pack lightly: Dress in the South of France tends | | | | Greeks,the Romans, the Visigoths, the Cathars, the |
| to be informal and, unless you're dining in a very | | | | Crusaders, the Italians, and, of course the French all left |
| elegant restaurant or invited to the Cannes Film | | | | their own indelible mark on the history of the South of |
| Festival, you won't need a lot of evening wear. | | | | France. |
| Country clubcasual will be perfect for most occasions | | | | You'll find Roman amphitheaters and medieval castles |
| but you'll want to have a sweater or windbreaker as | | | | and walled towns perched on top of rocky cliffs. |
| the evenings can get rather cool. | | | | Thearea abounds with museums celebrating |
| 4. Don't drive if you can avoid it: Driving in France can | | | | everything from pre-historic man to impressionist art. |
| be nerve-racking at best and dangerous at worst. | | | | And all this is placed in a setting of extraordinary |
| You'll need to get used to the difference in traffic | | | | natural beauty. |
| patterns and regulations and French driversare not | | | | 10. Do relax and enjoy your trip: There are few places |
| noted for their spirit of "fair-play". Furthermore, parking | | | | on earth that combine the very best in cuisine, culture |
| anywhere during the tourist season would challenge | | | | and climate and the French Riviera is among the very |
| the patience of Job. | | | | best. |
| Finally, with the exception of the A8 motorway that | | | | Get more information on this topic by visiting our |
| runs from Aix-en-Provence to the Italian border, the | | | | website at or submit questions to or at |
| roads tend to be narrow routes that wind their way | | | | (866)998-02748 |
| around mountains and are crowded with sightseers like | | | | Paul Lacter is Director of European Operations for |
| yourself. Trains and buses run the length of the Riviera | | | | Luxury Riviera |
| at frequent intervals and some of the best views of | | | | Travel. He lives and works on the French Riviera. |
| the coast can only be seen from the train as the | | | | Luxury Riviera Travel specializes in all-inclusive luxury |
| tracks run along the rocky shoreline. | | | | vacation travel packages to the French Riviera and |
| 5. Don't be afraid to mix with the "natives": While it's | | | | Provence. Learn more about us at Luxury Riviera |
| true that the French have ambiguous feeling about | | | | Travel. |