mamamia2

So all is set for our 9-day trip to Provence-Riviera, starting in 2 weeks, and my daughters are now concerned that "Ohhh, we will drive from one small lovely village to another and another..." Yes, we also have some coastal cities to visit (-- which of them is the must-see?)...

...And I am asking what DIFFERENT KINDS of places we can plan for our rental-car day-trips, driving out of Flayosc, which is just outside Draguignan, north of Fréjus-St-Raphaël ?

If worth it, I don't mind driving further and staying one night away from our base.

Thanks for your help!

mamamia2

Bump...

macanimals

We've visited Provence on many occasions and will return for another 3 weeks this June/July. Most of us have stayed in places other than where you have selected. Perhaps you could tell us why you selected Flayosc? What are your group's interests?

Rest assured, you will find unique places and experiences which many of us would envy. Relax--enjoy the adventure. Those out of the way towns and villages can be thrilling. You and your daughters are in for a treat.

mamamia2

I was looking for a small B&B and bumped into this one and the location looked centered enough, close enough to the coast, easy access for day trips, heading to all directions....

We just don't want the SAME kind of exposure every day, so a few lovely villages, some open markets, some city exposure, maybe driving up a mountain, some art, an interesting museum, some unusual shopping, an unusual place to eat...

I'd like to make a list of this variety of exposure, so that every day is a different experience, even adventure...

Thanks...

mamamia2

Bump...

macanimals

Have you plotted your daytrips in terms of distance and time on a website like www.viamichelin.com ? It will tell you about your driving limits. Put in likely destinations and determine their feasibility. St Tropez is only 60 km and about an hour+ away. Put in Forcualquier and the Gorge du Verdon. I'm clueless as to shopping and if museums, art and unusual food is in your vicinity. There should be plenty of mountain driving opportunities.

Have you researched Flayosc or the surrounding towns and villages--checked a map? Your other thread mentions Barcelona--consider a change within Provence. St Remy, Arles, Cassis, Vaison la Romaine, Lourmarin, Bonnieux would all be good options but likely too far for you in a daytrip (2+ hrs one-way). Aix is about 1 1/4 hr away.

mamamia2

Yes, I use Michelin's site extensively, purchased their Green book and also purchased their 1/100,000 maps. What I am asking is for a VARIETY of DIFFERENT KINDS of experiences...

296vancouver

Your best bet is to google the French regional tourist office, as they have searchable links for the criteria you've given. It also seems to me that macanimals has provided sound advice. And why are you yelling at people who you've come to for help? Because you don't like their answers?

mamamia2

Oh no, no yelling.... I just use CAPITALS to make the more significant words stand out... It's a style in communication that is also used when one talks (not necessarily shouting)... Certainly no intention of showing any negative emotions, I'm here to get help, and I am being helped, and I appreciate the help, really.

OK, it's time for me to do some homework.... Yes, I will check the names macanimals has posted, and I will look into the tourist office you mentioned.

Thanks again!

296vancouver

Here's a website I found for you that you can cruise around and see what you like http://www.frenchriviera-tourism.com...ra-06_137.html. Also at the top on the left you can click on "your desires" to find DIFFERENT KINDS OF ACTIVITIES (LOL).

barbara49

You are luck - we stayed in Flayosc for a month and it was wonderful. A quiet yet vital hill town, with wonderful restaurants which the city folk of Draguignan visit and enjoy.
Local sights include Ste Rosaline with ancient vineyards, chapel, relics and mosaic by Chagnall, "perched" village of Tourtour, Le Thoronet Cisterian Abbey from 1176, wine coops in both Le Thoronet and Flayosc (most of their wines become rose but all very drinkable). Ste Maxime is nearest beach, 35 mins, and from here catch ferry (never drive - impossible traffic) to Ste Tropez. Les Arcs sur Agens is nearby and has medieval history and museum, as well as ancient town and restaurant square. The Verdun is wonderful - beautiful national parks and ravine. Lac de Sainte-Croix has rentable boats and kayaks. Moustiers-Ste-Marie is a charming village there. I suggest you look at a map of Provence and write down major places you want to visit, say Marseilles, Arles, Pont du Gard, Aix-en-Provence, Menton,Nice, Eze, Monaco, Avignon, Cannes, Antibes, Juan-les-Pins, to give you an idea: plan a map to each on Googgle maps and print out beforehand, to give you an idea of distance and time. Good motorways, so most of these were within 1 to 1 and a half hours distance - great for a day trip. We spent alternate days travelling longer distances. Enjoy walking around Flayosc and on the suggested walking tracks (see local tourist office). Have a great holiday.

mamamia2

Thanks A LOT (now I am yelling indeed), 296, I am gonna spend some time there tomorrow....

And thanks SO MUCH (I'm gonna scream now), Barb. I'm using your list.... As mentioned, I have couple Michelin 1/100,000 maps, so I'm marking those places... We'll be using a GPS, so it would be easier to drive, though sometimes you want to drive thru the smaller, scenic roads....

This has been EXTREMELY HELPFUL, guys.

Oh, GRRRREAT, more work for the weekend....

Odin

I can recommend a restaurant in Tourtour called La Table, needs reservations since it is very small.

For a coastal trip, the road from Cogolin/Ste Tropez to Bormes Les Mimosas is very scenic in places, around Rayol Canadel sur Mer. Bormes les Mimosas itself is a lovely village with easy access to the beach. There are excursions to islands off shore eg Iles de Porquerolles.

There is a waterpark & funfair near to Ste Maxime. The roads are busy to Ste Maxime and Ste Tropez during the summer and/or weekends.

There are hiking trails around La Garde-Freinet, also horse riding & biking, a nice drive in itself on the road that goes via Vidauban.

barbara49

Have fun, and glad info is of help. Very little English spoken in the town so your family may need their phrase books. Interestingly, there are 3 different line-dancing groups! in town (all with American style outfits), several cycling groups, sporting groups.
There is a lot of history in the area about the American landing during WWII.
Also 3 good bakeries ...

mamamia2

Oh, no, bakeries?..............

mamamia2

Back home, this is your OP here:

We gave up on Barcelona, but under pressure from my younger daughter who's in love with Italy, did take 2 days to drive across the border to Italy, visiting San Remo and Cinque Terre... Well worth it, especially lovely Cinque Terre...

Otherwise we had a BLAST... And the weather was sunny and warm thruout all our Provence + Riviera + Italy days.

Thanks for all the help, guys.