9 days in Cannes in April

Old Mar 13th, 2019, 04:45 AM
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9 days in Cannes in April

My husband and I will be spending 9 full days in Cannes with his long term friend and wife. They actually own an apartment and car in Cannes. Our friends are more spontaneous than us and visit several times a year. On the other hand we only travel to Europe every 5-10 years, I usually like everything to be planned out and normally would like a day by day plan. I have never been to the South of France but my husband spent 7 days there 15 years ago with our friends. Our friends like to enjoy the morning and never get out the door until 11 ish. On my husbands last visit he would be out the door in the morning, take a walk, buy things for breakfast before our friends would get up. Most likely this will be the plan again since we are guests. My thoughts were to come up with 9 things (or short day trips) I would like to do, so over breakfast when they ask what we want to do I would have a suggestion to throw out. I do know they like driving around (often without a plan)and visiting other towns, eat, and drink wine. I doubt they have ever bought a guidebook. I know they have some places they will want to show us but do not know what places. The only thing I know for sure if we will visit St. Honorat and visit Monte Carlo one evening. I enjoy gardens and walks that are less than 2 miles, Any suggestions? I find the water very relaxing...favorite place to hang out on the beach? These guys are very easy going and would be open to suggestions. They have not been to Pont du Gard and there has been talk to take "a road trip" and stay overnight. How would you approach this trip? My husband reminds us that our tickets were very cheap $600 round trip per person from Texas and we are not paying for lodging.
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Old Mar 13th, 2019, 06:16 AM
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Pont du Gard is quite a distance. There is so much to see and do closer by.
Will you be taking all your daytrips with your friends? That would be a bit much for me! You can easily take the train from Cannes and go visit Nice, Antibes, Villefrance, Cap Ferrat on your own.
April isn't really beach weather, but often pleasant enough for lunch on the beach.
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Old Mar 13th, 2019, 07:12 AM
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Since they live there, I'm sure they will have plenty of ideas, and they will also know what to do depending on weather conditions. An overnight trip to the Pont du Gard could be very nice, perhaps with a stop in Arles or Nimes on the way back. Another interesting day trip could be to Marseille, but if they hate the idea, don't push it -- residents of Cannes and residents are Marseille are very different.
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Old Mar 13th, 2019, 08:32 AM
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I certainly would not give them a 9 day trip list. But t sounds like you plan on just 'casually' throwing out an idea every morning.

If it was me - I'd maybe suggest up front the 2, or 3 at most, things I really REALLY want to see/do so they can build them in to the overall plans. I know you are a mega-planner who is more comfortable with everything nailed down before hand. But those sorts of plans can fall apart in the first day or two due to weather, road works, strikes, or just feeling a bit under the weather and wanting/needing a down day. I'd say - fight your urges and try to go with the flow.
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Old Mar 13th, 2019, 09:36 AM
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You might also want to consider embracing the flexibility, as weather is a consideration in April (it is not beach time -- although there are hardy folks, usually from Scandinavia, that are on the beach in April. But a lazy lunch is perfect). Some of the day trips will be more exposed to the elements than others. With such an extended trip, giving them relief might be great, unless they really want to join you every time. Antibes, Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer as mentioned, are very reachable by train. A few more things to consider: Villa Ephrussi (including the gardens), Menton (more gardens), Mougins, St Paul de Vence/Vence, Tourettes-sur-Loup/Gourdon (the last three in any combo), St. Tropez, Eze, a trip down into Italy (Acquadolce/hill towns, San Remo, Borghidera, etc), the mountain towns (weather dependent) like Saorge, Arles/Pont du Gard can make a good overnight and then you can hit St Remy/Les Baux on the return (or vice versa).
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Old Mar 13th, 2019, 10:42 AM
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Thanks a lot for the ideas, just to clarify our friends live here in the states. We are meeting together in New York before we fly together to Nice. I like the idea of coming up with 3 things I really want to do. When I plan trips I always ask my kids and husband for three things per person that they have to do. I will come up with some rainy day ideas. I understand it will be too cold for the water but looking at the beach with a glass of wine makes all of my problems go away. We most likely will spend the entire time together or separate guys one direction, and girls another-we have done that before. Thanks again for the suggestions feeling a little bit better about no plans.
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Old Mar 13th, 2019, 01:38 PM
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What are your interests? If art, the Musée Bonnard up in Le Cannet is well worth a visit. It's not large, has wood floors, and is very pleasant to wander in.
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Old Mar 13th, 2019, 02:38 PM
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From Cannes, there are easy day trips to nearby Antibes- to me one of nicest regional towns on Cote d;Azur, and up ton Grasse - a neat old-looking town known for its perfume industry with several factories/shops to tour. But a neat old town, rare on Riviera. And hill towns of Vence and Set-Paul-de-Vence - two very historic and ancient-looking old hill towns - the Foundation Maeght in St-P-de-V is internationally known for its art, including rather unique sculpture gardens: https://www.google.com/search?sa=X&q...ih=613&dpr=1.5

A day in Nice for sure - especially dining at it Old Town by the port, a Latin Quarter of Nice. Its hill top Cimiez area known for rave views, famous art museums like the ballyhooed Matisse Mueum and a Roman ruins and an arena - could spend most of a day there:

Cimiez

https://www.google.com/search?biw=12...mg.-MNmJmh6LbA

Monaco OK - take corniche driving routes (hewn into the cliffs at three different levels - say via Eze - for its awesome panorama over the coast and perfume shops (stuff from Grasse factories probably) and drive down to Monaco.

Trains trundle along the coast constantly - cheap inter-urban trains that stop at every town - easy to say Monaco for night for folks who want to drink at casino - all sights above can be easily reached by bus or train.

Easy drives to St-Tropez' Uber famous beaches and nice old town or take a boat there from Cannes perhaps and for sure from, nearby St Raphael - take train there.

Lots more neat possibilities but these are some of the easier and most popular. There are some superb short walks along the sea coast - many in natural areas well out of view of much of garish modern development all along most of the coast. One of the nicest IMO goes from Cap d'Ail to Monaco - a few mile stretch of path along an untouched swatch of Cote d'Azur scenery - clear deep-azure hued water - isolated swimming holes (several without suits several years ago when I walked this path - so if into skinny-dipping)...

https://www.google.com/search?q=imag...w=1280&bih=625

For more on Riviera trains check www.oui.sncf; BETS-European Rail Experts (has blurb on Cap d'Ail-Monaco footpath too); www.ricksteves.com. Stick to regional trains and buses as those are dirt-cheap flat-fare no reservations even possible with valid ticket hop on and off anywhere along the coast so just buy at station.

Finally another train line that goes to the hinterlands of Provence - some folks walk from one station to another in this naturally scenic area of river gorges and sleep Provencal towns that see few tourists - this is the Chemins-de-Fer de Provence which leave from a small old station behind the main Nice-Ville station. Again regional train so just buy tickets at station. Although in summer hikers take the train up into a very different Provence, this is no plush tourist train but one for locals, so for a very different part of Provence hop this Trein des Pignes (Pine Trees) as it is nicknamed:

https://www.google.com/search?q=chem...w=1280&bih=625

So lots of neat things easily got to by train and or bus or rented vehicle.

And many more that gooster above mentions and Stu Dudley will surely elaborate on.
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Old Mar 13th, 2019, 05:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Underhill
What are your interests? If art, the Musée Bonnard up in Le Cannet is well worth a visit.
Thanks so much, Underhill! For some reason, this museum hasn't shown up in any of my (extensive) research to date. A great fan of Bonnard, I will definitely try to fit it into my plans.
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Old Mar 14th, 2019, 09:04 AM
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The gift shop has some gorgeous scarves, among other things. After you leave the museum, turn to the left (as you face the street) and walk up the hill to visit the old church. When we were two women were practicing for a concert later that week--beautiful voices (singing Mozart) and superb acoustics.
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Old Mar 14th, 2019, 10:19 AM
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A long walk along the sentier des douaniers - a path alongside the sea.
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Old Mar 14th, 2019, 04:33 PM
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@ Underhill: Thanks!
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Old Mar 15th, 2019, 06:39 AM
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Got that direction wrong. After you turn left from the museum entrance, go to the end of the block and then take the road the runs left up the hill. Our friends told us there's a nice café at the top, but my knees didn't think that was a good idea and that's why we ended up in the church.
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Old Mar 15th, 2019, 08:23 AM
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Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild with its extensive garden and Villa Kerylos, both of which can be seen the same day:

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Old Mar 15th, 2019, 04:34 PM
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@ Underhill: Thanks again!
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