Visting Marseille, need info
 

Me and my husband are visiting Marseille for 4 days and 3 nights. We would stay at the Mascotte Vieux port. Is this a good hotel or do you have any other suggestions?
I plan to visit Arles, Avignon and St.Remy by a rented car in a day. Do you have any other suggestions or some place that I just should not miss during my stay? Do you suggest Nice and the other eastern part?
Also, please suggest how do I change currency from $$ to Euros the best, in US airports or ATM's there or credit cards? Please suggest.
Thank you-Preeya

Dear Preeya,
Is there a reason you have decided to stay in Marseilles? Since you are visiting some other areas, may I suggest that you may want to consider staying in one of them? Marseilles is not the most charming place and the traffic will make getting in and out of town each day a hassle. If you chose Marseilles to be close to the airport or TGV station, you should realize that both are outside of Marseilles, near Aix-en-Provence, so you don't need to stay in Marseilles for convenience. I made this mistake my first trip and was able to shift things around after I arrived and saw the lay of the land. On the other hand, if you are looking forward to staying in Marseilles please enjoy yourselves and eat some real bouillabaise!

I'm afraid that you won't be able to see much if you attempt to visit both Arles and Avignon in one day; each is a large city and requires some time for reaching the center from the outer roads. You might consider staying in Arles and then driving to Avignon via St-Rémy the next day. Marseille would definitely be out of the way for visiting the other three areas unless you have a particular reason for staying in that city.

The easiests way to get Euros is just to go to an ATM--dont'take dollars and attempt to change them.

The eastern part of Provence, Nice and the Côte d'Azur, is beautiful; don't miss it if you can possibly go there.

I've already booked my hotel at Marseille and since the hotel faces the port, I guess we should be fine? Please suggest if this is a good time to see any lavender and sunflower fields? If yes, where around Marseille, Aix? Also, my one day trip would incluse visiting Arles, Avignon and come back to Marseille the same day from the mountaineous side. Please suggest an itinery for me for 2 days in Marseille!
Please help,
Preeya

Hi - I'd like to jump in with an additional question, if you will indulge me: I get to spend 1 day in Marseille off a cruise ship and want to transport myself to Aix en Provence. Anyone know how hard this is to do? One poster under cruises suggested a bus?
Thanks

This is my first time in Europe, and I have 3 days in Provence, so please please suggest a good itinery considering the fact that I stay at Marseille and I'm more interested in the western part of Provence. Please please suggest a good ititnery as I would be renting a car.
Underhill, u seem to have a good knowledge, do u stay there, curious! Please help with my itinery. Suggest what places I should not miss, the things to see and do there!
Thanks,
Preeya

Preeya,
You don't say when you are traveling but the lavendar blooms in July. I think the best spot to see it is at the Abbeye de Senaque, outside of Gordes.

Apparently there's another similar question from preeya, as her question about seeing lavender is answered there. Preeya, just click on your name at the top left-hand side of the screen and you will see the post.