november-2011

Fly to Nice, drive to Saint-Tropez
During la saison – the sweltering summer
period – it’s almost impossible to snag
a dinner reservation anywhere on the
Saint-Tropez peninsula. But as soon as
spring kicks in, this pretty promontory
swaps Hollywood celebs for low-key
accessibility. Better yet, the days are
mild and sunny, which means you
can make the most of the French
Riviera’s sublime beaches. Flights
to Nice start on 30 April.
Be sure to save an afternoon for A-list
favourite Plage de Pampelonne, 5km
of white sands frequented by the likes
of Leonardo DiCaprio and Beyoncé.
Or hike the sentier du littoral, a coastal
walking trail that rings the whole of the
peninsula: the most accessible bits kick
off from Saint-Tropez town in the north
or windswept Plage de Gigaro to the
south. Careful where you look, however,
as the trail passes several plages naturistes,
or nudist beaches!
Whatever your choice of outdoor
escape, it’s bound to induce an appetite:
Provençal picnic goodies are an
inexpensive yet gourmet way to refuel
on the move. Stock up on pots of pâté,
thyme-infused goat’s cheese, soft purple
plums and other seasonal treats at the
peninsula’s bountiful local markets: try
Saint-Tropez’s Place des Lices (Tuesday
and Saturday, 8am-1pm) or the weekly
market in La Croix-Valmer’s Place aux
Palmiers (Sunday 8am-1pm).
FLIGHTS FROM £31.99
CITY PACKAGES FROM £239
NOVEMBER– DECEMBER