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| French Travel Service — Paris & France including Corsica 2008 |
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Côte dAzur
menton
Touring
Vallee des merveilles
In the far south-eastern corner of the French mainland, in the hinterland behind the sophisticated resorts of the Cote dAzur, lies one of Frances best kept secrets - a still relatively undiscovered region of untamed natural beauty and with a rich cultural heritage which will be a source of continual surprise and delight to travellers seeking a little bit more than the conventional holiday experience. The appropriately named train des merveilles (train of wonders) opens up this region, climbing north from Nice at a gentle pace almost immediately into the foothills of the Alps via the scenic valleys of the Roya and Bevera, affording constant views of steeply terraced hillsides, plunging ravines, medieval Provencal perched villages and vestiges of former fortifications which bear eloquent testimony to the regions often stormy past. Skirting the protected area of outstanding natural beauty, the Mercantour National Park, it continues to Tende. This is the gateway to the Vallee des Merveilles which gives the train its name.
distinctive baroque architecture. It is also at the gateway to the Vallee des Merveilles, a beautiful mountain wilderness 6000ft above sea level, also rich in wildlife rarely found elsewhere in Europe, but famous above all for its unparalleled collection of over 30,000 amazingly preserved Bronze Age rock carvings.
Côte dAzur
Situated between sea and mountain, Menton is a delightful resort, less frenzied than elsewhere on the Cote, and boasting a wonderfully temperate climate for its famed lemon groves.
Hotel méditerrANée
Situated near the old town, within walking distance of the train station and 250m from the beach, this modern hotel has a restaurant and roof-top solarium with adjacent bar. All 90 rooms are air-conditioned and most have balconies. They are also equipped with bath and WC, TV, telephone, modem point, minibar, private safe and hair dryer. Buffet breakfast is included. High season supplement in Sept: £6 reduction in October:£12 Half board: £17
What your holiday includes:
" Return standard class travel from St Pancras, Ebbsfleet or Ashford to Sospel and return from La Brigue " 6 nights half board accommodation (drinks not included) + 5 picnic lunches " Optional 4x4 excursion into the valley from La Brigue adapted according to the walking abilities of participants " Hotels with en suite rooms, TV and telephone, one with swimming pool " Standard class travel between Sospel and La Brigue " Option to extend in either centre or elsewhere on the Riviera
Price per person 1 Apr 30 May 1 Jun 30 Sep Oct £609 £659 £569 Single supp £119 £136 £103
Between 5 22 Dec, 3 Jan 15 Feb & 5 31 Mar
5 7
nights for the price of
4 6
nights for the price of
Between 1 Apr & 12 Jul
To enable you to explore both these remarkable areas, our itinerary includes 3 nights in Sospel and la Brigue respectively, in hotels specially chosen not just for their high level of comfort and warmth of welcome, but for the special passion their owners have for their region and genuine desire to help you discover it to its maximum advantage with specially organised walks and excursions.
its market along the rivers edge, full of mouth-watering local produce, there are regular events and festivals throughout the year, including even a celebrated scarecrow festival. The Mercantour is a paradise for walkers, botanists, bird-watchers and lovers of nature in all its glory, rich in flora and fauna, including eagles, peregrine falcons, vultures, ibex, chamois, mouflons and wild boar
Between 13 & 31 Jul and Sept
10
nights for the price of
9
Sospel
Sospel is a charming medieval town on the fast-flowing Brevera river, on the southern edge of the Mercantour, and a delight to explore with its paved arcades, ornate fountains and houses decorated with unusual, colourful trompe loeil designs. Apart from
La Brigue
La Brigue is much higher up the Roya valley (770 m), just south of Tende, and another beautifully preserved medieval jewel with a 1000-year history, nestling at the foot of a mountain cirque and noted for its winding cobbled streets, vaulted riverside passageways and
Optional 4 x 4 excursion: £46
www.F-T-S.co.uk
0844 84 888 43
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