World TravellerGuide to travelling the world

Cannes, France, is the epitome of a glamorous city on the French Riviera with yachts in the bay. Many people associate Cannes only with the International Film Festival which is held each Spring, but there are also antique shows held twice a year and sights and places to explore and enjoy all year long.

This elegant Mediterranean resort (once a quiet fishermen’s village) offers a mild climate, beautiful blue sea and sandy beaches, tours, many outdoor and water activities, as well as historic buildings and museums.

The Promenade de la Croisette is Cannes’ famous street which has the spectacular nature of the seaport on one side and hotels, restaurants, and designer boutiques on the other side. There are gardens and palm trees to see, also, as you stroll, sightsee, and watch the people in their expensive fashions and often mink coats in the winter. You will also find very expensive automobiles gliding along slowly and wanting to be seen. A colorful light show every night is fun to view. Also for the children are a merry-go-round, games, remote control boats in a fountain, and lots of ice cream. At the western end of La Croisette is the old town and old harbor plus an ancient fort. At the eastern tip is the Palm Beach Casino.

Molinard is “perfume central”, where you can tour through this villa of flowers and antiques to see how the world’s most expensive perfumes are manufactured and designed. See how the signature scents are created from sweet-smelling ingredients. Also featured is a collection of beautiful atomizers and perfume bottles.

The Forville Market is an adventure with its local fish, fruit, vegetables, olives, cheese, and many interesting shops. Small bars serve wine and oysters, caviar, or smoked salmon. The Brun oyster restaurant has five people opening oysters and preparing seafood. There are butchers, bread shops, wine shops, and many little cafes.

Among the many museums are the free Bellini Museum and Chapel (an art museum inside an ornate Italian chapel built in the late 1800s), the Car Museum (over 100 unique cars), the La Castre Museum and Gardens (a newer modern and contemporary art museum), and so many more.

You can take the Train du Cinema on different tours. There are three trains, each holding up to 60 people, and they will take you back in time in this international city of film.

The best type of accommodation are the luxury Cannes villas, which are staffed with a full-time or part-time cook or chef along with a housekeeper and someone to unpack your luggage and hang up your clothes. By staying in a private villa, you have the services of a five-star hotel but have privacy and luxury that make you feel special such as a swimming pool, often a private tennis court, modern kitchen, air-conditioning, fine soaps and toiletries, 300-thread-count sheets, champagne, flowers, fruit, bathrobes, fine teas and coffee, and often wine. You also have breakfast prepared as you like it. You are transferred to and from the airport by limousine.