Luxury Travel Advisor - February 2008 - (Page 38) CRUISES WESTERN EUROPE CRUISING BY LAUREN PRICE Belle époque Nice is a perfect starting-off point for touring the region, be it Colette’s 18th-century house on Boulevard d’Aumale in Cannes, the medieval village of Eze to meander its narrow roads shaded by tunnelvaults or the Saturday morning market in tiny San Remo, Italy, about 20 miles away. Top stops in Nice include the seaside Promenade des Anglais and the fashionable Cimiez quarter, perched high above the city, where visitors can see the 17th-century Franciscan Monastery Notre-Dame, the Matisse Museum (www.musee-mattise-nice.org) and the Marc Chagall Museum (www.ac-nice. fr/chagall/musee.htm). Another good bet is Villefranche Sur Mer, about two miles away, to see the 14th-century Chapel of St. Peter overlooking the port. It’s worth checking out because it was restored by filmmaker, writer and artist Jean Cocteau in 1957. Should your clients find themselves here on a Sunday, suggest a stroll around the Riviera’s oldest antique market on Amélie Pollannais. Smack dab on the Promenade des Anglais, we love Le Palais de la Méditerranée (www.lepalaisdelamediterranee.com) for overnight stays. A 1929 palace beauty until it closed down in the late 1970s, only the Art Deco façade remains after it was gutted and reopened in 2004. The most requested accommodations face the sea, but Executive Sea View rooms are the most requested for their size (nearly 500 square feet), terraces and unique amenities, such as espresso machines. The two best suites are in the Deluxe category (numbers 901 and 927), not just for the amount of space (approximately 1,000 square feet each), but also for the panoramic views from their large terraces. Approximately 500 square feet, these very private terraces have sun beds and dining tables for in-suite repasts. Both one-bedroom suites feature generously sized living rooms and bedrooms and can connect with up to three additional rooms. For families, ask for a Deluxe or Executive Suite with a connecting City or Sea View room. Butler service can be provided on request for any accommodation, and all can be booked over the GDS. Replete with high-profile hotels, world-class restaurants and sought-after shops, Nice and Cannes are two of Western Europe’s most appealing pre- and post-cruise spots. LE PALAIS DE LA MÉDITERRANÉE underwent an extensive renovation in 2004; its guest rooms boast contemporary décor (Superior Room shown). 38 LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR | February 2008 http://www.musee-matisse-nice.org/ http://www.musee-chagall.fr/ http://www.musee-chagall.fr/ http://www.lepalaisdelamediterranee.com
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