Let's face it: when it comes to travel, there are destinations that, just to name them, bring to mind luxury hotels, millionaire yachts, VIPs with dark glasses and above all beautiful puffy wallets.
La CĂ´te d'Azur is certainly one of them, but this travel report is proof that there is no destination that cannot be within everyone's reach: get ready for a strictly Low Cost trip to the French Riviera!
The first need for a low budget traveler is to move, possibly quickly and cheaply. And here comes the first, very good news which, however, let's not hide it, makes Italians a little nervous as soon as they read the illuminated billboard at the gas station: What? "Diesel: 1,4 euros per liter, 20% less than in Italy!”What can I say, do not forget, before crossing the border on the return journey, to fill up your car ... a very pleasant souvenir in your pocket!
The best way to touch all the unmissable stops that dot the sunny coast is undoubtedly there Ventimiglia - Nice railway line which then continues along the entire coast towards Marseille, with close stops in all places of major interest: ticket prices are low (for example Nice - Menton 4,40 euros) and the excellent service of the SNCF state railways is worth it. they guarantee great punctuality, numerous races that last until late in the evening, cleaning of the carriages and excellent connections from the stations to the center de ville.
Not to mention the spectacular landscape for most of the route: the rails run along the edge of the red rocky coast overlooking the sea, with breathtaking views, as in the section of the Corniche de L'Esterelle between Cannes and St. Tropez, a panoramic road built by Touring Club de France in 1903.
Once the desired destinations have been reached, accommodation for the night can be extremely low cost: alongside the luxurious 5-star hotels, the French do not forget to dot the territory of great campsites. You can also find a place in the high season and are usually located in scenic areas (such as the St. Michel campsite in Menton) or strategic areas for connections to the most interesting centers (such as La Logis de la Brague in Biot).
When the stomach rumbles then, in Provence there is plenty of choice between typical and street foods: don't miss the socca in Nice, a chickpea porridge strictly accompanied by a glass of homemade rosé, or a marmite de moules marinades, a pot full of mussels stewed, under the arcades of the old market of Antibes (who knows if Did Picasso delight in it between brushstrokes?). What about snacks? Nibble everywhere, French-style, the inevitable underarm baguette ... By the way: but how do they make it so good?
