France
France will steal your heart away and leave you spellbound. Whether the romance of Paris sweeps you off your feet, or the relaxed life of Provence seduces you gently, is a question that will only be resolved by a visit. France is a place for lovers, aesthetes and gourmets. Its gastronomic centre is Lyon, where the world's finest chefs create culinary masterpieces. Champagne is the most famous wine-producing region in the world and Bordeaux's rich reds are a true delight. The French gave the world champagne and camembert, de Beauvoir and Debussy, the Tour de France and the Tour Eiffel. There's a term for their seductive lifestyle - Douce France (Sweet France) and you'll find yourself using it often. And wherever you go, you'll find the French appetite for good things, whether wine, fashion or culture.
France's currency is the Euro. France is three and a half hours behind India in summer and four and a half in winter. French is the national language, although English is widely spoken.
Paris
Walking through the heart of Paris, you feel as though you've wandered onto a film set. Its inhabitants are the definition of style, its architecture includes some of the most spectacular buildings and monuments in Europe and the ambience is by turns exciting, alluring and effortlessly romantic. The creative spontaneity that inspired the great revolutionary minds still pulses through the city, you can feel it in the streets even today. Perhaps this is what gives Paris its reputation for romance: nowhere else feels quite so alive.
Nice
Nice is the capital of the French Riviera and a glittering jewel of the Côte d'Azur. The warm southern French sun shines down on a sea that is an exquisite shade of blue. The city seems to be exclusively populated by beautiful people. Nice is also a thriving centre in its own right. The fifth largest town in France, it has a rich, joyful character, a healthy mixture of work and play centred on the Place Massena, the main commercial centre of the city.
Cannes
Cannes is the playground for Europe's rich and the site of the most prestigious of the world's film festivals. The town is inhabited through the year by the jet set, soaking up the Mediterranean sun and snapping up designer goods at Cannes's most exclusive boutiques. In May, the town goes into superstar overdrive - the world's most famous movie actors, producers and directors descend on this small part of the Riviera to celebrate their success.Marriott Champs Elysees, Paris *****
The Marriott Group set up this oasis of serenity on Paris's liveliest avenue in 1997. Surrounding the Hotel Marriott are hundreds of chic restaurants and shops. As soon as you enter the hotel, you are struck by the beauty of its 300-square metre atrium, topped by a glass dome that lets in all the light of Parisian skies. In the sunlit lobby, you can have a coffee, tea or cocktails all day long. Just two steps away, an interior garden provides wonderful surroundings for informal lunches and dinners. At the Marriott, you live the life of luxury at your own pace.
LOCATION
The only hotel on the famous Avenue des Champs Elysées, the Marriott Champs Elysées is located near La Defense business district, the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame and Sacre Coeur.
AMENITIES AND FACILITIES
With 192 rooms and suites, choose from Deluxe rooms, Presidential suites, or the unique Champs-Elysées view rooms.Accommodations offer computer connections, three telephone lines and satellite, cable and internal TV. A fitness centre has separate saunas for men and women. As you would expect, the list of special features and services offered by the Marriott Champs-Elysées to its very privileged guests is endless.
DINING
Paris is known for excellent food and wine. At the Paris Marriott Champs Elysees, you can experience firsthand, the glory of French cooking. From elegant dinners to light snacking, the hotel's restaurants offer first-class service. For a slightly more casual atmosphere, enjoy appetisers and cocktails at the Lobby Bar - situated in the magnificent seven-storeyed atrium. Order a brandy and relax in the open-air ambience of Marriott Square Café, located right on the Avenue des Champs Elysees.
SPECIALS
The hotel is adjacent to 6,000 square feet of high-end retailers, including Sephora, Guerlain, Cartier and Louis Vuitton. Additionally, countless boutiques, restaurants, cafés and bistros are just a few steps away.
SPECIAL OFFER FOR KUONI'S CUSTOMERS
Stay for three nights and enjoy a Versailles orientation tour.
Renaissance Paris Vedome Hotel *****
Located in the heart of Paris, this new 97 room luxury hotel stands between the Tuileries Garden and Place Vendome and features contemporary large rooms with king size beds, plasma TV, high-speed Internet access, DVD and CD players. Pinxo, the hotel's casual restaurant was created by Alain Dutournier, a two star Michelin-rated chef.
LOCATION
The Renaissance Paris Vendome Hotel is a refurbished 19th century townhouse, and is walking distance from the fashion, cultural and historical districts; next to the Opera and department stores.
AMENITIES AND FACILITIES
Room facilities include air-conditioning, central heating, a TV, hairdryer, an in-room safe, a mini-bar, direct-dial telephone with voicemail, private bath/shower and a radio. Hotel facilities include 24-hour concierge services, porters, parking, massage, fitness centre, sauna and a swimming pool open from 6 am to 11pm.
DINING
Bar Chinois is an exquisite bar with Chinese inspired decor and antiquities, serving light food and cocktails. Le Pinxo serves traditional French cuisine and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
SPECIALS
The Renaissance Paris Vendome Hotel Fitness Centre, open exclusively to hotel guests, provides complimentary access, a 40 ft. long pool for lap swimming, a workout room with brand new equipment, a sauna and steam room as well as a private massage room.
SPECIAL OFFER FOR KUONI'S CUSTOMERS
Stay for three nights and enjoy a Versailles orientation tour.
Majestic Barriere, Cannes *****
Set within a lush, flowering garden, the Majestic Barrière welcomes you to a world of refinement and comfort. A symbol of luxury and timeless elegance, star of the Croisette, the Majestic Barrière offers you the grandeur of a palace combined with the luxury of a private beach.
LOCATION
The eight-story hotel is centrally located in the heart of Cannes and has been a landmark on La Croisette, the city's main promenade, for generations. The hotel overlooks a private beach on the Mediterranean, as well as the Palais des Festivals, site of the annual Cannes Film Festival.
AMENITIES AND FACILITIES
A throwback to the splendour of the roaring twenties, the legendary silhouette of the Majestic Barrière rises over the Croisette and offers a panoramic view of the Cannes bay from your room. The hotel has 305 soundproof rooms, including 23 suites. For guests' comfort, the hotel provides all the required services of a five-star establishment. Each suite has been sumptuously decorated in the accents of the region, and offer a view over the Mediterranean or out towards the countryside behind Cannes. The private swimming pool, health & beauty centre and private beach are perfect for a day of relaxation. Guests can also try their hand at a number of water sports: water-skiing, diving, paragliding, boat trips, windsurfing and more.
DINING
For gentle relaxation, the bar, terraces, lounge and smoking room offer convivial settings. At Fouquet's Bar, you might find yourself mingling with film stars over an aperitif. The Beach restaurant, open from May to October, offers fine seafood cuisine. You can also visit La Villa des Lys for a contemporary version of Provencial cuisine.
SPECIALS
Treat your children, whatever their age, to the numerous activities on offer in Cannes and around: Marineland in Antibes (killer whales, sharks, dolphins), Fréjus and St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat zoos, the Nautilus (discover the Mediterranean seabed), Tennis Gallia Barrière courts, mini golf, miniature railway in Cannes, Lérins Islands, Picasso Museum in Antibes and Matisse Museum in Nice. And various tours: Mandelieu, Grasse, Biot, Vallauris, St. Paul de Vence, Monaco and Vintimille among others.
SPECIAL OFFER FOR KUONI'S CUSTOMERS
A bottle of wine with our compliments.
Tour de France
Paris, Cannes, NiceBegin your tour with three nights in the capital city of Paris. Enjoy a full day tour of the city. Explore the Eiffel tower, Sacre Coeur, Notre Dame the Pantheon, the Concorde, the Opera, the Madeleine or the Arc de Triomphe. Spend a full day at the Louvre museum or take a day's excursion to explore the historical kingdom of Versailles. The definite highlight of this tour is the Chateau De Versailles. Spend a romantic evening with a cruise on the river Seine or book your seat for Le Moulin Rouge or Lido.
Proceed to Cannes. Spend two nights here exploring the city on a half-day sightseeing tour. Visit the Croisette, the Old Port and the Palais des Festivals. We also suggest you explore the region with a full day excursion to Grasse and Saint Paul de Vence. This is a remarkable destination, featuring stunning villages and gentle hills covered with olive trees, rolling all the way down to the sea. A visit to the Fragonard Perfume factory here is a must. This region is a delight at any time of the year: on languorous summer days, in the warmth of autumn, in the mild white light of winter or in verdant springtime.
Complete your holiday in style when you proceed to Nice, the capital of the French Riviera. Spend two nights here since it's worth taking the time to discover Nice in depth. Wander through the narrow streets of the old town and then stroll along the famous Promenade before entering the heart of the city with its rich architectural and cultural heritage and its parks and gardens.
Nice has a total of 19 museums and galleries, 32 classified historical monuments and 300 parks and gardens, woodlands and green areas in addition to 150 ornamental lakes and fountains. Explore them all on a half day sightseeing tour of Nice. Spend an evening trying your luck at the casinos of Monte Carlo. Monte Carlo has drawn the rich and famous to its sunny Mediterranean shores since the 19th century, when its grand casino was built. Nice has an extremely pleasant mixture of shops. Catch up on some last minute shopping before somewhat reluctantly boarding your flight back home.