Adventure , Activity and Watersports holidays
Imagine ...waking up in your apartment, on a marina, in the south of France. It\'s hot and there are palm trees and boats everywhere. Breakfast is croissants and fresh French coffee on the terrace as you contemplate the fact that St.Tropez is only a few minutes away ~ by boat ! Imagine strolling to the moorings only metres away where the boats wait to take you for a morning\'s water-skiing or wakeboarding in delightfully warm water.
Imagine a Safari around the magnificent gulf, visiting St.Tropez, Port Grimaud and St Maxime or anchor off a beautiful cove to snorkel and swim in the azur sea or sunbath in the scorching sun. Perhaps a picnic lunch on the boat or a cold beer at one of the many beach or marina bars .
Imagine sailing or jetskiing in the warm gulf where the wind or spray have a welcome cooling effect.
Imagine mountain biking across open vineyards and along forest tracks with the smell of mimosa, pine and wild herbs. Visit the most beautiful Provencal villages in France, where the views across the gulf to the Alps Maritime beyond are stunning and the ride back down exhilarating! Imagine coasteering round the fabulous Cap Camarat to L\'Escalet beach. The cliff route is quite adventurous with rock traverses and climbs along the way. If you get too hot you just jump in the sea!Imagine evenings sitting on your terrace, sipping a glass of irresistible French wine, watching the sun setting behind the local Maures mountains........Perfect.
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Details |
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Price Includes |
(MT-5231-P) |
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Accomodation |
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Activities |
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Equipment |
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Tuition |
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Price Excludes |
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Flights
Food |
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Activities Included |
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Power Boating, Waterskiing, Wakeboarding, Jetskiing, Sailing, Snorkelling, Bodyboarding, Kayaking, Windsurfing, Mountain Biking, Gorge Walking & Coasteering |
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Suitability / Level |
Moderate |
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Itinerary
& Highlights |
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SUNDAY : Our preferred arrival day for week long holidays. Fly in to Nice ( or Toulon ) and enjoy a picturesque transfer through the mountains and forests of the Esterel and down to the beautiful Cote d'Azur from St. Raphael to St.Tropez. On arrival you are shown the local amenities in and around Marines de Cogolin. You are shown where our boats are, briefed on meeting times and places and taken to your apartments. Depending on arrival times you may then be able to have a moules marinares lunch at the local beach restaurant, followed by a relaxing afternoon on the beach or by the pool. In the evening, when everyone has arrived, we will have a meal together at one of the many local restaurants, usually Monroe's, so you can meet the rest of the group.
MONDAY : Meet at the boats at 8.00 am for Waterskiing. Two boats leave the beautiful, tranquil marina to catch the early morning flat water, just outside in the gulf. Training skis and ideal conditions ensure a good success rate. After skiing, approx 10.30 am, we return and go, by boat, for a nice breakfast in the sun, at a little place on the Marina. (They even do a French version of eggs and bacon!). There is a mini market next door so it's a good opportunity to grab a few basic provisions. You now have a couple of hours relaxing on the beach or by the pool before we meet again at 2 o'clock. The afternoon activity is Kayaking around Port Grimaud (a bit like Venice) followed by a game of Volleyball on the beach and a well earned drink at the beach bar. After Kayaking back to the Marina, you have time to get ready for an evening together at our local beach restaurant. There is also an opportunity to try scuba diving in a local pool, with an option to beach dive later during the week, in which case you can eat at a good, reasonably priced restaurant situated by the pool. A great first day!
TUESDAY : St.Tropez day! Meet at the boats at 8.00 am, again, for your 2nd of 2 or 3 Waterskiing sessions. It's warm and sunny as usual and Wakeboarding is offered in lieu of waterskiing. Some like to try something different while others prefer to improve their new found Waterskiing skills. Breakfast follows at 10.00, a quick change and off to St.Tropez to visit the market and sample the glamour. After a wild powerboat ride across the gulf, it's pretty special to arrive at the waterfront in St.Tropez by boat among the £20 million motor yachts. The market yields some good bargains and we know where the cheap bars are so it won't stretch your budget. Back at the boat by 2.00 for the return trip to the marina and another wild boat ride. We then set off to visit the beautiful Gorge behind the unique hilltop village of Grimaud. Down a steep path where natures wonders can be seen, to arrive at the Gorge where dragon flies and turtles are common. A scramble up the hillside to see the ancient Pont de Fes and then up to the old mill and the medieval castle. After all that hard work we stop for an ice cream and drink in the most picturesque of Provencal villages. The way back to the marina provides a good opportunity for your main provisions shopping trip to the Geant hypermarket. It's often decided to purchase crevettes, gambas and cheeses etc. for a meal to be cooked in the apartment and eaten together with french bread and the local wine. The evening is usually rounded off with a relaxing chat on the terrace which concludes another lovely day.
WEDNESDAY : Meet at 9.30 for a mountain bike ride up through the hills and forests to Gassin, claimed to be the most beautiful village in France. For those who are not up to the challenge, it is possible to book Scuba diving as an optional extra with our friends at 'Dive Azur' on a nearby beach. The bikers, having been equipped and briefed, leave the marina, cross one road and go via gravel tracks straight into vineyards and country side. You climb up through the beautiful woods and although quite challenging, we can take our time and walk some of it, taking in the smell of mimosa, pine and wild herbs. Once we reach Gassin there are fantastic views down to the Gulf and to the Alps Maritime beyond. The other end of the village has magnificent views to the Isles of the Porquerolles. We stop for refreshments in a cafe overlooking the gulf, and recuperate. After wandering around the old Provencal village we prepare for the incredible ride back down to the marina. Jetskiing is the afternoons activity so after lunch and relaxation we meet, by the boats, for a brief. Complete beginners are accompanied by an experienced rider, and soon gain the confidence to jetski around the Gulf of St.Tropez. The sea is warm and the spray welcome. After Monday's trip, Port Grimaud is thought to be an ideal venue for an evening meal as there is a wide choice of restaurants and a lively atmosphere. We complete another magical day by taking you there by boat .
THURSDAY : It was planned to go waterskiing again, but the wind has made conditions unsuitable, so we decide to Coasteer from L'Escalet to Cap taillat. The route is across rocks and around small bays, with crystal clear waters. The weather is hot so it is not unusual to stop and swim in a cove en route. When the Cap is reached we climb to the top and are treated to magnificent scenery. After the return to L'Escalet you can swim, snorkel or sunbath before or after lunch which is available from the beach cafe. As the wind is still good we head back to get ready for sailing. You learn how to crew a 36 foot yacht helping with the winching and helming, although some will prefer to just relax and sunbath there is an opportunity to get as involved as you like. We head out of the marina, hoist the sails and are off tacking our way up wind. There is something about sailing in the Gulf of St Tropez that's very special. It may be possible to anchor at Canebiers for an hour or so to have a swim before heading back to the marina. Sails down and back on the berth, the group decided that tonight is a big night in St.Tropez, going to a nightclub after a meal as it is the last night for those on a 5 day holiday. Dressed up and looking great we drive you to one of many fabulous restaurants. Jenny has booked the Caves du Roy, one of the most exclusive nightclubs in the world! The place is full of atmosphere and beautiful people.
FRIDAY : After a very late night you are pleased to have a 10ish start. Today you are going on a Coastal Safari taking the powerboats to further explore the Gulf of St.Tropez, stopping at some beautiful coves for snorkelling and diving off the boat. Kneeboarding is available for the more energetic and plenty of sunbathing and sipping wine as well. We visit St Maxine for a baguette lunch and a look around, then over to Canebiers for more swimming, snorkelling and relaxing, before an epic powerboat ride back to the marina. After last night it is planned to have a quiet meal on the marina as there are plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from, so you can sit and chat and remember all the fun you had this week. In high season there are live bands every where so you can have a lively end to the evening if you wish. This day is a great favourite with our clients.
SATURDAY : is for you to choose either relax by the pool, on the beach or do something active. A ferry leaves frequently, from the marina to St Tropez if you want to see more of this salubrious place and they have a market again on Saturdays. You can also opt to go Scuba diving again or there are tennis courts available. It is your last night here so we plan to have a meal together and where better than Munroe's as they have the best live bands at the weekends. You can even visit the local Fun Fair beforehand if you wish. There are just so many options and it's all so very inspirational. It depends on how much energy you have, what friends you make and how much you want to achieve. We are just pleased to help.
Sunday is very sad ........... You have to go home |
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Accommodation
& Centre Details |
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The accommodation is situated in a beautiful marina called Marines de Gogolin which is about 2 miles from St.Tropez. The marina is next to Port Grimaud, the famous 'Venice' of France, at the centre of the Gulf of St.Tropez. The apartments are surrounded by water, boats and beautiful gardens and all have terraces with marina or sea views.
Our apartments, generally, have 2 rooms and accommodate 4 people, 2 in a bedroom and 2 in the lounge but, if required, we have access to larger apartments. The cost of the holiday is based on 3 or 4 people sharing, so a group or family of 3 or 4 would have an apartment to themselves. A couple would have their own room or studio flat but, during busy periods, may be expected to share an apartment. If a couple wanted to guarantee an apartment to themselves, during busy periods, they would have to pay £10 per person per night extra. Please discuss availability with Jenny.
Singles would be expected to share with a person of the same gender unless we have room available.
The apartments are fully equipped with kitchen, hob and cooker/microwave, fridge/freezer and dishwasher. We provide duvets and pillows but not the bed linen. We do have a limited supply so if it is not practicable to pack a set of light linen, please contact us.
All guests are able to use the swimming pool, and tennis courts.
Accommodation in the south of France, because it is a very special and sought after place, is at a premium. The atmosphere on our holidays is easy going and friendly, a bit like sharing a ski chalet. You will find spending your holiday with like minded people in the most picturesque and famous boating waters in the South of France a great experience in itself.
You should take advantage of the superb supermarket which is within easy walking distance. The range of fresh fish available is of particular note, as is of course the local wines and cheeses. Also within walking distance are MacDonald's (with a very French menu) the Casino restaurant (famous for the Formula set meal @ around £5) and Monroe's, an English run restaurant which provides the most amazing value and largest platefuls ever for about £8. Not surprisingly it is also very popular with the French! |
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Holidays
Extras |
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