Ports & Destinations 5 assortment of monuments being the only only the being of monuments assortment an with pace enjoys amore sedentary Today, Fréjus Mediterranean. the in ports military largest one once of the was Julii Forum ago, years 2,000 Caesar Julius eco-pioneer? an as acknowledged it being merit to passengers for eco-tours of depth and range the have region this does But hinterland. colourful the into jumping for rewarded amply be will planners line cruise experiences, International Cruise & Ferry Review &Ferry Cruise International to the south of the to eco-tours try shorex product for cruise passengers. Jon Ingleton travelled Var Cruise Club has developed anew sustainable Falling in love with Var EUROPE: REPORT Tourtour is considered as one of the most beautiful villages of France and offers views over Provence over views offers and France of villages beautiful most the of one as considered is Tourtour Founded by Roman military general general military by Roman Founded influenced by shore excursion excursion shore by influenced heavily so ratings satisfaction with And spirits. the lift to in France field alavender through leaping like quite here’s nothing activities and exquisite food. Kayaking on on Kayaking food. exquisite and activities supply of uplifting aplentiful has town medieval This significance. architectural and historical both in world, rich to the France or Saint-Tropez.Marseille, from travelling if closer Fréjus –some are from trip a150-minute coach within are France in stay our during visited we that places the All community. a welcoming and port accommodating an both has and Toulon Saint-Tropez than and alternative cheaper and It aquieter is of France. south the in for adventures outpost a new seeking ships for smaller contender a valid Port-Fréjus [1],is trip, stop on our first the heritage. Roman of its redolent souvenirs Roquebrune-sur-Argens [2] is a gift from from [2] agift is Roquebrune-sur-Argens for a farm trip. Far removed from the dirty dirty the from removed Far trip. for afarm of Saint-Tropez, glamour route it to the was not en astopover water.” was the visit Our in feet and clouds the in head “your have you can to locals, [3] according where, people. by good elevated instantly is tour of how a examples –easy hosts entertaining fabulously the are options similar other from apart venues two these sets buthere, what staples are chocolate and Wine Cacao. et du Chocolat du Terroir Maison Maison and to visits devour will foodies town, the in Back du Rocher. Base La from guides informative and by expert led both ages, for all activities popular rightly are Roquebrune majestic on the or e-biking Argens picturesque the Less than an hour from Frejus is Cogolin Frejus is from hour an than Less Nice 9 8 7

6 5 Marseille 4 2 1 Toulon 3

stereotype, Jardin de la Piboule delivered an For truffle hunters [6] is an assured upmarket organic ayurvedic feast at an eco- favourite. Arguably the truffle capital of farm with countless classy topical touches France, Aups naturally boasts tours for lovers to highlight its sustainable credentials. The of the ‘diamond of the kitchen.’ Maison de meal was enhanced by background music la Truffe is a recommended first stop for a from the gravelly tones of a saxophonist. The complete education about the subterranean farm also provides educational tours of the fungi and boasts a well-stocked gift shop for ”Var has rapidly organic crops, including edible flowers, and an essential takeaway. Once we learned how there’s a large greenhouse tent onsite for hot to find them, our group headed off to Le developed a yoga sessions. Provençal for a truffle masterclass with chef Les Arcs [4] is an 11th-century town of Claude Archier. A perfect egg (boiled for compelling narrow storied streets in the shadow of the one hour at 63 degrees) with Claude’s truffle imposing Parage tower. This was a brief stop tapenade was a culinary masterpiece. catalogue of for us to visit Château Sainte Roseline, a Quintessentially French villages are restored winery that tells absorbing stories everlastingly popular with cruise guests and green tours ” of wine, art and piety. Roseline’s story is as Tourtour and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie are remarkable in death as it was in life. two particularly fine examples. Tourtour [5]

6 Ports & Destinations 7 International Cruise & Ferry Review &Ferry Cruise International for countless canvas abeautiful providing July, June and in purple and pink turns that to top. visitors for cruise hard be will angle near-vertical and speed afair at catamaran a sailing from buzz but the reservoir, the on available are sports Various water lake. intoSainte-Croix flows that water turquoise the at aphoto to marvel stop of least at –worthy Canyon Grand own Europe’s very Verdon is [7], hop south A short Gorges mountain. up the higher sits that monastery the founded and caves tuff in settled monks when century fifth to the back dates village the peaks, rocky between in Nestled treat. unmissable it an make that characteristics unique numerous with village fairy-tale [8], aFrench Moustiers-Sainte-Marie soul. the enriches that quality aspellbinding with place picturesque France,’ and Tourtour in aquiet is villages as the loveliest ‘one of classified Officially sky. the in village extraordinary most the is EUROPE: RPEORT Valensole [9] is a vast lavender plateau Valensole plateau [9] lavender avast is is inland further hour an than Less impressive benchmark. impressive an set defintiely Var –and has destination for any rewards rich reap will tourism to sustainable Acommitment metrics. any against well perform will that tours green of catalogue acompelling developed rapidly certainly eco-pioneer, it has Var an as label to generous it be may While well. so quite do it but few tourism of sustainable appeal growing to the responding are destinations France’s natural treasures. about to astory conclusion aromatic an was factory and 1976 museum of the atour and world since to the sold lavender has retailer The L’OCCITANE factory. Provence en the to we headed From fields the fare. local of abanquet into tucked we before crops varied their about us educated farmers Local picnic. an organic to fields the through bikes tree.’ From ‘love electric took we here, the around grows that of plant quality for the renowned region’s distilleries, of the famed one is Angelvin Lavandes outdoor pursuits. It’s easy to fall in love with Var. Countless Var. love with in Countless It’s to fall easy C&F longer post-cruise stay. a booked had they that wishing be and food. wonderful Guests will views great with hotel characterful Bastide de Calalou ofsurprises. selection a presents lodge the at moorings the from coast the to trip boat morning environment. A the with encounter close asustainable for in Ecolodge an L’Étoile Ecolodge d’Argens contenders highlight of top the two have of options. plenty We in Varaccommodation pre- and post-cruise Cruise looking guests for Overnight options : a romantic and and : aromantic : overnight overnight :