Côte d'Azur

The stretch between Nice and Saint-Tropez holds some of the oldest and best known hotels in Europe, most of them on their own headland with steps into the Mediterranean. Cap d'Antibes and Cap Ferrat are the quiet grand end; Saint-Tropez is busier and later. July and August are full and priced accordingly, and the roads are slow. We prefer June and September, when the sea is warm and a table in Saint-Tropez does not need to be fought for. Boats, beach club loungers and airport transfers are all easier arranged in advance.