Flotilla Sailing For Non Flyers – South Of France
At every boat show, we are asked what we can propose as a flotilla holiday for those that don’t like to fly. Our Cote D’Azur flotilla on the South of France is the answer with a range of travel options available for the non- flyer.
This is our second year in this area and whilst still not quite as well known as our flotillas in Greece and Croatia, we are having a good season and receiving some really good feedback from guests.
The area is of course stunningly beautiful with some great natural attractions such as the Callanques coastal national park and the idyllic offshore islands of Porquerolles and Port Cros, but also lovely harbour towns and villages offering fabulous food and good facilities all along this coast.
For those that prefer to fly, there is an excellent choice of flights from around the UK to Marseille Toulon and Nice, all within easy reach of our base, but what are the options for non- flyers ?
Self Drive – Combining a flotilla holiday with a driving holiday through France certainly has its attractions. The road network is excellent and one is spoilt for choice on routings and attractions on the way. Whether visiting the sights in historic cities as you travel through the country, a change of scenery with a visit to the Alps or sampling the delights of one of the many coastal resorts with a hotel or villa stay, there is something for everyone. In a straght line, you can drive the distance in a day, but if you are exploring, you can take as long as you like.
TGV – France boasts arguably the best rail network in Europe and their iconic TGV high speed trains are a safe, comfortable and efficient way to reach your destination.
Boarding Eurostar at St Pancras at 09:22 on a Saturday morning, you can be in Toulon, just across the bay from our base by 18:16 on the same day. This does involve changing stations in Paris, between Gare Du Nord where Eurostar terminates and Gare De Lyon to board the TGV . This can be either by taxi or by using the Metro. This was enough of an incentive for some of our clients to use this as an excuse to spend a day or two in Paris either on the way out or on the way back. However, even as a straight journey, it can be a reasonable comparison to a flight when one factors in travel time to airports, check in, clearing security and so on, all of which are simpler and quicker by train.
From Toulon’s station, it is a ten minute walk or two minute taxi ride to the port and ferry pier for the short ride across the bay to Les Sablettes with the pier being just 350 metres from our base at Port Pin Rolland.
Whether you favour the self drive touring option or you are a rail enthusiast, both options work really well and are the perfect addition to your week or two on flotilla with Seafarer in the Med.
We still have some availability this summer and some great special offers, so if travelling without taking to the air is your choice, give us a call and we will be happy to guide you through the options.
