Is a vacation in Cannes - the resort town of France worth it?

Now if you had visited Pinkvilla HQ during Cannes Film Festival we were all about Cannes 2017. With emails about the event going back and forth, everyone was keeping a close, rather very-very close tab on, Deepika Padukone, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Sonam Kapoor. 

While everyone was keeping their eyes glued to the red carpet, mine had wandered off to the beauty that is the French city-Cannes. Watching Deepika Padukone eating croissants and painting her nail, Sonam posing in front of the French rêverie and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan soaking the summer sun in, you cannot help but lust over the city and long for a vacation.   

Though Cannes is all the buzz around this time of the year, it is a lot more than just a town of this iconic film festival. Cannes is a resort town in France and is ideal for those looking for a glamorous beach getaway. 

How To Get There:

Since the charming town of Cannes is a "resort town" (almost like Goa for French peeps) they don't have an airport. Hence, you need to fly down to Nice, there are frequent flights from Mumbai and New Delhi to Nice for around 35k one-way (we ain't coming back! Duh!) Though it takes an average of 12 hours to get there, the cheaper flight with stops will deliver you to Nice in about 27 Hours. 

From Nice, it’s a picturesque one-hour drive to Cannes. Who doesn't like a good road trip! You can take the amazing train route too.

Where to Stay:

The Grand Hyatt Cannes Hotel Martinez, where Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor and Deepika Padukone were living costs a whopping 21k a night! But it sure as hell is a luxurious experience. 

For those looking for a more budget-friendly option, there are hotels such as- PLM Hotel, ResidHotel Cannes Festival, Azurene Royal Hotel, Ibis, Hotel Abrial Cannes Centre and Hotel Splendid. These are within the range of 5,000 to 10,000. 

If you are feeling really fancy, you can stay at the Hotel du Cap Eden Roc, right on the peninsula of Nice and Cannes. Ask for a room with a grand view of the Mediterranean sea and you will know what heaven looks like.

The Vibe:

The locals at Cannes are not hospitable at all. In fact, both Conde Nast Traveller and Travel + Leisure magazines listed it among the unfriendliest cities in the world! 

Ferrari being the cheapest car you will see on the road, the people are snooty, fancy and rich AF. In a sentence, Cannes is the blingy, shiny, VVIP guest at a party who everyone says hello to but secretly hates.

Another fun fact about Cannes- If you spot a friendly face on the streets don't get too excited as the city is full of lookalikes, or so the fact say. 

The best time to visit? Well, October! 

What to do:

Now here is where the fun part lies. These are some things you must do 

1. French Riviera

The French Riviera (or Côte d'Azur) is the Mediterranean coast of southeastern France. It includes famously glamorous beach resorts such as Saint-Tropez and Cannes and the independent microstate of Monaco. 

2. Lérins Islands

The Lérins Islands are a group of four Mediterranean islands off the French Riviera, near Cannes. The two largest islands in this group are the Île Sainte-Marguerite and the Île Saint-Honorat.

3. Île Sainte-Marguerite

The Île Sainte-Marguerite is the largest of the Lérins Islands, about half a mile off shore from the French Riviera town of Cannes. The island is approximately 3 kilometres in length and 900 metres across.

4. Lérins Abbey

Lérins Abbey is a Cistercian monastery on the island of Saint-Honorat, one of the Lérins Islands, on the French Riviera, with an active monastic community. There has been a monastic community there since the 5th century.

These four are the PRIME spots you must not miss when at Cannes! 

For all the foodies out there, you probably have experimental taste buds. But for the rest of the Indians out there, French food is an acquired taste, if you do intend on trying the exotic cuisine, here are the places you must eat at- L'Affable, Restaurant Le Park 45, Grill and Wines and Le Salon des Independants. For a romantic dinner with a view Hotel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes will be the most luxuries experience ever! 

Considering everything is super expensive and over-priced and being the desi that I am, I think I am going to skip this one. What about you? Is Cannes worth a vacation? Comment below and let us know.