I like day outings. They are a cheap, feasible way of getting a good break away from the city.
Around Bangalore, there are a lot of resorts that cater to corporate and private day outings. The day package includes breakfast, lunch and high-tea. A resort typically houses amenities like a pool and various games for you to make avail of.
Generally, we like to take a day trip by ourselves, without the limitations of time and food that a resort offers. My idea of a day outing is a well-packed picnic basket, some badminton rackets, cool drinks, a book and good friends. It is also a cheaper alternative, don't you think?
Day-trip 1:
In the two months that we've have been in Marseille, we have made two day trips within a week of each other. On 7th April, we went to Cassis, a beautiful beach town about 30 minutes from Marseille. We took the Blue Bus from Metro Castellane. Buses to Cassis are at regular intervals but make sure to look a the timetable before hand. There are also trains between Marseille and Cassis and of course you can drive. This is going to be our year of no driving since we are going to rely on the powerful public transport system of Europe to move around. The return bus ride for two cost us 5.20 euros.
Cassis offers a lot: hiking routes along the calanques, the omni-present 'le Petit Train', sun bathing on one of the many beaches, people-viewing while sipping wine or drinking beer in the sun at a side-cafe. We took the petit-train which stopped at the calanques for about 10 minutes for us to take pictures. We mostly walked around the port area and spent some time on the beach. I am sure there is a lot more to this town. I had made the mistake of not packing any food that day. So we did end up spending a little more than I had hoped for.
On the way back down the hill, we were stuck in a jam of cars and buses, all making their way back to Marseille! I would suggest you spend a night in Cassis and leave the next morning. That way you can see a lot more of this beautiful beach town and also spend less time on the road!
Day-trip 2:
The following Saturday, we went to Aix-en-Provence. We took the metro to St. Charles and took the bus from there. The bus ride for two cost us 10.40 euros one way. The brochure hinted at an hour's drive. But we were there in under 30 minutes! Again, although they are at regular intervals, make sure you look at the timetable before hand.
This time, to budget our trip, I packed sandwiches, some fruit and nuts. It made such a huge difference and we were able to splurge on a bottle of drink and a bag of chips without guilt! :)
Also, this time, we first made a bee-line for the tourism centre. These places are equipped with all sorts of information and can tell you what to and what not to avoid. So with map in hand, we decided to cover the city centre and, giving the petit-train a miss, walk around this area. There is a lot of history in the little lanes along Cours Mirabeau. We also visited the Musée Granet. But do so only if you are keenly interested and have time on hand.
We took the bus back at around five and were home by seven. We didn't have time to go see Mont Saint Victoire. But that only means we'll have to make one more trip to the lovely Aix!
Around Bangalore, there are a lot of resorts that cater to corporate and private day outings. The day package includes breakfast, lunch and high-tea. A resort typically houses amenities like a pool and various games for you to make avail of.
Generally, we like to take a day trip by ourselves, without the limitations of time and food that a resort offers. My idea of a day outing is a well-packed picnic basket, some badminton rackets, cool drinks, a book and good friends. It is also a cheaper alternative, don't you think?
Day-trip 1:
In the two months that we've have been in Marseille, we have made two day trips within a week of each other. On 7th April, we went to Cassis, a beautiful beach town about 30 minutes from Marseille. We took the Blue Bus from Metro Castellane. Buses to Cassis are at regular intervals but make sure to look a the timetable before hand. There are also trains between Marseille and Cassis and of course you can drive. This is going to be our year of no driving since we are going to rely on the powerful public transport system of Europe to move around. The return bus ride for two cost us 5.20 euros.
Cassis offers a lot: hiking routes along the calanques, the omni-present 'le Petit Train', sun bathing on one of the many beaches, people-viewing while sipping wine or drinking beer in the sun at a side-cafe. We took the petit-train which stopped at the calanques for about 10 minutes for us to take pictures. We mostly walked around the port area and spent some time on the beach. I am sure there is a lot more to this town. I had made the mistake of not packing any food that day. So we did end up spending a little more than I had hoped for.
On the way back down the hill, we were stuck in a jam of cars and buses, all making their way back to Marseille! I would suggest you spend a night in Cassis and leave the next morning. That way you can see a lot more of this beautiful beach town and also spend less time on the road!
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| Cassis waters |
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| A view of the port |
Day-trip 2:
The following Saturday, we went to Aix-en-Provence. We took the metro to St. Charles and took the bus from there. The bus ride for two cost us 10.40 euros one way. The brochure hinted at an hour's drive. But we were there in under 30 minutes! Again, although they are at regular intervals, make sure you look at the timetable before hand.
This time, to budget our trip, I packed sandwiches, some fruit and nuts. It made such a huge difference and we were able to splurge on a bottle of drink and a bag of chips without guilt! :)
Also, this time, we first made a bee-line for the tourism centre. These places are equipped with all sorts of information and can tell you what to and what not to avoid. So with map in hand, we decided to cover the city centre and, giving the petit-train a miss, walk around this area. There is a lot of history in the little lanes along Cours Mirabeau. We also visited the Musée Granet. But do so only if you are keenly interested and have time on hand.
We took the bus back at around five and were home by seven. We didn't have time to go see Mont Saint Victoire. But that only means we'll have to make one more trip to the lovely Aix!
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| Four Dolphins Fountain |
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| Ancient architecture all around Aix |
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| One of the squares in Aix |
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