We finish off the week at the west end of the Riviera, with a visit to the postcard-pretty town of Cassis and the natural wonders of Calanques National Park. Stop for lunch at the Auberge de la Madone, a restaurant whose fine French cooking has landed it in the Michelin guide. From wealthy actors in a rocky relationship to a struggling dancer in the backstreets of Cannes, Kirkwood captures the colourful spectrum of people living in a place synonymous to wealth and riches.

All rooms are equipped with air conditioning, full bathroom with complementary toiletry items, telephone, piped music, cable and satellite television, and safe deposit box (charge) wifi (charge). If you do receive an ATOL certificate but all of the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected. Next, drive or take the bus to the Prince's Palace of Monaco, the former Genoese fortress that has been home to the Grimaldi royal family since the 13th century. Beautiful setting, deftly outlined characters and a family mystery that keeps you guessing right till the end. There is a broad cast of characters in this story and I enjoyed how they are gradually pulled together, with the hotel being at the centre of this secretive tale.As events unfold, Ariana finds herself falling for Madeleine's son, Gabriel, but there is a shadow cast by the death of Liberty Granger, a Hollywood actress, at a party Ariana attended whilst still living in California. Ariana Theodosis inherits the Hotel du Soleil on the French Riviera after the death of her beloved grandmother, but the hotel holds a secret. The theme of secrets runs throughout this novel and I liked how so many characters have hidden truths and their reasons for not being completely honest.

I won this book through a nomiation from a friend on FB and am so delighted that Carol herself signed my copy. The only thing I liked was the outfit descriptions and the fact it was set in 2009, rather than the boring present day. It's one of those beach reads that feels very lush and velvety and the characters are in these luxurious settings. Next, ideally just before sunset, take the stairs or elevator at the end of the Quai des Etats-Unis to Colline de la Chateau (Castle Hill), whose greenery-filled lanes and panoramic views regularly draw crowds. I was very excited to get a copy of this new book to read, after thoroughly enjoying the authors last book.However, if your ‘cup of tea; is simple, beautiful escapism and a peak into how the other half live - fairy tale style……. For younger members of the family, organise a visit to see Father Christmas that they will remember forever. If you've got a week to explore the French Riviera, you'll have ample time to see the famed Mediterranean stretch of coastline in the south of France, and get a good sense of its highlights. Lots of glamour and name dropping being that the hotel, and the story is based in Cannes during the Film festival, and their are many links to the film industry. There were so many secrets, and I was desperate to know them, so much so that I binge read to the end (who needs sleep anyway?

Purchased by the Powis family in April 2017, the Riviera Hotel is currently undergoing a programme of refurbishment to bring the hotel up to an excellent standard throughout.For dinner, head back up to the town above and choose a restaurant with dramatic views over the old city and Mediterranean sea beyond. Light refreshments are always available and can be served in the Regency Bar, in the Foyer or on the terrace during the summer months. Elizabeth and Robert Chappell are the golden couple of Hollywood and are in Cannes to promote their latest film. Your week in the French Riviera begins in Nice and Monaco, then moves westward to famous resort towns and beaches including Cannes, Antibes, and St-Tropez.