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September 5, 2007

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WHERE'S JOHNNY JET?                                 Cannes, France
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GETTING TO CANNES FROM THE NICE AIRPORT
From the Nice Airport to Cannes, travelers can take a 50-minute bus ride for 14.20 euro one-way or 23.20 euro for a return fare. The buses operate every half hour except the first and last hours when they run hourly. Service begins at 7am and ends at 8pm. Besides a helicopter, the quickest travel option is a 65-euro taxi ride. It's an extra 10 euro after 7pm and on Sundays.

HOTEL 3-14
The moment I saw the outside of Hotel 3-14, I realized that I had stayed there 10 years ago when it used to be The Savoy. The four-star rated hotel is one block from the beach and adjacent to the world famous Carlton Hotel; I was able to pick up their wireless signal for free. The hotel’s name comes from a reference to the mathematical sign Pi, 3.14. Here, it’s interpreted as a travel invitation, like an ongoing traveling circle around the world. A bit abstract and out of the ordinary, I'd say. But then, nothing about this hotel is ordinary. Completely remodeled, Hotel 3-14's atmosphere is the opposite of the sophistication and conservative nature of The Savoy. My first impression was ... what the heck happened here? I felt like I was in a Miami Beach disco in the late ‘80s. The lobby has a tacky water fountain with colorful, fake birds and a bright blue, dressed up, pierced statue of a cow standing nearby. Behind the front desk were live birds, flying around a mirrored wall. Across the way, the concierge desk featured a spinning welcome light globe. The only thing missing was a DJ. Oh, there was a poolside DJ spinning techno music. The pool is located on the top floor and has faux rocks surrounding the potted palm trees. In the far corner is a hot tub with a killer view of the beach.

HOTEL 3-14 ROOMS
The hotel has 96 rooms, all with flat screen TVs and DVD players. Each floor is dedicated to the hotel's theme – five floors, five continents. That's right. Each floor is themed by continent. So there's America, Oceania, Africa, Asia and Europe. I was on the second floor, themed Africa. My dark room did feel distinctly Moroccan, featuring purple walls, purple drapes and yes, purple bedding. It even had African-esque lamps and a camel ashtray. My favorite part of the room (besides the stale recycled welcome candies) was the bathroom. It was bright, clean and most importantly, everything worked. It also had two pairs (one girl's, one guy's) of Hotel 3-14 flip-flops to use at the pool and to take home with you. Hotel 3-14 is definitely for a younger generation. Who else could appreciate the in-room mini bar, stocked with kinky amenities like a love box filled with condoms, a pocket rocket, earplugs, lube and a variety of vibrators? Check, please!

HOTEL 3-14 FOOD
The only relaxing parts of the hotel were the restaurants and the beach. Breakfast is included in the daily rate (which begins at 150 euro a night) and is served on a quiet outdoor patio. They offer freshly squeezed orange juice, fresh fruit, eggs, bacon, cereal, pastries, an assortment of jellies and Nutella! The food tables were decorated with rose petals, which was a nice touch and the food and service were both excellent. At the La Plage 3-14 restaurant on the beach, the food and service were also enjoyable. A young American couple who I rode the bumping, flashing-strobe- light, techno elevator with, summed up my stay at Hotel 3-14. When I asked how they liked the hotel they simply said, "It's cool how creative it is, but it's a little much." I agree. It just didn't flow. Hotel 3-14, 5, rue François Einesy - 06400 Cannes. Tél.: 00 33 (0)4 92 99 72 00.



SOFITEL
I didn't stay at the 149-room Sofitel Cannes Le Méditerranée but I did have lunch in their Méditerranée restaurant. The hotel is located near the marina in a beautiful location. For lunch or dinner, reserve a table in the rotunda to enjoy the 180-degree views, which are, quite possibly, the best in the city. Lunch (42 euro) and dinner (72 euro) are three-course, prix-fixe meals. For starters, I had carrot cream soup. My appetizer was melon balls with prosciutto accompanied with a sweet-wine-infused cantaloupe soup. The main course option was either veal or vegetable risotto. The food was just okay but the view made up for it. So did the banana sorbet dessert, peach cobbler and profiteroles. Room rates begin at 160 euro. Sofitel Cannes Le Méditerranée, 1 boulevard Jean Hibert, BP 162, 06407, Cannes; Tel.: (+33) 4/92997300.

ÎLE SAINTE-MARGUERITE
Across the street from the Sofitel is a marina where ferries leave for two of the most popular excursions in Cannes. One is a 10-minute, 11-euro boat ride to the island of Sainte Marguerite. Île Sainte-Marguerite is just a half-mile offshore but feels like a world away with its forest of pine and eucalyptus trees. Île Sainte-Marguerite is the largest of the Lérins Islands and is roughly a half-mile (900 meters) long and 1.8 miles (3km) wide. Most tourists come to see the historic Fort Royal and the Museum of the Sea (Musée de la Mer). Here, you'll find items from the ancient Roman and Saracen shipwrecks on display. You don't want to miss seeing the former prison cells including the one that belonged to the Man in the Iron Mask from the 17th century. Admission to the Fort is 3.20 euro and includes a guided tour. The other side of the island is the most beautiful part, but I didn't have time to explore it. Instead, I went for a quick and refreshing swim. The water temperature was around 72 degrees but I didn't stay in for too long; there were red jellyfish floating nearby.

MASS ON ÎLE SAINT-HONORAT
The other popular and slightly smaller island to visit is Île Saint-Honorat. It's a 20-minute, 11-euro boat ride from the marina. Saint Honorat is directly behind Île Sainte-Marguerite and in the summertime, the space between is filled with water skiers, snorkelers and boaters. Wow, is the water ever blue and clear! I wanted to jump in but I was dressed to attend Île Saint-Honorat's Sunday mass with 30 Cistercian monks. The island has been the home of 30-plus monks since the fifth century when Saint Honorat founded a monastery around 410AD. Mass lasted an hour and ten minutes and was given in French. Although I don't speak the language, it was still easy to follow. Hey, I'm a good Catholic boy and it was basically the same as mass back home. The only thing I found different was communion. Here, once the priest hands you the host (body of Christ), worshipers keep it in their hand and proceed to the priest holding the wine chalice with the blood of Christ. The priest then takes the host out of your hand, dips it in the wine and puts it in your mouth. If you go, be sure to dress appropriately (no shorts) and be prepared to stand unless you arrive early. I recommend going a little early; you won't want to miss hearing the chanting of the monks just before mass begins. It's one of the highlights.

A VIEW NOT TO BE MISSED
Afterwards, everyone hits the monks' store to buy their homemade wine, honey, postcards and other treats. If you go, be sure to take a tour of the fortified, 15th-century monastery; it's free. To get to the top is a seven-floor circular stone stairwell. But don't worry; you won't feel claustrophobic at all and at the top, you'll be rewarded with some of the most incredible views of the Mediterranean.

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Pictures From

The Trip

 

Hotel 3-14

 

Lobby

 

Hot Tub

 

My Room

 

Bathroom

 

Love Box

 

Their Beach Restaurant

 

Sofitel Restaurant View

 

Sainte Marguerite View

 

Fort Royal

 

Île Saint-Honorat

 

Sunday Mass
(photo Elina Fuhrman)

 

15th-Century Monastery

 

View From Top

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