No matter what time of night I arrive at a new destination, I always exhibit an insatiable urge to get out and see what is going on about the place.
Arriving late into Cannes, it would probably have been wise just to get settled into the apartment and leave it until morning to explore my new surroundings.
But according to the complimentary map within, the town centre was a mere 15-minute stroll from my accommodation, so off I set in search of something interesting to start my holiday.
What resulted, however, was a fairly unpleasant saunter under railway bridges and past teenage drinkers on the seafront complete with car stereos at full blast - not the Cannes I was expecting to be honest.
I grabbed a quick bite to eat at the first opportunity and turned on my heels back to the apartment to do what I should have done in the first place. Sleep.
I had been looking forward to a week in the Côte d'Azur sunshine for some time, but getting organised for the trip had proved quite difficult as most travel agents don't offer package deals to the region, despite offering up every grain of sand around the corner on the Iberian peninsula.
And with Cannes hotel prices ranging from expensive to exorbitant, it is no wonder that many bypass the French Riviera when planning a sunshine break.
But, thankfully, there are alternatives. Pierre & Vacances Holidays has apartments to rent in residences and leisure villages in seaside, mountain and countryside destinations in France, Spain and Italy, and if you are travelling with a few friends or family, you can get very good deals in places, like Cannes, that may otherwise appear out of budget.
I woke early the next morning and, trying to forget the previous night's experience, I ventured out to the balcony to check the weather.
It wasn't the colour of the sky that caught my attention but the sparkling blue sea that sprawled beyond. This was the first impression that I wanted from Cannes, it looked fantastic.
A few hours by the pool was the perfect start as I lazed in the sunshine dipping in and out of the water and the obligatory holiday reading material - 'GB84' by David Peace, in case you were wondering.
The swimming pool dominated the concourse and the infinity feature worked a treat as you swam with the Mediterranean Sea blending into the background.
Refreshed and revitalised with the first of the season's freckles starting to appear on my recently exposed arms, I ventured back into Cannes to get a proper look at what was on offer.
You get an immediate familiar feeling as you wander around the harbour and on up to the Palais des Festivals up on La Croisette.
The boats, the boutiques, the bon-viveurs; there's an obvious whiff of wealth about the place with million-dollar babies sitting in the harbour and in any of the many cafés or restaurants along the waterfront.
It was definitely a case of join in the fun as I acquired a seat with a view in Mocca café facing the instantly recognisable steps of the Palais des Festivals, which is home to Hollywood's elite every year for the Cannes Film Festival.
That particular festival runs every May, although the advertising equivalent was taking place that week, which provided an added if not equal buzz about the place.
My days were spent in equal measures up at the pool or back down town enjoying the views, drinking coffee and generally getting a feel for the place, which after a few days was proving very agreeable with my constitution.
And then night falls.
While I had full self-catering options back in the apartment complex, it would have been borderline criminal not to check out the nightlife around the harbour and the old town.
The restaurants around the harbour catered for all tastes and budgets, with top-class French cuisine establishments sitting uneasily beside the cheap and cheerful open-air alternatives.
And while these places were nice and touristy allowing you to watch the other tourists walk by as you dined, there was a much better atmosphere just off La Croisette on Rue Commandant Andre and the adjoining side-streets.
These streets were full of lively open-air bars and restaurants, with a great atmosphere about the place and all price ranges and food tastes are catered for.
The Pastis was a very popular mid-range restaurant but unfortunately I didn't get to sample the fare as it was always full by the time I made my way into town.
It wasn't a problem, though, as there was a plethora of choices within a few hundred metres - including the very busy Morrison's Irish Bar.
My personal favourite was L'Alhambra on Rue du Bateguier, which was a little bit pricey but located right in the hub of the nightlife, and the outside tables provided ring-side seats for the evening's entertainment. One order was, however, lost in translation as the waiter served some dessert wine to finish instead of the fine red that I'd being drinking throughout my meal.
And when you are complaining about little things like that, then you know that you're having a very good holiday.
Things to Do and See
While it would be very easy to lie in the sun all day, Cannes is surrounded by so many amazing places that you just have to sacrifice the sun-lounger for a day or two to get out and explore.
Several boating companies provide a wide range of options for getting out on the Med. Sailing trips, cruise ship and many more will take you along the Cote D'Azur or over to either of the islands just off the coast of Cannes, Ste Honorat or Ste Marguerite.
Alternatively, top-class destinations like Monaco, Nice and St Tropez are all within striking distance for a day trip. There is also Antibes or venture inland to some of the old Roman towns that are no more than an hour's drive from Cannes. You might also need to get down the coast a bit to sample some of the finer beaches in the region as most of the main strip in Cannes is private and overpriced.
And if shopping is your thing, then that's another day taken care of as Cannes is bursting with top-class designer boutiques and High Street shops running the length of the fairly lengthy Rue D'Antibes.
Also make sure you go for a dander around Le Suquet and the old Cannes castle where you'll get great views of the town and the coastline.
That said, there's only so much you can do in a week, so make sure you enjoy the sunshine and leave a couple of places for the next time you return. Because you will return.
Ed Leahy
Ed Leahy stayed at the Villa Francia Apartments in Cannes courtesy of Pierre & Vacances Holidays.
For more information, visit: www.pv-holidays.com.
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