Menton holiday apartment: Garavan

The last time we went to Menton, France was in May 2008 for the Monaco Grand Prix week. Which I have to say was so much fun. My wife and I have never been to a Grand Prix before and we would recommend anyone to experience this, especially in Monaco. The only thing I would say is don’t just get ear plugs get head phones as well! It is very loud, but incredible.

But rather than talk about Monaco and the Grand Prix I am really reviewing the place we stayed at in Menton. Menton is located between the Glitz and Glamour of Monte Carlo, Monaco, the boarder of beautiful Italy (500 yards!) and the towering mountains of the Alps (directly behind). Although it has so much around it, Menton still manages to keep very quite.

Menton still has its “Old Town”, which has so many original features, nooks and crannies. The church stands right in the middle of the Old Town is a very prominent and beautiful building, it is also on the majority of Menton’s paintings and postcards.

Chateau Vallaya (the apartment) was the accommodation we stayed in and it was everything we expected. I don't really think the pictures do the apartment justice as we walked into it and opened the automatic blinds to see the shear extent of the Panoramic View, it was wonderful.

The Apartment block is situated at the base of the Alps and overlooks Italy on the left and Menton town on the right with nothing but the Garavan Marina and the Mediterranean Sea in front of you. Not only do you have fantastic views but you also have a beautiful garden right below you. The garden is kept in fantastic condition and it surrounds the swimming pool.

The Apartment was very clean, and had all the mod cons except internet access which wasn’t the end of the world but could have been useful.

We were warned that the apartment is actually in Menton Garavan which is about 10 minutes walk to the centre of Menton, there is however a supermarket about 5 minutes walk away which came in handy when we needed supplies. I would also like to point out that the apartment is at the foot of the French Alps (as I mentioned before) and there is a gradual climb to get to the apartment, luckily the climb is only for about 500 metres.

We have already booked our stay in December this year (2009) to celebrate Christmas early and we can’t wait. We might even try renting a car up to the Italian Alps to see the snow. But we will see.

How the owner describes her flat is exactly what you will find on arrival.

No disappointments anywhere unless the weather turns really bad (which it won't because there is a sort of micro climate around Menton - hence all the wonderful gardens in the neighbourhood) and then the flat is so well equipped with CDs, DVDs and books you just sit it out with, of course, the bottles of wine from the little (and cheaper!) wine shop just on the border into Italy - half a km. away and the wonderful food from the town. You can still sit outside under the roof of the terrace with the most perfect view of Menton. And it is never cold.

Those who paint will hardly need to move - the light changes all the day.

The area is amazing - a car is really NOT necessary - you can even walk into Monaco along the coast (and that doesn't mean on a highway! Buses are no problem and the little train below Is frequent and punctual and it is a joy not to drive. There is so much to do
locally but if you really want to be adventurous you could always rent a car for the odd day to go up into the mountains behind which are a whole world away and magical.

As for the flat it is extremely comfortable with everything you could want. The whole combination makes for a wonderfully peaceful and relaxing holiday.

The only snag with sharing this knowledge is that I shall find it will be fully booked when I next want to make a return