Marseille, Mediterranean Cruises Port Profile

• Overview

Marked with grandeur and an exciting history, the city of MarseIlle in France can be your next vacation site. Located on the eastern side of the beautiful Le Illes islands, the famous city is known for its palatial buildings and a history that dates back to times only after Paris was born.

It is one of the most charming ports, and its alleys are characterized by old European architecture. The region’s light also helps the uniquely colored walls of these buildings to take the perfect form of a photographer’s delight. One has a number of air travel options to reach the city, but while traveling in Europe, the coastal cities are best recommended to be visited on boat.

• Arrival  

The MarseIlle Passenger Ferry Terminal is a busy port, and is a part of the Society of Maritime Activities in Mediterranean Islands (Societe Nationale Maritime Corse-Mediterranean). You can be easily facilitated with necessary transport and luggage services if you contact the office when it is open. Try to reach early on weekends. Not only will you be able to join the party scene, but also take advantage of the early closing hours. Morning arrivals on Saturdays and pre-evening arrivals between Mondays and Fridays will let you enjoy similar advantages.

• Transportation

If you want to get to the hotel without any assistance from the port offices, you can choose to rent a car from agencies like Avis and Europcar. Although these are available at train stations and will be parked in your sight, you may need to make a phone booking for pickups from the port. Passenger railway station Gare St-Charles is the nearest platform for those living in MarseIlle city. Metro trains are available from various parts of the city and you can avail them for inexpensive travel. For getting around the city without hiring a taxi, one barely needs 10 euros. In order to get to the nearest big cities, train and bus rates vary between 35 and 70 euros approximately.

 • Telecommunication

France Telecom and numerous other companies are available to cater to all your internet and phone services needs. If you are arriving with a phone or internet connection from a foreign country, you may not be able to use it without paying high charges.

Vivre Mobile, Bouyges Telecom and other companies can help you avail a new internet and phone connection quickly. Various local companies are also available for travelers if they want a new TV connection or selective network communication devices. DecoPubSarl and Ateliers Aknin are the most famous names in the market.

• Shopping

By going around the coastal city of MarseIlle, you will be able to find a vast range of small shops. Visit them before 7 pm on any weekday, and you can get yourself anything you need for living comfortably. The coastal areas are known for breezy esplanades, boutiques and art gallery shops. This is the place for food shopping in MarseIlle. You can also check out Cours Puget, Market Prado and Endroit des Capucins for buying home food. Trendy styles in clothing and stylish home products are widely available in Center Bourse, Vieux Port and some areas of Galeries Lafayette. If you are traveling with teenagers or young adults, do not forget to visit the trendsetting stores of CoursJulien.  

• Attractions

From roman ruins to modern architecture of the highest stature, MarseIlle houses everything you can imagine for monuments, historic buildings and places of national importance. Many such attractions in MarseIlle are located on islands, to which you can travel in ferries. Entry fees for these places are typically 10-15 euros, and lesser for kids. Vieux Port and Notre Dame de la Garden are amongst frequently visited places. Much of MarseIlle lives in European classics, and the beaches inevitably add to the fun in summers. Most attractions in MarseIlle are free to visit, and the city seems to be more alive in its everyday buzz than anywhere else. World War I and II memorials are also places you will want to visit once you absorb the city’s tributes to its history. Many visitors to these places spend hours in each location, but you will have to schedule all visits before 5 pm, leaving yourself some time as the gates usually close by 6.30 pm in most memorials. 

• Dining

If you like fish and seafood, MarseIlle could well be the dream destination you had been fantasizing about all these years! A number of reasonably priced luxury restaurants are available for services that few can match. MarseIlle has been known to be a city of big eaters, especially when it comes to sausage, pastas and seafood. Some popular restaurants for regular dining include Chez Tinou, LaEscapadeMarsellies and Le Cercle Rouge. The best rated restaurants that regularly attract celebrities and famous personalities include La Table du Fort and Le Petit Nice Passedat. You may also be interested in visiting local favorite joints such as Four des Navettes for meeting people and associating with the local culture. Miramar is a popular name amongst multi-cuisine restaurants in MarseIlle, and it also happens to be a popular chain in France and surrounding areas.

• Tips

In order to have a memorable vacation or a long stay in MarseIlle, you should be careful about selecting accommodation. Many dilapidated houses go up for rent, and they thrive on clients looking for cheap rents and long stay places. However, consider your safety first, so that you are not held liable for damages that later appear in the building property. Try to availing houses that are well maintained and run by legitimate real estate dealers. Subscribing to local newspapers will also help you get around in the city often known to be the busiest on the French coast. Also try to economize your travel costs because train stations are available almost at intervals of 500 meters. Walking in MarseIlle will definitely give you unmatched opportunities to purchase goods, and bargaining is quite acceptable. Knowing French is a definite advantage, but you should have no concerns about finding an interpreter from your hotel if you can afford one.

Original Article Written for www.mediterraneanfuncruises.com