Escape the glitz and glamour on a Cote d'Azur holiday

Many people love the glitz and glamour of Cannes and St Tropez on the Cote d'Azur, but for others it can be a little too much.

Luckily, the region has a much quieter side that holiday makers can enjoy if they head to some of its smaller towns and villages.

In an article for the Canwest News Service, travel journalist Kenneth Bagnell said the town of St-Raphael is one place that still holds all the old charm of the South of France.

Just 20 minutes west of Cannes, it is a relaxed destination where winters are always mild and the streets are free of tourist crowds, the writer stated.

Visitors can stroll along the seafront, enjoy delicious meals in outdoor cafes and marvel at the historic architecture.

"Take the narrow side streets, often perfumed by orange blossoms, and you'll find the flower and vegetable market, only moderately changed from its distant original years," Mr Bagnell wrote.

St-Raphael is just a stone's throw away from Frejus, where families can rent their own Cote d'Azur villas. This historical town is home to many Roman ruins and a sheltered sandy beach.

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