United Kingdom to Marseille
The third largest city in France after Paris and Lyon, Marseille (sometimes spelled Marseilles in the UK) is rapidly becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Heathrow and Gatwick Airports in London serve the city with multiple departures every day. The city's main airport, Marseille Provence Airport, is the fourth most trafficked airport in the whole of France. Business travelers and tourists alike crowd its terminals. Once travelers disembark at the airport, they enjoy excellent local public transportation.
It is located on the south east coast of France on the Mediterranean Sea and is the largest commercial port in the country. The old port area that was popular prior to the'70s oil crisis has been redeveloped with an investment from the European Union.
The old port area is now home to restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels and other businesses and is primarily used as a private marina. The new port area is north of the old port area, and 100 million tons of freight pass through this port each year. The majority of the freight is petroleum. The city is a major center for trade and industry with excellent transportation infrastructure, including its port, airport and roads. It is one of the main entry points into France, making it popular with immigrants, especially those from Italy, Spain and Greece.
Lying on the shores of the Mediterranean, Marseille has mild winters but hot summers. Fortunately, neither summer heat nor winter cold lasts very long. The hottest weather comes in July and August, and coldest winter months arrive in January and February. Harsh but not necessarily cold winter winds blow into the city from the Alps both winter and spring.
It is also headquarters for the Marseille Provence Metropolis, the second largest research center in the country. Thousands of research scientists are employed at the Marseille Provence Metropolis.
But besides all the industry, UK travelers will find no shortage of museums, theaters, shops, bars, cafes, and restaurants in Marseille. Lovers of theater will be especially pleased by the wonderful repertoires of le Gymnase, the Teatre Toursky, and la Crie?. The opera season runs from September until June.
Like every other region of France, but perhaps a little more so, Provence is known for its incredible food. Local favorites include pastis, a popular liqueur made with anise and spice, once made with the now-banned absinthe. Other local favorites are aioli (mayonnaise) served over hard boiled eggs or fish, tapenades over grilled meats, panisse, navette, and the flavorful boiling bouillabaisse. Restaurants make all their dishes with local ingredients chosen because they are intensely flavorful. Many of these establishments can be found in the previously mentioned Old Port area, also the site of a fish market. The Old Port area is beautiful after sundown, and a wonderful destination for a romantic evening, but entirely safe for UK visitors.
Beautiful architecture can also be found in Marseille, including the Abbey of Saint Victor, one of the oldest places of Christian worship in France, the Museum of Old Marseille and the Phare de Sainte Marie, a lighthouse on the inlet to the Old Port.
With everything that Marseille offers UK tourists, it is easy to see why it is growing in popularity as a vacation destination every year.
Tom Martens is the content coordinator for Bestukflights.co.uk the UK's premier flight and travel comparison portal which includes a detailed section on Travel and Flights to Marseille
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