We travel the world with Unique Estates’ team. This time the destination is European, very sunny and popular – the pearl of Cote d’Azur – Saint Tropez. That’s where Sylvana Vassileva, editor at Unique Estates Media, takes us to.

The coast of southern France have long been on her wish list of destinations. She heads the French Riviera spontaneously, for several days during this summer’s high season, invited by a group of friends.

Luxury yachts, helicopter transfers, glamorous beach parties or the night clubs of some of the finest hotels in the gulf make Saint Tropez one of the hottest summer destinations for the rich and famous.

“You enter this hedonistic paradise with high heels and a sparkling dress on. Still, the best time that I had in Saint Tropez was the moment when I was going out of the sea, on the beach of Le club 55, with just my smile on, feeling real and somehow blessed. That’s where people seem to forget about vanity, sit at one table like a big, happy family, “says Sylvana.

“I was looking for the charm of the French Riviera from the time of “And God created woman”. I did not find it in the luxury boutiques, designers’ clubs, or boutique hotels. I did not see it on the decks of the glamorous yachts in the bay either. To get to know the city through the eyes of the locals, you have to step onto the ash floor of Place des Lices and play petanque with friends. Go to the Hotel du Sube’s bar, dine at Pablo, Bistrot Pastis or Les Graniers. You need a straw basket on a Tuesday morning to fill with fresh fruits, flowers, olives and lavender soap from the Place des Lices’ Provencal Market. You should also try the freshly baked croissants and homemade peach and lavender jam from La Tarte Tropezienne. Or even take a crazy ride around the nearby villages, through shortcut roads, leading to unknown treasures.”

“At Café des Art you can see the locals who gather for a drink or a play of cards in the evenings. Then you may feel the bliss of the “golden” hours of the day, when the sun is low and the whole square is covered by the dancing shadows of the trees. The old part of Saint-Tropez is also beautiful, with its pastel colours of the facades and passages to the sea. In the small streets you may find hidden interesting galleries and art studios, shops of local designers and the fragrances of Les Senteurs des Tropezienne. A typical amour francais, “she says.

On the sidewalks of the old port are the works of local artists. There is also the legendary Senequier, known from the iconic scene in which Brigitte Bardot dances with a group of jazz musicians in the movie that made the small fishing village so famous today. Le Petit Plage is another place she recommends for its wonderful food and ambience.

“I also found a very interesting book, L’autre Saint-Tropez, by Michel Goujon, which shows the city in a really fascinating way. It tells of the spirit of the place through the life of famous artists, celebrities and royal people from the past, their adventures and beautiful love stories. ”

From her trip Sylvana got some ceramics, paintings and souvenirs made by local artists, also a scent that brings her back to the beautiful memories of the Cote d’Azur.

(This material has been written for www.ues.bg)