This stay confirmed you don’t have to go all the way to Cannes, Antibes or Nice to have an incredible South of France trip. The location is really the sell here. The hotel sits right on the cliffs overlooking the Bay of Cassis, with little pockets for swimming and lounging along the waterfront, a gorgeous infinity pool and the Mediterranean basically taking centre stage everywhere you look. I also loved Cassis itself. It’s a tiny port surrounded by limestone cliffs, turquoise water and the Calanques, and when I visited it still felt so French. It was relaxed and glamorous, but without quite as much of the “see and be seen” feeling you get farther east along the Côte d’Azur. My favourite way to do it would be to pair Cassis with Provence. Fly into Marseille, spend a few days inland exploring the villages and vineyards, then head down to the coast. Once you’re here, take a boat through the Calanques, kayak or paddleboard, wander into town for lunch, swim off the rocks and definit...