Escape to the south of

Escape to the south of France for fun in the sun in the winter! Janine Marsh heads to the Mimozas Cannes Resort at mimosa time… On a freezing cold February day, I headed to Cannes in the south of France. The grey skies of wintery London turned into the grey skies of wintery Paris where I arrived by train to connect with the 5-hour fast train to Cannes. Speeding through the French countryside, after a couple of hours I started to notice patches of Wedgewood blue appear in the sky. By the time I arrived I felt like I’d gone to a different country – one where the sun shines and it's warm, even in February. From here I took a short taxi ride to my destination the 4-star Mimozas Resort in nearby Mandelieu. For a pick me up break or an extended winter holiday in the south, this place is brilliant value. There’s loads to do and see, an onsite spa, access to the best golf courses in the area, the chance to relax in the sun, visit Cannes, nearby Grasse and Nice and a host of fabulous hotspots on the French Riviera. From January to March the famous flower of the Provencal hinterland, mimosa, is in bloom making a visit even more special.

There’s a little on-site shop where you can buy freshly baked croissants and basic supplies. There are towns with markets and shops within walking distance, but for me the lure of the daily covered market at Cannes was irresistible. Mimozas Resort is not a dressy resort, it's a place to chill. Families, couples, groups and solo travellers fall in love with this place and return again and again. You can book an apartment in the main building like me, or in the landscaped grounds where there are cottages and apartments. The gorgeous gardens and lake give Mimozas Resort the feel of a private estate, spotless and very Provençal in style. There are walkways lined with herbs and rose arbours, the scent of rosemary and thyme even in winter are heady. You'll find benches to sit on dotted around, places to sit and chill and watch the wild birds that flock here thanks to the lakes. I collected the key for my self-catering apartment in the main building, dumped my luggage and headed to the restaurant La Table du Lac on the ground floor. The menu is seasonal, diverse and delicious and the starter was substantial enough for a main meal. The friendly staff speak English, Thibaud the barman was great, he remembered what I like to drink on my second night, something that always impresses me when someone does that. Server Lissiane couldn't have been nicer, she remembered my name and made me feel at home, something I really appreciate as a solo traveller. For anyone coming here for a rest and healthy eating it's the perfect option. Though it's big, it never feels crowded or like a holiday camp as it's spread over several acres and the layout is well designed so that you don't feel on top of each other. There are little waterfalls and canals that run through the resort keeping it cool when the sun is out and don't worry about mosquitoes, they don't have them here. And if I tell you that the famous Michelin company hold their annual conference here you'll get just how special this place is as the gastronomic guidebook giant is hardly likely to go somewhere that's not special. The aim of the resort is to make you feel at home, they’re very customer service oriented and not remotely stuffy.