Our final full day in France is centered on an optional excursion to nearby Monaco, about a thirty-minute bus ride from Nice past multi-million-dollar estates, sweeping Mediterranean vistas, and perilous cliff-sides.
Mere minutes from Italy and its own Municipality, Monaco is especially famous for its annual Grand Prix race and the Monte Carlo casino. It is one of the most common, and touristy, parts of the Riviera, yet still worth a look. What makes today special, however, is the royal wedding of Prince Albert II to now-Princess Charlene Wittstock. Albert II, along with sister Caroline, are children of Prince Rainier and actress Grace Kelly.
Today's civil ceremony is being broadcast around the world, hence the heavy presence of security and local and international media. To beat the crowds and explore a bit, we arrive in Monaco early, but find that getting around is not as simple as normal. During the course of Patrick's orientation tour, we are taken on detours, especially around the Royal Palace, but it is more a gelato calorie-burner than a sight-seeing hindrance.
Mere minutes from Italy and its own Municipality, Monaco is especially famous for its annual Grand Prix race and the Monte Carlo casino. It is one of the most common, and touristy, parts of the Riviera, yet still worth a look. What makes today special, however, is the royal wedding of Prince Albert II to now-Princess Charlene Wittstock. Albert II, along with sister Caroline, are children of Prince Rainier and actress Grace Kelly.
Today's civil ceremony is being broadcast around the world, hence the heavy presence of security and local and international media. To beat the crowds and explore a bit, we arrive in Monaco early, but find that getting around is not as simple as normal. During the course of Patrick's orientation tour, we are taken on detours, especially around the Royal Palace, but it is more a gelato calorie-burner than a sight-seeing hindrance.
Arrival in Monaco. The entire town is celebrating!
Even though Monaco has been developed...
Rick warned you about the walking...
Everywhere you look, flags from Albert's Monaco and Charlene's South Africa, are displayed. Stop by the T.I. to pick up your own flags for free.
Cute narrow lanes offer a more local and intimate perspective of Monaco, including residences.
Views from Jardins St-Martin, across from the Cathedral. A lovely park nestled on the cliffs.
For the price of one night here, you probably could take another Rick Steves tour. But it's still a nice view from a relaxing bench in the shade. I've never seen water so blue!
|
Uniformed guards ensure the tightest security.
...the scenery is still breathtaking!
...but you might find yourself on TV,
|
Right about the time everyone is trying to get TO the Prince's Palace, I am trying to get out. I take a scenic bus ride down into town, past grand palaces, swanky hotels, and ritzy shopping boulevards to the legendary Monte Carlo (below). I'm not dressed the part, nor can I afford it, but I can finally say I have been here!
The same dramatic hillside views that greeted me on the way into Monaco (including the Corniches, below left), wave me goodbye. In contrast to the crowded bus into town, leaving is a breeze. I am left to relax and people-watch.
I make a quick stop in Villefranche-sur-Mer, which we cruised by yesterday, then head back to Nice. Alas, our farewell dinner is tonight.
Dinner is bittersweet tonight. It has been the trip of a lifetime, yet over all-too-soon. L'Horloge (surprisingly it took us a long time before we found out it means 'The Clock') has reserved its second-floor banquet room just for us! A long table fit for a king, and all 28 of us seated around it to feast on salad, lamb chops, and puff pastries (below), with three types of wine to go around.
As we reminisce on our memories, we also thank Patrick for a tremendous job well done! We have all signed a card for him as a small token of our appreciation, and wish him all the best. He has taught us a lot about France and about being a tour guide, and I will never forget neither him nor this trip. I cannot say enough words of praise about his country! We share with Patrick and each other our gratitude and our individual trip highlights, and then take our last walk together as a group down to the Mediterranean, where we have one final toast and goodbye.
As we reminisce on our memories, we also thank Patrick for a tremendous job well done! We have all signed a card for him as a small token of our appreciation, and wish him all the best. He has taught us a lot about France and about being a tour guide, and I will never forget neither him nor this trip. I cannot say enough words of praise about his country! We share with Patrick and each other our gratitude and our individual trip highlights, and then take our last walk together as a group down to the Mediterranean, where we have one final toast and goodbye.