Nice/Eze/Monaco Bus 100 Schedule

[uk1]

I once had a flat on the front at Villefranche.

 

Travellers fall into two groups. Those that have a list of things they must do and who then pile them all in no matter how frantic the travelling is. The other groups is that group who like to linger and smell the area and soak it in and take their time and do not feel deprived if they don't hit all the spots. I genuinely think these two groups are different. I'm in the second group. Most are in the first.

 

To members of the second group who have experienced places like Monaco, they find it a soulless place full of other tourists all gawping at each other.

 

Some of my suggestions for the area (this one was for a request for info from someone docking at Nice but moved on to the VF area) are already threaded and you can find some on

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=151878

 

a previous thread covering the area has dissapeared but ask any questions. Lunch must be at Le Sloop at St Jean Cap Ferrat. Do a search. It's a wonderful walk from your ship.

 

A relatively unknown fact, but one worth mentioning. Most people see pictures of the casino at Monte Carlo via various films and adverts ie "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" "Bond" "VW advert" etc. The reality is that Monaco doesn't allow filming and virtually all films made of "the casino" are taken at the casino at Bealieue Sur Mer which is mentioned on the threads and a glorious walk from your ship. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is filmed all around Villefranche and is worth seeing before your trip. My flat was featured.

 

Jeff

[uk1]

............. another thread that might be interesting has dissapeared but I've found an archive/cached version:

 

http://boards1.cruisecritic.com/archive/index.php?t-168477.html

 

Ask any questions.

 

Jeff

[katiebeth]

Dear UK1,

 

Thank you for taking the time to post and directing me to previous threads regarding Villefranche and the surrounding area.

 

It sounds like you would recommend the walk from the ship to Cap Ferrat. We do love to walk and it sounds quite spectacular. Thank you, as well, for the recommendation for lunch.

 

I do have a question about Eze village. Most on these boards seem to love Eze and indicate that it is very charming and quaint. How long does it take to get to Eze Village from Villefranche and do you recommend the bus or train?

 

Also, what are your thoughts on Nice and St. Paul-De-Vence? For whatever reason, I have never had a burning desire to see Monaco. Based on your post, it seems that it would not be on your "must see" list either.

 

We are still in the planning stages and I, like yourself, believe that "less is more". However, I must say that my husband would fall in the category of "more is better". Fortunately, we are both willing to compromise and usually agree to something "in the middle". As I stated in my post earlier, we have four port intensive days in a row (Villefranche, Florence, Rome, and Naples) and I really want to pace ourselves.

 

Thanks again for your valuable and insightful input.

 

Nancy

[uk1]

Hi Nancy,

 

I think a lot depends on the timing of the options you have available.

 

In a way St Paul is sort of interchangeable with Eze, and you could sort of do one or the other. Both are great places - but both you'll be mostly sharing with other tourists.

 

I'm biaised. To exchange the time on a cruise liner with time in one of the villages with all the people from the cruise line simply doesn't sound attractive to me. And you summed it up exactly when you said less is more. But ...........

 

Both places are not quickly and conveniently accesiible. So, if accepting that you're looking for a recomendation then I suggest you ask the cruise line to pre-book a taxi (share if necessary) to meet you off of the first tender. Let it whisk you right up to to Eze village so that you're there before all of the nasty crowds. Soak in the atmosphere whilst the locals are opening the shops and have a stroll for an hour and then ask the taxi to take you to back to Bealieu - by the Metropole Hotel. You can then depending on the time - look at the Villa I mentioned in the other thread or if it is 11'ish take the slow magical walk to the Sloop. After lunch take the bus from St Jean into Nice or if you've missed the spasmodic local bus (I think it leaves at about 2pm and then at around 4.30pm which is too late) walk back into Beaulieu to take the 100 to Nice. From the last stop - the Gare routier (bus station) this is across the road from the top of the old town in Nice. You can then walk through the old town to the sea and back. You could if you wish take the 100 back to Octroi which is at the top of Villefranche.

 

Sorry if this looks garbled but it is after lunch and some wonderful baked Brill and D'oc.

 

Ask any questions and I'll try and point.

 

Jeff

[ludela]

we will be in Millennium 9/11/06 from Barcelona to Venice. In Villefranche(nice) we are planning to rent a car since people said that it is a short drive from one town to another. Is it worth?... Is it easy to drive in this area?... where could I get the maps of the roads?... any suggestions would be really appreciated.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

As for maps, have a look at http://www.viamichelin.com for good interactive maps that you can also print. I have heard comments that this is not a great place to drive, but I have no personal experience of this.

[uk1]

Don't drive. In order.

 

1. Walk.

 

2. Bus

 

3. Train

 

4. Pre-book taxi

 

5. Stay on ship

 

6. Drive

[ludela]

UK1 Thanks for your advise... but I am curious... why the driving option is the last one?

[uk1]

These roads are some of the worst in France, remember Princess Grace (;->

 

The last journey I made round the periphique I saw my very first black body bag. 10 miles later my second. I'm being serious.

 

The Americans are use to driving everywhere, and at the same time aren't use to the level of highly subsidised and comparatively frequent public service that there is in France. They tend to resort to self drive too quickly. Also a high percentage of rentals end in queries re after drop off credit card charges. Finally, lunch is important. Lunch and driving in France don't mix.

 

Convinced?

 

Jeff