Monaco..if I skip...will I be missing much?

[maja]

We are trying to put together our tour from Cannes with our driver.

Planning on spending the day in Eze or St.Paul De Vence, Nice and a little time in Cannes before returning to the ship. Most people seem to include Monaco on their tour. Since we are short on time, I'm not sure if I should include Monaco. Besides the casino (which we will not be properly dressed to enter) and the Palace (which we are not particulary interested in seeing) will we miss much? I'd rather have more time for Nice & one of the small villages.

[barante]

Maja -- It's your call, do your thing.

We have never visited Monaco on a cruise. But years ago when we motored through the region, we had planned to stay overnight in Monte Carlo. Once we saw the place, we couldn't get to Nice fast enough. In fact, we ended up staying in Antibes, which is maybe seven miles west of Nice. F. Scott Fitzgerald used to hang out there, and there is a museum of Picasso's works there as well.

Another picturesque town that beats Monaco any day, IMO, is Villefranche.

I think you have the right idea, Maja.

[genovakid]

I have been to all the spots you are thinking about going to and would give you my take on what I would do. The villages are both unique and well worth going to and if time is a problem Eze is very close to Monaco-about 15 minutes drive max. There is only one Monaco and I go there as often as possible as we have friends living near there. Nice is only for shopping and not a pretty city in my opinion. They are not going to let you go into the Palace unless you know Prince Albert, but the area up there is nice. Monaco is about walking around the Casino and having a meal at Cafe de Paris. The prices are reasonable and the food very good.

You will be so close, especially if you are going to Eze, it would be worthwhile to at least have the guide go to Monaco for an hour or so max. If you go to Eze, right before the town there is a restaurant you should stop at and look in named Mas Provencal, we had New Years there and it is quite unique with unbelievable flowers etc. Many famous people have eaten there including Bush #41, Mariah Carey, etc. Hope this helps a little.

[fmax]

I wasn't particular keen on Monaco. I went from Villefranche to Nice and spent the morning there then the bus from there to Monaco, had lunch, did the small train ride around Monaco/Monte Carlo, stopped outside the Casino to check it out then bus back to Villefranche.

 

However, here's an article I came across lately on Monaco

 

http://www.gonomad.com/destinations/0609/monaco.html

 

 

Frances

[screwcork]

We are trying to put together our tour from Cannes with our driver.

Planning on spending the day in Eze or St.Paul De Vence, Nice and a little time in Cannes before returning to the ship. Most people seem to include Monaco on their tour. Since we are short on time, I'm not sure if I should include Monaco. Besides the casino (which we will not be properly dressed to enter) and the Palace (which we are not particulary interested in seeing) will we miss much? I'd rather have more time for Nice & one of the small villages.

 

I would skip Monaco - without problems! There must be at least 25 places in France which are better options than Monte Carlo. Expensive cars and yachts you can see elsewhere!

 

Good luck,

 

 

Screwcork