Monoco or Nice & Flower Market?

[jellytheory]

Which area would you concentrate your time. Either way, our tour will include the town of Eze.

 

Thank you :)

 

DD

[readboat]

I can only speak on Nice. The flower Market was great. We had a pastry at a cornor Cafe and watched the crowd. There were a lot of small stores. I think you would spend a couple of hours there and then go on to Eze. We loved Eze. We will be going back this May and will see Eze again and Monoco. You can't see it all in a day so visit one, be happy with what you see and then come back for more.

[coxswain]

My view Nice flower market is far better - also what about a trip to Grasse ??

 

 

 

 

 

jj.......

[texancruzer]

We did a ships tour (don't normally like to do cruiseline tours) but booked our cruise rather close to sailing this time so it was easier.

 

We did a tour of Nice, then on to Eze (which we loved) and then on the Monaco and Monte Carlo. Kind of a long day..... but not particularly tiring. We even got to see the new French president while in Nice. That's another whole story. In Eze we explored the whole village at the top and had a really nice lunch at the White Horse Restaurant. In Monaco we saw the palace and most of the area along with a quick trip into the Jacques Cousteau Oceanagraphic museum. Then to Monte Carlo. We opted not to go into the casino but rather sat outside at the Cafe de Paris right next door and people watch while we had a great cup of coffee and a crepe. We also visited a few of the boutiques in the shopping area there.

 

We felt we got to see alot on this tour and never felt rushed. Since these areas are so close together you can do both.

[DonLou]

I tend toward Monaco. It is an eye-popper of a place - very unique and other-worldly. The Nice flower mart is enjoyable and has its own unique feel and flair.

 

But when people ask me where I went in Europe, they get more impressed when I say "I went to Monaco" rather than "I saw the flower market in Nice". :p

[Fblack]

We went to both Nice and Monoco last year on a cruise. (and a stop at Eze) The flower market cannot compare to Monte Carlo.

[jellytheory]

THank you for ALL the input and opinions, I really appreciate it!

 

My husband, the gambler, of course has his eye on seeing the Monte Carlo.

 

I think we will do Eze & Monoco, rather than Nice. The flower market in Nice sounds beautiful and something my mother and I would enjoy, so....we will just have to come back some day! I'm also traveling with a toddler, so I can't do it all!

 

Take care-

Denise

[Cruise Junky]

THank you for ALL the input and opinions, I really appreciate it!

 

My husband, the gambler, of course has his eye on seeing the Monte Carlo.

 

I think we will do Eze & Monoco, rather than Nice. The flower market in Nice sounds beautiful and something my mother and I would enjoy, so....we will just have to come back some day! I'm also traveling with a toddler, so I can't do it all!

 

Take care-

Denise

 

I think that's a good decision. Monaco is Monaco..it can be seen in a reasonable about of time and it's just so unique. Nice... you really need 3 or 4 days in Nice to do it justice. I'd save it for when you have more time.

[Capsu78]

I have done both the "port of call" and the 12 day stay based in Nice and wrapped up in Monoco, and can't find fault with any of the above feedback.

One caveat: where your ship is tendered. If you are as far west as Cannes, Nice isn't a bad option as it is a slower more relaxed day. If you are tendered in Monoco, no decision there, go to Monoco. Stopping in VilleFrenche? Heck I could make a case for not leaving there... It is all very nice.

 

As a port of call, I found the "well organized folks" with ships or private tours, tended to overbook the day, turning it into a "If it's Tuesday, This must be Belgium" day... and it was one of the most expensive excursion days.

 

We liked it so much we went back land based, and never even got half way through my day trip agenda. It is sort of counter productive to be moving so fast through an area best enjoyed in "leisurely" gear.

 

Update: Nice, BTW is more than just a flower market.... I would argue it has 3 different faces- Old Town /Flower market, the Promenade de Englais- (Think classy boardwalk) and Le Mer- the seaside itself. We spent at least a day doing each, never got bored and still didn't make it to the fabulous museums. I felt it more cosmopolitian than Miami Beach, FWIW.

[coxswain]

Can i just say we found Monaco very dirty ( dog crap is the norm )

 

We've been to Nice a number of times - another lovely place to visit in Nice is the Monastère de Cimiez - take a picnic and have it in the lovely gardens with panoramic views of Nice and the Baie des Anges.

 

 

 

 

jj.....

[Fblack]

Jellytheory:

 

The huge landscaped square out in front of the Monte Carlo Casino is quite a spectacle. Tell your husband that they charge just to walk into the main casino. There is a smaller casino next door that is free. No cameras allowed.

As for the entrance fee? A few friends said the Casino was not that great and nothing like the newer casino's in Las Vegas. But it has the history.

[DonLou]

Can i just say we found Monaco very dirty ( dog crap is the norm )...jj.....

 

You're kidding aren't you???:eek:

 

If not, then you've been to places where I hope not to discover. :o

[texancruzer]

Can i just say we found Monaco very dirty ( dog crap is the norm )jj.....

 

We went straight to the "rock" - that is what they call the area where the palace and other sites are. We found this area to be immaculate. Like eat off the ground immaculate. We enjoyed seeing the palace, the church with Princess Grace and Prince Rainiers tombs, the Jacques Cousteau Oceangraphic museum and just the whole area including the gardens.

 

We also enjoyed Monte Carlo....did not go into the casino but rather found an outside table at the Cafe de Paris right outside the entrance.... had a superb cup of coffee and a crepe. People watched..... that was fun. Also strolled along the shopping area which is filled with upscale shops such as Hermes, Lalique(crystal), Tiffanys etc. Such a diverse group of people made this a very interesting spot.