Monte Carlo?
 

Taking a cruise in October and we would be staying 2 nights in Monte Carlo.
Has anyone been there? Thoughts, opinions, recommendations?

Yes.

Monte Carlo has the Casino of course, which is kind of fun for about five minutes. Lots of expensive shops and restaurants. Practice your Russian before you go—because the entire Cote d'Azure has been overrun with Russians. Menus that used to be in English and French are now in Russian and French.

If you have two days, I'd hire a car and drive on some gorgeous roads to Castellane (and plan to have lunch there) for example, and then down St.Tropez through the hills. Then cruise back along the coast road checking out the action along the way. This should be doable in October. That would be a splendid day. (Let me know if you need restaurant tips...)

Nice airport has the best interesting car rentals. Try to find something fun like the new Fiat 500 Abarth—for which the "Sixt" car rental agency is your best bet.

Restaurants, not the fancy snooty ones, I prefer good food, atmosphere not very important.

If you're going to stay 2 nights in it, make sure the A/C works, and maybe bring a pillow and a blanket or something to wedge at the end of the rear seat.


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1239894579.jpg

Lol:d

http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/atta...montecarlo.jpg

Too small to sleep in if you ask me. And the AC in these ain't worth a damn. :D

A few suggestions:

On foot:
- Walk the F1 circuit
- Casino (of course)
- Late Price Rainier's car collection (quite good, I've been told)
- Aquarium (supposed to be top class)

If renting a car:
- Nice, Cannes and St. Tropez are nearby
- Drive the "Grand Corniche" road. Think 007 car chases
- Drive the F1 course!!!

Agreed—except I also like some atmosphere. Or at least not a bad or indifferent atmosphere.

But Cafe de Turin is Nice is well worth a visit. Usually our first stop in Nice. In the old town. Place Garibaldi. Best seafood on the coast. Modestly priced. Always full, but they'll always find you a table. And great atmosphere that my wife once described as "cosmopolitan working class maritime chic".

If do decide on the Castellane run—the Auberge du Teillon has a superb, rustic kitchen...

(Ditto on the Aquarium in Monte Carlo...worth a visit.)

I would recommend the same and wouldn't spend more than a day there but would venture west towards Nice. Villafranche sur Mer is a great spot with a beautiful beach and Antibes has the same. I'm not a fan of Cannes.

I was really put off by the "Disney-esque" look/feel to Monaco. Hell, the parking garage is carved out of the bluff under the old town with escalators bringing you 5 levels up to the town, very strange...


Villafranch beach:


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1239928141.jpg

Great place for seafood. You can also try Le Merenda in Nice. It's a tiny restaurant that specializes in the regional specialties. Cash only though.

After visiting the aquarium and walking around the track, you'll be done with Monaco. So get a car as suggested.

Dottore, ever been to Les Terraillers in Biot? That's a long time family favorite.

the F1 pub....

It's a good thing you're on a cruise. Hotels are VERY expensive there.

You...you...you FKG COSMOPOLITE!!!

It's my old neighborhood...

Monte Carlo is nice for a day.
Visit the church that Reiner and Grace married.
Definitely take a sketch and walk the F1 track. Might be already fenced off.
Beau Rivage -Metropole
GO TO NICE. I really liked Nice. Beach, bars, floor market. McDonalds (just kidding)..
Watch "To catch a Thief" and try to find those roads..(kif you have a car).

This should get you going:
http://www.gptours.com/index.php?command=show&what=tours&tourid=9051&pack age=A&tab=accommodations&which=f1