In 2013, we embarked on an incredible journey to mark our 40th anniversary.
Wanderlust struck again in 2018, to celebrate our 45th!
This is a continuing series. Come along for the ride, will you?
Sept. 11, 2018
Two countries in one!
Our second port of call was the Principality of Monaco, a sovereign city-state on the French Riviera, close to the Italian border. Monaco is home to 38,682 residents, of whom only 9,486 are Monégasque nationals. It is widely recognized as one of the most expensive and wealthiest places in the world.
Talk about “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous”! To live in Monaco, you must be approved by the Prince and maintain a minimum bank balance of $500,000.00. Thanks to the Formula One Grand Prix and the Monte Carlo Casino, there is no income tax in this tiny country. The people of France aren’t so lucky!
First glimpse of Monaco, as the ship was docking:
Since the previous day’s Marseille excursion had been fairly rugged, including a 200-stair climb, we opted for a relaxed coach tour, mostly sight-seeing from the bus, with a few stops for photo ops in between.
Luxury Condos:
Take the tour:
Starting marker for the Monaco Grand Prix and Monaco border marker:
On to Eze!
The town of Eze has a long history dating back to before the Roman occupation. The most ancient part of the village is what’s left of a 12th-century castle, destroyed in 1706.
Due to its strategic location on the (now) Italian border, the hamlet was “traded” back and forth over several centuries by different rulers.
We only did a drive-by, but it’s just as well. As you can imagine, walking through this village would involve a lot of stair-climbing. Our arthritic knees were still recovering from the day before!
Last stop, Nice.
Founded by Greek mariners around 350 BCE, Nice was probably named in honour of a victory (nikē in Greek) over a neighbouring colony. The city is located on the Baie (bay) des Anges, 20 miles (32 km) from the Italian border.
Sheltered by beautiful hills, Nice has a pleasant climate and is the leading resort city of the Côte d’Azur, aka French Riviera.
Overview of Nice from Mont Boron:
Still on Mont Boron. The tower you see belongs to a rustic villa, constructed in 1870:
Nice Waterfront:
Downtown Nice:
As this was only a perfunctory tour, you might enjoy a Rick Steves travel video a little more:
We were conserving our energy for the next day’s excursion, which we knew would be exhausting, but also exhilarating!
MONACO, EZE & NICE, where lifestyles of the rich & famous is a way of life. #dogladysden #FrenchRiviera #travel Click To Tweet
NEXT CHAPTER: LIVORNO, PISA AND FLORENCE | DREAM TRIP PART V
Have you ever been to Monaco or France?
If so, did you enjoy it?
If not, would you like to go?
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Dog Mom and (retired) Canine Innkeeper in suburban Toronto, Canada, known as The Doglady. Former corporate workaholic. Writer, photographer, digital creator. Animal lover, music fanatic, inveterate traveller. Eternal hippie/rockchick. History, literature and cinema buff. Hockey and soccer fan. Dedicated night owl. German/Canadian binational, multilingual. Let me entertain you!
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14 thoughts on “MONACO, EZE AND NICE | DREAM TRIP PART IV”
Hi Debbie – amazing photos … I’ve never been to the south of France, but would love to go – and now it’d need to be ‘a little walking’ type tour! Wonderful to see … we get a few tv programmes on parts of Spain and France and it always entices. I’d love to see more of Spain too. So much to see … though I have been to your next traveller’s rest … nearly 60 years ago! This was lovely – Cheers Hilary
I’m glad you enjoyed the tour, Hilary. 🙂 Sorry for the late response. Spain is another country I would love to see more of.
You take some great pics! I may have seen the Rick Steve’s TL during an illness a while back…
Thanks! 🙂 It’s easy when you have a smart camera. ?
Thank you for this beautiful tour to some beautiful places. I’ve been to Paris twice and very well may end up there again later this year. Your photos and memories are beautiful. Happy trails! 🙂 x
I’m glad you enjoyed the tour, Deb. 🙂 Oooh, Paris! I’m sure you’ll enjoy your third visit as much as the previous ones. Vive le France!
I loved the video. That would be a trip of a lifetime for me. Wow. You’re so lucky to have done this on your 40th.
Have a fabulous day and week, Debbie. Big hug. ♥
Glad you enjoyed the travelogue, Sandee! 🙂 We were fortunate to have travelled extensively in the past, but those adventures are pretty much over now. We’ll see what the future holds. Thanks for coming by!
Beautiful post, Debbie, and thank you for sharing your adventures! I’ve never been to Monaco or France. Norway is on my bucket list but at this point, I would settle to for the Blue Ridge mountains. Take care and stay safe.
I’m glad you enjoyed the travelogue, Eugenia. 🙂 I think most of us are settling for more local adventures, these days! Thanks for coming by.
Debbie,
I felt like I was watching a James Bond movie viewing your fabulous photos! Although Moracco doesn’t have an income tax, I’m sure there the tiny island gets tax revere in some form from their rich patrons. Holy smoke, can you imagine having a bank account of $500,000? I think if I had that kind of money, I’d be perfectly content to have several homes dotted across the US to visit whenever I felt like it. I don’t have much interest living abroad. I wouldn’t mind visiting other countries if I can get over my fears of travel. If I ever came into a lot of money that afford me this luxury then maybe my fears would vanish. Thanks for sharing and for the revisit to such a beautiful country.
James Bond would be right at home in Monaco, especially at the casino! 😀 They make enough money from there, and the Grand Prix race to pay for everything, so they don’t need to tax the residents. Must be nice! Although, I find such ostentatious displays of wealth to be distasteful. There’s so much poverty in the world, and it seems so wasteful. 😛 Travelling is definitely something to fear because of COVID, and I’d rather stay right here as well. Maybe by next year, it will be safe enough. I’m amazed at all the people who are willing to risk it right now! Thanks for coming by, Cathy. 🙂
Monaco was one of my favorite places. I took the bus from Nice and spent the day there. Enjoyed the Oceanography Museum. That was back in the days of Princess Grace.
It definitely is a beautiful area, but I was put off by all the conspicuous consumption. I’m sure it was more genteel when Princess Grace was alive.