Four countries in 3 days - by sea

First the Cote D’Azur


Having restored my body and mind after a hectic day in Roma, I was ready to resume shore activities at our next two stops. At 0600 on 7 July, we anchored off Cannes on a hazy morning promising a hot day. From the ship Nice presented a lowline skyline, no skyscrapers and many modern buildings, with the incredible marinas in front sheltering the palatial yachts of many “celebrities”. We were shipped to shore by ship’s tenders – the lifeboats which hold 150 people – in our case due to body weight and infirmity around 100 people.

We boarded our tour bus at the harbour and took off for a tour of Cannes, Nice, Monaco and Monte Carlo in a shorter time than Mark Webber would have taken when he recently won the Monaco Grand Prix!

The tour I was on was focused on the latter two destinations so apart from the wharf at Cannes and on the bus – we saw little of Cannes or Nice – but we did receive a commentary about who had appeared where and who owned which mansion – it was another Clint’s Crazy Bargains moment for me.

Monaqco Harbour from the rock 

Loca lbather

Monaco laneway

Palace and hillside

understated elegance

 

The main facts I gleaned from the tour was that the Principality of Monaco is one square kilometre and that Monte Carlo is one of its five suburbs! In many areas, you have France on one side of the street and Monaco on the other side!

Monaco is basically built on a rock. The ruling family is the Grimaldis, the latest son of which is Albert II de Monaco. His father Prince Rainier married film actress Grace Kelly and both are now buried in the Monaco Cathedral. Amazingly, the Grimaldi family bought the land from Genoa in 1308 and has hung onto it ever since!! It is the longest continuously ruling family in the world.

Regardless of another case of in-your-face opulence, the place is fascinating and very photogenic.

Monte Carlo Casino

Hotel de Paris next to the Casino

 

Monte Carlo itself is home to the famous Casino (the man who broke the bank at Monte Carlo) and the Hotel de Paris. I bought a half bottle of wine there and it cost me €32 or around $A40!

Next Barthelona.