Nice 2-Monaco
We woke up at the crack of
9:45 our last day in Nice and went to “our”
restaurant for brunch. It was a
glorious, sunny day and the farmers’ market down the middle of the long street
gave off incredible fragrances:
lavender, cheeses, flowers. It
might be my imagination but all the produce looked better than any I see at
home. People walked with their arms
filled with baquettes and fruit and flowers.
Our hotel is located at the
bottom of Castle Hill, the oldest part of Old Town. Right outside our door is the ascension
(free) to the top, which has a glorious view of the entire city of Nice to one
side and the Port of Angels to the other.
In a park like setting are ancient ruins, parts of a monastery, and
parts of a castle. In one spot are
cascades—waterfalls.
We originally were going to
take the train to Monaco, but we’d have to take a cab (very $$) to the train
station and schlepp our two large and one small suitcase to the platforms
without the help of ascensions or escalators and then schlepp them on to the
train doing the reverse process when we arrived in Monaco. I suggested that a bus might be better, and
for once Dan listened to me. The bus was
a 10 minute walk on flat pavement around the corner from our hotel. As a bonus, we got to walk past magnificent
yachts in the port. For one euro, we
got the scenic tour along the coast stopping about 30 times, but it was so
beautiful it didn’t matter. In Monaco we
walked from the bus stop through a garden, past the main casino to the Fairmont
which at the edge of the Mediterranean. I
couldn’t resist the 20 euro discount at their spa and since my back was
hurting, I had to indulge in a massage (incredible). We had our Vantage welcome dinner in a room
with glass windows from end to end with a view of yachts and the water. Same cast of usual characters—senior citizens
although people continue to surprise me.
We sat next to a couple that by looking at them I would think they were
blue collar, but it turns out he’s a doctor and very interesting. One of Dan’s golf partners Glen and his wife
Nancy signed up for this trip, and I was finally able to meet them. Dan always enjoys Glen’s sense of humor as
well as his golf game and he didn’t disappoint me. He’s a delightful man. After dinner the four of us walked along “car”
row past Bentleys, Rolls, Lamborginis.
It’s impossible to buy a Ford or Toyota in Monte Carlo!
The next morning after
breakfast overlooking the Mediterranean, we drove on the middle cornice back to
Nice. I was wondering what Dan and I
would do there, but while everyone else was exploring Old Town (our favorite
haunt), we walked along Promenade des Anglais to the famous Hotel
Negresgo. Unless you are staying there,
you are not allowed inside…..unless you buy a drink at the bar. Dan had a very expensive Heinekin and I had a
very expensive ginger ale, but at least they served yummy nosh with our
drinks. For the price of admission, we
got to use the loo and see the art collection—amazing.
Next we went on the 3 ½ hour
bus trip from hell. I’m always impressed
with Vantage’s quality and service. The
bus ride was a big exception. My knees
were pressed against the back of the seat in front of me; the seats were
terrible. No seat was empty. It was freezing in back and roasting in the
front. When we got to the ship, I let
Vantage know how disappointed I was. I
was pleased they took me seriously.
In Germany on the same ship
we were a regular sized room. This time
Dan splurged on a suite, which wasn’t that much more, but it’s certainly worth
it! There is a sitting area with a sofa,
a good size bathroom with tub, lots of storage space, a huge flat screen
TV. Our mini-bar is stocked with lots
of drinks (don’t worry, Adam. I’ll
control myself) and nosh and we have a decent bottle of wine. We also have 40 euros worth of laundry
credit!
Next blog: Avignon & Le Baux
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