Day in Monte Carlo Review - to Eze, Nice, Villefranche

[PenelopeCorelli]

Wednesday, July 8 DAY 3 – Monte Carlo, Monaco

HAL's Oosterdam

 

 

Got tender tickets (Tender #5) & got off the ship about noon. The tender holds 80 (the sign says 120). Many passengers were still in line to turn in their passports – which we did earlier at breakfast.

 

Got off the tender after a bumpy ride and got directions from the tourist office nearby & another map (which wasn’t particularly useful.) Walked to the Bateau Bus and took a boat across the harbor (€1 each). We could have walked all the way around the harbor, but it’s a long walk. We looked for the elevators, but didn’t find them (we didn’t have the map with us that showed exactly where they were.) We walked uphill quite a way, asked directions several times, and then found the bus stop, where we waited for the #112 bus to Eze & Nice (€1 each). By then we were hot and dripping from the walking up and down hills and stairs. Thankfully the bus had A/C, so we were able to cool down. We stopped at Eze, a medieval French village that’s a nice tourist area with cafes & shops. We got a map of the town at the tourist office (there are also public bathrooms there). Walked uphill – of course! – to the church. Lovely views. BTW, halfway up the hill is a defibrillator! We have a photo of it.

 

We sat at a café and had two ham & cheese crêpes & a Grand Marnier crepe (€6.50 each), water (free), and 3 “boules” of ice cream. (Total = €30).

 

They had Internet access, so we sent an email, using our phone (World Phone Nokia E71x – ATT), which we bought for the trip. It was the most useful purchase we made, not because of the ability to read & send emails, which we rarely did, but because in it we had downloaded bus schedules, itineraries, & walking tours – everything we needed to get around was on this phone. How different is travel today from what it was just a few years ago! We made sure to charge it daily at night, and had an extra fully charged battery with us. The charger could use either electrical current, as did the camera charger, but it was essential to have an adaptor, and sometimes we used the converter. Some of the 220 plugs in the land hotels were deeply inset, so only the converter attachment would fit it.

 

We then walked around the picturesque narrow streets with shops, ironwork, bougainvillea, and arches. The stone streets had brick paths in the center. The stone was quite slippery; the brick wasn’t – but there were steps where there was no brick, and passing other tourists in the narrow streets made walking in the center not always possible.

 

Took the bus from there on to Nice (€1 each again) because it did not stop at Villefranche. A noisy, crowded city, from what we could see, but there was a whole area of shops. We met a nice Canadian tourist who used to live in Nice, and he directed us to a fabric store, where I purchased 2 meters of Provencal fabric at €9.50/metre & a sachet of lavender. Lots of items sold on the streets using the distinctive fabrics, selling for higher prices. Found a jewelry store with some lovely earrings & jewelry. Bought 3 pair of earrings and a ring - €33 total. Nice is nice to shop – very reasonable prices on lots of popular items. People living in the nearby towns shop here, especially those living in Monte Carlo!

 

We walked to the bus stop and got the #100 bus to Villefranche (€1). A woman on the bus helped us find our stop. It was a very restful area after frenzied Nice. A whole different feel to it. Walked around the streets and stopped at a café for a lemonade soda & iced coffees. Tried to use the Wi-Fi, but it didn’t work.

 

Found Rue Obscure in the old section of the town and trod the ancient walkways. It was very interesting, like an underground city. From there we walked to the train station.

 

There we had a problem with tickets, because the machine only took coins or credit cards, no € bills. We didn’t have enough coins for the three of us, and the credit cards didn’t work in the machines, for some reason. A security guard was working there who helped us with the machine. Since it wasn’t going to get us the tickets, he got the train agent on the train to let us on – and we then paid her with € bills. Whew!

 

After arriving back at Monte Carlo, we walked through a park with lots of flying bird statues and decorated hawk statues. We walked toward the casino, looking to stop at the famous Café de Paris – and there it was, with lots of tables and chairs outside. We sat down and took a few photos. No one had come by yet to take our order, so DH thought we had the photos, why not leave and save the money – as we didn’t really want anything in particular. I said I wanted a coaster – a favorite souvenir of the place, so we found one yet “unbussed” table, and I removed a couple of the unsoiled paper coasters! Probably saved $50!

 

Since we were still on the hill, we tried to find a way down to the lower street level. We walked through the hotel, but there was no exit from the basement level. We finally found a stairway down from the outside parking lot. We had a long way back to the Bateau Bus. But when we arrived, we found we had missed the 7:45pm bus by five minutes – and it was the last boat of the day. So we had to walk around the harbor. We got on the tender and had a smooth return ride to the ship. One well-dressed couple and their family (he had been to the Casino) had spent over $100 at the Café de Paris for wine and sodas. (It must have been an expensive wine!) I checked on the website, and prices don’t appear to be exorbitantly high, but as we didn’t get anything, we don’t really know.

 

The day was a wonderfully busy one, but the hours of walking and the heat left us totally exhausted. Vacations can be hard work, but you gotta do what you gotta do!:):D;) Next stop: Livorno

 

 

I'll do an Oosterdam review later, in the appropriate forum

BTW, our camera had the wrong date on it for the first week, until we noticed and reset it!

 

 

[cbowler]

Thanks for this review! I'm still up in the air as to how we want to do this region. Can't decide if we should do it on our own or via a cruise ship tour or an independent tour. I usually hate ship tours but this stop just seems quite complicated with the transportation connections. Appreciate you taking the time for such a detailed review.

[PenelopeCorelli]

Thanks for this review! I'm still up in the air as to how we want to do this region. Can't decide if we should do it on our own or via a cruise ship tour or an independent tour. I usually hate ship tours but this stop just seems quite complicated with the transportation connections. Appreciate you taking the time for such a detailed review.

 

Thanks!:) Do whatever you feel most comfortable with! Hank Litner on these boards is the "king";) of DIY. We didn't go to St. Paul, but that's a must see for most - that's more complicated from Monaco, unless we rented a car. If you plan on returning to the area, you could always do an expensive ship's tour to build confidence, then forge ahead on your own next time. You have to weigh the advantages & disadvantages of each of your 3 options.:)

[Coolcruise02]

Thanks for your review and all the helpful info! We plan on a DIY day when we dock in Monaco; bus #112 to Eze then on to Nice and the train back to Monaco.

[kandjrolls2]

Thank you for your detailed review. Like others, I was up in the air about this port. I did not want to do an excursion in Monte Carlo but was unsure of what to do. I think we will 'copy' parts of your day. My husband suggested going to the beach for the day but I've read that the beaches are rocky not sandy. We still may go for a little while. If anyone knows of a nice beach with locker rentals, please post here!

[PenelopeCorelli]

Thanks for your review and all the helpful info! We plan on a DIY day when we dock in Monaco; bus #112 to Eze then on to Nice and the train back to Monaco.

 

If you check our "problem" areas - finding elevators, exact location of #112 bus stop - and research a little, you can avoid the long walks we had to get there.:eek:

Villefranche is between Eze & Nice, but not on the same route, so you could take the #100 bus back to Villefranche & then the train to Monaco, depending on your time schedule & activities. However, if you want to spend some time in Monte Carlo, then just skip a town. My DH & DD weren't impressed with Nice, but we really didn't see much - but as I said, the shopping market area has some good deals.:D It was a hectic place, we thought. But there probably are lots of others who find this a favorite spot. Of course, there are those who go to the Riviera beaches who don't care about the rocks...if you get my drift!:o;)

[Coolcruise02]

exact location of #112 bus stop - and research a little, you can avoid the long walks we had to get there.:eek:

 

Thanks to all the posters and a little research I do know where the bus stop for #112 is; above the casino gardens on Rue des Iris. :)

[dragboy]

I very much enjoyed reading your review.The details were really great and funny. Sometimes the little trials on a trip are the ones you really remember. I was wandering if all the train and bus tickets require coins, or was this machine on the fritz. Also, was the train and bus trips scenic?

[PenelopeCorelli]

I very much enjoyed reading your review.The details were really great and funny. Sometimes the little trials on a trip are the ones you really remember. I was wandering if all the train and bus tickets require coins, or was this machine on the fritz. Also, was the train and bus trips scenic?

 

Thanks:) The machines at the Villefranche train station only took Euro coins - doesn't make much sense, does it?- or a credit card - perhaps a French credit card only?!:cool::D It was the only place we had a problem. The buses took your money on the bus - having a live person makes it easier!;)

 

The trips were nice, but not especially memorable. The Villefranche trip is scenic because it hugs the coast for much of the way, as I recall. My favorite train ride was post cruise from Milan to Zurich - the scenery change was dramatic.

[Hlitner]

Thank you for your detailed review. Like others, I was up in the air about this port. I did not want to do an excursion in Monte Carlo but was unsure of what to do. I think we will 'copy' parts of your day. My husband suggested going to the beach for the day but I've read that the beaches are rocky not sandy. We still may go for a little while. If anyone knows of a nice beach with locker rentals, please post here!

 

"Nice beach" and the French riviera are a contradiction in terms. We are constantly amazed to see how folks spend a small fortune to stay at fantastic "beach front" hotels so they can pay money to lounge on top of pebbles and rocks. But, alas , there is a small sandy public beach in Monte Carlo (Larvotto) for those that like small, crowded, mad-made beaches where you can swim in water of questionable quality.

 

Hank

[PenelopeCorelli]

We are constantly amazed to see how folks spend a small fortune to stay at fantastic "beach front" hotels so they can pay money to lounge on top of pebbles and rocks. Hank

 

I don't think that's the reason. It's to wear the latest maillot - which may be no maillot at all ;):eek:- and to see and be seen. Life of the would-be rich & famous. Was Bo (10) on the Riviera? I think there was sand, so maybe not. Don't remember. :)

[jalynn]

A question for Penelope...(and thanks for the review!)--

 

"Got tender tickets (Tender #5) & got off the ship about noon. The tender holds 80 (the sign says 120). Many passengers were still in line to turn in their passports – which we did earlier at breakfast."

 

You mention turning in passports before getting off the ship. Do we have to do that? It's my first European cruise.

 

thanks-

Jo Ann

[Hlitner]

I don't think that's the reason. It's to wear the latest maillot - which may be no maillot at all ;):eek:- and to see and be seen. Life of the would-be rich & famous. Was Bo (10) on the Riviera? I think there was sand, so maybe not. Don't remember. :)

 

Now you got me thinking about "10." After all, it's hard for red blooded guys to forget Bo. I looked it up and found that it was filmed in California and Mexico. There are some sand beachesonthe Riviera including a tiny one in Antibes and some beaches at Cannes and St Tropez. But, the best of these beaches do not compare to beaches in other parts of the world.

 

Hank

[boneshaker]

A question for Penelope...(and thanks for the review!)--

 

"Got tender tickets (Tender #5) & got off the ship about noon. The tender holds 80 (the sign says 120). Many passengers were still in line to turn in their passports – which we did earlier at breakfast."

 

You mention turning in passports before getting off the ship. Do we have to do that? It's my first European cruise.

 

thanks-

Jo Ann

 

I'd be interested in the passport response also since our guide indicated that if we want to go to the casino in Monte Carlo, we need our passport. Thanks for all the good info everyone!

[PenelopeCorelli]

As far as I recall, I think we had to turn in our passports because of the G8 conference that was going on in Europe. It made it easier to get the ship through customs in all the ports. In Monte Carlo, a picture ID is all that's required for entrance into the casino, so a driver's license should work fine. That's all you need to rent a car in Europe, also. Check the Monaco website.

[Hlitner]

We have been on many European cruises and the passport practices seem to vary by line and ports. But, it is very common for the cruise lines to insist that you turn-in your passport at embarkation. They than give you some kind of receipt and generally ask you to pick up your passport sometime during the last 2 or 3 days of the cruise. However, even when they do take your passport there is always a procedure that allows you to retreive your passport during the cruise. Usually, you just have to go to the Pursers desk. In some cases they will ask that you again return the passports when you return from your day ashore. The reason they need the passports is that some countries require that the cruise line present all passports during their clearance procedures.

 

Hank

[rsquare]

Thanks:) The machines at the Villefranche train station only took Euro coins - doesn't make much sense, does it?- or a credit card - perhaps a French credit card only?!:cool::D It was the only place we had a problem. The buses took your money on the bus - having a live person makes it easier!;)

 

Unfortunately, US and European credit card technologies are diverging. Europe has converted to an emebedded microchip card which requires a PIN to be entered; Canada is in the process of converting. But as far as I know, there is no US bank which even offers a chip and PIN card. This means that US credit cards are useless in unattended kiosks in Europe, and occasionally in stores and restaurants that use a handheld card reader with a keypad.

 

I would think that travellers like the folks on CC would be an attractive market segment for some credit card issuer, to say nothing of business travellers, but apparently the banks disagree.

[Hlitner]

Unfortunately, US and European credit card technologies are diverging. Europe has converted to an emebedded microchip card which requires a PIN to be entered; Canada is in the process of converting. But as far as I know, there is no US bank which even offers a chip and PIN card. This means that US credit cards are useless in unattended kiosks in Europe, and occasionally in stores and restaurants that use a handheld card reader with a keypad.

 

I would think that travellers like the folks on CC would be an attractive market segment for some credit card issuer, to say nothing of business travellers, but apparently the banks disagree.

 

We started to notice some problems when using our credit cards on the toll roads in France and Italy this past May. My DW called her Visa company (Chase) and asked if she could possibly get a "smart card" to use in Europe. The Chase folks said they had not even heard of cards with the chip technology which says a lot about US banks! On that same trip we picked some friends up at the TGV station in Avignon. When we tried to leave the parking lot we had to use a credit card in the exit gate (it did not take cash). While a line was forming behind our car we tried 6 different credit cards and none of them would work for lack of a chip. It was real fun getting all those cars to back up so we could back away from the gate. Eventually we found a cashier office where we could pay with Euros or a credit card. So far, we still have not had any problems using our ATM cards which also work with old fashioned magentic strips.

 

Hank

[smurf120]

I know this is a really really old topic but are people still experiencing problems with using credit cards in Europe due to the smart chip/magnetic strip divergence with USA? I am just wondering if I should plan for more ATM withdrawals.

[Hlitner]

I know this is a really really old topic but are people still experiencing problems with using credit cards in Europe due to the smart chip/magnetic strip divergence with USA? I am just wondering if I should plan for more ATM withdrawals.

 

The topic is old, but also very contemporary. We have started noticing more and more articles in various travel publications and even newspapers about this subject. The problem with the chip/PIN cards is only increasing as more and more of Europe moves to the technology. However, we have found that most merchants and restaurants do know how to get around the lack of a chip (they have to do things manually). We have reached the point where we seldom will go into a restaurant without having sufficient Euros to pay the tab (just in case). The real big problems are for those of us who do driving vacations in Europe. Some unattended parking lots use automatic machines that only accept chip/PIN cards.... Gas stations are also a huge problem since many of them are unattended at nights (and sometimes Sundays) and they have automatic pumps that only work with Chip/PIN cards. We actually saw the issue come to a head last year in France when we watched a lady try to buy some art work only to have her card rejected. The dealer was not very friendly and the lady held her ground and told the owner to make it work or she was not buying the art. He had to make a phone call and then was able to figure out how to process it manually. But it is still a pain.

 

Hank