Cannes excursion to Monaco

[keeser]

Are thinking about taking an organised trip and have been considering a company called cruise excurions for here and Pisa. Anyone used them.

Any other recommendations would be gratefully accepted for Monaco and Pisa. These are the only 2 excursions we are planning on doing. With 2 kids aged 6 and 12 think Rome is too long of a day and too much travelling.

The tours i was looking at are approx 5 hours. Should be long enough?

Thanks for reading

[BiggiB]

Consider this:

 

Direct traveling time from Cannes to Monaco is at least an hour via the autoroute, depending on traffic in the summer. The autoroute/highway is not running along the coast line but on higher elevation inland. You will pass, but not see, Nice, Antibes, Juan-les-Pins and Eze, except for possible stops and detours along the way. That does not leave much time for the Principality of Monaco.

 

If you have teenage kids with you, why not staying in Cannes for some window shopping, people-watching or a dip in the Mediterranean sea. Cannes has a small, quaint historical part within easy walk from the port, a beautiful long promenade and lots of famous boutiques. Have a drink in one of the chic and famous hotels along the Croisette - one of the favorite things to do... just sitting there and watching.

 

Or take a ferry across to the Lerins Islands for a more quiet day, fish at the beach and some fabulous rosé wines. On Ile St Honorat the monestary, old fortifications, vineyards and small beaches are all worthwhile a visit.

 

If you rather want to see some of the Provencal/Côte d'Azur hinterland, the gourmet village of Mougins and the world capital of parfum, Grasse, are within comfortable driving distance.

[keeser]

Thanks for that advice. Yes maybe we should consider staying in Cannes. From the research I have done there is not much different scenery in Monaco than Cannes. Correct me if I am wrong. !! I just thought dh and son would like to see where the Grand Prix runs or would it be a bit of a let down.!!

[ollienbertsmum]

Thanks for that advice. Yes maybe we should consider staying in Cannes. From the research I have done there is not much different scenery in Monaco than Cannes. Correct me if I am wrong. !! I just thought dh and son would like to see where the Grand Prix runs or would it be a bit of a let down.!!

 

We went to Cannes last year with teenagers. We were planning to go to Monaco but realised that it was just too far. I am glad we stayed in Cannes even though the weather on that day was terrible, it was so windy that it was unpleasant walking along the seafront. We did it though because DH likes to swim in the sea so we went to the public beach at the end of the promenade. When we came back and walked round the building where they do the film festival we realised it would have been just as good there! The girls didn't want to swim, they don't really like swimming in the sea, they are more pool people.

 

The old part of Cannes did not really inspire the girls, but there was a big market which we all found something to look at. The shopping street which runs parallel to the sea front is good. We had been warned about high prices in Cannes, but the girls both managed to find nice summer clothes at a good price. It was not a 'Wow' day, but we enjoyed it, that was what I had planned, I hate over planning my days with the girls because they end up hot and bothered. For me a family holiday is to spend time together doing nice things.

[Hlitner]

Thanks for that advice. Yes maybe we should consider staying in Cannes. From the research I have done there is not much different scenery in Monaco than Cannes. Correct me if I am wrong. !! I just thought dh and son would like to see where the Grand Prix runs or would it be a bit of a let down.!!

 

Actually, the scenery in Monte Carlo and Cannes are quite different. Although both cities are on the sea, Cannes is a relatively flat typcial French city with most of the tourist area being located directly on the water (and within 2 blocks). For the tourist its basically a seashore town with hotels (some quite famous) cafes, restaurants and expensive boutiques along the Croissette....the road that runs along the water. Cannes also has a pretty nice sandy beach (near the tender pier) that is free. This is a big plus since much of the Riviera has rocks and pebbles on their beaches (like in Nice).

 

Monte Carlo, on the other hand, is quite unique and a very hilly city. To be honest, Monte Carlo is not one of my favorite places, but many enjoy going up the hill to see the palace (Prince Albert's home), going to the casino (they charge admission and there is a dress code) and just looking in some of the boutiques (some are so exclusive you must ring the bell to gain admittance).

 

As BiggiB said, it takes about an hour to drive between Cannes and Monte Carlo on the autoroute and there is not much to see along this major highway. However, when we are in the area and not in a hurry we enjoy making our way along the busy coastal road (this drive can take 1 1/2 - 2 hours depending on traffic) where there is more to see (such as Anitbes). There is also regular train service (usually about twice an hour) between Monte Carlo and Cannes (this train also stops at places like Antibes and Nice) which takes a little more then an hour each way. Some cruisers would probably enjoy taking an early train to Monte Carlo and then stopping in Nice (and perhaps even Antibes) on the return journey.

 

Hank

[BiggiB]

!! I just thought dh and son would like to see where the Grand Prix runs or would it be a bit of a let down.!!

 

The Monaco Grand Prix takes place in the city center on the normal roads. Besides some black rubber marks on the asphalt, there's not much to see of the race track during the year.

If you arrive in spring time between Easter Weekend and the end of May, you can watch the preparations and set-ups in the city center. However, it's a big construction site and not really nice to look at.

Should your visit be scheduled for this May, you might be interested to see the Historic Grand Prix May 11 to 13, 2012. A wonderful racing weekend with antique race cars. Between May 13 and the F1 Grand Prix, starting May 24, all tribunes and signs are up and a "walking tour" along the race track gives you a little bit of race feeling.