Nice pre cruise stay

[kprice1218]

We are arriving in Nice for a 3-night pre cruise stay in November.  Viking offers guided tour for the first day.  I am looking for recommendations for the second full day that would include Monte Carlo and/or Cannes.

[CPT Trips]

Consider Eze. It’s an easy bus trip from Nice with spectacular views down to the Med. It’s a small town with a very different atmosphere than Monte Carlo or Cannes. 

[CDNPolar]

I was in Monaco and Nice last year for business and had a couple of days.  These are the tours that I booked through Viator when there.

 

The guide that runs this Nice tour is really good and knowledgable, he will also custom build anything for you.

 

The guide is the guy in the lower left of the picture.

 

His name is Nejib Belhassen and his company is:  www.nice-idealtours.com 

 

I plan to return to Nice again in the future and will contract Nejib to build a custom tour for me.

 

Monaco is such a small city, you can walk it in no time, but the hop on bus will at least take you to the most iconic areas.

 

[Host Jazzbeau]

Doesn't sound like a river cruise?  Thread moved to France Ports.

[marazul]

7 minutes ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

Doesn't sound like a river cruise?  Thread moved to France Ports.

Maybe. Some Rhone river cruises offer extensions to Nice.

[Hlitner]

Nice is nice :).  So what to do for a few days?  Certainly take a walk to the Flower Market and adjacent old town.  Although many folks seem to love Eze, our own preference is to go out to St Paul de Vence and, if you enjoy contemporary art, also visit the nearby Maeght Fondation.   Eze Village is also worth a visit, but we have been disappointed in the quality of the shops...in recent years.  

 

I would suggest saving Cannes for another cruise that actually uses that town as a port. Monte Carlo does offer the palace/changing of the guard and perhaps a visit to the casino.   DW and I are not fans of Monte Carlo, but we do understand that some do enjoy the town.  In fact a couple of years ago we ended a cruise in Monte Carlo, where DW and I walked off the ship, into our reserved car/driver, and sped off for a few days in Nice :).  

 

Just a word about a walking tour of Nice (even if it is included in the Viking fare).  Most walking tours will take you to the Flower Market/Old Town and also for a stroll along the Promanade.  We agree with going to these places, but there is no reason to do it with 30 of your "friends" and a guide.  The Old Town area is a place where you stroll around, enjoy the many stalls of the outdoor Flower Market, go into some of the shops. enjoy a snack or lunch (lots of nice places to eat), etc.  When we have seen walking tours in that crowded area, the guides generally give their charges "free time" since it is an area for browsing, not for a large group tour.  Then we see those folks stop at a cafe for coffee and a pastry, and nervously look at their watches because they are concerned about when to meet their group.  You can easily do all this on your own, and not be concerned about being on a schedule.

 

Hank

[Vineyard View]

We are now looking at Nice post cruise, so similar to this thread and not sure to start new. We end in Monte Carlo. Have been to Eze. Many years ago. Will have 3 days post and are looking at the general area for home base and a couple day trips….unless Nice Old Town is plenty to occupy that time. We are not familiar with the rest of the area. Possibly VilleFranche-sir-Mermor Antibes for one day? 
‘Either way - to OP….DIY rather than ship excursions. You will be in charge of your time in an area easy to do so. Trains, taxi, busses…..

Edited Saturday at 04:16 AM by Vineyard View

[Hlitner]

12 hours ago, Vineyard View said:

We are now looking at Nice post cruise, so similar to this thread and not sure to start new. We end in Monte Carlo. Have been to Eze. Many years ago. Will have 3 days post and are looking at the general area for home base and a couple day trips….unless Nice Old Town is plenty to occupy that time. We are not familiar with the rest of the area. Possibly VilleFranche-sir-Mermor Antibes for one day? 
‘Either way - to OP….DIY rather than ship excursions. You will be in charge of your time in an area easy to do so. Trains, taxi, busses…..

Although we do like Nice's Old Town, it is a place to spend no more than half a day and perhaps return for some of the restaurants.  Nice has transitioned to a local tram system, so buses to go out of town are generally caught on the edges of town and can be accessed by using the tram line.  As an example, the #400 bus goes from the bus depot, located near the Nice Cote d'Azur airport, to St Paul de Vence.  Also consider that renting a car is pretty easy, and that does give one a lot of flexibility.  We often like to combine a drive to St Paul de Vence with a drive to Antibes from where we can continue along the local road (that is near the sea) back to Nice.  A car also makes it easy to drive up to Eze Village (they have parking right in front of the main entrance), to Grasse (for perfume lovers), etc.

 

Hank

[D&N]

On 6/29/2024 at 6:39 PM, Hlitner said:

As an example, the #400 bus goes from the bus depot, located near the Nice Cote d'Azur airport, to St Paul de Vence.

Sorry.

Not for a wee while now.

There is no #400.

You need to get a train to Cagnes-sur-Mer, or a tram line #2 to Park Phoenix, then a #620 or #650 to Cagnes-sur-Mer SNCF station, then catch #655 to St Paul de Vence. Same in reverse on way back. You can buy a Ticket Azur that is valid on tram and the bus to Cagnes, but need another ticket for the #655. Or a train ticket to Cagnes and another ticket for the #655.

 

That's "integrated transport" for you, so much better than a #400 all the way from Nice to St Paul (NOT).

It will be more expensive but much easier by UBER!

 

The Nice tram network has ruined bus services in other places along the coast.

[Hlitner]

44 minutes ago, D&N said:

Sorry.

Not for a wee while now.

There is no #400.

You need to get a train to Cagnes-sur-Mer, or a tram line #2 to Park Phoenix, then a #620 or #650 to Cagnes-sur-Mer SNCF station, then catch #655 to St Paul de Vence. Same in reverse on way back. You can buy a Ticket Azur that is valid on tram and the bus to Cagnes, but need another ticket for the #655. Or a train ticket to Cagnes and another ticket for the #655.

 

That's "integrated transport" for you, so much better than a #400 all the way from Nice to St Paul (NOT).

It will be more expensive but much easier by UBER!

 

The Nice tram network has ruined bus services in other places along the coast.

OMG, thanks for the update.  I am not a big fan of the Tram system, but I guess locals see it as an improvement.  We last took the #400 in May, 2022.  Unreal that one has to go all the way to Cagnes sur Mer to catch the bus.  Life is easier with a rental car :).

 

Hank

[edinburgher]

On 6/29/2024 at 5:39 PM, Hlitner said:

Will have 3 days post and are looking at the general area for home base and a couple day trips….unless Nice Old Town is plenty to occupy that time. We are not familiar with the rest of the area. Possibly VilleFranche-sir-Mermor Antibes for one day?

You could also consider pretty little Menton, only a skip and a jump from Monaco so very easy to get there and back by train or public bus.😀

Menton info and images will be easily found online.