Lisbon and Nice/Monte Carlo - what to see?

[TexasR&H]

Hello, cruising May 13 - 24th on RCCL and will be stopping in Nice (Villefranche) and Lisbon. We are considering touring on our own (not through the cruise line) and would love ideas on the sites to visit in Lisbon (hoping to do hop-on-hop-off bus or similar) and use a tour company in Nice, perhaps to go to Monte Carlo. Note - we will be in Monte Carlo just before the Grand Prix, so it may be hard for us to get in??

 

Thanks!

[mountainmare]

We just got back and I have details here http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=962710&page=2

[TexasR&H]

We just got back and I have details here http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=962710&page=2

 

Thank you for sharing!

[MrsFitz]

Hi, We are going to the Med. in June and will be in Lisbon. It looks like a really neat place to visit. It is our first time in the Med. so we are trying to not do too much at once! For Lisbon, have you checked out www.goLisbon.com ? It's a great site with lots of photos and info. There is a big bus tour (which we are planning on doing). There is a link from one of the Go Lisbon pages. http://www.partner.viator.com/en/4226/tours/Lisbon/Lisbon-City-Hop-on-Hop-off-Tour/d538-2874LIS03

Here is the link to the some what fuzzy map showing where it runs http://www.partner.viator.com/popups/mapShow.jspa?id=1010&productId=1016&productType=SIC&code=2874LIS03&

 

It has 17 stops in Summer and covers Lisbon and goes west to Belem as well. If you rode the whole route and never got off, it is 1.5 hours.

 

Hopefully you are not visiting on a Monday, as a lot of the sites in Belem (not sure about Lisbon) are closed that day.

 

As for Monte Carlo, we are thinking of going there as well. I have read that just before Grand Prix there are some street closures that might affect any type of transportation other than walking. We are anchoring in Cannes. We just talked to my sister in law today. She was on a cruise last Oct. that docked in Monte Carlo/Monaco. She went to Nice and really enjoyed it. She seemed to like it better than Monaco.

 

Hope you have a great trip!

 

Susan (also a Texan!)

[texancruzer]

Another Texan here.......

 

We tendered in Villefranche on our Brilliance cruise in Nov. 07. Altho we normally run the other way from ships tours, we did quite a few on this cruise.

 

We did "Nice, Eze, Monaco/Monte Carlo" through the cruiseline. We enjoyed our day ALOT ! We first went into Nice and since the new French president was scheduled to be there that day they had changed up the itinerary for the tour. They were concerned about demonstrations /riots but our bus DID STOP. We had about 45 minutes to wander around the area near where the bus let us off. After a coffee at an outside cafe we walked down the courtyard like area where they were opening an outside market. We came to an open square area and there were tons of military standing at attention - also ALOT of secret service guys. About 5 minutes later the president came out, walked around the square and shook hands with a bunch in the crowd (about 200 of us) DH and I were about 2 feet away.... then back to the bus and a scenic drive of Nice..... then out of town and to Eze. Eze is such a neat place. We also had free time here to wander to the top, shop etc... then lunch included in the price at White Horse Restaurant - very good too. Then to Monaco (the rock) and free time here to wander also. We saw the palace, the cathedral where Princess Grace and Prince Rainier (with others) are buried, and a quick walk thru of the Jacques Cousteau Oceanagraphic Museum (dh and I are both divers) then back to the bus and on the Monte Carlo. We had free time here too..... we opted not to go into the casino but rather shopped a bit (bring alot of $$$) and then had coffee and crepes sitting outdoors at the Cafe de Paris. This is located right outside the casino and great for people-watching :D

 

This was a FULL day but we enjoyed it alot. Just another option for you to think about. Enjoy your trip !