Villefranche

We were going to MC but now after reading all this stuff I rather going to Nice.

What's the best route for 16 people adults and kids to go to nice? By train? Is it easy from the ship port?

Any recommendations for teen activities in nice?

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Perhaps it is just me, but I find Nice not very nice ( gettit? 😎)

It's a soul less big city.

Walk from the train station to the beach is via some quite dodgy areas.

Lots of weird characters lurking around. Beach is average at best and you need to cross a highway to get to it.

Very expensive and below average cafes and restaurants. Unless you splurge SERIOUS money on Michelin quality at the Hotel Negresco, which is stunningly good.

Nice is a short and cheap train ride from Villefranche. Train station there is high on the hill side and a fair climb up stairs.

We always MUCH preferred Monte Carlo. Sure if is not cheap but it is cute in the old town and around the palace and has lovely scenery .

Villefranche itself is very relaxing.

If has pretty much the best stretch of beach for miles and miles. Some very good restaurants that don't cost an arm and a leg. Way cheaper than Nice or MC. Be mindful that it can take LONG to line up for your tender back to the ship....

And I just noticed that your question should be in the FRANCE forum and not Italy...

☺

Opps I'm sorry I was just in Italy port of call . I'll change to France instead. Thx for pointing it out.

Buchhalm , I can't decide where to go now lol

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Perhaps it is just me, but I find Nice not very nice ( gettit? )

It's a soul less big city.

Walk from the train station to the beach is via some quite dodgy areas.

Lots of weird characters lurking around. Beach is average at best and you need to cross a highway to get to it.

Very expensive and below average cafes and restaurants. Unless you splurge SERIOUS money on Michelin quality at the Hotel Negresco, which is stunningly good.

Nice is a short and cheap train ride from Villefranche. Train station there is high on the hill side and a fair climb up stairs.

We always MUCH preferred Monte Carlo. Sure if is not cheap but it is cute in the old town and around the palace and has lovely scenery .

Villefranche itself is very relaxing.

If has pretty much the best stretch of beach for miles and miles. Some very good restaurants that don't cost an arm and a leg. Way cheaper than Nice or MC. Be mindful that it can take LONG to line up for your tender back to the ship....

As a frequent visitor to this part of France (on both land and sea) we cannot let your remarks stand without offering a contrarian view. We think Nice is quite nice...and have little time for Monte Carlo :). Nice has some fabulous museums, the Promanade, an interesting old town and some "fabulous" restaurants. As to Chanteclar (Negresco) it is indeed a Michelin starred restaurant...and we once had an amazing dinner there when Dominque Le Stanc was the Chef (he go that restaurant its 2nd Star). Some find it interesting that Chef Le Stanc eventually left Chanteclar and opened a tiny restaurant (specializing in regional food) in the Old Town (this restaurant has no phone and its usually impossible to get in). As to Monte Carlo, we find the city somewhat sterile. and very full of itself. Think about it....a dress code and admission fee just to see a Casino that is essentially not even open! And boutiques where you have to ring a bell to be "allowed" in! The reality of Monte Carlo is its a relatively compact city with many very nice (and tres expensive) Condos and apartments. When we are driving in the area we only stop in Monte Carlo if we want to do some shopping at a specific store. Otherwise, we use the bypass and opt for the view as we drive up in the hills.

Hank

Wow what an insight for MC. My teens probably would not enjoy it since it sounds so snooty!

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We had a beautiful day in Nice, and everyone we met was so nice, and everyone was very patient with me speaking my sub-standard French. I would LOVE to go back and spend lots of time there [emoji175]

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Here is a link to some pictures from Nice

https://markandkareneurope2012.shutterfly.com/pictures/626

And from MC

https://southerneurope.shutterfly.com/pictures/231

I'm surprised with so contradictious reviews on Nice and Monte Carlo.. But basically I'm interested in the city which is more interesting for teens, they are 13 and 16, so no casinos for sure:D Could you recommend please?

Definitely Nice. If you are planning on the trains, you can stop over in Antibes also. If taking a tour, go to Nice and St Paul de Vence.

Don't rely on just the boards, get a nice guide book like the Insight or DK Eyewitness guides. The Lonely Planet guides are also good for young people.

I am still trying to get my hands around "16 people." We feel crowded when in a group of 4 :). I can just imagine trying to get lunch at a favorite cafe and asking for a table for 16! Some of the places we eat do not even seat that many :).

Hank

The Lonely Planet is a good idea, I used their guides for several trips. Thank you :D

Nevertheless, why not Monte Carlo?

Personal preference, for one. But you asked about the kids. I think they will enjoy Nice and St Paul a lot, and it would be a better use of your time than going all the way out to Monte Carlo. St Paul and Eze are loosely comparable since they are both "perched" villages. Antibes is a fun town, the kids can visit the old Fort Carre and they get to see some amazing yachts really up close.

Monaco will be good for them if they are interested in the aquarium and visiting the Palace. Then it is a hike to get over to the Monte Carlo side to walk in front of the casino.

But if you have your heart set in going to MC, go for it.

Whichever direction you end up heading, the train is very easy, quick, and cheap. We took it from Monte Carlo to Villefranche for a relaxing morning by the sea. The only hiccup was finding that the ticket kiosk didn't have an option for English; thankfully a Frenchman helped us. In Villefranche, there's an actual human being, which was way easier as even though he didn't speak English, he could understand what we wanted. We ended up deciding not to go on to Nice after researching and returned to Monte Carlo. We loved Monte Carlo.

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ARGH! Teens. If they meet a few other teens (on the ship) that become good friends, they will be happy. Otherwise....uh oh! So what to do? Sometimes we forget that our teens are people too ::). So ask them what they want to do? Let them do some of their own research and come up with their own suggestions. The truth is that many teens (especially those who are popular with lots of friends) would rather stay home then go on a family vacation. Others love family trips. Take a 16 year old away from their boyfriend or girlfriend...and they are likely to be miserable. We loved traveling with our DD from around age 5 until 12 (we took her on many cruises and used Eurorail passes to travel throughout Europe). But once she got to about 13 a trip simply meant taking her away from her friends :(. But then they get older and something miraculous happens...they again become human, fun, and your best friend.

Hank

I like the different views and reasons for visiting Nice or MC. We all have our opinions. I would ask your teens to look into each place and find out which one they are more interested in. I did that with my just turned 17 year old and he chose Monaco/Monte Carlo because he is an absolute huge fan of racing/grand prix and wants to go where it is held. I had him also plan out logistics there (we already knew how to get to the train from the tender area of Villefranche to Nice or Monaco depending on what he chose. Personally, just seeing one or the other was fine with me as I am visiting a place where I've never been no matter which place we saw.