Monaco Tours - How Strenuous?

[dj_crusin]

We are planning on touring Monaco from Villefranche later this year. All of the cruise line sponsored tours are listed as strenuous. I know this is a relative term, but I would appreciate some feedback from someone who has done it!

 

Thanks in advance,

Dan

[texancruzer]

We tendered in Villefranche and did an excursion to Nice, Eze, Monaco & Monte Carlo through RCI.

 

The area around Eze and Monaco/Monte Carlo is hilly and lots of steps and that is why I think it is listed as strenuous.

 

I was worried about getting to the top of Eze village as I had read here on CC about the "dreaded steps" but I had no problem whatsoever. I didnt try to run them as a marathon tho.....instead working my way up and stopping to enjoy the views, shop etc.

 

The buses park in a large garage when visiting "the rock" where the palace and the choice sites are. Then there is a escalator and an elevator ;) both up and down. We enjoyed the square in front of the palace, the cathedral where Princess Grace and Prince Rainier are buried and really enjoyed a short stay at the Jacques Cousteau Oceanagraphic Museum (extra cost).

 

Then we headed to Monte Carlo. Here there are steps. We did not go into the casino opting instead to shop a bit and then have coffee and crepes outside at the Cafe de Paris (right outside the entrance to the casino) and people watch :)

 

This was a long day....but our excursion was very well done and we usually don't like ships tours. We did however enjoy all the ones we took in Europe.

 

If I can answer any other ???? - let me know

[dj_crusin]

We tendered in Villefranche and did an excursion to Nice, Eze, Monaco & Monte Carlo through RCI.

 

......................................................

If I can answer any other ???? - let me know

 

Thanks a lot. Your tour was very similar to what we are considering. We went to Nice years ago and really regret not going to Monaco. I got the impression that there were a lot of stairs at "the rock".

 

Thanks again,

Dan

[CathyCruises]

Texan Cruiser, I have a question! Do you remember how much your "coffee and crepes" cost at Cafe de Paris? We were afraid to even ask! It looks VERY spendy, as we say here in Idaho, but beautiful. We did go into the casino and can now check that one off our list. I love to gamble and have spent a lot of time in Vegas, but I had no idea what table games they were playing--had never seen them before.

 

Thx Cathy

[texancruzer]

Cathy, as you know everything in Monte Carlo is "spendy" !!!! While I love to gamble also.....we were forewarned about the Monte Carlo casino. Knew that they had different games and high minimums too. So we opted to "spend" the money at Cafe de Paris. Actually if I recall it wasnt too bad. We sat outside on the terrace (close to the front of the casino) and people watched. Spent maybe 20 euros total for 2 crepes and 3 or 4 cups of coffee.

[CathyCruises]

Wow--way less than I would have imagined. Now we'll just have to go back! :mad: :D

 

Actually, seeing Monaco was fun but not a place on my have-to-go-back-there-again list. We are country folk (albeit transplanted) and it was SO crowded that it was uncomfortable to us. We are at least 1/4 mile from our nearest neighbor--all those businesses and apartments stacked on top of each other were too much for me. Different than Rome or Venice, where it doesn't bother me.

 

But that is def. one of my favorite things to do--sit in a sidewalk cafe, have a bit to eat, and just absorb. In Rome we ended up right across the street from the balcony where Mussolini gave all his speeches! DH recognized it (how?) and the waiter confirmed it. Overpriced food but a very memorable experience.

 

Thx Cathy

[Cruise Junky]

Texan Cruiser, I have a question! Do you remember how much your "coffee and crepes" cost at Cafe de Paris? We were afraid to even ask! It looks VERY spendy, as we say here in Idaho, but beautiful. We did go into the casino and can now check that one off our list. I love to gamble and have spent a lot of time in Vegas, but I had no idea what table games they were playing--had never seen them before.

 

Thx Cathy

 

We went for lunch, they did have some inexpensive options. Funny, looking back, I don't even remember what we ordered, but it wasn't ridiculously expensive. I think maybe 50 Euro for lunch for two with a glass of wine each.

 

We stayed in Monaco for 5 days last October. Once your up at the Rock, walking around up there isn't too bad. The hill getting up to Eze Village can be a tough haul, just take your time.