Alright, so I finally got around to doing that trip to Monaco and the French Riviera I’d been thinking about for ages. Took a bit of planning, you know, figuring out flights and where to actually stay, ’cause Monaco itself is crazy expensive.
Getting Started on the Riviera
Ended up flying into Nice. Seemed like the best bet, good airport connections and all that. Found a decent little hotel, nothing too fancy, but clean and close enough to walk places. First impressions of Nice? Pretty chill, actually. Walked along that big stony beach, the Promenade des Anglais they call it. Water looked amazing, that proper blue colour you see in pictures.
Spent a day just wandering around Nice. Got lost in the Old Town, which was kinda fun. Lots of narrow streets, little shops selling soap and stuff, and places to grab a bite. Had some Socca, that chickpea pancake thing. It was alright, interesting to try.
The Monaco Day Trip
Okay, the main event: Monaco. Decided to take the train from Nice. Super easy, cheap, and the views along the coast were fantastic. Rolling into Monaco felt… different. Everything just looked incredibly clean, polished, almost like a movie set. You can tell straight away there’s serious money here.
First stop, had to see the Monte Carlo Casino area. Didn’t go in, obviously, not really my scene and you gotta dress up, I heard. But just seeing the building from the outside, and all the ridiculously expensive cars parked out front – Ferraris, Lamborghinis, you name it – was something else. Felt a bit out of place in my shorts and t-shirt, not gonna lie.
Then I hiked up the hill to the old part, where the Prince’s Palace is. Watched the changing of the guard ceremony. It was okay, bit touristy, but you kinda have to do it, right? The views from up there over the harbour were incredible though. Seriously, the sheer number of giant yachts packed in there is nuts. Like, proper massive boats that cost more than my house, probably more than my whole street.
- Walked around the harbour later on.
- Saw more fancy cars cruising around.
- Grabbed a sandwich for lunch – even that felt expensive.
Overall vibe? It’s impressive, no doubt. Spotless, safe, very luxurious. But also felt a bit… sterile? Like a playground for the super-rich. Glad I went, ticked it off the list, but a day trip felt like enough for me. Didn’t feel like a place I could just relax and hang out, you know?
Back in Nice and Heading Home
Spent another day just enjoying the Nice atmosphere, had some decent seafood. Much more laid-back feel than Monaco. Then it was time to pack up and head back to the airport.
So yeah, that was my little adventure on the French Riviera. Saw some amazing sights, experienced that Monaco glamour thing for a day. Definitely worth doing if you get the chance, just be prepared for the prices in Monaco itself. Nice was a great base though, much more my speed.
