Husband and I can%26#39;t agree on how to plan our port call of Villefranche. We would like to take our own transportation (bus or train? can%26#39;t decide which would be less crowded and easier to do) to Nice and see the old town. I would like to go to St Paul De Vance (maybe first, then come down to see Nice), then back to enjoy Villefranche and be close to the tenders when it is time to get back on board ship. We have a 10:00AM-8:00PM time limit.
My husband thinks we can also pack in seeing Monaco.
Can you really do them all justice without feeling like you rushed to each one? I think you have to allow for extra time for unexpected delays. Like late or missed buses, the time it takes to get tendered to shore in the AM, time to relax and enjoy lunch, etc.
I thought of substituting Eze for St Paul de Vance if we go to Monaco. Any suggestions from past Cruisers?
|||
Scrub Monaco it%26#39;s a concrete monstrosity (there are nice bits but they take a bit of finding). Nice, Nice old town, Eze, St P de V if time all great. You%26#39;re one of the few to have the sense to come back to V/Franche. It%26#39;s lovely in its own right and as you say you can relax.
Others will come on with more specific advice; I prefer the buses for transport.
|||
I don%26#39;t think St. Paul de Vence is possible if you want to enjoy Nice and Villefranche too, particularly if you%26#39;re doing it in the summer. Too much of a rush and no time to enjoy lunch.
Bus from Villefranche to Nice definitely it drops you much closer to the old town than the train and there is a regular service. Eze is a good idea and personally, I never get tired of visiting the %26quot;concrete monstrosity%26quot; that is Monaco!
|||
My preference would be to do less: a leisurely morning and lunch in Nice (TAM bus 100), travel to Eze (TAM bus 112), a hike around Eze-village to ground those sea legs and possibly early dinner at Eze-village (pricey there, but stunning views and atmosphere).
As for bus versus train, I vote for the bus. You%26#39;ll see more. The train tunnels through the mountain a fair amount in this region. You%26#39;ll find the bus numbers and schedules on www.cg06.fr/transport/transports-tam.html
For the bus, get your 1 euro coin ready ahead of time for the fare payable to the driver.
Enjoy.
AzurAlive.com
|||
Hi Zeb; believe it or not my wife and I also like Monaco/Monte Carlo very much and have spent a great Christmas there and another short holiday. However apart from a quick visit to the palace area, a %26quot;cruiser%26quot; hitting most of the coastline in a few hours isn%26#39;t going to see the hidden gems of the place. It is a concrete jungle with little %26quot;pockets%26quot; of good bits.
|||
As others say; don%26#39;t try to do too much. Bus V/franche to Nice bus station (20 mins); walk 20 feet and catch bus to Eze; couple of hours there (I suggest don%26#39;t eat there); bus back to Nice (it%26#39;s only 20-30 mins); stroll into Old Town for a lateish and cheap lunch in a great atmosphere; walk through Old Town to the Market; then across to the prom. Back to bus station when you want and return to V/franche.
|||
If you%26#39;re concerned about getting back to the ship on time, another alternative is to hire a private driver and van. On our Sept/06 Med cruise, we met 6 other couples on the Cruisecritic site (prior to sailing) and joined them in a private tour of Nice, St. Paul de Vence, Eze and Monaco. Cost was much cheaper then ship%26#39;s tour and we had a great time. Yes, it was a bit rushed, but then we also saw quite a lot in 8 hours and didn%26#39;t have to worry about our transportation.
Monaco was our least favourite stop. The men in our group were interested in making the Casino stop, so we accomodated.
Whatever you decide, enjoy your cruise! Can%26#39;t wait to get back to the Med!
|||
Last idea is good if you don%26#39;t mind being organised a bit but majority opinions on where to go will prevail.
Buses really are only 1 Euro per journey, so V to N to Eze; Eze to N to V = 4 Euros - a bargain! Buses can be busy at cruise time; if 3 ships are in !!!!
Agree St P de V too much to do.
|||
I agree with Buddy, Monte is like a large multistorey car park. The only good thing is the botanic garden and there%26#39;s just as good a one in Eze. You can walk up the Nietzsche path from Eze sur Mer to the village proper, about 45 minute%26#39;s hard slog with stunning views through the garrigue. Wander round the scent factories and spend a lot, and see the garden. That%26#39;s half a day. The other half you could look at Beaulieu and Cap Ferrat where the seriously rich live before going back to Villefrance. Or you could go to Nice where you%26#39;re spoilt for choice what to do, castle, galleries, minitrain, beach . . . Don%26#39;t waste your day in Monte!
|||
I want to THANK YOU guys so much for taking the time to answer me and all the other posters questions. It really helps.
Here is what we are thinking. Skip St. Paul and substitute Eze. My husband says he wants to take the ride to Monaco/Monte Carlo to see the coastal views mostly. We don%26#39;t want to spend a lot of time there. So what are the most interesting %26quot;quick%26quot; things worth seeing. What is of interest at the Palace, and can you go in? I see people mention the changing of the guard? How do you get to the Palace? After Monaco we want to go to Eze. How do you get to the village of Eze if you don%26#39;t want the long walk up hill(and what bus from Monaco?). We thought we would go to Nice next to see the old town and have a late lunch to carry us over until our 8:30 dinner on cruise ship. If there is any time to spare we would like to explore Villefrance before getting on the last tender.
Sorry for so many more questions.
|||
OK - give up! you%26#39;re going to Monte! (The views on the bus from V/franche to Nice are lovely also.)
As you approach Monte on the bus, there is a bus stop at the foot of the Old Town (many will get off there). Assuming you%26#39;re fairly fit, don%26#39;t cross the road just follow everyone round the corner to the longish but fairly easy walk up the hill. The palace is right there and you can go round it. Changing of the Guard is NOT of the same class as Buck House. Some little alleys, gift shops and some surprisingly good value little restaurants. Great views from up here. Lovely church where Grace Kelly and the Prince are interred. Massive %26quot;aquarium%26quot;; you won%26#39;t have time.
Don%26#39;t bother with harbour, all built up and not much to see. You could visit the casino but you don%26#39;t have time. Back down hill and bus to Eze (someone else will give details). Run up hill in Eze and down again; you will be pushed for time; then bus to Nice. Into Old Town, stroll, meal, down to market then sea, back to bus, to V/F and you might just have a few mins to see that lovely little town.
Monaco really kills the day if you want to relax a bit and see something of Nice which really does have just about everything.
No comments:
Post a Comment