Jackie

Our cruise ship will be docking at Villefranche, France for the day. We're trying to decide what we should visit: Nice or Monaco/Monte Carlo or both. Any recommendations? Are the cities close to the port that we can take a taxi or do you recommend we take a tour? If tour, can you recommend a reputable tour operator?<BR><BR>Thanks for your help!

Mary Ann

There is a bus that runs on the main road above the port. I know that is a 5 minute ride into Nice. Rick Steves book has a walking tour you can do that will cover the highligts of the waterfront area in a couple hours. There is a bus to Monaco also. It takes about 20 minutes or so to get there. Hope this clarifies distances at least.

Kris

You can do both with the train which is a short walk from where the boats dock. I don't remember how long the train took but you can check it out at www.sncf.com. No need to buy tickets before you go.

Debbie

Hi. We visited the French Riviera a couple of years ago and stayed on the water at Hotel Welcome in Villefranche. As Americans living overseas, we welcomed the cruise tourists coming on land one day. There are benches to sit on and watch the water in Villefranche (which is extemely picturesque) and also a little tourist train that takes you through Villefranche and all St. Jean Cap Ferrat. We did that with some of the people and it was great fun to get even us acclimated, and we were staying for a longer time. Yes, you can also take the bus easily to Nice. The bus picks up right beside the dock area in Villefranche and delivers you to the docks in Nice. However, my best picks would be to take the big train to Monte Carlo, see the palace and look around or just stay around Villefranche and shop and take it all in. Real French people live in Villefranche and you often see older folks walking their little dogs by the fountains, children playing on the cobblestone steps, and fishermen gathering their nets at the old dock. It is superb for picture taking. Good luck and happy travels.

John

The train is the way to go. North to Eze and Monte Carlo or south to Nice. The cost to Monte Carlo is about $3 apiece and runs about every fifteen minutes. The station is about a ten minute walk from the tender pier. If you want, you can get off at Eze and take a bus up to the old walled city for unique shops and the perfume factory tour. Monte Carlo has the Palace, seaquarium, Casino and picture-postcard views. <BR><BR>Don't be afraid to use public transportation instead of the way-over-priced ship excursions. Everyone is going to the same place in Florence, Rome and Naples. We did all our own excursions on our western med cruise last June. Email me if you want details.

NickyFerrante

When Terry McKay and I go to Villefranche we always stop at Grandma Janou's for tea. Lovely view of the ships and harbor.<BR><BR>All my best...Nicky

Babs

Nicky<BR><BR>Where is Grandma Janou's located exactly? Sounds nice.

NickyFerrante

Babs darling, <BR><BR>Her location is just to the right, on the hills overlooking the harbor, as you sail in. Stay for afternoon tea, you can hear the ships whistle very clearly when it's time to leave.<BR><BR>Nicky

Shanna

Jackie, have you done a search on Villefranche? There are over 100 responses. I recall a lengthy thread about it early last year.

mauld

If you wanted to travel to either Nice or Monaco (or Eze or Biot etc), I agree the train is the way to go. You can actually just buy a ticket to say Monaco and just get off & on at the various stops on the way for the same fare.<BR>But I would also suggest, just wandering around Villefranche Sur Mer for th day as well. It is a beautiful coastal town with an 'underground' area that should not be missed.

Debbie

We did both Nice and Monaco on our cruise stop in Villefranch last summer. We took the train to Monaco, a short ride and then found a bus to take us to town. Then we got back on the train to go to Nice which is the opposite direction. We walked to Old town. We had 6 adults and 2 children and found we did not have as much time as we would have liked to enjoy either area. Next time I would simply pick one so as to have more exploration time of one area. Both are worth seeing!

arlene

Hi, We will be going on a cruise next Sept. Do all the cruise ships come into here? Our book says Monaco, but that is probably for ease of informing people. I am so happy I read your info. We will be staying in Nice, and I wanted to know the fare (taxi or shuttle) to the boat dock. Please let me know. thanks, Arlene