Day trips from Monte Carlo
 

My husband and I (and our 2 teenagers) will be staying in Monte Carlo this August for 8 days. Does anyone have suggestions of worthwhile day trips to take? Is it wise to rent a car or should we go by train?
Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Hi Jane
You could bus (and, I think train) to Nice, Eze, Menton and many other places. We rode the bus from Nice to Menton and went thru Monaco. It is a quick, pleasant trip. Please spend some time in old-town Nice. It is great for people watching and interesting shopping and browsing. Have a great time. CJ

Check out the sea villages just over the Italian border. You can take the train along the shore but you'll need to confirm which stops it makes along the way. You may even be able to reach Cinque Terre for a day trip.

By train or bus: Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Antibes, Cannes, Menton.

By bus from Nice or by train from Cannes: Grasse.

By bus: Eze, Vence, St-Paul de Vence, La Turbie.

There is a private train that goes from Nice to Digne-les-Bains. Here is the URL: www.trainprovence.com.

Unless you want to wander through the hills and canyons of the lower Alps on your own, you won't need a car.

I've been to Monte Carlo/Monaco frequently. One of my favorite places to visit high on top of the Corniche, overlooking the Mediterranean, is the town of La Turbie. There is a huge Roman monument erected to Julius Caesar by his troops celebrating the victories over the Gauls, neighboring Italian tribes, etc. It is quite imposing with commanding views up the coastline to Italy, etc. and was once the border between France and Italy. The town is charming (Dante visited there, as well as Napoleon). I think your teenagers would like seeing the place! You can get there without a car. I took a bus up from Nice (Place Massena) and it was about 35 mins +/- up the hill. Likewise, I have taken a taxi down from there to Monte Carlo (~40 euros).

A day trip by foot:

walk from Monaco to Cap d'Ail train station - about 2.5 miles all told - a gorgeous stroll via paved flat paths along an undeveloped coast - the signature Riviera beauty - just you, the rocky shore and the deep azure water - isolated swimming holes (suits optional - expect to see some skinny dippers) - one of the most gorgeous walks in Europe - can return by train from Cap d'Ail to Monte Carlo or of course return by foot.

Thank you to all of you that have responded. I really appreciate your ideas.
Jane