Honeymoon in Monte Carlo/Paris?
 

Hi, I just wanted to get some advice on things to do on the first leg of our honeymoon. We will be traveling first to Monte Carlo for four days from Oct 22-26, then fly into Paris where we will be staying until the 29th.

So we don't have too much time, but wanted to get the highlights. In Monte Carlo, we will be staying at the Hotel de Paris, and had one dinner planned at Joel Robuchon. We wanted to spend time in the casino, but any other suggestions to do while we are there?

In Paris, we have one dinner planned for Jules Verne. We wanted to get in the major sites like the Eiffel Tower, Champs, Arc, Notre Dame, and Louvre. Is there any type of after-hours tour at the Louvre like we were able to do at the Vatican museum in Rome? Any other restaurants or sight seeing that you'd recommend?

Thanks so much!

While in Monte Carlo, you should visit the royal palace and cathedral up on the rock in Monaco. Take a trip to Cap Ferrat, the Villa Effrussi, and possibly spend a day in beautiful Nice.

I used to spend a lot of time in the area, as one of my best American friends had a villa in Beausoleil. Either he or his driver would drive us around, as a car was needed. We'd go to Cap Ferrat, Menton, Villefranche-Sur-Mer, and other places that I can't remember at the moment.

When I'd go out on my own, I'd take the train over to Nice as the Nice train station is a short walk from the heart of town, so I didn't need a car while there. On other days, I'd take the train to Cannes, as I really like Cannes. I've been to Nice and Cannes in both summer and during Christmas time.

Some days, I'd also catch the train over to Ventimiglia (Italy), for lunch, as it's very close by.

Happy Travels!

ttramnd: I forgot to add the following information in case you might want to wander over to Ventimiglia for a change of scenery. It makes a nice excursion. Personally, I've never been fond of Monte Carlo.

http://french-riviera-blog.com/2011/...friday-market/

http://voices.yahoo.com/why-visit-ve...55.html?cat=16

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Th0Hw6plm3Q

If you click on "Skip the Ad", there's a short clip on Ventimiglia.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g...Vacations.html

Have a great honeymoon.

Happy Travels!

Thanks for the great advice. We are planning to stay at the hotel du Paris but we were going to play it by ear. Cannes sounds great though.

Tony

I would cut back on Monte Carlo - not a lot to see/do except lose money at the casino and spend it at the shops and add more time to Paris where there is a lot more to see and do. MC may be fairly quiet that time of year since it's too old for swimming - so not a lot of yachts and rich folks. Assume you know the dress codes involved - and that the casino doesn't pen until the afternoon.

If you want to rent a car and head into France there are a lot of quaint hill towns and some interesting museums. I love Nice - but it's a large city - and perhaps not what you are looking for.

Monaco itself is worth about one day, but since it is on the Côte d'Azur commuter train and bus lines, why not? The bus to the other cities costs 1€ and the train rides will be about 3 or 4€.

I should add that you might be uncomfortable if you are not of Russian origin, because that is the main group of tourists that now visits the area, just as they did 100 years ago. Even the old St. Petersburg-Nice rail route has been resurrected for luxury travelers. Nice is the location of the biggest Russian cathedral outside of Russia.

The Champs Elysees is just a wide shopping street. I'd rather wander through the Latin Quarter ... or Montmartre ... or perhaps the Place Vendome if you want to see some high end stores.

Both Monte Carlo and the Champs Elysées are overrated. I would definitely plan a day of sightseeing in MC and then get out of there and explore the region. It's going to be fairly dead at that time of year anyway. So use your time to see the many more interesting places surrounding.

The Champs Elysées is just a big wide street with huge stores on it. Nothing of real interest until you get to the two ends of it.