My husband and I will be traveling to Europe for the first time in October. Our plans are to fly into Paris for 4 days then rail to either Nice/Monte-Carlo. My first question is which city should we stay in. I think we're planning to be in that area for about 3 nights then rail on to Florence for 3 nights and finish in Venice for 3-4 nights.Any suggestions?

Well I wouldn't pick Monte Carlo as a base. There aren't enough hotels to choose from and it's not as interesting as other options. It would help to know your tastes (ie big 4* hotel or small charming b & b) & budget because there are lots of options besides Nice. Also, whether you plan on renting a car in this area.

I would not pick Monte Carlo either - it's one of my least favorite places in that area. Nice is a lot more interesting & has plenty of things to do.

Stu Dudley

IMHO Monte Carlo makes a nice day trip.

The train is easy up and down the coast and you can stop at Eze, etc from the Nice tain station.

Nice is a fascinating city with a myriad of neat aspects - Monaco/Monte Carlo is a sideshow!

It depends on your taste. Monaco is traditionally more expensive. But I preferred it over Nice or Cannes (cleaner MHO). Nice is more relaxed and hometown friendly than Monaco. Overall, I think Nice is more central for daytrips. Actually I prefer Menton on the France--Italy border. Beautiful but not a well known town.

I prefer Nice. You can take day trips from there (including to Monte Carlo) and be home in Nice in the evening. Enjoy. I'm envious! CJ

I think saying that Monaco is clean is an understatment. It reminded me of a hospital.

Nice is full of life and your choice of relaxing by the beach or going to museums and other sightseeing.

Have you timed the train trip between Nice and Firenze? I would think it would be quite long. You might check into seeing if you can fly between Nice and Pisa/Firenze.

Nice is an authentic city with character. Monaco is not.

flagging

We thought that Monaco felt like a movie set rather than a living city: it's just too perfect.

I went to Nice once on a 24 hour layover years ago when I used to fly, and I LOVED it. So charming, cute little seacoast town, quaint and intimate feeling.

It probably has changed some, but for 30 years now it has stayed in my mind as one of the most picturesque places I have traveled to...if this helps you.

Ditto on timing the train. If I remember correctly, it takes a roundabout way from Nice to Northern Italy to get to Florence. I mapped it out on mapquest and it took less time to rent a car and drive than taking the train.

Something I read before our recent trip to Nice called Monaco "an unhappy compound of Beverly Hills and Miami." We opted to view it only from far above, while driving along the corniche.

Heavens, Nice is not a quaint charming little town any more; it's definitely a city, but a wonderful one to visit. We loved it there; you can see photos of our Christmas trip at:
http://rozault.com/riviera2005

Nice it is. Thanks to all of you. I really enjoyed the pictures!

Loved the photos nonnafelice. I <font color="green">hope</font> you bought those garden gnomes

I would have had fun getting those garden gnomes home on Air France!! I did buy a little chess set for my grandson at the Antibes market, and later discovered what a terrible bargainer I am. I got it for less than the price it was marked, but then later on in Nice I saw a street vendor selling the exact same thing with an even lower starting price than what I paid. So I'm sure I should have offered MUCH less, but I am no good at that kind of hassling. No wonder the woman at the stall seemed so happy when I handed over my money!

My kids were amazed by the policemen in Monaco; they look so immaculate, with their spotless white gloves.
Even though it is an extremely clean place, one of my children still managed to step in dog mess. Wearing sandals. And then we witnessed a fire at the posh Spa right on the seafront, opposite the Casino. Not a typical day in Monaco I suppose.
If you're only in Nice for 3 nights, I would not visit Monaco; plenty of prettier places nearby.

There is a public bus that goes from Nice to Monaco - along the coast line. Wonderful views (and cheap!).

Nice, definitely. Don't know what your price range is, but I highly recommend the Hotel Le Grimaldi. Make sure you request a superior room, though, as they are vastly - well - superior. I think it will run you around $185 euros per night. Very lovely.