Actually, the train from Nice to Monaco is probably more scenic as I think the train tracks are closer to the water than the road. Wonderful views.

nice is quite lovely for a few days....the old town is nice to wander in .....the old russian church is a must see...

several medium priced hotels....the beach is only so so...

an easy over nite ride to corsica can be made from nice....

i would not waste my time on monaco honestly...

Hello from Detroit..
Just got back From touring the South of France. We stayed in Nice (the Hotel was a DUMP) but the city was Beautiful. I loved walking around just absorbing the French way of life. I ate at least 2 salads a day because they were so good and fresh. And the Bread! Forgetaboutit. I have a bread roll around my waist right now. I ate so much bread in France. Only someone dead could resist.
Monaco, what a Country. I must say I considered Cancun to have the MOST Beautiful Water in the world. I was wrong. Monaco has the MOST beautiful. I could not take my eyes off the shoreline. I stood where the Palace is and looked over the water forever. It is just mind blowing. The entire Place is Fantastic. And the best part for Me NO TAXES for the Locals. I loved that. I kept repeating that in my Head all day.
The prices of Food and Trinkets were very reasonable too. I also bought pre-posted postcard to mail, and that made it so much easier to mail.
I got the chance to watch the changing of the Guards which was really cool. But very crowded. Thank God I'm 6', I was able to take pic's from above My head. The Police there are Large and in charge. They are everywhere. I felt very comfortable with the Police surrounding Us everywhere we walked. And they are awfully cute too.
I suggest You stay in Nice and take the train back and forth to Monaco. It's fast and cheap. We let several students and teachers stay behind in Monaco and take the train back to Nice. But be aware there are 3 train stations in Monaco.
Take the best Camera You got to Monaco, You will take many many shots. The views are Awesome and the Medd. is so blue it reminded me of Heaven. Not like I've been there Yet, just what I think it may look like.
I must say the shopping in Nice is great. I got some great deals while there. The good shopping is on the Blvd. that has major constrution. That was a pain in the a**. But I loved flirting with the Consrt. Workers. Oh La La.
Walk down to the Sea, and it will be like walking up to a dream of blue clouds. Some of our group actually got in the water, just up to their knee's. There were locals out swimming, and I couldn't believe it. God Bless em. It is a very nice walk along the sea. They have a wonderful boardwalk there, and lots of places to stop and eat or get coffee. Rent a bike if Your up to it. That looked like alot of fun.
Take lots of Money, You'll spend it. Hopefully like Me, on Food.

Mclaurie, last November I took the bus No100 from Nice to Eze-Mer (a little more than half the way to Monaco) and the route was mostly along the coast, closer than the train rail. I had taken train to Menton and Ventimiglia before but now BUS no100 is my favorite mean of transportation when I go to that direction. Not only the view was better than from the train, the price was a lot cheaper. EURO1.30 for any distance between Nice and Menton. Still you better be careful if you are in a hurry. Just before getting back into Nice in the late afternoon, the traffic got tight really slow. Maybe the bus was late arriving Nice city center for 10-15 minutes. Train would not have this problem.

ttt