Please help with Monte Carlo-Nice-Eze-St Paul tour
 

Hi All,

We will be on the Ruby Princess next week and stopping at Monte Carlo. Our times are 6am(docked) - 2pm (leave) May 28th. I booked a private tour for 5 hours but can extend it for another hour. Our tour provider just told me that he made a mistake and St Paul is too far to go in 5 hours and even with 6 hours we would be very rushed. Has anyone done this kind of tour before... and is this doable in 6 hours ? Would we have time to shop/gelato/lunch (without going to Fragonard). Or our other options are 5 hours with MC-Nice-Eze or 6 hours with MC-Nice Eze.
We would love to see St Paul but not at the expense of a whirlwind tour and missing the enjoyment of the area and or our ship!!!

Thanks...Barb(beachbarbie)

Have been in this area every year in May for 20 years. Have you considered using the train that runs every 15-30 min from Italy to Cannes. MC has an easy to reach new train station with lots of help with current timetable booklet. This way you could attend the changing of the guard at the palace, and eat lunch in MC. Saint Paul is pushing it because of the traffic involved in Nice and up and down the coast on a weekend. You might wantto go to Antibes on the train. The fort and the market are wonderful. It is about 15 min from Nice by train. Plan what you want to see and do in Nice it is 10 min. from MC. Remember stores are not open at 6AM and it takes a while for the ship to be cleared and for the tenders to begin. Eze is not on the train route, but on a bus more complicated. When is the MC grand prix this year? That would mean trains and roads will be jammed if it is on the 28th. Just some thoughts if you want to experience the joys of being your on your own. By the way we do not speak French, but have managed . Have a wonerful Time.

Thanks Ktravels...I have already booked and put a deposit down with a tour company. If we had alot of time I would have loved to do it on my own. But with such a short time in port thought it best to go with the pros. Question is...In 6 hours from 7am can we see MC-Nice-Eze-St Paul and still have time to enjoy lunch/gelatto/shopping??? Or 2nd tour would we best stay with our 5 hour tour at 8am and not see St Paul.
Or 3rd tour to make it 6 hour tour at 7am and not go to St Paul. This is all if you had to go with a tour van for 8.
Thanks...

I honestly think you're pushing it to do more than Monaco and Nice in five hours. St. Paul is at least an hour away from MC with no traffic, which is highly unlikely at that time of year. And I haven't even discussed the parking, or lack of.

Anyway, I'd opt for something more leisurely so that you can actually ENJOY your day. I'd start in Nice, walk the Promenade, maybe try to take a brief visit to the fabulous Marc Chagall museum, have a wonderful lunch near the flower market in Old Nice, then head back to MC for a quick "highlights" tour of the Palace, the casinos, and, if there's time, the aquarium.

By the time you get back to the boat, you'll be ready for bed, never mind dinner!

One thought we always left something special for a return trip. It works, too. St. Paul might be the best to leave for the next time. Time to savor the beauty and have lunch, too. Enjoy.

We have been in the area quite a few times. IMO, Eze is better. We really didn't like St. Paul. Yes it was cute and picturesque, but if you are not interested in extremely high priced art and furniture, take a pass. The views from the garden at the top of Eze are outstanding, and the cute shops are affordable.

Also, the palace in Monte Carlo is fabulous, don't miss it. The casino was not that great unless you can afford the high end betting tables, the little room for the tourists is forgetable.

Our other favorite town was Villefranche-sur-mer. The market in Nice is also very nice. Another option is the very beautiful Villa de Rosthchild(sp?) at Cap Ferrat.

Given the choice with a private car, I'd do Villefranche, Cap Ferrat, Eze, and Monte Carlo in 6 hrs. They have been the highlights of all of our South of France trips. Or Nice, Cap Ferrat, Eze, and Monte Carlo.

Whatever you choose, you will be enchanted by the drive alone.