We are readying for our 2 1/2 trip to Northern Italy later this month. One of our friends would very much like to see Monaco. He hopes to see the great yachts, the Casino and perhaps the Palace area and maybe a meal. We are struggling with our accommodations as $ are tight and are trying to save where we can while still getting him to a quick vistit.

We have planned to leave our car in Genova and take the train, connecting in Ventimiglia set to arrive in Monaco at the train station at 8:10 pm. Our return train leaves to return at 2:19 pm the following day, leaving us just a quick morning to sightsee. We had booked something up the hill in Beausoleil but as it turns out has a sofabed instead of a real bed and we are not to thrilled with that idea. I have found the Novotel has a prepaid rate of $277 to offer. It's proximity to town makes me feel like it is the wise choice evn though it is about $100 more than either couple would like to spend. The Ambassador is sold out. Is it feasible to extend our search to maybe Nice to save some money? I am worried that the taxi rides to and for will just eat up what we have saved as well as cut into our limited time.

Thanks for any thoughts to help us decide...

I'm quite confused by your post.

<< our 2 1/2 trip >>

days? weeks? months??

If you have a car why don't you drive and then you can stay overnight any place. You don't need to rely on public transportation.

You're planning on taking a taxi from Nice to Monaco? Why not the train or a bus.

Where are you going after Monaco?

You could stay in Ventimiglia.

If you search this board for Monaco, you will find that most do not recommend going out out your way to see it. We have been through Monaco twice and the second time did not even stop. There is really nothing to see but a lot of concrete and expensive hotel.

I think the complicated trip you are trying to plan is a waste of your time and money unless you are passing through Monaco anyway. However, if you go, stay in Nice. It is lots more interesting.

You can easily take a train back and forth between Nice and Monaco and I suppose you could simply drive back and forth from Genoa and pay for parking etc.

You can easily train to Monaco from many of the lovely towns along the coast and spend less hotel money. Hub and I have taken a train from Nice and the bus from Menton. The train will be more costly but easier. The bus was a euro or 2 but crowded and hot.

For what it's worth, we took a van tour (that picked up at the hotel) that included Monaco. We did see the changing of the palace guard, the marina, the casino and that area. We went back on our own to gamble. We needed our passports to get into the casino and, in our touristy clothes, we were not allowed in all parts of the casino.

Is this the last leg of your trip? Given the time of year, driving on the coast might not be quite so hectic?

If you're trying to conserve your money, skip Monte Carlo (which takes up nearly all of Monaco). It's very expensive.

Let your friend go to Monaco and return to whatever city you're in. It is costly and if not particularly appealing to you, why go?

If yo already have a car - why are you training or busing to Monaco - unless you are going on into France and don;t want a drop off charge. Just get a hotel nearby and drive into Monaco.

Also - be aware that everything is expensive (except looking at the yachts in the harbor)and the casino will expect correct clothing (not tourist wear) if you want to get in (which isn't free or even cheap). The outer rooms (slots) are 10 euros per person and the inner rooms (table games - no low stakes) are an additional 10 euros per person. Also the casino doesn;t open until 2 pm at all. This isn;t Atlantic City - or even Vegas - but requires real clothes and real money.

We have gone in the evening a couple of time - by car from Nice) and enjoyed it - pretending to be in a Bond movie (and you will see a lot of formal wear in the inner rooms, not just dark suits and silk pants outfits.

Agree to let the one that has to do this go do it on their own - don;t waste your time or money unless you will enjoy it too.

I know that everything is based on personal taste, but I had always wanted to see Monaco and we went while in the area in July. Sorry to say I was disappointed. Traffic is horrendous, the casino is beautiful from the outside but absolutely a non-event on the inside (very small, very quiet), unless you have the money to be a high-roller and get into the private room, that is.

I can't imagine how you'd spend an entire day there and this is coming from someone who likes casinos, royalty, posh places, etc. Just a bit of a non-event, IMHO, and not one I'd spend extra money to see.

Remember, the yachts you are looking for are out in the water so you view is from a distance. Those is dock are not going to be easily available to get near. Frankly, we found the best views of the Med and yachts to be from Cap Ferrat (sp).

One thing we loved about Monaco: The cars parked outside the casino were amazing. We spent more time looking at them than at anything else

There are other more exciting places to go than Monaco. Terribly expensive..Unaccessible wharf/yacht viewing. If you like veiwing the rich and fampus from a distance then battle the obscene traffic, horrendous lack of parking and other Un-ammenities and go. Cannes is somewhat better but there are other wonderful places to experience. Send your friend on his own if need be.

Is it not possible for your friend to take the train from just outside Monaco which is a cheaper area to stay in, Ventimiglia, Menton etc? I enjoyed Monaco, I visited the palace on a small tour and the palace museum, there is a very good collection of artefacts relating to Napoleon. I also visited the cathedral and then wandered down to the waterfront marina. This can be done in an afternoon so I can't see why your friend should be denied the place that he particularly wants to see. Why are you leaving your car in Genoa, will you only be travelling by train after that? I also stayed in Diano Marina. There are a number of trains runing up and down the Riviera, have you done a search of the timetable? Check out the accommodations in these lesser known areas.

I appreciate all the info - thank you!

The 2 1/2 was a typo and I could not find an edit button to correct... We'll be there 2 1/2 weeks in total. Leaving Bellagio in the morning and driving to Genova to leave the car. Returning to the car the next day to continue on to our 4 night stay in Cinque Terre. We are hoping there will be some scenic portions of the round trip train trip where we an all just relax and not drive, drive, drive.

For Monaco, we just booked a 1 bedroom suite at the ADAGIO MONACO MONTE CRISTO. It appears to have real beds rather than sofa sleepers and we can share the $160 Euro and all be happpy. It seems to be quite close to the station as well as next to a restaurant for dinner that evening.

And, yes, if we were just on on our own, we would have chosen to return to Monaco but our companion has never seen it and we are happy to accompany him while he see's something he has always dreamed about seeing. We thought about returning maybe to Eze or somewhere new instead but I think seeing our dear friend enjoy the sights will be more entertaining.

What nice folks you are!!!

Eze is infinitely more interesting and "real" IMHO than Monaco but, boy, does it require a lot of uphill walking!!