Located east of Nice on the northeast coast of Monaco, Monte Carlo has long served as a major port for the area. In fact, there are accounts of Julius Caesar landing his fleet in the harbor in 43BC! Monte Carlo is well known for its Le Gran Casino as well as the home of the Grand Prix which is held each year in mid May. When we first arrived, we could see the grandstand and the construction of the track. Initially, we thought this was delightful, until we went out exploring and got caught in the detours! Since 1929, cars have raced around the port and in front of the casino in what is the worlds most famous auto race.
We disembarked the ship and with detailed instructions from Tom’s Port Guide and Rick Steves, we managed to walk up to the cliff top old town (Monaco-Ville) taking escalators, elevators, stairs and a scenic walk along the ocean. If you weren’t informed, this would have been a long tedious trip. Kos is always “informed”!
When we arrived at the top in Old Town, we boarded a little tourist train for a short tour around the area.
Old town was wonderful. Beautiful flowers, palm trees, clean as a whistle.
We wandered around the narrow streets, had some lunch in a café and then began to explore the lower town and marina area.
The preparations for the Grand Prix were in progress which made walking around the area somewhat difficult.
We didn’t get a chance to go into the Le Gran Casino because it opened late in the day and our ship didn’t stay in port for the evening. Probably just as well.
Fortunately, I found the perfect yacht but unfortunately Kos didn’t have his checkbook on him.
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