Monaco Questions
 

Hello everyone.

So, I'm traveling to Monaco and I would appreciate your ideas on my vacation.

What are the best ways to travel from NCE airport to Monte Carlo?

Has anyone used Le Club card offered by the Monaco Tourism office or MonacoAuction.com? It seems to offer a lot of perks, like free museum access and helicopter transfer from airport to Monaco, but I don't know whether it's too good to be true or useful.

Is the Prince's Palace closed to the public in March? It appears that way from the website, but I wasn't sure if it's just a mistype.

Is the Casino de Monte Carlo a must-visit even for the non-gamblers? It is stunning and is there anything to do other than gamble?

Any must-see or must-do recommendations?

Thank you in advance.

Best way to travel from NCE depends on your definition of best. I found the bus easy to use and reasonably comfortable. It's not as fancy as going by helicopter or rented car / limo, however.

I think the Casino is worth seeing. The interior architecture is certainly grand. No photography allowed inside, alas. You might not want to bother paying the admission price for the private salons, however, though they do offer good people watching. (So does just standing outside the Casino).

Is this the NCE-Monaco-Menton bus? I can't find much info on it, other than that it exists.

Bus:
http://en.nice.aeroport.fr/Passenger...A-Vast-Network
http://uk.niceairportxpress.com/
Helicopter:
http://www.heliairmonaco.com/home.html
http://www.monacair.mc/

Yes. If I recall correctly it is bus #110. The bus area is just outside the terminal and there is a booth to buy tickets. The bus runs about every half hour and the driver will tell you which stop to use for your hotel.

There's frequent train service and IIRC a boat/ferry/hydrofoil option.

Be sure to look at the cars parked around the casino and the gardens in the little square in front of the casino. The port always has an impressive collection of yachts.

Anyone with any experience of LeClub card? Sounds tempting.

http://www.monacoauction.com/leclub

Monaco is exciting but tiny; Are you planning on spending your entire vacation there? is this the first time you come to this area? How many days will you be there?

If you have not visited the south of France in the past, I would highly recommend traveling around a little. There are several nice threads with ideas and suggestions. do a search.

It may be easier/cheaper to stay in Nice and then do day trips. Renting a car and driving the Riviera is easy (not cheap).

Funny story:
I was staying in Nice and went to dinner at Louis XV at Hotel de Paris in Montecarlo; very nice restaurant; I arrived in my cheapo rented super economy car and did a Valet parking; I don't know where they took the car to but since we were one the last people to leave the restaurant, as we walk out of the hotel, the cheapo car is parked in the front. I had to find the Valet person and get the key; it was the only car parked in the front.
So much for the great car collection.
I have seen some amazing cars there on other trips. Bentley and Rolls, Ferraris and Astons

I have only stayed in Monte Carlo once. I lived near Nice for many years, so often went to Monaco. I went to see the cars, mostly and never failed to see a collection of exotica. Of course I was never last out either.

I agree with keisari unless you have a specific reason to want to stay in Monaco. Hotel prices there are are at least twice as high as in the surrounding areas usually, although there are peak times everywhere on the Riviera.

Commuting by bus or train to Monaco from Nice does not take long and is often entertaining also.

Monaco does have a grotto that people tend to like, and a botanical garden. The real action is the port, castle, casinos, cars and people-watching. Did I say casinos?

I agree with the feedback you've received and would add that it would be a shame if you made Monaco your base for a stay in the area as it justifies a visit (if you have to ......) but probably not a stay. It's an experience rather than a vacation destination imho. The 110 is the best way for normal people to arrive in Monaco unless you have cash to burn.

If you decide to visit and want to visit the casino and wish to avoid the possibility of being turned away then keep your passports with you as they might ask to see them because normal residents of Monaco are excluded entrance.

You may be interested to know that many visitors see feature films and racing games that are ostensibly filmed in Monaco but Monaco bans the majority of filming requests and most are fullfilled at Beaulieu sur Mer which is down the coast and has a Casino that is somewhat similar to those that don't know - in appearance to the one in Monaco. So don't make your plans in such a way that you miss out on the better gems between Nice and Monaco.

Consider basing yourself in Nice or nearby and getting up early one morning and taking the 100 bus from Gare Routier which will take it's time along the coast road to Monaco. I think it costs a euro all the way ..... and then take the train back ... perhaps for lunch on the way back. A day out and a decent bus ride. is all that Monaco justifies imho.

Don't forget the world class aquarium. The old Prince loved the underwater sciences and built a great aquarium. And you can watch the changing of the guard nearby. And see more Ferrari cars than even Beverly Hills.