NICE
We disembarked Azamara Quest at 9am Saturday 26th and took a taxi to our hotel. After checking in and storing our luggage we took a bus t(30mins 1.50 euros) o Monaco as Hiliary hadn’t been there and she and Janet were only staying in Nice 1 night. Arriving in Monaco we found there was a boat show on and couldn’t walk along the sea front, however from a high vantage point we could observe the craft on the harbour. WOW! Boats worth many millions $$$.We walked towards the casino but it was closed. A late lunch and train back to Nice (20 mins 3.60 euros). Room ready at 3pm, very comfortable. Met Janet and Hiliary at 6pm and walked to the sea and along the promenade before returning back to the old town to find a restaurant for dinner. This is our last night together as both Janet and Hiliary are flying out in the morning. The old town is a vibrant place with many squares and side streets with restaurants.
Sunday 27th. We had breakfast with Janet and Hiliary and said our goodbyes. We took a bus to a hillside town – St Paul – that is one and a half hours away on bus (1.50 euros). The town is on a mountain with fortified walls, lots of cafes, art/clothing/providore stores. Museums closed at 12.30 for 2 hours so we didn’t get to see them. Bought some lunch and decided to walk 4kms (1 hour) to Vence. The walk was strenuous at start and end, through the woodland areas. We didn’t have much time at Vence before we had to catch the bus back to Nice, but there had been a special market day which we caught the tail end of. Relaxation before going to old town for dinner.
Monday 28th. Today is a visit to Musee Matisse. We arrived early so we could walk through the park and not knowing if we had to que. We didn’t, and went straight in. The first part of the museum was his collections of artifacts that his family have donated. The next of his drawings/paintings and sculptures. It was interesting to see some of his original works. We walked to a bus stop just catching the bus to Eze Village, (35 mis 1.50 euros) another hilltop town with massive fortifications. Quaint streets and dead end alleys with art galleries and boutiques and cafes. How did they manage to build these towns? Great town to stroll through for an hour or so. Bus back to Nice and a wander along the main street and a coffee at McDonalds! Into the old town again for dinner.
Tuesday 29th Visit this morning to the Museum of Contemporary Art. The building is i n the round but you don’t realize this until you go to the roof and look down the centre to the pavement. The view is spectactular. Then by bus back to Monaco to visit the old city and palace and view more boats. Workers were dismantling the infrastructure from the boat show but we could walk part of the foreshore. The old town is built on a rock high above the modern town. The Grimaldi’s have been there for 600 years. A worthwhile tour of the palace to view some of the rooms.
Wednesday 30th. Our last day in Nice. This morning is a trip to the Fine Art Museum then pack and off to the airport at 1.30 for our flight to Dubai.
