Cannes (France)

All my life I have been living with the idea that I wanted to visit Monaco, so when the ship docked in Cannes I was a little disappointed.  Not to be deterred however we booked a day trip to Monaco to see all the usual sights.

We arrived in Monaco after driving along the very high and winding roads featured in so many classic car chases in the area.  The actual turn to begin our decent into Monaco was one of the most breath taking I have experienced.  Our coach was perched across the road, making a sharp right hand turn, with the front overlooking the bay many hundred metres below.

After parking we walked along the Marina area to the Grand Casino, passing the tunnel and walking around the worlds most famous hairpin bend, and standing on pole position on the starting grid, all of which are features of the F1 Monaco Grand Prix. 

Into the Grand Casino where we had a tour of the ornate gaming rooms and I managed to imagine myself there in a tuxedo, winning of course and sipping martini’s ‘shaken not stirred’.

We then made our way to the Palace where we saw what it was like to live as a royal in the principality of Monaco.  We also visited the principalities’ church where all the royals celebrate their major occasions, and are entombed.

I have to say the police around the palace area were way over the top.   I personally observed them forcibly stop one tourist from getting into a taxi after he had loaded his luggage into the cars boot.  This was followed by them ‘moving on’ two women tourists, both with walking sticks, who had stopped to sit in the shade for a moment.  I think if this happened in Victoria there would be a string of complaint files following.

Not to be deterred we enjoyed a magnificent traditional 3 course lunch, with drinks, at one of the principalities outdoor cafés before returning to the ship.

Having driven through Cannes I have to say it looks like a wonderful place to visit and I have no doubt that were we to find ourselves in this area again we would have a look at this area.  No doubt though if we are, the ship will dock in Monaco….