I've been really busy the past few weeks so haven't had time to update my favourite destinations. I love thinking about all the wonderful places I've been to and there are so many I still want to go to so would love suggestions from other people!
Without further ado, my number 9 is............
I actually only spent 1 day in Monaco but in that short time it made a lasting impression on me and I would love to go back. It's not a place I thought I would be overly keen on and definitely had not been on my must see list.
I went to Monaco in 2005 with 2 of my best friends during my year abroad in Aix-en-Provence. Once a month we would go to different cities and one weekend they chose to go to Sanremo and then Monaco. We might have been there a short while but we made the most of our time and crammed a lot in.
We started off at the Casino de Monte Carlo, taking a few customary snaps. My friends are snap happy so we have about 10 photos outside the casino alone. We then walked down to the harbour, passing the Princess Grace Hospital. The harbour was nice enough (nicer views of it from the Palace) but I actually preferred the Sanremo harbour pictured here:
Then, we ventured up quite a steep incline to the Prince's Palace. We had fun posing at the cannons but I won't post any of those photos here! I suppose it was quite pretty but in comparison with other palaces not really anything to write home about. We decided it was time for lunch, I don't remember where we ate but I think it might have been Castleroc. The food was yummy and not too expensive.
In typical me fashion, what impresses most people about a place was not what impressed me. My favourite part is the part near the Oceanographic Museum which looks onto the little harbour and Monaco-Ville. To me, it was far more beautiful and quaint. I particularly liked all the pretty coloured houses and the fact it looks like a different town. Here it is below:
A visit to Monaco would not be complete without going to St Nicolas Cathedral and the famous F1 tunnel so we did just that. I read recently a reviewer saying they though Princess Grace's grave was understated but I didn't think it was. The F1 tunnel didn't have a huge impact on me, it's cool to see it once I suppose and would be completely different if you saw it when the race was on.
So why is it my number 9? I've never spent so little time in a place that has made me like it so much. There weren't many tourists when I was there, it had a peaceful atmosphere and I think it makes you feel quite liberated. Spending time up at the Palace and surrounding areas blows all your cobwebs away! I suppose I'll need to add a picture of the real Monaco harbour so here it is:
I wish I had spent longer there and had specific tips on what to do/where to go. But I've mentioned what you can't miss : casino, harbours, palace, cathedral and (possibly) tunnel. If you have been to Monaco and think I have missed anything important out, please leave a comment. Until the next time,
Nikki
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