Something or nothing: Monte Carlo, Monaco

Beth rebound nicely this morning. No ship doctor needed. So, at 9am a very sweet guy, Xavier picked us up right at the port. Beth said just like ballers. Everybody else was gathering in groups of 30+ so we were pretty lucky we had a very nice guide and van to ourselves. Now we did meet a Viking employee that we bonded with earlier. We met him in Barcelona right when he was boarding the ship with his coworkers. He is extremely friendly and funny so if we would have been in his group, it would have been ok.

Xavier told us all about Monaco while he was driving us around. He talked about the extreme wealth in this country mainly due to the fact that they are tax free, both income and inheritance. That attracts the wealthy billionaires from all over the world. They have most of the F1 drivers and several professional tennis players living here too. We passed by a huge mansion of a widow whose husband was murdered. They have very little crime here so that is unusual. He said that story was on Netflix so I will be watching that when I get home too.

So, first we drove on the winding road that Grace Kelly died. To Catch a Thief was also filmed on this road. Beth has not seen this movie so that is on a future to do list.

Next, after some scenic stops, we went to a little village in the Alps…Eze, France. This was my first encounter of a whole lot of steps. I went halfway up and had to pass on the rest of the climb. My knees said to not go any further. So Beth and Xavier climbed the rest of the way while I sat on a stone wall a people watched. That was entertaining too.

Next, we went to a perfume factory tour at Parfumerie Fragonard. After the factory tour, there was plenty of shopping in the store. That was a fun stop.

After that we went on a beautiful drive with a stop to Villefranche. It is a beautiful seaside village on the French Riviera. We also passed Elton John’s estate. We couldn’t see the house but we saw his gate. Good enough.

So, off to Monte Carlo! Woody requested a picture at a spot on the F1 track from a scene in the 1966 movie, Grand Prix. Beth showed the clip of the movie to Xavier and he knew exactly where to go. He said it was all changed now but he drove by that exact spot and we took pictures…for Woody. We then drove the rest of the track. It was so exciting both Beth and I will be watching the Monte Carlo F1 race in June.

Next, a visit to the cathedral and the graves of Princess Grace and Prince Rainier. Then off to the casino (again like ballers…Beth). We entered this casino like we were Bond girls. It is a truly fantastic building with beautiful furnishings. We played a giant slot machine (again for Woody). As usual I lost but Beth won! So, after souvenir shopping, we met Xavier and he took us back to the ship.

After dinner, Beth was intrigued about the empty swimming pool. That would not happen on younger cruise lines but us Viking folks want to rest after dinner…not swim. So Beth went back to our room, changed and enjoyed a solo swim in the pool and soak in the hot tub while I lounged in a chair.

That completes our awesome day in Monaco and the French Riviera. It really was an outstanding rebound from yesterday. We both thought it was the best yet!

Once again my pictures are out of order but oh well, good enough.