Nice really is nice! So cliche but true. This very scenic beautiful clear blue Oceanside town is on the bottom end of France along the French riviera. It's just beautiful. We were within walking distance of the beach, beautiful high lookout and the main shopping strip.

Shopping was lovely. I found a dress, some dressy flats and a guess watch. We didn't hit the beach as we will have plenty of beach time later in Greece with sandy beaches. The beaches in Nice were pebbles.

The people of Nice we really friendly and lovely. Most we came across spoke English which helped with shopping. The ones who didn't speak English were still so polite and were easy to communicate with.

The night life at Nice was loud and busy with lots going on for a Friday night. People were over flowing from each and every establishment. We ventured off with some other contiki companions to try es cargo and frogs legs while we still had the opportunity. Both Andrew and I successfully downed the snails and frogs legs. They were fine, perfectly edible but not delicious to the point you would eat them over again. The flavor was not overally strong.

Our 2nd night in Nice we ventured off on a half hour drive to experience the rich life of another country, Monaco. It's a fascinating table of how this country came to be and amusing that Michael Jackson and Elton John were denied citizenship because the country is rich enough to be selective. They don't have to pay taxes. That's crazy.

After the most delicious meal in old Monaco we bused over to the other side of this tiny country to Monte Carlo where we visited the famous Grand Casino. This is the one in the movies such as Casino Royal. There was excitement outside with the various Audis, Porches and the 6 or more ferarris. It was only early of coarse. Inside the casino was very quiet and civilized. Nothing like Vegas.

Notable feature. Toilet Seats were self cleaning machines after each flush. So very interesting.

Today we travelled to Italy. The coastal entry into the country was gorgeous for the first 5 or so hours before getting industrial as we came closer to bigger cities. The coastal towns were densely populated and closely packed in every crevace of the mountains where they could build.

We visited Verona, the starting place and inspiration for Romeo and Juliet. We visited the fictional Juliets Balcony although this was flat chat crazy and have now settled in to a hotel just outside of Venice with the Italian owner Mario. Our driver Enzo seems jolly to be back in his home country Italy.

Tomorrow we go to Venice...