We have a exciting day today we are on our way to Nice via Pisa and Monaco . We left at 7,30am and arrived in Pisa - couldn't get through the road as it was a holiday but our driver found a way. We boarded a small train which took us nearer to the church and tower We were fortunate that the 9.15 tower walk was not all booked so we managed to get tickets. I was pleased to do this and thought of Rich as I stepped the 200 odd steps . Amazing this structure has not collapsed - a great
view from the top. Back to the coach where the street sellers were in abundance - scarves, Rolex watches etc. - bargaining in full swing! We had front seats today and the journey was amazing with 168 tunnels to go through , high bridges, views to the sea with town nestled in the valleys. Appenine mountain views as well. We passed by marble producing factories where the huge blocks were all stacked . Because of the public holiday and the sunny weather 18 degrees today, there was quite a lot of traffic and people at the roadside stops. Hard to take many photos but managed a couple of the high bridges and tunnel entrances . We crossed the French border to the Riviera and the Principality of Monaco. We drove through the tunnel where the Monte Carlo Grand Prix has its route ,the coach parked and we had a walk up the hill to the extravagant Casino. What an opulent building with ornate architecture and huge chandeliers - proof that gambling doesn't give many rewards!
Walked a circuit around past the expensive Hotels Guchi, Prada, etc shops and down to the water front where the rich & famous moored their yachts. Through the tunnel and back to the coach. We left there at 5.15 to go to a perfumery prior to getting to Nice We had to leave 2 people and Patrick behind as they got lost returning to the coach. They caught up with us at the perfumery. After our tour of the works the sales began. I was not so keen on the scents so didn't indulge. We left here and went straight to the restaurant for a lovely dinner. On way to hotel Patrick pointed out the necessary details for the morrow - banks, laundromat, post office and lift to old castle gardens.
Another evening when we dropped into bed - a great and full day.
We had a sleep in and a later breakfast today,yeah! We sorted our things and decided to post some things home - found the post office and did just that. We then strolled the Promenade des Anglais then walked along the pebbly beach for awhile .We then found the market - beautiful flowers including wattle and spinning gum ,fruit and veggies, cheeses, sausages, foie gras , olives etc. We bought a garlic grater and continued on to the lift which took us up the hill where we took some great photos overlooking the city and the sea. We had bought some strawberries for lunch and ate these as we returned to the hotel in time to go on a side trip to the 2nd most visited (after Versailles ) place in France - the medieval village on he hill of St Paul de Vence a favourite destination for artists. What a beautiful sunny day it was and the visit to St Paul was so enjoyable.
We walked around the ramparts and then up the Grande Rue. Amazing little alleyways and shops in quaint little niches. Had a lemon meringue ice cream ,Phil had passion fruit both delicious.
We returned to Nice and then had a wonderful scenic excursion along the Riviera Corniche roads ,enjoying spectacular views to a hilltop restaurant for dinner. Stopped a couple of times for photos of perhaps the most beautiful coasts in Europe where the rich and famous have their villas
(Including Bill Gates, Elton John and others). We reach the Grande corniche around the many bends - this is the highway which follows the ancient Aurelian Way. What a quaint place and we all enjoyed the apperitifs, lobster soup was my starter, Phil's was onion tart, then snails if we wanted to try which we did - quite nice. We both had lamb and mash next followed by a delicious dessert of apple tart and ice cream. Many indulged in a finishing quaff of a special drink that the restaurant provided Mar de savour, grappa with cumquats pickled in it. Some decided to have a competitionto see who could down the most! ??? Most people didn't appear to like it.!
The waiters were very pleasant and helpful. Another enjoyable time. The coach was a little rowdy on our return down to Nice. Patrick played some music which the jolly folk sang along with.
Back to room 503 , prepare bags and clothes for our 7.30am departure. Good night for now.