Monte Carlo or bust

[Number8]

Have decided to get adventuous and drive our Griff down to Monte Carlo in August. Has anyone done it? Are there any nice hotels on route? Are there any nice routes? All input for this trip much appriciated.

[ehasler]

Yep, I did this with my girlfriend about 3 years ago in my old Griff, and we had a great time!

Our trip took about 2 1/2 weeks, and the drive down took 2 days, including a stop in Dijon where we stayed for 2 nights, then spent 3 nights in Monte Carlo (at the Grand hotel). We then stopped off in Canne, Nice, Orange, Avingnon and Mersault on the way back.

I wasn't too impressed with the Grand though - quite a lot of money for what you got, although it was pretty pulling into the bit on the outside of the hairpin bend, and it did have a pool on the roof and great views onto the harbour.

The Griff got loads of attention too - much more so than any other car we saw down there, and you can also drive round the GP circuit too (the tunnel is great fun!)

I think 3 nights was about right for Monte Carlo though - not sure I'd want to spend much more time there. I would certainly recommend the aquarium at the top of the hill though - it's fantastic.

If you like, I can dig out the hotels that we used in the other places - there were a couple of really good ones, and also a great restaurant in MC (I think it was the Mirabeau, but not 100% sure)

>> Edited by ehasler on Tuesday 29th June 09:46

[keirangrogan]

I can recommend "Stars & Bars" in the harbour vgood food, atmosphere and friendly staff.

And at around 5 euros for a pint it is actually affordable too.

Be a bit careful in Nice if you go there as I got my pocket picked, mind you I was wondering the back streets at 2am with a kebab in one hand and a map in the other(so it's was my own fault really).

[wedg1e]

Julie and I stayed in a cheap B&B about 3 mins from the seafront in Cannes.
It's very easy to 'accidentally' find yourself on the nudist beach at St. Tropez too.....

Ian

[bigbrowncow]

Le Vieux Castillon in Avignon if money is no object...

(see last para at www.bigbrowncow.com/content.php?article.1.2)

Steve

[JonRB]

keirangrogan said:

I can recommend "Stars & Bars" in the harbour vgood food, atmosphere and friendly staff.

Seconded. We had a beer at La Rascasse (or the "Cafe Grand Prix" as it is now called) because it was on my list of things to do before I die. Then because they didn't really have any food, we walked across the road to Stars & Bars and had a very nice meal.
We then hopped into our hire car (which was somewhat unfortunately a Renault Kangoo) and did 3 laps of the GP circuit.

But I digress.

[burriana500]

No8 - click on my posted topics under "Costa del Sol or Bust". It's a diary of my trip last August. Also Schnozz has just been down to southern France/northern Spain and stayed in some nice sounding places - drop him a line if he doesn't pick this thread up.