Ariston Imperia

... about a dog... Toilet time It is amazing how toilet dramas/stories are always a hot topic of conversation amongst travelers. I feel a little empty this time round as we have averted the problem as we have a Thetford cassette Porta Potti. Called "Theo"... We started out thinking would only use him in emergency situations but with the scarcity of public loos in France and more so in Italy means he is getting a lot more use than first planned. These loos are easy to empty and ...

A short drive from Riva Ligure and we arrived at Laigueglia which is the start of the Italian Riveria. This village not as touristy as its neighbours suited us fine and we felt even more welcome when we popped into a local cafe for a cupuccio and were greeted with big smiles and bonjourns! The day was a stunner and we made our way down to the beach where we chilled out on the breakwall along with the locals. This was ...

... the local bar and settled in for a few drinks and complimentary tapas.

Wed 11 Nov
Riva Ligura even better in the sunlight had a pretty little piazza and church which had a beautiful painted interior - much unexpected by us. The novalty factor was it had automatic sliding doors!

After brekkie it was onto Menton which is a lovely little town just before the Italian border. Menton is a much more down to earth place than its neighbours and more our scene. We found a park right on the beach and went for a wander and took in sum much needed sun. Next stop Italia!!

... and not campervan parking friendly. We found a picture perfect stop just after Monte Carlo at the top of a hill overlooking the Med. We had the place to ourselves so we russelled up some brekkie in the sun which was lovely, so much so we were in t-shirts!!!

Bonjour! Today we arrive at Monaco! A district of royalty and affluence! The home of Prince's and Princesses! An area visited by many Prince's and Princesses as well as celebrities, millionaires and billionaires! It's a place to see and be seen! It's a location where wealth is a necessity and sophistication is a requirement!

Also today, Elsie celebrates a birthday! Her 60th! That little girl born on ...

... here, as the beach is breathtaking making it truly heartbreaking not to be able to go for a swim. At least this time of year there are only three reasons to come to Monte-Carlo - to gamble, to shop, or to observe the lives of the super wealthy. There are ultra expensive boutiques everywhere here - you can buy any jewelry, handbag, designer clothing ...

... and well worth it for the sheer glitz and glamour of one of the wealthiest populations anywhere. From the minute we arrived in downtown Monte Carlo, it was like stepping into a James Bond movie. Gorgeous, designer-clothes wearing women and cigar-smoking men congregated around the line of Ferraris in front of the casino, and Jaguar and Mazeratti car dealerships selling vehicles worth the GDP ...

... it all in, we stopped for a sandwich and then hoofed all the way down the mountain via a hiking trail. In about 40 minutes, we arrived just down the road from Eze-sur-Mer station from where we were able to catch a train onwards to here, Monaco. From now it's back to Nice for dinner and then off to the station once more. Tonight we say farewell to France - around 7:30 tomorrow morning we'll be in Venice, Italy. Looking forward to a fine meal of pasta and wine!

... awesome!) I won't go through what we did today, step by step, because it's a pretty boring story of but stops and train stations, but Monaco is a different tale. We got a coach ride there and spent the day walking around and gawking at the vulgar display of money. Monaco is built up the cliffs that surround a smallish bay which contains the marina and that's it. Some of the boats moored ...