Hotel des Mimosas Juan-les-Pins

ok, it was more "collecting a new country" than being really interested in Monaco. Strange, when you go there from Nice airport by bus it costs you 18 € one way, when you go from Nice bus terminal it costs 1 € one way. Monaco is a very clean city. I have never seen so many big and expensive cars. I saw the casino and the castle. Nice, but not spectacular.

I know I always write the same...great weather, such a nice city, good food....but I have to say that Nice was a (very) big surprise for me, I can say that it is my favourite city in Europe (ok, number 2 after Lisbon). You have the mountains, the Cote dŽAzur (when you see the water you know why the name is Cote dŽAzur), the market with fresh vegetables, fruits, honey, oil, soap, you have great restaurants ...

... Not only have the donations received already far exceeded my expectations, but the kind words and general interest and support that I have received have been amazing. So thank you all. It is all very much appreciated and I can't believe that between us we really will change these little lives. It is my motto here in Antibes, but this is the ultimate "think globally; act locally ...

... of the retired variety... nothing wrong with that, but even they are thin on the ground. Of course this has a lot to do with the time of year we are travelling and there is a festival van circuit the young antipodian crowd do each year, which is not really our thing. So it is our own fault for choosing this time and this route. The end result is that we tend to pounce upon anyone speaking English in the near vicinity. We haven't scared anyone off yet so we mustn't seem too desperate.

... curly so it really isn't surprising that accidents are a regular occurrence.

Monaco is the world's second smallest country (after Vatican City) less than 2 square km, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in decadence! Streets are manicured, lavish hotels and casinos line the waterfront, and the harbour is chock a block with gigantic, plush boats.

Once we arrived we visited the Palais du Prince (or ...

... meager with dinners, eating whatever the roast of the day was at the hostel for 6.50 or slightly dodgy pizzas, which were sometimes nice, and sometimes not. So yeah, nice to treat ourselves.

Our stay in the hotel was was lovely and we've decided to try and treat ourselves before we get to that shabby state again. Its amazing how quickly you forget the basic luxuries; one bed without a seam or a bar in the middle, one doona to share rather than two small single ones, a bathmat and ...

... of France on a Z-List budget is feasible with the 'Beat the Euro' offer. PV-Holidays.com are returning travellers to the dizzy days of 2008 Euro exchange rates, saving them up to 45 per cent on the cost of summer family holidays to France or Spain. The offer is available on all P&V properties on all dates, meaning that a holiday to the South of ...

... a lot of yachts and other boats there, but nothing like Monaco Their streets are narrow in some cases and driving can be a real challenge! There is also a "Cap" or cape- that ...

Yesterday we drove to Nice where we didnt have much time after checking into our hotel, dropping off our laundry to have some old lady wash them (not a moment too soon) and headed to Monaco (the 2nd smallest country) for dinner. Monaco is absolutely amazing... pretty much a country spilling over with money. Apparently you have to apply to become a Monaco citizen which costs something like $100 000 (which you dont get back if you are not accepted), and you ...

... station, and in the elevator discovered that I was not on the first floor, but -13! There are 13 levels of "underground" parking built into the rock. So, I rode the elevator up and found myself halfway up the mountain, with a spectacular view of the waterfront below. Freda and I had a great time in this area, staying at a villa converted into a hostel right on the water. We were in awe everyday!