Miramar Hotel Monte-Carlo

... the local bar and settled in for a few drinks and complimentary tapas.<br><br>Wed 11 Nov<br>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!!<br>

... 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!!!

Gorgeous morning and a stunning place for breakfast awaited us just outside Scooby overlooking the lake. I went for a run but Kim was feeling a little under the weather so she stayed and made me breakfast - yay! We spotted two girls about our age and attempted to engage in some conversation but their English was limited and French is rubbish. Shame as its manily been the grey hair brigade we ...

We've reached our 8th independent nation in Europe today: Monaco (the second smallest nation in the world, after Vatican City). We experienced all that Monte Carlo is famed for, a lap or two around the famed Grand Prix de Monaco, Formula 1 circuit (video and commentary below) and a game of blackjack at the magnificent Casino de Monte Carlo. <br><br>The drive along the French Riviera, from Cannes, Antibes and on to Monaco ...

... met with the company my group is consulting for yet and I probably shouldn't post the company name due to privacy issues, but it is a luxury men's tailored suit company headquartered in Paris. I am very excite to meet with them and get some practical experience.<br><br>Etc:<br>Keep the feedback coming if you like the blog, and if you send me a message via this blog make sure you leave your name. I got a message from someone last time but don't know who it was!<br>

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

... it took me awhile to catch on. But, once my math skills sped up enough to keep up with the game&#8212; then it all made sense. Then I too could see why the many sucker bets were so foolish and why you would always play the maximum amount on the Odds bet. Placing odds, aka free odds, is the ONLY, and I literally mean the ONLY bet in a casino where the payout amount and the probably of rolling the number are the exact same. This means that the house has ...

... Nice&#8217;s public beach (the south of France only has sandy beaches if it&#8217;s imported). I sat at the water's edge in Nice for about 5 minutes before moving away, using the excuse that the bags needed some looking after. Translation: the water was freezing. So I really swam in the Mediterranean for the first time in Monaco. After misjudging a wave, I also got my first taste of the Mediterranean in Monaco. <br><br ...

... 10 entrance fee to the casino and eyed up the tables. Secretly trying to spot one where I would not be forced to gamble beyond my means (another &#8364;10) I found a Blackjack table and braced myself for riches&#8230;<br><br>Moments later Jen and I found some shade in the aforementioned gardens and I stared longingly at the gunmetal Porsche Carrera GT ...