Sunday, April 26, 2015

Lunch in Monaco

I've mentioned before that I have a Fifty by Fifty goal.  I started 2013 at 23 countries visited and ended the year at 33I started 2015 at 37 which is pretty good.  But now I have only 18 months to get 13 more countries.  I might just have to adjust it to Fifty-five by Fifty-five.  But that's okay.  I'm certainly having a wonderful time and savoring every single new place.  

When we went to Nice for a weekend break, it was just too easy to get that #38.  We hopped on the 100 bus and paid 3 euros to go to Monaco for lunch.  If only they were all that easy and inexpensive.  The 20 minute bus ride along the coast is absolutely gorgeous.  I had to stop myself from yelling out to the bus driver "Stop!  I NEED to take this picture!"

Monte Carlo, Monaco



Monte Carlo, Monaco

The Principality of Monaco is a City-State located along the French Riviera bordered on all three sides by France.  Nestled snugly on the Mediterranean Sea, it has an area of less than one square mile and a population of 36,000.  This makes it the second smallest and most densely populated sovereign nation in the world.

Monte Carlo, Monaco

Monte Carlo, Monaco

Monte Carlo, Monaco

Monte Carlo, Monaco

Monaco is also known as the playground of the rich and famous, "champagne wishes and caviar dreams."  The famous casinos of Monte Carlo bring in so much income for the country that they don't even need to collect income tax.  That's one reason that the citizens have money, the other is that they're forbidden from actually gambling in the casinos.  We did pop into one and quickly lost twenty in a slot machine before making a hasty retreat.

Monte Carlo, Monaco

Monte Carlo, Monaco

Monte Carlo, Monaco

Monte Carlo, Monaco

Monte Carlo, Monaco

We spent some time just walking, people watching and window shopping before finding a nice place for lunch overlooking the harbor.  I have to admit it was one of my favorite afternoons, full of pinch-me moments.  Sipping wine in the Mediterranean sun while deciding which yacht we would choose, if only. 

Monte Carlo, Monaco

Monte Carlo, Monaco

Monte Carlo, Monaco

Monte Carlo, Monaco

Monte Carlo, Monaco
While I spent my time people watching and window shopping, Matt spent his time dreaming of fast cars.  Monaco is the home of Formula One Monaco Grand Prix.  Matthew grew up watching the race every year.  The route winds right through the middle of the city-state and is known for the narrow streets, hills and hairpin turns. 

Monte Carlo, Monaco

Monte Carlo, Monaco

Each year it takes six weeks to get the streets ready and three weeks to take down the course.  We found the finish line and watched the expensive cars drive over that famous checked line.  Matt was pretty excited. 

Monte Carlo, Monaco

Monte Carlo, Monaco

Monte Carlo, Monaco


As the day was ending we strolled up a pedestrian street lined with orange trees near bursting with fruit to catch our bus back to Nice.  Both of us thinking "Yeah, We could live here."  If only.

Where's your most favorite lunch spot?




9 comments:

  1. I've been to Monaco twice, and same as you it was popping in whilst staying in France. It's an absolutely beautiful place, lunch can be a little pricey but it's definitely worth it!
    Lots of love,
    Angie

    SilverSpoon London

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  2. Gorgeous day you had! Those blue skies remind me of Spain. It's that deep blue we rarely ever get in London!


    Europe has quite a few of these little countries. I think the most confusing one to me is San Marino. It's surrounded by Italy on all four sides - why is it not just part of Italy?!

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  3. Beautiful photographs - I love those orange trees! Ah "if only" is such a great game... especially in Monaco!

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  4. What a great place to have lunch! My favorite place must be besides the ocean or at a mountain peak with a great view!

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  5. Selena, I love having a goal, and it's great to have lunch in another country just across the border. I did not know that people from Monaco can't gamble in their own casinos.

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  6. I love how those buildings are all so precariously perched on the sides of the tall hills. And those orange trees! Amazing. I think you will make your 50 by 50, Selena. Maybe you need to do another cruise that hits several countries on its route. I think it is totally doable!

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  7. a 20 min bus ride for 3€ is def a good option! and 50 by 50 is definitely doable, if you can plan one trip a month for the next year :) Good luck Selena!

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  8. Monaco is such a dream of mine! These photos make it seem even more charming. :)

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  9. Such a beautiful place, would love to visit one day... also, I'm pretty sure heckling a French bus driver is encouraged. You NEEDED those photos ;)

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