Monaco/Nice/Cannes (11-12April11)

Returned to Monte-Carlo the next day for lunch. We love the drive there from Nice not only because it's scenic, but also because it's part of the Monaco Grand Prix circuit! Great feeling to pass through the same tunnels and round the same bends :) We never knew Monaco was so mountainous but now we do and we love it. A principality in all its exclusivity.

Over at the restaurant, we had the best frog legs ever. The egg carbonara starter was also superb! Wanted to try their cheaper 35€ bar menu at first but we didn't know that it had to be indicated before being seated. Ended up in their main dining area where we could only order the lunch menu or a-la-carte. That's alright since the food was good. But yeah, take note. I also wanted to try his first Japanese restaurant in the world (called Yoshi & located in the same hotel) but it wasn't open. Perhaps next time!

Name: Joël Robuchon Monte-Carlo
Location: 4 Avenue de la Madone, 98000 Monaco

Expenditure: 127€ (incl. 2 glasses of wine) *they have lunch menus from 39€

Back to Nice and it's finally time to explore this place. The pebble beach & clear waters looked very inviting but dogs aren't allowed on the beach so we couldn't take a walk there. Sigh! Walked along the pavement instead but still nice to admire from afar. Took a turn into the city center and strolled around a bit. All in all, we didn't really like Nice as we found it too touristic & uncharismatic. We were outta there in a few hours.

Cannes is slightly better but also nothing much around except the beach which, unfortunately, a large area of it is reserved by beach bars & restaurants, leaving only a tiny place for the public. The Inter Continental hotel looks like a really grand place to stay though! Maybe the next time we're back...