Au revoir Côte d'Azur ... xx !

Note : To read the beginning of my French Riviera travel blog, it starts a few postings before this (sorry bout the sequence.) You can feedback to thesuperfairy@gmail.com or like my FB post.

Bus # 100 Octroi - Le Port
In the same way I had taken the bus to my hotel, it's the same bus back but in opposite direction. 6 Euros on Bus #100 from my hotel (Octroi stop at Villefranche) to Le Port.

Bus #98 Le Port - Côte d'Azur Airport.  
Find the bus stop with Bus # 98 indicated on its signage (with Aeroport icon), and wait until the next bus comes along (should be a bus every 15 minutes, but I waited 30mins that day probably due to traffic). Whilst the journey on Bus # 100 was not more than 30mins, when you board the Bus # 98 -- expect up travel time from Le Port to the Aeroport of up till 45 minutes if traffic is congested in downtown Nice.

Also, expect the bus to get REALLY crowded picking up more people along the way to the airport, hotel tourists with huge luggages. I was glad mine was tiny enough to fit between my legs ... and as usual, I got a nice seat since I started from the Le Port stop while the rest had to wrestle their luggages in a moving bus.

Here's the inside peek of the airport Terminal 2, of the Côte d'Azur Airport in Nice. EasyJet UK counters are abound with many travellers on holidays.

So it was a lovely summer break at the French Riviera and I bidded Au Revoir to the beautiful French coastal towns of Nice and Villefranche, and of course, the majestic Monaco.


xx  TheSuperfairy

Wines are cheaper here check out the price vs Vitamin Water ... lolxx.

Beautiful hillside residences in Villefranche

As I had covered all the major sites in this quaint little town of Villefranche, decided to spend the rest of the afternoon browsing the stalls and taking in the beautiful hillside residences.

Before I knew it, it was late evening back in my hotel. Time to rest and dinner before calling hubbs to share bout my day =)

Citadelle,Villefranche

This is one of the must-see historic places in Villefranche. I actually gave up trying to find this place on my own, and then what do you know ... it's actually right up the Vielle Ville alleys.

When you walk upwards from the beach area, you will cross the shops of The Old Town. Walk straight on up and you will come to a signage like this (see left).

And voila ! There's the Citadelle ... it's actually a museum now. In the past it used to be a fortress. I spent some time there, but to be quite frank ... it was too hot for me to appreciate much.

Walking on cobblestones at the Citadelle area ... enough to make you wince at the thought of having to walk upwards some more on an incline back to the hotel afterwards ... hahaha ... nah ... it wasn't too bad.

Mid-Afternoon Stroll at the Beach in Villefranche

There are a number of stalls all along the beachfront area where alfresco cafes abound.

You can grab your lunch here while browsing the stalls afterwards.

My Lunch (or rather my teatime snack). Errr... you can see I don't rely on navigation software but a printout map. Hubbs would probably prefer to take his phone for Google offline maps, but MY PHONE SCREEN is too small. Also, I've tried using Garmin in my earlier trips, it was complete waste of my time, not to mention I gotta lug a navi unit AND my phone together. So I've decided if anyone is using the navi software or offline maps, that will be hubbs not me ;)
When I travel solo, it's a one-page printout. That's all I am taking with me.

So here I am looking at my one-page map while lunching ... heh heh....

For some reason, a simple beef burger with fries tasted better here. Maybe it's the mayonaise they concoct themselves, whatever it was -- it was lipsmacking good for 6.50 Euros. Large portion too.

The Old Town of Villefranche - Vielle Ville

As you walk upwards FROM the beachfront area, it will become steeper (see pictures). Like Monaco, the town of Villefranche is on top of hills & so the lanes & streets moving inwards will all be angled at 45 degrees (you catch my drift). You are walking at an incline, and not flat surface - so be prepared for a nice exercise !

As you walk inwards, you are actually walking through The Old Town (or Vielle Ville as the locals call it). It really nice with little shops selling knick knacks and souvenirs.

There are also cafes and restaurants if you just want to rest your feet. For me, I thought the walk was actually no sweat. But this is coming from a seasoned fashionista with tonnes and tonnes of walking practice shopping.

So I reckon for the young and energetic, walking on constant incline is not a problem. But for those lacking of exercise, still I don't see any problems if you walk at a leisurely pace and stop for a cuppa along one of the cafes.

Enjoy !

Je t'aime Villefranche ... xx

I am in love with Villefranche & so glad I've decided to stay in this town.

The beach area is so picturesque, it's like a beautiful summer postcard. My only beef is hubbs gotta see this with me ... ! xx

Still, I am blessed to be able to see this French town.

Imagine taking a nice summer stroll along this lovely seaside town ... aha ! ... I'm doing this ... hehehe ...XoXo

Look at the aunties uncles walking lovingly along this romantic escapade =)

Je t'aime Villefranche ... xx

Signage points to the direction of The Old Town, as you way away from the beach area into the charming little lanes of the old village.

Backstreet lanes and alleys of The Old Town. Goes up and up and up.

Villefranche-Sur-Mer SCNF Train Stop

Inside the TER train from MONTE CARLO on the way to VILLEFRANCHE-SUR MER stop. Nothing too impressive, I've seen better on the Europe Bahn.

The seat covers in the train were all graffiti-ed, but I'm not surprised. It's a pity though, kind distracts from the beauty of the scenic route outside.

... and we are here ! Stop and get off at Villefranche-Sur-Mer train stop. As soon as you get off, you are greeted with the bluest of the blue seas and a topless beach.

It's a fun summer what can I say ;)

The TER train plying the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur route. It will stop at key French Riviera towns like Cannes-Nice-Villefranche-Beausoleil-Monte Carlo.

I actually preferred taking the awesome Bus #100 that will only charge me 1.50 Euros for the same route (on any stops one-way).

The Villefranche-Sur-Mer humble train stop.

Signage to the beaches and The Old Town (Vieille Ville) as soon as you get off the Villefranche-Sur-Mer train stop.

GARE de MONACO SNCF

The SNCF (Société Nationale des Chemins de fer français) or the "National society of French railways" is France's national state-owned railway company. The SNCF operates the country's national rail services, including the TGV, France's high-speed rail network that travels Europe.
Fom the Sainte Devote bus stop .. take the stairs down, then the escalator and we arrive at SNCF of Monte Carlo, Monaco. "GARE DE MONACO" is apparently the fanciest train station in Europe. Gotta see it, with coffee vending machines and bright lights. It is, as overrated as everything else is in Monaco.
The customer service ( I don't know if they were having a slow day or what ) but it's appallingly inefficient. The service counter female officer was talking to a French auntie for like half an hour (the line did not move), and at the other counter the male officer was taking a break ( was there a siesta I didnt know about? ) Eventhough, I could see him moving around behind the counter screen, he just let us stand there in the queue for many minutes.I found myself secretly becoming a huge fan of the Lignes D'Azur cheerful orange buses, with helpful French bus drivers everytime I board.

Bus # 2 : Jardin Exotique Line to Point Sainte Devote

After the gardens, I was feeling abit of the afternoon heat now ... and decided to just flag the Monaco Bus No.2 Jardin Exotique bus line that will take me directly to the main entrance of the Monte Carlo train station at Point Sainte Devote bus stop. From here, I can easily board the train for 2.80 Euros to Villefranche-Sur-Mer train station.

The Palace Guards & The Gardens JARDIN EXOTIQUE

Since it was another 20 minutes to noon, I decided to join the long waiting crowd. A big crowd had started to gather to witness the palace guard change. Everyone was standing in the hot sun just waiting to see this. I spotted the ONLY shady area where a few elderly tourists and two young couples were standing. Just a tip - if you want to view the guard changes, DO NOT stand in this shady spot. Just stand under the sun like the rest of the sweltering crowd.

5 minutes to noon, a palace official brought an entourage of VIPs to stand right in front of us at that very spot. Much to the ire of the elderly ladies who I assumed had been waiting for a long time. The other young couple, sorta cursed and walked away. One of the aunties yelled at that the official (hahahaa ..) saying "WE CAN'T SEE!" to no avail. Whilst I was busy filming this entire asinine episode (by this I don't mean the guard change, I meant the fat VIPs blocking us). Yet another reason why Monaco won't be in my favorite list of countries to revisit.

My favorite part of Monaco is its Jardin Exotique garden. It's breathtakingly beautiful with colorful flowers, I took many pictures here. This is the official website http://www.jardin-exotique.mc/en/

The MUSEE, The CATHEDRAL and du PALAIS PRINCIER

 
You see the first sights here, the Museum of Oceanography and the Monaco Train Ride for 8.00 euros that will take you around the major sights in Monaco. You could also use the Monaco Le Grand Tour hop-on-off buses (visit to 12 sites) for a blood sucking 18.00 euros. I was happy I walked because it wasn't so hard and it cost me ZERO euros.

 
So here, is the entrance of the historical Saint Nicholas Cathedral (Monaco Cathedral). It was open to the public, and tourists are able to walk in quietly to view its magnificient interiors.


 After you pass the Cathedral, you will come to an archway, where you will find the Palais Princier (Prince's Palace of Monaco). The palace is home to Prince Rainier's son and successor, Prince Albert II.