We arrive early this morning – our Captain (who is leaving us in Barcelona) is on top of things! We have no plans but to wander around the town today, so we’re not really rushing to get outside. We end up taking it a bit leisurely (I have the obligatory cold, so I’m moving slow this morning), snapping pix from the balcony of the city, the Casino, and oh yes, the yachts ….
…then getting outside around 8:30ish. It’s a beautiful day – not a cloud in the sky – but still a bit nippy. Nothing compared to the last couple of days, so we’re quite pleased, but I’m still bundled up.
We have researched Monaco walking tours and know it is extremely hilly. But, thanks to Tom’s port guides (this guy is awesome! Talk about detail!), we have the skinny on all the elevators and escalators we need to avoid the steep hills on the way up the mountain. Lovely!
So we are able to make our way to the sea wall, and walk along the lovely promenade, looking up at Monaco-ville and the fortified towers up there, while we head to the elevators in the parking garage that will take us up to the Oceanographic museum.
We didn’t really plan to go into the museum, but then we figured, what the heck, it is supposed to be a great aquarium – they don’t open until 10am, so we have time to explore the old town and then come back for the opening. Off we go, just walking toward the cathedral and palace – we end up wandering through the gardens perched on the mountainside – they are stunningly beautiful. All in bloom and green, with captivating statues (guess which is Ed’s favorite?) and breathtaking views.
Sunny finally comes out of his lair, now that he’s not worried about taking off Wizard of Oz style in the winds.
It’s a beautiful walk, and a lovely way to get to the main Cathedral, which is where Prince Rainer and Grace Kelly were married, and buried.
The cathedral is stunning. Its strikes me as very medieval, even though it is obviously much more contemporary than that.
We spend a good amount of quiet time just wandering up and down the long side aisles and staring down the ephemeral central aisle. You can just picture the wedding ceremonies here. The we visit the tombs of the Prince and Princess.
Back out in the sunshine, we wander through the gardens again, ending up on the Palace square. It’s early, so there is no one about, except the lonely guards. Royalty is in residence, we that means we can’t visit the royal residences…pooh. I really wanted to do that, but it is not to be on this trip. Oh well.
There is a great scenic overlook at the end of the square, with some canons and canon balls strategically placed around a sculpture.
We traipse back through the old village, stopping here and there to look at menus, shops and architecture. It’s the typically walled village, with narrow streets, pastel buildings and great wrought iron work.
We’re still early for the museum, so we cool our heels in line, looking at the brochure we picked up in the port – and hey – there’s a discount coupon for the Oceanographic museum. Cool! Savings! The Stevens strike again!
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