nice or monaco

my wife and i are debating whether to stay in nice or monaco? we plan to be in the area for a week or so...any thoughts? we would like to close to the beaches.

also, is driving to switzerland an option?

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It really depends what you are looking for. Nice to me is a much livelier place, with a wider range of options. It is also more central for getting to other places along the coast quickly and easily by train (and in a few cases bus). Especially in summer this is by far the easiest way to get to everywhere from St. Raphael to Ventimiglia and even San Remo in Italy.

Monte Carlo is a good place to visit for a half day in my book, to ogle the fast cars and monster yachts, and sit and pay too much for a drink on what is one of the world%26#39;s best people-watching café terraces. And after that I get bored pretty quickly.

Monte Carlo is not a beach place. Nice has a splendid beach though it is pebbles, not sand. There are sandy beaches close to Nice and in various places along the coast.

Do you mean driving to Switzerland as a day trip? If so, it%26#39;s not something I would like to attempt. By the fastest route through Italy it would take you a good 4 hours to reach the Swiss frontier. That%26#39;s assuming there were no traffic slow-downs anywhere along the route, which is assuming a lot, especially in summertime. By any of the more scenic routes it would take quite a bit longer. At a minimum it%26#39;s an 800km (500 mile) round trip just to cross the border and return.

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IrishRovr is right - Monaco is a day trip, but that said, I thought a good day trip. If beach is really important to you - meaning lying on sand all day - think twice about Nice - perhaps Cannes or Antibes gives you a better beach experience. If excursions out to see places is your priority, then Nice is the right base.

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Just back from nice and monaco ... i agree with the replies..... stay t nice and make a days trip to monaco .... more places to visit and chill out at nice than at monaco . Had a great time at nice - visited Cannes, St tropez, monaco, Eze and lot of other places outside nice at french riveira .... has a great time there !

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You have been a busy bee - better weather than Amsterdam I hazzard to guess.

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ha ha ha ... you could say that ... has a months trip in europe .... enjoyed amsterdam and nice the best though . I found people quite friendly at nice , amsterdam and berlin in relation to paris. Had a grat time in all these places. and we got really tanned at the pebbles beaches in nice. Also we were staying at des postes, v close to promenade with a lot of street life. we really enjoyed at nice as well. I am sure to come back to amsterdam and nice and this time i will tak the chopper to monaco just for the experience ! maybe during next F1 grand prix

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I would definitely stay in Nice and take a day trip to Monaco. More things to see, and more liveliness in Nice.

I%26#39;m afraid I can%26#39;t help you in answering the Swizterland part of the question, however.

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Driving any place is always an option. whether it%26#39;s a practical is another consideration. Time is usually the decision. It%26#39;s a no brainer between Monaco or Nice. Nice without a doubt for diversion and location, to go East or West. Enjoy!

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