We are planning a trip to the Grand Prix race in Monaco in 2017. We will be staying in Nice for three days and bussing it into Monaco for the race days on Saturday and Sunday, and spending some time in Nice then we are off to Paris. With that being said, do I buy a guide book for a 3 day stay and if so which one, the RS Provence and the French Riviera or the RS France? We were in Paris in October 2015 and I have the RS Paris book, so all set there. I would hate to miss a monument in Nice or a close by Village just because I did not know. I also would be willing to stay an extra day or two if there are must sees close by. Thoughts?
Yes, buy the RS Provence & the French Riviera book. Small price to pay for so much helpful information. It is one of my favorites!
Enjoy the spectacle. I went to the GP of Monaco in 1976. Very expensive on a hitchhikers budget and quite the contrast to the US GP I use to frequent at Watkins Glen NY.
The Provence book is indeed far more detailed on the area than the France book is. Money aside, having both would be ideal.
Thanks! I will get the Provence/French Riviera book.. It's the husbands dream to see the race in Monaco, so the race it is! Going with a group of one to two other couples. I do not like group travel, I prefer me and the husband only, so much easier to plan and be spontaneous. So we shall see....
Letizia, note that Lo from Tucson is a race fan and may have useful info on Monaco for you.
Public Library to use the Provence/Riviera book AND the France book for planning this year. Then buy whichever you prefer to have in your hands on the trip -- or figure out you have the information you need for a 3-day visit. Many guidebooks are revised annually (and RS posts updates on this site when hotels / restaurants / museums close or change hours)
Normally when going from Nice to Monaco, either the bus or the train work fine. But with crowds such as I would expect at the Monaco Grand Prix, I'd be sure to take the train, since it won't get stuck in traffic.
Harold, that is what I am reading is to take the train between Nice and Monaco, which can also be very crowded. Oh well, we will figure it out.
you might also check out some of the companies that cater to GP fans like
http://www.f1grandprixtours.com/
When you google that company you will find several others that seem similar. They will keep you entertained before the race but don't usually provide seats to the actual race (those are optional and VERY pricey). Good insider stuff for real fans.
Thanks Phred! Doing all my footwork now, blogs, website, trip reports, forums...so I appreciate any links!
17 months seems like a long way away, but we all know how fast it can sneak up on you.
I agree with Letizia about taking the train between Nice and Monaco. I took the bus from Nice on a weekday last October when not much was happening other than beautiful weather, and the bus ride was very long, packed and hot. The train may be crowded too, but should be e much faster. I paid 60 Euro to take a cab from Monaco back to Nice, worth every penny.