Monte Carlo, Monaco

Walk down the pier. Something less than half a mile from where I've seen the cruise ships to the main drag. If they're using tenders, I'd suspect you're even a lot closer.

It's been about 6 or 7 years since the last time I went but for me, here were the highlights of Monte Carlo: Stand outside the Hotel de Paris (next to the casino) and star gaze. My first trip there, I noticed that every time someone came out of the hotel, the group of people gathered outside would snap pictures and go crazy so I surmised that the hotel was where the rich and famous must be staying. I sat and watched for about a half hour but most of the people coming out were wearing sunglasses and had ballcaps pulled down low so it was hard to tell who they were. I did, however, see Tori Spelling come out and duck into a car. 90210 baby! The casino itself is worth seeing. There's an entrance fee into the main gaming hall (10 euros last time I was there, probably more now, plus strict dress code) but there's a slot room outside the entrance that anybody can go in and use. we had a blast playing the slots there (and won some money). Outside the the front of the casino is the famous Cafe de Paris where the tradition is to drink mimosas. I don't do chick drinks so I didn't bother but you might enjoy it and how many of your friends can say that they sipped mimosas at the Cafe de Paris in Monte Carlo, right? The whole front of the casino where the Hotel de Paris and Cafe de Paris are is littered with some of the most expensive cars on Earth too. Really impressive.

Beth, go to www.cruisecritic.com and click onto ports. Look for Monaco. You will find almost everything you need to know for a cruise stop, including how to get to Nice by train and by bus (€1 by bus!). Also French Riviera Tourism, if you google it, will be helpful.

I'd not stack a trip to Nice on an, in practice, 7h tour! Some suggestions here work great! I'd add a visit to the Aquarium, if not for the inside visit, for the astonishing views one can get from there! The central promenade is also well worth seeing.