Rocher de Monaco

What we did:
- Last day in Nice with Jenna and Joe! We wanted to explore some of the other towns along the coast so we got up at what we thought was a good time, but ended up running to make our train. The train was PACKED! Each time we’ve taken the train through the south of France it has been super crowded with tourists. Took the train a few stops to Èze where we were planning to hike up to the medieval town. However, it was very hot that morning and upon seeing people lining up for a bus to get up to town, we tried to get a Bolt to the top. All Bolts cancelled on us and any other busses weren’t going to come for another hour or so, so we pulled an audible and hopped back onto the train to Monaco.
- Steph and Jen got in a little tiff this morning, largely due to the fact that Steph was promised coffee and food and received none - Yay for sisterly bonding! Easily brushed aside once we arrived to Monaco. Monaco is small but beautiful! It also makes you feel incredibly poor. We walked through gardens, scenic viewpoints, flashy cars, and of course the Casino! After about an hour and a half of walking around, it seemed we had seen everything so we stopped for a drink at Horizon rooftop bar. We ran into the couple that we did wine tasting with (this was the second time we ran into them) and we determined that they were both failed bachelor/bachelorette applicants. We then continued to walk around until lunch at Cafe Milano right on the harbor to view all of the yachts that Trent wants to buy.
- We then hopped a train to Cap Martin and took a couple mile walk around the cape to view Monte Carlo from afar and see some of the gorgeous estates. We took a Bolt up to the Maybourne Riviera for happy hour drinks. The most insane views of Cap Martin and Monaco with some great drinks! We then continued our heavy transit day by hopping in another Bolt to circle our way back to the medieval town of Èze.
- This was an awesome town full of picturesque shops, Ivy covered stone, and towering barrier walls. It started to rain so we made our way back down to the bus stop. Jenna and Joe proved they were more “stable” than Steph and Trent after both of us almost took a tumble down the damp stone stairs. We took a bus and subway back to our Airbnb in Nice and did a quick turn around before stopping at Taverne Masséna for some French delicacies!
- Rounded out the night with some wine and Euchre back at the Airbnb.

What we ate:
- No breakfast due to our inability to get it in Éze, but great drinks and snacks at the rooftop bar at Horizon!
- Lunch at Cafe Milano. We got a starter of calamari and fried zucchini strings which were delicious. Steph, Trent, and Jenna got different types of pizzas (Diavola, Ham & Burrata & Pistachio, and Caprese). Joe got the gnocchi.
- Drinks at Shilo Bar (see fun fact)! Trent got an old fashion (shocker), Steph got a glass of Pinot noir (very original), Jenna got a glass of Sauvignon Blanc (also typical), and joe got a dirty martini to go with our bowl of olives.
- Dinner at Taverne Massena for classic French fare! Shared a giant pot of Moules Frites and a side of escargot. Trent got the duck, Steph got French onion soup, Jenna and Joe split a salad and a pizza.

Fun facts:
- The hotel bar at The Maybourne Riviera Joe has nicknamed “Shiloh Bar”. This is the bar that Joe’s sister and her husband had the restaurant bake a cake to reveal the gender of their first baby, which a few months later ended up being baby girl Shiloh! We referred to the bar as “Shiloh bar” for the entirety of the trip.
- Steph still doesn’t like escargot. Shoutout Jackie for forcing Steph and Trent to eat escargot at a French bistro one night in Chicago when they were plastered. Steph hasn’t recovered since the escargot made a “return trip” that same evening.
- Èze was built 400m above sea level and provides great views of the riviera. The buildings in the village date back to the 14th century.
- At dinner they gave us chili oil for the pizza. Trent wanted to “try” the oil, so he proceeded to give himself a giant spoonful. Needless to say Trent was crying for the next 5 to 10 minutes. Needless to say Steph was smug about the consequences of Trent’s actions.Read more