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<\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nIt was a smooth, but relatively expensive journey along the motorway, as the tolls added up to nearly 15 EUR just to get to Monaco. As you got closer to Monaco, there were more luxury cars around you, and you certainly felt the Monaco vibe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Winding down into the city, you were afforded amazing views\nof both the old harbour and the new, with super luxurious building blocks\ntowering above you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Arriving at the car park that Lois had found on Google Maps,\nI quickly recognised that it was off one of the roads that is used in the F1\n(the up-hill section after the pit straights). \nThis was such a cool experience in itself, being a pair of long-standing\nmotorsport fans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We headed across the road to grab some photos and views over the port, and at first glance, some of the yachts seemed to dwarf the ones that we\u2019d seen the other day in Saint Tropez.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There were some with 3, or even 4 levels, ones that had gyms, large outdoor seating areas, a jacuzzi and even one with a pool! You really appreciate the scale of them, when one of them was carrying two speedboats on it, and another a speedboat and a brace of jet-skis!<\/p>\n\n\n\n We wandered down the hill to the port side, and treated ourselves to an ice-cream each, which actually weren\u2019t too expensive to be fair; 3 EUR 80 each for 2 boules and an amazing large wafer cone and wafer disc included.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We enjoyed those as we waited for the next bus of the bus tour to arrive, and boarding, buying our tickets. 23 EUR each was a lot for the time we were in Monaco, but we decided it would give us the best overview, and also make best use of our time as it\u2019s a very hilly town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Interesting fact; Monaco covers just 2 square kilometres!<\/p>\n\n\n\n The bus tour was the usual affair that we\u2019d got used to, with earphones and audio guides in various languages. The tour followed large sections of the F1 circuit, which was again, very cool to be going around. We decided that we\u2019d do one full circuit of the tour, then go back around and get off where we liked the look of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, upon arriving at the top of the port, near the old town, we decided to jump off and have a wander. Partly, because the views were staggering!<\/p>\n\n\n\n After gawping at the views, and grabbing a few selfies, we had a potter down some of the streets, making the usual magnet purchase from a little gift shop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We found various viewing spots, and helped out fellow tourists by taking their photos when asked. I\u2019m sure the vacant looking around of someone with a phone in their hand is a global signal for \u201cplease can you take our photo?\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After a few more photos of the large square, we jumped back on the bus to continue the tour. The history of Monaco is a fascinating one, as you can imagine, with fairly humble beginnings into what it has become today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We took the tour as far as the stop near the luxury car showrooms, as we both wanted to have a look along those. There was Aston Martin, Ferrari, McLaren and Bentley among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the same time as we were looking at those, there was a\nlot of commotion over near the main social hub building in Monaco, which turned\nout to be the UEFA kick-off meeting, including the draw for the Champions\nLeague. I\u2019m sure some of my football\nloving fans would have killed to be there, with the chance to see a whole raft\nof global football stars, but I wasn\u2019t that bothered. It was cool to think we\nwere in the vicinity of it all happening though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whilst waiting for the next tour bus, we enjoyed people and car watching, with Monaco not disappointing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back on the bus, it was only a couple of stops around to the Monte Carlo Casino square, which was also home to Caf\u00e9 de Paris and some of Monaco\u2019s super high-end hotels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After taking some photos, we noticed tourists were going\ninto the casino, and so thought we\u2019d go take a look ourselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As you can imagine, it is a very grand building inside, with high security on entry, and very smartly dressed staff everywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s quite nice that they\u2019ve made a tourist friendly section of the casino before the actual main casino, which has a strict dress-code and membership (although free) is required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After a little flutter on some fruit machines, I offered to treat Lois to a cocktail in the Monte Carlo Casino bar, which of course, she didn\u2019t refuse!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sitting down in the extremely smart bar, Lois went for a Casino Martini, whilst I opted for an alcohol free Monte Carlo Fizz cocktail (I was driving!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Initially, they actually got Lois\u2019 drink wrong, bringing an expresso martini, rubbing it in for me as that\u2019s one of my favourites!<\/p>\n\n\n\n With the correct drink subsequently in-hand, we enjoyed a relaxed 30 minutes or so in the grand surroundings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n