Read more about the article One Day in Monaco and the French Riviera
Monaco from the Grande Corniche

One Day in Monaco and the French Riviera

Seeing the French Riviera in one day is impossible. However, we had one full day so we decided to see as much as possible. The day trip was really just a scratching of the surface – if even that – but it was worth it.

After walking around Genoa in the early morning, we set out for our day trip to Monaco and the French Riviera. The 2-hour drive was fairly easy until we got to the hubbub of traffic in Monte Carlo. We drove to the casino but searching for non-existent parking frazzled us too much.

 

Casino de Monte Carlo was originally built in 1854

Car horns beeped, motorcycles sped by us – everyone seemed to be in a hurry. I was surprised by how many skyscrapers loomed. Even though the population is only 48,000 (smaller than several US universities), it is crammed into a tiny space less than 1 square mile. We decided to leave without stopping – a decision I don’t regret. (more…)

Read more about the article Genoa, Italy – A Good Base for Side Trips

Genoa, Italy – A Good Base for Side Trips

We decided to make Genoa our home base for three nights so we could explore the Cinque-Terre, the French Riviera and Lake Como. Besides offering a place to put our heads down at night, Genoa surprised us with its beauty and charm. I was expecting a large, gritty port city. Instead, the area boasts museums, palaces (42 of which are part of the Palazzi dei Rolli UNESCO site), churches and even an aquarium. (more…)

Read more about the article An Evening in Portofino, Italy

An Evening in Portofino, Italy

 

In my effort to show my family places I visited in Europe in the 1980’s, we went to Portofino. In 1985, the stop was towards the end of a 7-day Ocean Lines cruise that departed Venice and ended in Nice. What I remember most about Portofino was shopping at Benetton. Remember their advertisements “United Colors of Benetton?” Back then, Benetton stores were all over Europe (some just a few blocks away from each other) much like Starbucks in the US today. (more…)

Read more about the article Italy’s Cinque Terre – Part 2: Corniglia, Vernazza & Monterossa al Mare

Italy’s Cinque Terre – Part 2: Corniglia, Vernazza & Monterossa al Mare

Once we got settled into our hotel room in Genoa, we were ready to start our day trips. The most important one for me was to explore the Cinque Terre (5 Lands) area about an hour’s drive south.

Fortunately, we saw the two southernmost towns of Riomaggiore and Manarola the previous evening on the way to Genoa. Each of the towns is pedestrian-only so driving by car can be cumbersome. You have to pay to park in a lot usually a good walk from the town and on weekends in the summer, you might not find parking at all. In our research, we learned that four of the five towns are connected by boat service. There were different prices for just the boat ride, stopping at each town, etc. We also read that train travel is another simple way to see the towns, which are only about five minutes apart. (more…)