Then, we hopped back on our bus and headed about 20 miles away to the smallest country in the world, the Principality of Monaco. The television does not do it justice. It was like being in a dream as we drove through Monte Carlo, which is in Monaco. The buildings are colorful with quaint terraces and window gardens. Every car was a Bentley, Porshe, Ferrari, etc. of course, we fit right in with our Mercedes bus!
As we were driving, our tour guide, Jamil, taught us a little about the Gremaldi family which has ruled in Monaco for over 800 years. He taught the students about the American movie star, Grace Kelly, who married the Prince of Monaco and became everyone's favorite princess. We visited the Cathedral in which she married the Prince and where she is now buried. We also saw the starting point of the Grand Prix which takes place in Monaco-Formula One.We did not have a lot of time in Monaco, but we do have several kids dreaming of how they can one day live there!
After lunch in Monaco, we loaded up again and headed into Nice. While we were parking I became very confused as to why our tour director was speaking Italian to the lot attendant. I even started questioning if I missed something major - like "Nice us in France, right?" I spoke to Jamil who said that Nice (pronounced "niece") was once part of Italy. Therefore the people speak Italian, and the city looks very Italian. However, Nice was annexed by France in 1860 after Nice voted to become French. So, it is a French city with an Italian culture.
Our amazing tour director was able to arrange a visit to the local chocolate factory, Confiserie Florian. We were given samples of several different types of candy and chocolate and were able to see how it was made! Then, of course, we shopped! I love chocolate!!
After the chocolate break, we took a little walking tour of Nice and were released for 2 hours to shop or look around. I was a little nervous about visiting the beach - the French Riviera - but I think there was some divine intervention, as the rain came pouring down just as the majority of us arrived! We then had a ten minute walk to dinner. It was pouring the entire walk, and by the time we arrived, we were drenched - well at least our shoes were. We all had either a poncho or umbrella.
Dinner was a delicious tender beef with roast and a chocolate dessert.
We arrived back at the hotel by 8:30 and had the students in their rooms by 9:30. We are looking forward to another fun-filled day tomorrow as we leave our second hotel for Pisa, Italy's!
Thank you all so much for making this trip possible for all of us. It has been an amazing trip thus far - even with the unplanned events!
Have a wonderful evening. It's time for me to go to sleep!
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