Our last morning in Nice was bittersweet, but we were ready for a new adventure in Monaco! Now, I’ll be honest—my knowledge of Monaco mostly comes from Blair Waldorf of Gossip Girl and the Selena Gomez movie Monte Carlo, but it turns out they were pretty spot-on.

We kicked off the day by hopping into a van with Isa, our tour guide from yesterday (who was so much fun!). Our first stop: an overlook of Villefranche-sur-Mer — that little resort town who’s waters we were in just 12 hours ago. I honestly couldn’t decide which view was better.

Next stop: Èze, a medieval village perched high above the Mediterranean. Èze is like stepping into a fairy tale, with its cobblestone streets, ancient façades, and panoramic views that left us speechless.

**Wandering Through Èze** 🏰

Èze is a village that clings impressively to the mountainside, with narrow alleys adorned with vibrant flowers and centuries-old architecture that whispers tales of a bygone era. The atmosphere was serene—no cars are allowed in the area, so it was just us, the sound of the sea, and the soft crunch of our footsteps on the stone streets.

We explored the charming shops tucked away in the winding streets, where art, clothing, and unique homewares beckoned us inside. The highlight of Èze was undoubtedly the Jardin Exotique, perched on the cliffs at the very top of the village.

The gardens were a burst of vibrant colors and exotic flora, with unparalleled panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea that stretched all along the Côte d'Azur. The combination of azure waters, lush greenery, and serene pathways made it a truly magical experience.

**On to Monaco!** 🇲🇨

Next, we headed into Monaco—the second smallest country in the world (Can you guess the first? 😉). We started our exploration outside the **Musée Océanographique de Monaco** and strolled through the **Jardin Saint-Martin**, soaking in the stunning cliffside views along the way.

We passed by the Cathédrale de Monaco and climbed up Rue Sainte-Barbe to the Place du Palais and the Prince's Palace of Monaco—the official residence of the Sovereign Prince. The palace itself was impressive, with its symmetrical design and the surrounding area creating a unique harmony with the building. But what really captivated us were the panoramic views. From the lookout, we could see both sides of the city: the Port de Fontvieille with its massive yachts and helicopters, and the other side where the F1 races take place around Port Hercule.

We were lucky enough to catch the changing of the guard outside the palace, which was a grand spectacle complete with a band processional—very different from the ones I’ve seen in London!

Afterward, we hopped on the bus and headed to the iconic Casino de Monte Carlo. This place was the epitome of luxury—huge, glamorous, and absolutely insane. We also got a glimpse of the Hotel de Paris, where a night’s stay will set you back around $1.7k (great gift idea if anyone’s feeling generous!).

As the day wound down, we returned to Nice for one last stroll along…

**The Promenade des Anglais**

ie my favorite place maybe on planet earth

Before walking along the water, we decided to try to get in one last panoramic view before leaving. We hopped into the Ascenseur de Chateau to take in the views at the Point de vue Colline du chateau. I’ve never seen anything more inspiring in my life, but rather than describe it - here are some of my favorite photos.