Stevie Jewel

Markets of Monaco

We stumbled into this market just before leaving Monte Carlo, and I was so excited because I love the fruit markets of Europe, especially France, Italy, and now Monaco!

The experience of holding fresh produce typically from a local farm is such a contrast from buying fruit or vegetables in the grocery store.  It also allows you to pay for it right then and walk around the market taking in the rest of the wares while indulging in nature’s candy!

We sampled some raspberries that were packed full of flavor, minus a lot of the pesticides that are banned in Europe but permitted in North America.  Have you been to a produce market abroad or at home, and if so, what did you think?

Morning in Monaco

I adored the time I spent in Monaco.  It’s beautiful in so many ways, and I’m looking forward to visiting again. On the morning of our departure from Monaco we got up early and went to the old town of Monaco, which was established in the 1200s.

That’s where the palace is, the original small town, and the location of church were Grace Kelly was married to the Prince of Monaco.  It was early morning before any of the shops were open and it was the perfect way to cap off our first trip to Monaco.

This wasn’t something I originally put on my list to see while in Monaco but I’m so glad we found time for it, because it ended up being one of my favorite parts of our time there, and definitely something I would highly recommend.

La Maree in Monaco

This spot was so wonderful that I had to dedicate a post to it.  La Maree was a phenomenal seafood restaurant overlooking the Monaco yacht harbor.  It was our last night in Monaco so it was the perfect experience to be able to take in some of the scenic beauty that this small but extraordinary country offers.  We had several small dishes and each one was delectable, but I have to say I was a major fan of the dessert.  Although it took extra time to prepare it gave us more time to take in the ambience and when it finally did arrive, it was well worth the wait.

Monte Carlo Casino and a Day in Monaco

We began the day with a leisurely breakfast and then strolled around the city exploring the beach, dipping our toes in the mediterranean, and then went to Nice, France for a few hours.

When we came back we got ready for a night out going to the very chic Yoshi for dinner after visiting the famous (and infamous) Monte Carlo Casino.  The casino was worth visiting just for the history and the architecture given that it was built in the late 1800s and remains much the same today.

The frescos on the ceilings and the plasterwork even have nods to the casino within them.  Yoshi was a Michelin star Japanese restaurant and everything we ate was beyond compare. The chefs were so friendly and the atmosphere and design were both works of art.  I definitely recommend visiting both Yoshi and the Casino.  Yoshi was connected to our hotel, Hotel Metropole, which makes it a great option if you’re staying there as well!  You can check out my thoughts on Metropole here.

Monaco

I dreamed about Monaco and what it would be like to visit. After riding through France from Paris and having seen lavender fields, and free roaming herds of cattle, and pink trees that I’m still trying to find a name for, I was so excited to experience Monaco.

Arriving on the train I felt like Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl when she’s finally a Ziegfeld girl.  The train station alone set the tone for what our time in Monaco would be like, it was beautifully designed, had an incredible view, and was so clean!

Monaco is so small that we were able to walk from the train to the hotel.  The architecture, the atmosphere, everything was so inspiring!  Once we arrived at Hotel Metropole we were enchanted with how lovely it was, and the bar downstairs had some of the most creative drinks.

We Strolled around on our first afternoon and took in the views and some excellent food at Brasserie le Cafe de Paris.

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