Today I’m leaving Nice for Barcelona, Spain – which I am very excited about but first I need to update you about my visit to Monaco & the district of Monte Carlo.

Monaco is an independent microstate on France’s Mediterranean coastline known for its glitzy casinos, yacht-lined harbor and prestigious Grand Prix motor race, which runs through Monaco’s streets once a year. Monte Carlo, its major district, has an elegant belle epoque casino complex, ornate opera house and luxe hotels, boutiques, nightclubs and French and Italian restaurants.

I arrived by train and went straight up to the Princes Palace to observe the awesome views across Monaco.  It was very quiet, not many people around at all.

Monte Carlo, the central quarter of the principality of Monaco, is still the playground of choice for the rich and famous. The yachts are as big as mansions, champagne is the national drink and even the railway station looks like a pharaoh’s tomb and although the streets weren’t as clean as I had expected, it was still an impressive place to stroll around for a day.

Upon returning to my hostel in Nice, many of the others from Bus About were excitedly discussing their trip to Sat Tropez where they saw Sarah Michelle Gellar, Freddie Prince Jnr and Pamela Anderson who had been married there earlier this week.  Of all the places in the world to celebrity spot – this must be top of the list!