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Thanks to EXPO, Milan has had a little makeover. A new part of the canal has opened so we went to have a look one evening. It is lovely! Very new and modern!

Monaco

We spent our last day in Monaco. It is a very interesting place. I definitely couldn't live there. I think it would become a bit oppressive! Unbelievably rich! I have never seen so many expensive cars....and this is coming from someone who doesn't know much about cars! The GP was a week before and they were still taking down all the seating, so it was cool to see and imagine how it must be.

We wandered up to the palace which was beautiful. Everything in Monaco was so smart and fancy!

GP seating still in view

We finished the day by going to see the casino then in contrast, the Japanese gardens. The casino building itself was incredible. The cars outside, oh my word! We went into the foyer which resembled more of a royal foyer than one of a casino. It was so impressive! The Japanese gardens...well, pretty, yes, tiny, also yes. I would definitely recommend a day in Monaco but we both left feeling happy after a great day, yet also confused after being in such a crazy, wealthy place. It just didn't feel real somehow, kind of like Dubai.

Hello fast car! 

The famous casino

Japanese gardens

Harbour

South of France: Cannes

We took the train to Cannes for the day from Nice. It is such a pretty and glamorous city! We walked up to the castle and enjoyed just wandering about. The weather was absolutely perfect. So many beautiful things to see, so many pain au chocolat to eat...

The castle

France is so charming in its own way. I had forgotten how much so. It was such a pretty town. We continued with our cheeese diet...oh my word, love it!

South of France: Nice

It has been literally years since I've been to France. Italy was blessed with a two extra day long weekend so Shona and I decided to go to France by train and have a few days relaxing and exploring. We stayed in Nice in a very sweet apartment....so much so that the temptation to stay on the balcony drinking French wine and eating French cheese was rather hard to resist!

The city itself was lovely. Really easy to get around, compact and a great promenade for running. Such a pretty little place!