Villefranche-sur-Mer to Monaco and Eze: Private day trip

Overlooking the pristine blue waters of the Mediterranean, this small city-state is steeped in 700 years of Grimaldi royal history. The Palais Princier, former home of Princess Grace and current home of her son, Prince Albert II, is at the top of the cliff-bound, medieval Monaco-Ville, better known as Monte Carlo. The famous Monte Carlo Casino, an opulent example of Belle Époque architecture, is a must visit – both for its extravagance, and that of its guests. The casino is so successful in fact that in 1869, the principality stopped collecting income tax from its residents, which has made Monaco not only a playground for the rich, but also a favored place for them to live.

Settled as early as 2000 BC, Eze’s long history saw it controlled by the Greeks, Romans, Moors, French, and Turks. In 1706 Louis XIV destroyed the town’s fortified walls during the War of Spanish Succession, but it wasn’t until 1860 that the town’s residents unanimously voted to become a part of France. Today, Eze is one of the gems of the French Riviera, offering stupendous views of the Cote d’Azur from its mountaintop perch. The town’s narrow lanes wind between medieval stone houses that are now how to charming cafes, boutiques, and galleries. You can even sip a coffee on the terrace of the terrace of a medieval chateau. At the very top of the village, the ruins of a medieval castle are now surrounded by an exotic garden filled with cacti and sculptures, and the best views in town.