Here is the second installment of photo’s and tips from my whirlwind Contiki trip around Europe, starting with our 11th stop Monaco.

Stop Eleven: Monaco

Must do’s:

• Monaco is very popular with the rich and famous. If you are car crazy you will love this place, I’ve never seen so many expensive cars. Head to Monte Carlo to gamble at one of the many casinos or go to one of the many overpriced bars. The buildings here are also so beautiful.

Stop Twelve: Nice, France

• Situated in the French Riveria, Nice is a beautiful beach side city. It has everything you need – great food, shopping and a beach (although it is pebbled)!
• The best places to eat in Nice are in the old town, it isn’t as touristy as the main road that runs parallel to the beach.
• Go shopping down the main street called Avenue Jean Medecin.
• I would recommend a hike up to the view point followed by a few hours relaxing on the beach, a great spot for swimming.

Stop Thirteen: Barcelona, Spain

• We were in Barcelona for two nights and one full day – this really wasn’t enough time to really enjoy the place. This place doesn’t sleep – well it does during the day (siestas) but at night everyone (the young and the old) party till the wee hours.

Must do’s:

• La Rambla is the main street in Barcelona, it is quite touristy but you must walk down there to get a feel of the place. After that head down to the beach.
• Dishes you need to try are: patatas bravas (spicey potatoes) and paella, washed down with plenty of sangria.

Stop Fourteen: Carcassonne, France

Must do’s:

• Explore inside the walls of this walled off castle town, so picture perfect. There are lots of places to eat and drink inside the walls.

Stop Fifteen: Bordeaux

• We only had one night here in Bordeaux so we didn’t have much time to explore. We spent our night eating french cuisine (had to get the snails) and drinking delicious red wine. I would love to go back as this city is famous for its wine 🙂

Stop Sixteen: Paris

• Our last stop on Contiki was the city of love.

Must do’s:

• If you have one day in Paris I would recommend to start at the Arc de Triomphe, you can get an amazing view of the Paris skyline from the top. Then wonder down the Champs-Elysees, described as the worlds most beautiful avenue – and I would have to agree. There are heaps of beautiful shops to look at and of course lets not forget Laduree – the delicious macaroon shop. When you reach the other end of the avenue you will find the Louvre where you can go see the Mona Lisa.
• At night you have to go to a cabaret show (it was a bit of a lol), and also lets not forget a trip to the Eiffel Tower. If you go at night you can see the light show.

Summary:

• I would hands down recommend doing a contiki trip! Alex and Kevin made it the best three weeks of my life! Hats off to you guys. This holiday gave me a perfect taster of Europe and I can’t wait to see plenty more. If you have any recommendations on where else I should go please comment below 🙂