Okay we’re travelling back in time (a real test of my memory). I can’t believe it’s already a month today that we were docked in Monte Carlo, Monaco.
It’s Day 9 of our 10-day Mediterranean Cruise Saturday, September 16, 2017.
We have visited Monaco in the past during one of our many trips to France a few years back. Therefore no big tourist sightseeing plans for today!
A welcome relief. Even though we’ve been travelling “freestyle” on the cruise as far as shore excursions are concerned ... it’s been a busy time at each port of call.
We started the day with breakfast at the Terrace Café. Stunning views of the Marina/ Harbour from our table.
No shuttle buses, taxis were required today to go ashore ... an easy walk off the ship along the quay and away we went to stroll the streets and harbour/marina area.
There was quite a bit of activity happening in the water and at the Yacht Club of Monaco quayside and we soon discovered it was the Monaco Classic Week - La Belle Classe.
The YCM (the Yacht Club of Monaco) was founded by Prince Rainer III in May 1953.
It was the 13th biennial Classic Week ... first one being held in 1994.
It was a grand event. This year with a roaring 20’s theme. The attendees dressed to the nines in flapper dresses, etc.
The sea vessels included small recreational boats, luxury classic sailing yachts, tall ships, dinghies and motorboats.
The regatta of various boats was amazing. Each boat’s participants were dressed impeccably in coordinating outifits.
Later in the afternoon there also was a touching tribute to the Italian motorboat engineer / designer Carlo Riva (who passed away April 10/17) ...
Many turquoise blue balloons (a colour associated with the Riva brand) were released from all the Riva boats in Port Hercule.
If you look closely you can see the floating balloons.
The Riva is a mahogany hulled motorboat. These gems were a favourite of the 50’s /60’s jetset with many famous actors owning one ... Brigette Bardot, Sophia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton to name a few.
We had a busy day in Monte Carlo ... this is only part of our self-guided tour.
Stayed tuned more to follow ... will be writing another post and sharing more photos about the rest of our day.
