As someone who tries to watch every F1 race, visiting Monaco was one of those “I can’t believe it” experiences. Even if a race isn’t on, being able to stand on the corners of turns where you know, in a few weeks’ time, the cars are going to be screeching along, was just something else.

Monaco is not a large country. In fact, it is the second smallest country in the world, with the smallest being the Vatican. Our ship docked at “Quai Rainier III”, with some excellent views of Monaco:

In fact, as can be seen from this overlay of the F1 race course over the map of Monaco, the ship was very well positioned to see some of the locations visited by the race, including the pitlane grandstand (off to our left) and the Casino de Monte Carlo (up the hill and slightly to our right).

On to the excursion, which was titled “Monaco Walking Tour”:

Set out on a walking tour through the heart of the medieval quarter of Monaco, known as The Rock. The Mediterranean will make a spectacular backdrop as you stroll to the foot of The Rock, then head uphill with your guide. In Monaco’s main square, the Place du Palais, see the Prince’s Palace of Monaco, home to the House of Grimaldi since 1297. Then pass St. Nicholas Cathedral. A young church by European standards, it was consecrated in 1875. This is the burial site of the royal family, including American actress-turned-princess Grace Kelly. Also admire the majestic Oceanographic Museum, soaring above the sea on a cliffside. Returning to the Place du Palais, depending on the time of your tour, you may have the opportunity to watch the daily changing of the guard outside the palace walls. Remain in town to shop or have lunch on your own before returning to your ship.

Of the three walking tours so far on this holiday, this was, unfortunately, the most disappointing. There actually wasn’t really that much walking - of the time spent leading up to the one hour of free time, a lot of it was spent standing listening to the guide. Previous excursions were much more of a “walk and listen”. It also didn’t really feel like we learnt that much. The guide, for example, didn’t know the specifics of the military event taking place in front of the Prince’s Palace but did want to share her knowledge of the various number plates we could see on vehicles.

Despite the description of the tour, we actually finished in front of the Prince’s Palace, where we thought we might have timed it right for the Changing of the Guard but, as it turned out, we were about to witness something quite different. Thanks to Reddit user “Ajsmonaco” and to an Instagram reel from “Hello Monaco”, I now know it was a “Presentation ceremony of the White Kepis of the 2nd Company of Volunteer Legionnaires of the 4th Foreign Regiment of Castelnaudary took place today in the presence of H.S.H. Prince Albert II.”

From the peak of The Rock, we had a good view of the ship and more of the F1 course:

After the ceremony, we walked back to the ship, had some lunch and then caught the free shuttle bus to Casino Square. The bus ride was made all the more exciting because it followed a significant part of the F1 race course, including the hairpin bend!

We finished off with a visit inside the casino, where you can enter the atrium section at no cost.

We went to the World Cafe for dinner again and, once again, my wife enjoyed the Vinologist Cabernet Sauvignon.

The day finished with some beautiful views of Monaco lit up at night: