Wow Wow Wow - what can I say!

I have been very fortunate in my life that I have experienced some of the best hotels and restaurants in the world, so I am very happy to report that the incentive trip to Monaco was up there with the best of my experiences.

I have had the most fantastic time away with some fabulous people and the memories of being one of the lucky 16 Demonstrators to go on the first European Stampin' Up! Incentive Trip will stay with me forever.

Where do I start?  I guess, from the beginning.....

Well, despite the start of my luxurious trip on this, I am happy to report that I took off on time.  This is our plane as we got off at Nice Airport.  Despite a weather forecast of three days of Heavy Showers, look what we arrived to.  Now given that there is alot of clouds over those hills, I was very happy to not have to get my umbrella out!

Once through customs, I was escorted to our transport where the lovely Amanda and Jenny were there having landed just 20 minutes earlier.  We were whisked (you know how those French drive!) through the hills and arrived at our destination after about half an hour.

We were welcomed at the hotel entrance by both Paula (UK Country Manager) and Shelli (Mrs Stampin' Up!) and that set the relaxed tone for the rest of the trip.

We were staying at the Hotel Metropole which is just a hop, skip and a jump away from the Casino and Cafe De Paris.

After a very quick unpack, it was back downstairs to meet Jenny, Amanda and Paula to go for a coffee in the Shopping Mall under the hotel.  When we returned to the hotel, Dawn, Monica and Julie had arrived so I went to Monica's room where champagne was drank before we had to get ready for our Welcome Dinner.

The food was everything you would expect from a Michelin Star restaurant:

Crab, Avocado, Mozzarella and tomato salad to start with.

A very fine fillet steak with the butteryiest mash I've ever tasted

Followed by a chocolate mousse slice desert

Our meal was over by about 10.30pm (9.30 UK time) so we all crossed the road to the Cafe De Paris to have a 20 Euro cocktail nightcap!! The people and car watching was the entertainment of the night!

It was a tough job deciding what to drink at those prices!

So, we strolled in about 12.30pm and went to sleep in our wonderful bedrooms.

And that was it for Day 1 - back tomorrow with the details of Thursday!

Have fun!