Milan to Monaco - A8?

[318is boy]

hi all, im planning my road trip for next september and one of the guys i work with has recommended me the road from milan down to genoa (a10?) and then follow it along the coast into france where it becomes the a8 as the best way to get to monaco. He tells me it is a toll road but it is better than driving along the bottom as the scenery, tunnels and bridges are ecellent.

would fellow ph'ers agree? - time isnt a problem so thats not why i would be using the autoroute, only for the scenic route and best tunnels / bridges etc

Also is the gorges du verdon worth visiting instead of taking off over the alps back towards grenoble from monaco?

cheers.

[Nur Links]

A7 Milano-Genoa definitely great (for a highway), with some 4th gear medium speed bends on the last 50 mls before Genoa. Btw ALL motorways in Italy are toll ways.

Gorges du Verdon truly recommended! The canyon is very spectacular and unique in Europe. Saw a nest of eagles taking flying lessons, with mom leading and eagle-dad keeping watch. They passed at less than 10 yards and looked at us like we were lunch (but decided not to). The route Napoleon from Nice/Grasse up north is a fantastic road and -although quite busy- offers good overtaking opportunities. The Route Des Grandes Alpes (starting around Monaco incl. Col de Turini etc...) is even more scenic, but progress is tediously slow, overtaking (rural traffic, loggers, etc...) sometimes impossible for ages and there are so many turns that I litteraly got sick while driving.

Should you decide to visit the Gorges, I can recommend La Ferme Rose in Moustiers Sainte-Marie as a base for visiting the Gorges. It is a farmhouse converted to B&B. The village is very charming although a little touristy and there are some really good places to eat.