Because of its small size and sometimes exorbitant expenses, one need only spend one night in Monaco to fully appreciate the unique atmosphere the principality offers. With Europe's oldest ruling monarchy at the helm (705 years), the country's culture and way of life have been preserved, leaving an outside observer in awe of the locals who enjoy a tax-free haven while basking on the Mediterranean beaches.
getting started
With a heavy volume of tourists year-round, it is quite easy to reach Monaco by plane, train or automobile. The Nice - Côte d'Azur International Airport is 13.7 miles away, and one can simply catch a bus or taxi to the Principality.Want to arrive in style? Take an Air Monaco helicopter from the airport to Monte Carlo. If one wants to travel old-school and take a train, the Monaco-Monte Carlo station is a common stop for most routes coming from Cannes, France. The A8 motorway, which connects the whole of mainland Europe, runs through Monaco by means of Nice and Italy.
On this brief trip, be prepared to spend more than you're used to. To do Monaco properly, one doesn't want to be limited by a shoestring budget. The hotels are mostly all world-class and whether you choose the Hotel de Paris, The Hermitage, The Monte Carlo Beach Hotel, or The Metropole Palace, you'll be dropping a fairly large sum (upwards of $150 US) for lodging.
The price is relatively high for a reason: these hotels are often cities within a city, offering restaurants, spas, pools, and boutiques galore. Try not to be tempted by the luxury of your hotel, and get out and explore...
wanna bet?
As the Monte Carlo Casino looms large over the country and most probably in your mind, it is best you leave the gambling for later. Discover first the beautiful landscape and incredible architecture that make Monaco more than just pretty beaches and a celebrity-filled casino.Located outside of Monte Carlo's heart and soul, in an area called Monaco Ville, is the Musée Océanographique, considered by many to be Europe's best and most extensive aquarium.
Included among the 90 seawater tanks, 4,000 fish and living coral, you'll find a display of the work of Jacques Cousteau, the late, famous underwater explorer. After exploring the interior and the surrounding grounds the stunning building offer, you must enjoy the incredible view of the Italian Riviera from St. Martin's Gardens.
Not far away from the museum, near the Port de Fontvielle, lies the amazing Cathedral of Monaco. Built entirely of white stone, the cathedral's elegance reflects that of the royal family, serving as a reminder that as much as Monaco is a resort, there is still room for cultural wonders.
Continuing east up the Port, you will next encounter the Palais du Prince (The Palace of the Prince). Around since the 13th century, each ruling Grimaldi (the family name of the monarchy) has left his mark, making it less elegant than the great European castles, but very intricate. An expensive fee exists, however, and you may just as well observe the building from the outside, as well as the midday changing of the guard, which attracts a large crowd.
With these main attractions behind you, circumnavigating the rest of the country is easy and brief. If you get an early start on the day, you'll be able to see the aforementioned sites and then some before lunchtime.
Unlike a large city where getting around is difficult, the whole of Monaco is at your disposal whenever you like. For lunch, or any meal for that matter, you may spend a lot on one of the nice restaurants at the plethora of hotels in Monte Carlo, or you can save your money by purchasing food at the Fontvielle shopping center.
If you go to Monaco though, you should go all out and experience the luxury of eating in a beautiful hotel restaurant. Save the supermarket eating for your backpacking trip across the rest of Europe and taste the French, Italian, Monégasque, and seafood dishes. Le Belle Époque at the Hermitage, Le Grill at the Hotel de Paris and Le Cabaret on the grounds of the Monte Carlo Casino are all world-class.
hit the beach
With the sun just past its peak after you've eaten enough for two days, it is high time you bask in the sun. The locals of Monaco (including the native Monégasques, French and Italians) claim they receive 300 sunny days a year so you have a great chance at some awesome tanning weather. The beaches are all around Monte Carlo and most choice strips of sand lie near the hotels.It is here that you will have a great opportunity to see celebrities and their yacht parties. A world-class place to spot Formula 1 drivers (the majority of whom, including Jacques Villeneuve and Heinz Harald Frentzen, live there), Hollywood celebrities and runway models, the beach is good for viewing but lousy for swimming. It is quite possible to spend hours on end just reveling in the fact that you are in Monaco, with the Mediterranean Sea at your feet.
the casino awaits
Were it not for the Monte Carlo Casino, one would be able to compare Monaco to other towns on the Côte-d'Azur, somewhere for men to take their mistresses for a little fling. Step into the casino and discover another world, where scenes of James Bond putting on his charm come to mind.
The best time to go is after dinner; even if you can only afford to play the slots, you'll still be able to observe the high rollers playing where the minimum bet is $5,000 US.
The atmosphere is dizzying, and even the building in its glitzy grandeur is enthralling. Around every corner a dealer or sign is begging you to spend the little money you have left at their tables. If you can pull off the suave attitude of "Danny Ocean," you'll enjoy this place a whole lot.
As you finish off a packed day in Monaco either with a late stroll along Monte Carlo's streets or viewing a live band at one of the many nightclubs, you should be in awe of the world that surrounds you. Once you've had your fill, get back to the hotel for a little shuteye.
one last look
With perhaps a little time to spare before you head back to the real world, your last moments in Monaco can be spent a number of ways. Either with a great brunch at a restaurant, some final beach time or a stroll through the Jardin Éxotique that houses 7,000 types of cacti, there is enough activity going on to satisfy all your senses.One of the most unique places on Earth, Monaco is truly paradise. Although it will probably leave you with a very light wallet, the trip is definitely worth it. The day and a half you are able to spend around Monte Carlo and the older, more cultural areas, are priceless.
A secluded nation of around 32,000, the attractions are devoted to pleasing visitors -- from the rich and famous to the middle-class. You know it's a special place when the residents don't have to pay taxes, the Prince is a winter Olympian and actress-turned-princess Grace Kelly is revered.
Important Tips:
References:
http://www.monaco.mc/
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/europe/monaco/
Hotel Reservations
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