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Glamour, Glitz & Gold -- Planning Your Trip to Monaco
Monaco, a tiny principality
that sits atop a steep, rocky coastline overlooking
the azure waters of the Mediterranean Sea, enjoys sunshine
300 days a year with mild winters and moderate summer
temperatures. Located between the Mediterranean Sea
and the French Alps, France lies to the west and Italy
to the east.
Well-known as a playground of the rich
and famous, Monaco is also a perfect getaway when planning
a trip to either the French or Italian Rivera’s.
Whether driving or flying, getting to Monaco is easy.
From the International Airport in Nice, you can even
take a 7-½ minute helicopter ride to Monaco via
Heli Air Monaco or Monicair. The price of your ticket
includes free transport from the heliport to anywhere
you want to go in Monaco and free pickup on your return.
Having a car in Monaco isn’t really necessary,
as you can walk to most districts within the city within
twenty to thirty minutes at most, especially if you’re
going to Monaco for business and not planning on doing
much sight-seeing outside of the city.
The first thing you'll notice when you
arrive are the cars! It's not uncommon to see a Rolls
Royce double-parked next to a shiny Ferrari which is
sitting in front of a Porsche near the casino, and the
sheer number of expensive sports cars is amazing.
The next thing you'll notice is how
clean it is. You'll seldom even see litter on the streets.
And finally, you'll be delighted by the more than 100
statues, fountains and sculptures that are found throughout
all five districts of Monaco. As you wander around you'll
soon discover the narrow, winding medieval alleyways,
stone arches and "secret" passageways, fragrant
flowers and pastel-painted buildings with red tiled
roofs so characteristic of the French Riviera.
Nicknamed "the Rock" by the
locals, there are many things to see and do in Monaco,
and thanks to the generosity and foresight of Prince
Rainier III, the former Prince of Monaco, many of them
are free. About the size of Central Park in New York
City, Monaco is three miles long and one-half mile wide.
Although it’s the second smallest country in the
world (Vatican City is the smallest), Monaco nonetheless
offers something for everyone.
During the tourist season, you’ll
find fairs, festivals, rallies or other celebrations
scheduled almost every day. Off-season has its charms
as well, with less to do, but also less traffic, fewer
tourists and the chance to really explore all that Monaco
has to offer.
Helpful Information:
Currency: The European Euro
Identification and Length of Stay: To
enter Monaco, you need the same identification used
for gaining entry to France (passport, travel or identity
documents), and you can stay for up to 90 days without
a visa.
Principal Language: French, although
many natives still speak the ancient Monegasque. Italian
and English are also commonly spoken.
Nearest Airport: International Cote
d’Azur Nice is approximately 15 miles away.
Transportation from Airport: Bus, train,
helicopter, private limousine, taxi, rental car or motorcycle.
Basic Geography:
Monaco is divided into five districts.
1. The Ville on the Rock, which includes
the Prince’s Palace, the gardens, the Ramparts,
the Cathedral and the Oceanographic Museum.
2. The Condamine, which is the second
oldest area in Monaco. It’s name dates back to
the Middle Ages and refers to the area of cultivatable
land at the foot of a village or castle.
3. Monte Carlo, which was built in 1866
and named in honor of Prince Charles III. Monte Carlo
is famous for its casino, luxury hotels and unique boutiques.
4. Fontvieille is the newest area of
Monaco, and is actually "land" that has been
reclaimed from the sea. The manmade harbor has hotels,
shopping, restaurants, the stadium and sports complex
and is a pollution free industrial area as well.
5. Moneghetti, which is a "must-see"
district. It features the Révoires and the Exotic
Gardens. Underneath the gardens is a prehistoric cave.
Pets: Pets are often allowed in hotels
and restaurants, but it’s a good idea to check
first.
There are currently 7 public elevators
that will make it easier for you to go up and down Monaco's
steep elevations and public areas.
Where to Stay:
Hotels and accommodations in Monaco
range from the very inexpensive to the luxurious. Each
year, more than 260,000 tourists come here for business
and pleasure.
Monaco’s flagship hotel is still
the “Hotel de Paris” with its almost unbelievable
luxury and unparalleled attention to your every wish.
However, if spending upwards of $500
a night during high season isn’t in your budget,
try the Hermitage, (which offers old-world charm and
elegance), or the more modern Mirabeau, which is near
the business center and close to night life attractions
as well.
If you prefer being near the Med, the
Monte Carlo Beach Hotel provides all the amenities and
breathtaking views.
A wonderful family hotel that even offers
onsite babysitting is the Tulip Inn Monaco Terminus.
The Monte Carlo Grand Hotel is an imposing
building, with seven polygonal terraces that overlook
the Med or the Grand Prix race course. The hotel offers
30 suites, several restaurants, a rooftop swimming pool
and, of course, a shopping arcade.
Although 750 hotel rooms have been recently
added in Monaco, (increasing the previous number by
one-third), if you’re hoping to get a room for
next year’s Grand Prix, you may still be out of
luck! Rooms for that event are usually booked a year
in advance, and sometimes more.)
Where to Eat:
Arguably the finest restaurant in Monaco
is the Louis XV. (It has a 3-star rating in the Michelin
Guide). Elegantly formal, the restaurant is colored
in gold – from the furnishings and architectural
details all the way down to the plates and flatware.
And the service is as superb as the food.
One of the “in” places to
be “seen” is the Café de Paris. Sit
back, have a drink and while you’re waiting for
your lunch to arrive, enjoy the totally French atmosphere.
Locals frequent the café as often as tourists,
and if you are fluent at all in French, you might hear
the latest gossip about one of the Royal family, or
speculation about whom the huge white yachts lined up
in the harbor belong to.
Visit the bar in the Hotel de Paris
across the street and enjoy an aperitif in the late
afternoon or early evening, and drink in the atmosphere.
Located on the Golden Square of the Place du Casino,
it is lavishly decorated in muted tones of gold, rose
and maroon.
What to See:
The Monte-Carlo Casino: What would a
visit to Monaco be without a stop in the famous district
of Monte Carlo and its casino? Built in 1878 by Charles
Garnier, it was Europe’s first gambling establishment.
The atrium is paved in marble and is surrounded by 28
Ionic columns made from onyx. The casino (which charges
a fee to enter and has a dress code of jacket and tie
for men) also requires identification, so take your
passport. Beyond the main salons is a private gaming
room for high rollers.
The Naval Museum: The museum is like
a three dimensional encyclopedia of naval history, dating
from the Romans up to modern day. With one of the most
diverse collections in the world, you can find over
250 models and other unique objects here.
Zoological Terraces: Opened by HRH Prince
Rainier III in 1954, the zoo was built on the south
face of the Rock of Monaco and overlooks the Port of
Fontvieille. The collection of 250 animals (more than
50 different species) includes a Black Panther, White
Tiger, Hippopotamus, Lemurs and a large variety of exotic
birds. The atmosphere is peaceful and the views are
as spectacular as the animals.
Princess Grace Rose Garden: Here you'll
find the peace and serenity that Princess Grace herself
was known for. There are over 4,000 rose bushes here.
The Exotic Garden: This garden, daringly
landscaped against the rocky face of the cliff, features
several thousand succulent plants, flowers and cacti
from all over the world.
60 meters down from the garden accessible by a long
stairway, is the Observatory cave. The stalactites and
stalagmites and natural limestone sculptures are a wonder
in themselves. Close by, the Museum of Prehistoric Antiquity
not only traces the history of mankind, but features
local archaeological finds as well.
The Oceanographic Museum and Aquarium:
This is another must-see, housing a permanent display
of Jacques Coustou and one of the finest aquariums in
the world. Or take the Seabus, a glass-bottomed submarine
that gives passengers a birds-eye view of the Med.
You might come to Monaco for the gold,
the glamour or the glitz, but you'll fall in love with
the little kingdom by the sea.
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