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Vacations - Monaco
from: Jay BauderMonaco, 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.
About the author:
Jay is the web owner of http://www.Rental-Cars-In.com
that provides information and resources on rental cars,
vacations, airfare, hotels, and travel. You can visit his
website at: http://www.hotels-in.net
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