Unexpected Visit

Monaco is a principality enclosed by the slopes of the mountain and the sea. Nowadays it is a synonym of wealth and luxury. People from all over the word gather here to see and to be seen. Also, this is a wonderful land for residents who don’t have to pay taxes. Gambling and tourism are the “money suppliers” of this small land that has been desired over the centuries by the French, Italian, and Spanish. Fortunately, wars and attempts to conquer stopped in the 19th century.

As highlights I'd mention:
- the Casino, which is is renowned all over the world and shows in every postcard and guide about Monaco as well as countless movies;
- the luxury everywhere you turn, as it seems to be the dominant word and feel to this city;
- a long stroll between the marina and the beach, not missing the free and peaceful Japanese Garden;
- the thrill of the F1 circuit in the city's roads.

Quick Tips:

Beware smokers! We noticed that cigars’ prices don’t seem to be fixed. A shop selling newspapers and magazines by the marina had some nice postcards and I went in to check them; I noticed that cigars were so much more expensive than in Italy and Portugal. Later on, my husband went to another tourists’ shop (in an area not as touristy as the marina) to buy cigars and they were cheaper than the previous shop we had been in. We got the idea that prices weren’t fixed. So, if you’re in need to buy cigars check a few places first, just to make sure that prices are indeed the same.

Best Way To Get Around:

We arrived in Monaco by car, traveling from Italy. Also it is also very easy to reach Monaco driving from Southern France, as is the case of places in French Riviera. In the case of Italy, there is a highway that runs along Riviera dei Fiori (San Remo) that ends up on the winding road till you get “down” to Monaco. We found traffic in Monaco to be somewhat confusing. There are several parking lots spread around Monaco, all well signalized. Most of them are underground parks and most of them also showed the “Full” sign when we drove past them. At the end, we parked in Avenue Princesse Grace, where there are park meters.

As mentioned, traffic may be somewhat confusing in Monaco, mainly in peak season, so my advice would be to park your car and walk. Most main sees are at walking distance and there are also lifts to help you move around the hilly areas more “quickly” and easily. Since you will be walking a lot make sure you take comfortable shoes.

Casino de Monte Carlo is renowned all over the world and shows in every postcard and guide about Monaco as well as countless movies.

The Casino’s facade is neoclassical style and it’s characterized by two pinnacles over a glassed roof. The building history dates back to the beginning of the Belle Époque; it was conceived by architect Charles Garnier (who also built the Opera House in Paris) and the construction works begun in 1861, being completed five years later.

It is possible to visit the Casino’s gambling rooms (opened every day) but dressing “properly” is required. As we visited Monaco by chance – we were visiting Riviera dei Fiori in Italy and weather was lousy that day so we decided to change plans and headed unexpectedly to Monaco – we were wearing “beach clothes” which didn’t sound too proper for a Casino visit, so we didn’t go inside.

In front of the Casino there is the Casino’s Garden, a set of well-kept beds of flowers, plants and lawns, as well as fountains and ponds, which is built on a slight slope between the Casino and the shopping street in Monaco. Wondering through the Garden is pleasant, and doesn’t require a dress code. Too bad it started raining, but luckily it was a short rain fall. For those who think that Monaco is so expensive (and it is!) visiting the Garden may be quite a good surprise, as it is free of charge and it is always opened.

Also, the Casino’s Terrace is worth mentioning, as it provides a wonderful view both over Monaco to the right and over Monte Carlo on the left (when facing the sea). The Terrace has some flowers and plants and also a few benches to sit and enjoy the views.

The Terrace is situated on the “back” of the Casino, just above the sea. From the Terrace you might also observe some details of the Opera House. At the Terrace there is a lift that leads visitors to the “lower” street (through the Convention Centre) at the end of which is the Port de Monaco (marina).

Le Café de Paris is also something not to be missed while in Monte Carlo or Monaco – as some say it is “the place to see and to be seen”.

Monte Carlo’s first café was established in 1868 and was called Café Divan. Later on it went through some refurbishment and it is nowadays known as Le Café de Paris, a set of a bistro-style terrace, dinning room, drugstore and, gambling rooms. The Belle Époque style is one of the distinctive features that characterize the outside of the building, whilst it is modernized on the inside.

Sitting at the terrace for a coffee or a meal is an excellent opportunity to observe and feel the Place du Casino.

Coming from Monte Carlo to Monaco there is a coastal path along Avenue Princesse Grace, in which you will find the Japanese Garden, the Grimaldi Forum, the lift for the casino and at the its “end” the marina. We took a long stroll along this path and it provided nice views over the sea, the beaches, and the yachts. To a certain point, the path becomes a tunnel (underneath the Convention Centre) and this short bit of the path runs by the road that it’s turned into the circuit for the F1 Grand Prix.

This coastal path is not overcrowded and if weather allows (not my case!) it provides good chances for nice photos.

As I mentioned, at the "end" there is the Port du Monaco - Yacht or sailboat lovers should not miss a visit or stroll on the walk that surrounds Port du Monaco, the marina. Being luxury a word that characterizes Monaco, it is also “applicable” to the yachts and sailboats that are anchored here. Some of them resemble little cruise ships, as they seem so big seen from the walk. A curious thing about the Marina though: it is a pleasant mixture of luxury mingled with laid-back ambiance.

The Japanese Garden is a 7,000 square meter garden built near the Grimaldi Forum after the wish of Princess Grace, within a short walking distance from the casino and the marina. I enjoyed my visit to this garden, not only due to its beauty, but mainly due to the fact that is an “island” of peace and quietness in bustling touristy Monaco. In this beautiful garden you may expect to find a pond and waterfall, trees, plants and flowers with exotic look and creative “composition” of elements, such as stone and bamboo, as well as a tea house. The entrance is free of charge and this garden is opened everyday from 9am onwards.

In Monte Carlo I saw several people enjoying the beach. We had our snack lunch at a terrace bar at the beach and although the day was cloudy (and later it even rained) it was warm and some people where enjoying the beach.

The water looks green/blue but sand is not as white as the Portuguese beaches I am used too. Nevertheless, overall I’d say these beaches are nice. In Monte Carlo there are two major beaches: the Monte Carlo beach and Larvotto beaches. We had lunch at the later, as they are situated along the Avenue Princesse Grace. Also, Larvotto beaches have facilities for children, such as a playground.

Luxury is one of the dominating words to characterize Monaco. And its architecture is no exception. Walking around the Casino area and surroundings one cannot avoid to notice the elaborate details of the buildings and shops that surround us, as if everything is built and decorated to impress. In neighbouring Monte Carlo buildings are so different, as mainly they consist of tall apartment buildings built some decades ago. In Old City in Monaco, architecture is also different and quite appealing, as it is very pleasant to wonder around the narrow streets.

Car admirers will surely be pleased in Monaco, as it is easy to find a Ferrari or Lamborghini driving around or parked somewhere. And Mercedes, BMW or Audi, even a top model, will not get your attention there, as there are so many. Whilst most drivers act quite normally, there are obviously some people who like to impress and show off. That was the case of a man who was driving a Ferrari in the marina area. He kept driving around and when stopped he pressed the accelerator to make some noisy...I wonder if it was a rented car and he was in great need to show it off that particular day?!?!

Last, but not the least, about luxury – the yachts and sailboats anchored at the marina. Some of them are quite impressive! Not only due to its size (huge!) but also due to the decoration, the crew and the cars that they have parked at their “door” to transport they owners around. Can you imagine owning a huge yacht with own crew that wears a uniform with the yacht name? Or transporting a car inside to allow you to drive around when you are anchored in a marina? In Monaco marina we found boats from many countries and we were glad to see a Portuguese flag in a beautiful and big wooden sailboat from Madeira Island.

One of the most thrilling things about Monaco is that you are able to walk and to drive on the F1’s circuit! That is, the so-called circuit is set on the regular city’s roads that are closed to traffic and transformed in the F1 races. Being a F1 fan, it was somewhat thrilling to drive there and recall the races and the curves of the prizes I had seen on TV. We were even able to walk a little bit by it, underneath the tunnel and on the curves when one leaves the Place the Casino and heads downwards towards the tunnel. But don’t fool yourself! No races allowed within the city, just regular and sensible driving as there is a lot of traffic and pedestrians.