Monaco, wealth and glamour go together. Whether it’s the Grand Prix, the Monte-Carlo Casino, or simply wandering around the streets surrounded by mansions and yachts of the rich and famous, the atmosphere is unique.
Less than half the size of New York’s Central Park, at only 487 acres (197 hectares) there’s an amazing amount to see in the pint sized Principality, which is the second smallest country in the world. It is also the richest for its size and all because of that casino, which allows tax free status for citizens thanks to the casino's profits.
Just 32,000 people live in Monaco, most of them rich tax exiles, with just 4,500 native Monégasque citizens. The wealth can be seen everywhere - there are Bentleys, Ferraris, Lamborghinis galore parked around the city streets. Many of the world's top sports stars have made their homes there along with movie stars and pop singers. It’s not just a rich youngsters’ paradise, however – Monaco also has the largest proportion of over-65s in the world.
The Principality is an incredibly popular tourist destination. Hardly surprisingly with sights like the Royal Palace, set on a rock jutting out in to the Mediterranean and the changing of the palace guard each day.
There is also the romance of Prince Rainier and Princess Grace, the parents of the current ruler Prince Albert; and what is possibly the most famous casino in the world. Add to these the Monaco Grand Prix, the Monte-Carlo Rally, many cultural and sporting events and a port packed with very expensive and very exclusive yachts - and the appeal is obvious.
There are many superb museums to visit in Monoaco - the Oceanographic Museum features what is considered to be the finest aquarium in Europe and the Motor Museum has an very wide collection of beautiful old cars. There is also a notable Stamp and Coin Museum and the Jardin Exotique has both an extensive collection of cacti and stunning panoramic views.
Monaco is easy to reach. Nice airport, one of the busiest in Europe, is a short distance way and there are cheap flights galore. There are helicopter connections from Nice airport to Monaco’s Heliport if you want to arrive in style or you can take the train. Monaco is only 15 minutes from Nice SNCF railway station where there are regular high-speed trains to and from Paris and other major French cities.
