When we first thought of Monaco, images of the fancy Monte Carlo Casino and Grand Prix immediately came to mind. Little did we know, Monaco is actually a country of its own. The only country smaller than Monaco is the Vatican City. Monaco covers a small 1.24 square miles, being bordered by France on all sides other than where it meets the Mediterranean Sea. Monaco is rocky and is situated on steep hills that drop off into the Mediterranean. It has gorgeous cobblestone streets and Parisian style architecture add to the beauty of the Mediterranean coastline country. And, if you take a look around, you’ll be able to gawk at beautiful, fancy car after beautiful, fancy car.
Another interesting fact we first failed to realize before visiting is that the fancy Monte Carlo Casino is only for visitors; residents are not allowed to enter the casino, or gamble! It has become a famous sasino for the rich and famous, also earning it features in the popular James Bond movies: Golden Eye, Casino Royale and Never Say Never Again.
Monaco isn’t for the frugal backpacker, and we certainly didn’t have clothes with us that were nice enough to even allow us to enter the actual casino room entrance itself, but the country only being a short 30 minute train ride away from Nice was enough to make us want to see it for ourselves.
Meant for the lifestyle of the rich and famous, Monaco also does not have an airport. Your private jet won’t help you get there. To get there, you either have to take the venture from Nice, or come by yacht.
Take a look at this stunning little country:
Have you visited Monaco? What were your thoughts and impressions of the country?