How to Plan a Trip to Monte Carlo

The city of Monte Carlo is in the principality of Monaco on the southern Mediterranean Sea coast of France, near the border with Italy, in Southern Europe. It is the second smallest independent state in the world (after Vatican city) and is almost entirely urban. Due to its location and taxfree status, the principality has become almost entirely a tourist resort and tax haven for businesses. It is perhaps most famous for its Casino and the frustrating wealth of its patrons.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

How to Get to Monte Carlo

1. Fly to the nearest airport to Monte Carlo, Nice-Côte-d'Azur International, in France. Regular buses connect the Nice-Cote D’Azur airport with Monte Carlo, and taxis are also available for the short trip.
2. Fly to Nice and take a Helicopter Heli-Air Monaco operates a helicopter service between Nice and Monte Carlo, although this service is generally very expensive! Collect your luggage after you get to Nice and go to the helicopter service waiting area. The flight along the coast is suppsed to be exceptionally beautiful.
3. Take the train. There is a good service to Monte Carlo from major stations in neighbouring France and Italy, such as Nice, Cannes, Menton and Ventimiglia. There is also a high-speed TGV which runs between Nice and Paris (www.idtgv.com). Taking the TGV from Paris to Monte Carlo takes around 6 and a half hours but is a pretty comfortable trip.
4. Use your car, or hire one abroad. Monaco is easily accessed by its land borders from France or Italy by a network of motorways. The A8 is the most widely used, which runs west from Monte Carlo to Nice and Marseilles, and east towards the Italian border.
5. There are also three scenic roads which are slower, but offer specacular coastal views! Look for the Basse Corniche along the sea, the Moyenne Corniche which goes through Eze-Village, and the Grande Corniche which goes through La Turbie and Col d'Eze (Eze Pass).
6. Take the bus to Monte Carlo, if you need a cheap option. There is no bus station in Monte Carlo so international buses stop at several different points throughout the city. Regular buses connect Monte Carlo with Nice and other French destinations. Further services run regularly to major French towns and cities.

What to Do

7. Visit the avenue Saint-Martin which feautures some beautiful cliff-side gardens. On this route you will also find the Monaco Cathedral which was built late in the 19th century.
8. Make sure you spend some time at the Casino de Paris (The Grand Casino), in Place du Casino. The casino itself is worth a look, even if you don’t plan to gamble. The architecture inside is simply wonderful. The casino opens daily from 2 o'clock although you must be over 18 to enter.
9. Spend time at the Jardin Exotique (Exotic Gardens). Rare plants from around the world are presented on a walking tour that holds incredible views of the city and the coast, as well as the flora.
10. Take a trip to the Oceanographic Museum and Aquarium on Avenue Saint-Martin. There are more than 4,000 fish, from tuna to deadly pirhanas, as well as a great quantity of educational material.
11. Marvel at the yachts and cruise ships in the Monte Carlo harbor, which adorn the docks in the marina.
12. A must see is the Palais du Prince (Prince's Palace) located in old Monaco-Town. The changing of the guard (referred to as "Carabiniers" ) takes place every morning at five minutes to twelve, if you can try to time your visit for then.

Tips & Warnings

• There is no left-luggage in the train station at Monte Carlo because the law in Monaco forbids anyone to leave bags anywhere.
• It is mandatory for men to wear a jacket and tie in the casino.
• You are not allowed to take photos inside the Casino in Monte Carlo.