Monte-CarloMonte-Carlo, unofficial capital of glamorous and lavish
Monaco, is surprisingly unattractive and is embellished more by its citizens and visitors than its own attractions. The capital is a blend of ugly high rise buildings and windy roads, but does boast the legendary Casino, luxury hotels, elegant nightclubs and restaurants, views of the sparkling Mediterranean and of course, the Monaco
Formula 1 Grand Prix.
Established in 1866, Monte-Carlo was named in honor of Prince Charles III and is the richest of the country's four quarters. For years, Monte-Carlo has been the
playground of the rich and famous, from
Hollywood starlets to royalty, and business people dodging the taxman. It is also one of
Europe's foremost holiday resorts, but certainly not for the humble backpacker. The city has several attractions, such as the
Oceanographic Museum and Aquarium, the Monaco Cathedral and the Prince's Palace, several gardens, and other attractions centered on the country's famous Royal Family, such as an exhibition of
HSH Prince of Monaco's Private Collection of Classic Cars.
There are some interesting diversions, such as catamaran trips, watersports, yachting and the Azur Express tourist train that links up the city's attractions accompanied by multi-lingual commentary. Worth exploring is the Old Town, with its attractive City Hall, and of course when one is bored of sightseeing, the best diversion (and the cheapest) is merely to settle down with a fancy cocktail and people-watch.
Getting Around: Monte-Carlo has an efficient public transport system, with five bus lines. An excellent way to save money is to buy the Daily Tourist Pass, which at a flat rate, allows unlimited travel all day. A series of elevators also operate to transport visitors and residents up and down the steep streets of the city. Perhaps the best way to explore the city, however, is on foot.
Climate: Monte-Carlo, like Monaco, has a spectacular Mediterranean climate, boasting roughly 300 days of sunshine a year. July and August are the hottest months, while spring and autumn are the best times to visit, as temperatures are milder.
