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There is no place like Monaco in the world. Home to the iconic Monaco Grand Prix, luxurious yachts, high-end luxury brands, celebrities, world-class casinos and the azure waters of the Mediterranean Sea, the principality is the second-smallest sovereign state in the world after Vatican City. It is no wonder then that Hindi actor Huma Qureshi spent her birthday here as part of her France tour.
If you want to follow in her footsteps and get the most out of your Monaco tour, here’s a complete three-day itinerary just for you.
Begin your trip with a stop at the Casino de Monte-Carlo, one of the icons of the principality. The famous casino caters to a variety of games like craps, English roulette, slot machines, Texas hold ’em poker and blackjack. It is also home to the Opéra de Monte-Carlo and the office of Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo. Try your luck here, or simply stroll around and take in the heady atmosphere of the place.
Afterwards, head to the Casino Square, home to the glamorous Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo and other storied landmarks. Crowned with a patch of greenery and a tranquil fountain, the square is surrounded by buzzing restaurants, cafés and high-end shops. It is a popular destination for both high rollers and curious visitors so take your time exploring its every corner.
Next, check out the Prince’s Palace of Monaco, the official residence of the Sovereign Prince of Monaco. The earliest parts of the building date back to 1215, but by the 17th century, the former Genoese fortress had been transformed into one of the most sumptuous residences of the age. Today, it is possible to admire the splendours of the palace with a tour of the Cour d’Honneur, the Hercule Gallery, the Mirror Gallery, the York Rooms, the Louis XV salon and bedchamber, and the Throne Room. You can also see numerous paintings, frescoes, tapestries and items of furniture while marvelling at the panoramic views of Monaco from the palace grounds. If you're lucky, you can also see the changing of the guard ceremony.
Visit the Musée océanographique de Monaco which was founded by Prince Albert II’s great-great-grandfather, Prince Albert I. The museum is renowned worldwide for its expertise in marine science and has more than 6,000 specimens on display. One of the aquariums has a tropical zone, which reveals the life of a coral reef and the species which inhabit it. In this exhibit you come face to face with sharks, piranhas, clownfish, stonefish, boxfish and sea horses. Another aquarium has more than 200 species of invertebrates from the Mediterranean Sea like octopuses, moray eels and jellyfish. Don’t miss the Whale Room and Prince Albert I Room with its many mounted specimens, photographs, archive documents, models and marine mammal skeletons.
Watch the sunset from Port Hercule. It is a natural bay situated at the foot of Monaco’s Rocher, accommodating yachts in the very heart of the principality. Have dinner at any of the waterfront restaurants like Caffé Milano, Amù Monte-Carlo, Grubers Burgers and La Môme Monte-Carlo.
Start your day by admiring the classic car collection of the Prince of Monaco, just a few yards from the iconic Formula 1 circuit. The new exhibition space is home to some 70 vehicles and is set in a modern and dynamic setting to provide visitors with an optimal experience. The collection began in the late 1950s and includes race cars that have competed in the Monte-Carlo Rally and the Monaco F1 Grand Prix. Visitors can step back in time and relive the most important moments in the history of the royal family as told through these unique cars, such as the landaulet Lexus built for the wedding of Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene in 2011.
Next, relax in the Jardins Saint-Martin, the principality’s first public garden which opened in 1816. It was built on an abandoned plot to provide work for residents when famine hit the region. Originally, the Saint Martin Gardens had Mediterranean trees like pine, holm oak, myrtle, pistachio etc but exotic species were added later. Tucked away below the street between the Oceanographic Museum and the Cathedral of Monaco, this green oasis offers fabulous views out across the sea.
Continue your stroll at the Princess Grace Rose Garden. Created on the wishes of Prince Rainier III as a memorial to his late wife Princess Grace, the garden is laid out according to the principles of a traditional English garden but retains a distinctive Mediterranean character with its hundred-year-old olive trees. The bronze statue of Princess Grace, which was created in 1983, watches over the peace of this charming garden. Visitors can sit and cool off in the central square laid out around a bronze fountain at the foot of the wall of water. It is beautifully lit up at night.
Afterwards, head indoors to the Metropole Shopping Monte-Carlo, one of the most glamorous malls anywhere in the world. It officially opened in 1988 and its luxury décor of beautiful marble under a magnificent period chandelier is sure to dazzle anyone who steps inside. The marble was extracted from the prestigious Carrara quarries in Italy which give the interior a resolutely modern Mediterranean feel. The 80 shops and six restaurants offer a choice selection from fashion and accessories, to gourmet food, jewellery, luxury timepieces, beauty treatments, as well as homeware, tableware and antiques.
Time for a swim. Monaco’s main public beach is Larvotto so enjoy a dip in its clear waters or simply unwind on the sandy shore. Along the beach, you will find many hotels, restaurants and bars with refreshing drinks to accompany you as you sunbathe. You can even take part in water sports such as jet skiing and kayaking. End your day with a seafood dinner at one of the beachside restaurants.
Who would have thought that a Japanese Garden existed in Monaco but that is exactly where you will be headed first. Created in 1994 at the request of Prince Rainier III and in accordance with the strictest principles of Zen design, the garden transports visitors to the land of the rising sun without having to leave the principality. Visitors will find all the essential components of a typical Japanese garden, including a pond, islands, a waterfall, lanterns, bridges, a tea house and a Zen garden. The bamboo hedges, tiles, stone lanterns and the varieties of wood used in the gate, tea house and so on were all imported from Japan. The plants from the Mediterranean region were pruned and cultivated for three years in the Japanese style.
Next, check out the Roman-Byzantine architecture of the Cathedral of Monaco. Constructed in 1875 using white stone from La Turbie, it houses the tombs of Monaco’s former princes. The magnificent high altar and the Episcopal throne are made from white Carrara marble. Along with pontifical services, the venue hosts remarkable spiritual concerts to the sound of the grand organ with its four manuals. Visitors are supposed to dress respectfully by covering their shoulders when they come here. Miniskirts and shorts are not permitted but Bermuda shorts are acceptable.
One of the hidden cultural gems of Monaco is The Princess Grace Irish Library. It allows users to borrow English-language books and works by Irish writers in honour of the late princess's heritage. It also houses a collection of beautiful reference works and items of historical value. There are free tours of the library where visitors will discover the different literary and artistic treasures to be found on the shelves, including the collections of musical scores and books once owned by Princess Grace. At the end of the tour, visitors can watch a documentary called “Her Name was Grace,” which recounts the story of her life as an actress, mother and princess.
With beaches and coves, impressive cliff edges and turquoise waters, there is no better way to explore the coastline of Monaco than from a boat. Hire a yacht if you want a luxurious experience or hop onto a private boat to discover the charms of the French Riviera with time to snorkel, catch fish or simply drink in the wide horizons of the water.
Wrap up your trip with a performance at the Théâtre des Muses or a concert at Fort Antoine. The latter was built at the beginning of the 18th century and is now an open-air theatre. Its military architecture, watchtower and almost total solitude combine to give it a particular charm. Every summer under the starry night skies, Fort Antoine hosts an entertaining programme of concerts, shows and plays.
Board a flight from India to a Gulf or European country with air connections to Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) in France. Drive or take public transport to cover the 22.4km to Monaco from Nice.
