Boo! Hiss! Back to the blog...
Last week we tendered into the quaint French port of Villefranche and visited Nice.
This week we explore...
Ready for it Nana?
Monaco!
Monaco is the second smallest country in the world, only Vatican City is smaller. Monaco is also the world's second smallest monarchy (and principality to be more exact). Monaco is the name of the country and its capital (and only) city. Monaco is a city-state. It is famous as a tax haven (there is no income tax), and wealthy foreigners make up the majority of the population. Monaco - is divided into four areas: Monaco-Ville, the old fortified city on the Rock which includes the Prince's Palace, Cathedral and Oceanographic Museum; the Condamine, or port quarter; Monte-Carlo, the business and recreation district; and Fontvieille, a man-made waterfront area for recreation and light industry. Monaco is best known for it's race, The Monaco Grand Prix, it's gambling at The Casino (Le Casino de Monte Carlo) and it's monarchy.
Monaco Grand Prix
The Monaco Grand Prix (Grand Prix de Monaco) is a Formula One race held each year on the Circuit de Monaco. Run since 1929, it is widely considered to be one of the most important and prestigious automobile races in the world, alongside the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans (informally known as the Triple Crown of Motorsport). The race is held on a narrow course laid out in the streets of Monaco, with many elevation changes and tight corners as well as a tunnel, making it one of the most demanding tracks in Formula One. In spite of the relatively low average speeds, it is a dangerous place to race. This year's race is May 20th - 23rd. While we won't see the race, we can see the course.
Monte Carlo Casino
The Monte Carlo Casino is one of the most notable tourist attractions of Monaco. The casino complex is a gambling facility which also includes the Grand Théâtre de Monte Carlo, an opera and ballet house, and the headquarters of the Ballets de Monte Carlo. It is situated in the Monte Carlo quarter, although the citizens of Monaco (Monegasques) are forbidden to enter the gaming rooms. It hosts the annual European Poker Tour Grand Final. The route of the Monaco Grand Prix (the Circuit de Monaco) runs past the casino. The Casino (Le Casino de Monte Carlo) opens at 2pm to those 18 and older. Suitable attire is required. Jacket and tie if you visit the back rooms, not the general gambling area. There is a 10 euro entrance fee and ID check -- you 'lose' money before you gamble and no sneaking in those Monegasques. If you are heading to the casino or points on the eastern side of Monte Carlo, you may want to take the ferry that crosses the harbor, as it will save you a good amount of walking time.
The Monarchy
The Prince of Monaco lives in the Prince's Palace, which dates back to the 12th century. The palace has been occupied by the Grimaldi family since the 1200s who have ruled Monaco without interruption until today. The palace is guarded all of the time and there is a "Changing of the Guards Ceremony" every day in The Palace Square (at the front of the Palace) at 11:55am, seven days a week. There are also several tours of the palace given every day. The Monaco Cathedral is where Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly were married and also where Grace Kelly is buried. There are also a good number of the Grimaldi family buried here, as well.
Getting Around
The size of Monaco allows speedy and easy commutes between the various districts of the Principality. Walking in the Principality is facilitated by public lifts and escalators which operate 24 hours a day, every day, to help overcome difficult steep levels. Public transportation includes a bus shuttle service that includes 5 different routes. A single ticket is 1 euro, a card for 10 trips is 6 euros, and a daily ticket costs 3 euros. Get your ticket at the driver when boarding the bus.Departures are every 10 minutes from 7 am to 9 pm. You can buy tickets from the bus drivers and also multiple journey tickets valid for that day saving time and money. Monaco has a bus network of 5 lines that cover the entire principality. The lines are the following:
1 : Monaco Ville - Harbour - Casino - Saint Roman2 : Monaco Ville - Harbour - Casino - Pont Ste Devote - Jardin Exotique
4 : Condamine - Pont Ste Devote - Place des Moulins
5 : Condamine - Fontvieille - Harbour - Hôpital - Condamine
6 : Fontvieille - Harbour - Casino - Larvotto (beaches)
Buses go on a circular route around La Condamine, with buses going north along the harbour, and going south on Rue Grimaldi. The best interchange points are at Place d'Armes and Stade Nautique, where most bus lines meet. If you're arriving or leaving by train, exits of the station are at the Pont Ste Devote, Place Ste Devote and Condamine bus stops.
This is the list of current public lifts / elevators availbale for use :
1- between the Place des Moulins and the beaches
2- between the Princess Grace Hospital Center and the Exotic Garden
3- between the harbor and the Avenue de la Costa
4- between the Place St. D'vote and the area of Mon'ghetti
5- between the Terraces of the Casino, the Congress Centre Auditorium and the Boulevard Louis II
6- between the Avenue des Citronniers and the Avenue Grande-Bretagne
7- between the highway and the Larvotto Boulevard.
Next week -- Toulon, our last port :(
"Did you remember to change the guards before we left?"
ReplyDelete"Arrrghh!!! I thought that YOU were going to change the guards!!!"
...a 10 Euro entrance fee to gamble?...I don't think that will stop Nana from checking out some Monte Carlo slot action...Good Luck Nana!...win the BIG one!
ReplyDeleteNana want's her picture taken in front of the Casino and included with the post card to the pope.
ReplyDelete