Principality Monaco, a small paradise for the rich and/or the famous. I've been there several times while enjoying a holiday in the south of France. A lot of European wealthy people have a appartement or a house (more rare) in Monaco because of the good tax climate. For instance Max Verstappen, the most succefull Dutch formula 1 driver has a apartement in Monaco.
When you cross the 'border' from the Nice direction you see immediately the change in surrounding, a lot of palmtrees, expensive and fancy sportscars and people dressed up like if they have a camera shoot in a minute. Of course it is a great experience to see all that wealth and stuff, but in the end everbody needs to go to the toilet ;)....
But I have to be honest, it is fun to see all the things which I already knew from the beginning that it was'nt meant for me ;)
It has already been some time ago, but it is still in my short term memory :)
Monaco history
Monaco is the second smallest country in the world. (the vatican is the smallest) and was founded in 1297. It is completely surrounded by countries of the European Union but isn't a part of it though the use the Euro as legit payment. (source Wikipedia). It's formost famous for it's paradise of taxes and the Formula 1 Grand Prix which is a real event to see (small streets filled with F1 cars which drive aprox 250 km/h)... Prince Albert II is the head of the population, he followed up his father Reinier III who died in 2005. His father was married with Grace Kelly
They are both burried in the Church of Monaco.
Tourism
The wealth and rich residents attrackt's tourist (the one's like me). So a lot of people during the day are tourists who visit Monaco to see the lifestyle of the rich and famous. You see this in the 'oooh's and aaaah's' when a Ferrari passes by, or people standing in front of a expensive show. I do think that without the tourists the restaurants and shop's weren't that popular and in ammount so many, cause the residents like their privacy a lot and won't be 'in the public' that much.
The palace
Layered on a height compared to Monte Carlo there is the palace. The Grimaldi's (Royal family) still live in the palace in a shielded area. Some parts of the palace are open for public.
From the palais side you have a great view across the harbour and the Monte Carlo centre.
The palace is guarded , and the guards have a change of duty every afternoon. That is a great spectacle to see..
Of course there are always a lot of tourist wanting to see the change of service. I have respect for the guards not even blinking with their eyes when the shift turns.
I wouldn't think of me standing there in the sun during the day. Although the cabin is in the shadow, it is still bloody hot.
The Opera de Monte Carlo
The opera house is the venue in Monte Carlo where opera's and other music festivals are held. The building itself is beautiful and is part of the Monte Carlo Casino.
Hommage des Colonies Etrangeres
This statue is in honour of the foreign colonies whom fighted and protected Monaco.
Oceangraphic Museum Monaco
In Monaco there is the Oceangraphic musuem. It is a dymanic museum with aquaria, history about the ocean and in front of the museum the very first submarine of the world famous oceanolog Jacques Cousteau .
The building where the museum is vested in, is really awesome...
Boats & Cars
Of course a lot of people (including yours truely) are also in Monaco to look at all the cars and boats which we normally won't see in our own hometown. a lot of the rich people (i'm sure) are in Monaco to be seen. I don't mind really, I guess they worked hard for their wealth, so you better be proud of it :).
A seatworhty speedboat
They have a 'spare boat' for in the harbour
When we visited Monaco there was a finish of a rally for the good cause. They raised money for sick childeren in a hospital in England.
They even had a kind of a Taxi service which would pick up people from the Nice airport to bring them to their boat. Cause believe it or not, a lot of boatowners are traveling by plane to Monaco to have a relaxed time on their boat which was cruised to the harbour by their personal... If I owned a boat like that I would travel with it along on the mediterrian sea...
I wouldn't mind driving one of these....
Formula 1
One of the things you will see all over the souvenirshops in Monaca is Formula 1. Once a year the Grand Prix of Moncao takes place in the middle of the city. It is a streetcircuit wich will close up the entire city for one week. I really love to see this Gran Prix because it's a great race with much action. It is very difficult to overtake so drivers do take big risks...
Of course I went to see all the 'well known places' from the circuit in real life... It's awkward to see that on normal days you really can't imagine that formula 1 cars race the streets with those horsepowers...
The exit of the tunnel in normal life
Source, Daniel Ricciardo exiting the tunnel in a Grand prix.
When we left Monaco we drove trough the tunnel, I though it was funny to open up the window and make the noise of a F1 car.... My passengers thought it was less funny :)
From start/finish the F1 cars drive towards the casino, the famous Monte Carlo Casino. The climb a bit so drivers aren't able to see exactly how the roads flows, it's a tricky corner.
See Max Verstappen crash in the same corner here
With the Formula one race people rent their balcony for F1 lovers. Prices are outragious, some will go for 25.000 euro just for the race.... when yo do that, you really have no clue what to do with your money.....
Recap
If you want to see a day of wealth, over the top cars and people and some history of a great Principauté, you have to visit Monaco. although it's small, it's got all to have a great day out. Do take some extra cash or plastic with you cause prices of restaurants and bars are bizar.... Especially at the touristic parts...
Monaco breathes Formula one, and that's something I like a lot, so it's really cool to see the circuit and the memorabilia at a lot of shops...
So when you are in the neighbourhood, don't forget to visit this great little paradise next to France :)
Have a great weekend :)
All pictures are taken by myself except the ones which are sourced
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