The Top 10 Reasons to discover or re discover Monaco

With 300 days of sunshine a year, a chic and relaxed atmosphere, we are inviting you to live the dream: a pleasant and welcoming country, where safety is very high and a warm welcoming is a way of living.

Colourful and with amazing diversity, the Principality of Monaco has the perfect blend of culture, heritage and splendour that will seduce any traveller.

Expect hospitality as warm as the country’s famous weather. Oh, and the experience of a lifetime.

1- Location and Accessibility

Situated at France’s south-eastern corner near the Italian border and is just 7 minutes by helicopter from Nice Côte d’Azur International airport to Monaco, and the views along the Mediterranean coast, with its rocky cliffs and hairpin bends, are breathtaking. And while landing on a helipad by the sea is a fitting way to arrive, most people fly to Nice and take the 30-minute road trip by car, bus or taxi. You can also travel by Eurostar to Paris, with onward tickets to the South of France and Monaco. Monaco is easily combinable with other destinations.

Monaco enjoys over 300 days of sunshine a year and a temperate climate. In winter, temperatures vary from 8-14˚C. In summer temperatures reach an average 26˚C, though like everywhere on the French Riviera some days are scorchers.

2- A Gourmet destination

Within its borders there are 170+ restaurants, six of which boast a combined nine Michelin stars. A striking culinary accomplishment for such a petite province! Serving all types of food - from raw food and seafood to fast food and Michelin-starred - finding somewhere to eat is never a problem. Fine dining is the norm in a place where getting dressed up for dinner is de rigueur and an out-of-this-world meal can be followed by a flutter in the Casino or a moonlit walk through lush gardens or alongside the sea.

The region’s own dishes are worth seeking out: stocafi, a codfish with tomato sauce and local spices, is one of the most famous items in the country. As is the barbajuan (‘Uncle John’ in local dialect), a ravioli-like dough stuffed with vegetables, egg and spices. Fancy a light lunch on the run? Grab a pan-bagnat, a salad nicoise in a bun.

3- Hotels

When the quality of the reception becomes an art. The fourteen luxury and regular hotels of the Principality all cherish the values of hospitality and personalised service with the same level of care. Monaco has hotels from 5 to 2-star hotels.

Buildings of very differing styles, classical or Belle Epoque, romantic, Mediterranean or contemporary, all these hotels, incorporating some eighty restaurants, offer conviviality and have shared for more than a century, the fame of a golden legend.

4- Affordability

One of the most surprising things about Monaco is its affordability. Aside from the peak periods such as Monaco Grand Prix and Monaco Yacht Show the price point of accommodation is extremely good value for money.

5- Safety

The safest place in Europe - Monaco. If safety is your number one priority in a destination, then Monaco is for you. Security for this tiny constitutional monarchy is provided by an armed national police force and has 1 policeman for every 100 residents, a system of 24-hour video surveillance spanning the entire surface area of the Principality, giving it the reputation of being the ''safest square mile" in Europe.

6- Culture and Events

True culture haven, the Principality of Monaco is a permanent entertainment in itself! Constantly simmering in artistic excitement, Monaco lives in continual motion and is always at the top of the bill! Monaco has its own Opera, own Ballets, own Philharmonic Orchestra.

Boasting an incredible calendar of events, Monaco offers daily surprises from music festivals, sporting events, conventions and of course worldwide renowned highlights. Each season, every day, every evening, every night is bringing a special and unique experience.

7- Districts of Monaco

Monegasques are fiercely proud of their country, which has its own national anthem, a red-and-white flag and 7 distinct districts: Monaco-Ville, the old city balanced on the Rock of Monaco, the headland that juts into the sea. Monte-Carlo, home to the Hotel de Paris, the Grand Casino and Casino Square. Larvotto, with its luxury apartments sprinkled along Avenue Princess Grace; Condamine, which is focused around the marina on Port Hercules, and nearby Moneghetti, all steep inclines and manicured gardens. La Rousse is largely residential; Fontvieille boasts waterfront entertainment and shopping; Larvotto, the beach area, is a distinguished stretch of bespoke bars and lounge chairs for rent.

8- For any types of travellers

Monaco has it all: for 1st time visit and repeaters, for Leisure and Mice clientele, for Family, Honeymooners or solo travellers - All are welcome and will be seduce by the large variety of activity options available : Spa, wellness centre, shopping, watersports, Yacht cruise, Casino, Museum, Monument, garden and of course a very abundant night life.

9- (re) Discover Monaco

Monaco is a walking destination, occupying an area of just 2.8 sq. km, it is easy to walk everywhere. The country has a very good system of lift all over the country.

The city has as well a bus network of 6 lines that cover all the tourist attractions, Museums, Exotic garden, business centres, or even the Casino or the Louis II Stadium. The solar boat-bus, another pleasant link between Monaco-Ville and the Casino with a playful and ecological transport.

10- What’s new in 2018?

The Hôtel de Paris is scheduled to fully reopen in September 2018, after a 4 years renovation program. Major innovations include the creation of a garden courtyard in the centre of the establishment and enhanced use of the roof space with the installation there of a new fitness, spa and pool area, superlative suites, and a “rooftop villa” with its own private pool and garden.

For more information: www.VisitMonaco.com (External link)

360 Virtual Tour of Monaco: http://www.visitmonaco.com/monaco360/vr.html (External link)

Online Discover Monaco’s guide : http://v3au.zone-secure.net/drive/7151/251445/#page=1 (External link)

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