The French Riviera city of Nice has been a glamorous place to visit for well over a century. Even back before the city belonged to France, it was known as a place for aristocrats to take a vacation and escape the cold weather of northern Europe. It was especially popular first with British nobility and then with the increasingly wealthy merchants of the Industrial Revolution.
But for all its historic glamour, Nice is not the only destination along the Mediterranean coast that’s well-known to high rollers. Just a short journey away from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, the independent principality of Monaco is still one of the world’s most popular destinations with the rich and famous. Drop off your bags at a convenient luggage storage in Nice Airport and prepare to enjoy a taste of the high life.
The History of Monaco
Monaco is a microstate that is completely surrounded by France. Still ruled by the same Grimaldi family that carved out their tiny kingdom by the sea back in 1297, Monaco is one of the world’s smallest sovereign states and the most densely populated country anywhere on the planet.
It was in the 19th century, with the opening of the Monte Carlo Casino and the establishment of a railway connection to Paris, Monaco became internationally known as a great place to stay, play, and enjoy beautiful Mediterranean weather. It’s a reputation it still maintains to this day, with the port of Monaco serving as the home of luxury yachts for Silicon Valley tech moguls, Russian oligarchs, and billionaire business leaders from around the world.
Famously, Monaco imposes no income tax and no business tax, with the profits from the state-run casino providing enough income for the principality to run itself. That makes it an attractive place for wealthy tax avoidance.
All that wealth sloshing around makes Monaco one of the best places in the world for a luxury holiday – if your budget allows it.
Getting to Monaco
Monaco is too small to have its own airport, so Nice Côte d’Azur Airport serves as the airport for the principality, too. Monaco does, however, have a heliport, and there’s a regular helicopter service from Nice Airport to Monaco. Whether you’re arriving on the Riviera by private jet or by commercial aircraft, you’ll need to land at Nice Airport and make your way to Monaco from there.
If the short helicopter ride isn’t to your liking, there are several ways to get to Monaco from Nice airport. A selection of companies offer limousine service from the airport to Monaco, a journey that will take around 30 minutes, depending on traffic. It’s also possible to charter a yacht to bring you from the port of Nice – easily reached by taxi from the airport – to Monaco.
You can also rent a car at Nice Airport and take a beautiful drive along the coast to the principality for yourself. Finally, public transportation options exist, including a regular train from the Nice Train Station and a bus service.
Things to do in Monaco
Monte Carlo Casino
It was the establishment of the state-run casino that made Monte Carlo the playground of the rich it is today. And the casino remains, in many ways, the heart of this tiny country. Pass by the selection of million-dollar sports cars parked outside, and you’ll find yourself transported back to the opulent world of 19th-century aristocrats.
Built in 1865, the casino offers luxury gaming to visitors – though famously not to citizens of Monaco, who are barred from entering. Inside, you’ll find a gambling experience that exudes old-world charm, with roulette, baccarat, and poker tables where you can test your luck and wits against some of the world’s best players as well as millionaires and billionaires from around the globe.
Even if you’re not a fan of gambling, the beautiful casino is worth a visit just for its historic importance and architecture. It’s also home to the Monte Carlo Opera, so it’s also a great place to catch a performance.
One Monte Carlo
In a country where one in three residents are millionaires, you would expect to find some good shopping opportunities. You’ll find some of the best Monaco has to offer in this recently opened shopping mall. Home to boutiques operated by both local designers and famous names from around the world, this is the perfect place to shop for a new outfit, a beautiful watch, or a piece of jewellery to commemorate your glamorous trip.
Monaco events
The country may be small, but it still puts on some of the most glamorous events in the world. Perhaps the most famous is the Monaco Grand Prix when the winding streets of the country are converted into a Formula One race track.
Another great place to see and be seen is the Monaco Yacht Show, which takes place in September. Additionally, the Monte Carlo Summer Festival, one of the most respected music festivals in all of Europe, hosts numerous black-tie events throughout the city that provide some of the most exclusive evenings in this upscale place.
Dining
Monaco is home to six Michelin-starred restaurants, including the three-star rated Louis XV at l’Hotel du Paris, operated by legendary chef Alain Ducasse. You’ll also find plenty of luxurious dining rooms in the better hotels of Monaco and Monte Carlo. There are few better places to show off your Riviera wardrobe than these restaurants, and the tasting menus will show you some of the best of what the region has to offer.
A luxury trip to Monaco
Monaco is one of the best places in Europe and the entire world to enjoy the finer things in life. Packed with fascinating museums and rich history, this small country also has everything you need for a memorable trip, from exceptional dining to luxurious hotels to fabulous events where you can rub shoulders with some of the wealthiest people in the world. Easily reached from Nice Airport, Monaco is the perfect place to enjoy a taste of the high life.