
MONACO
Location - Western Europe; Capital - Monaco (city state); Population - 33,000; Currency - Euro
In April 2010 a certain Icelandic volcano was puffing its cheeks, so Eurostar was the mode of transport to Monaco, via Paris and Nice. In an area only 2 km², it has an amazing amount to offer - 3 days was just enough to see it all.
Though Monaco isn't a member of the European Union it uses the Euro as its currency
Euro notes aren't specific to each member state but the coins are. This is a Monaco 2 Euro coin
The best views of Fontvieille harbour can be had from Monaco-Ville
The luxury boats at Fontvieille harbour, with the sheer walls of the rock supporting Monaco-Ville on the near-right
I wouldn't mind having an apartment here - the narrow path that overlooks Fontvieille at Monaco-Ville
Walk to the other side of Monaco-Ville and look down to Port Hercule
The streets of Monaco-Ville, the principality's old town
The Palais Princier, or Prince's Palace, is the offical residence of Prince Albert II. It houses the State Apartments which are open to the public - Monaco-Ville
Guards preparing for the changing of the guard ceremony - Monaco-Ville
The changing of the guards takes place outside the Palais Princier at the Place du Palais, Monaco-Ville
Monaco-Ville is also known as 'Le Rocher', or 'The Rock'
Offices surrounding the Place du Palais, Monaco-Ville
There's plenty of restaurants dooted around the narrow cobbled streets of Monaco-Ville
Monaco's cathedral, Monaco-Ville
Inside the cathedral are the tombs of Prince Rainier III and his wife, Princess Grace (Hollywood actress Grace Kelly, above) - Monaco-Ville
The Jardin des Boulengrins leads to the Casino de Monte Carlo, obscured in this photo by stands erected for the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix - Monte Carlo
Jardin des Boulengrins, Monte Carlo
The world-famous Monte Carlo Casino, Monte Carlo
I managed to lose around 45 Euros within 20 minutes of entering. Ask me for tips - Casino de Monte Carlo, Monte Carlo
On one side of the casino is the Hotel de Paris, Monte Carlo
Somehow I don't think I could afford this place - Hotel de Paris, Monte Carlo
On the other side of the casino is the Cafe de Paris. You can see the hotel in the background - Monte Carlo
Casino de Monte Carlo, Monte Carlo
Next to the train station's main entrance is the Ste Devote church, Monte Carlo
Have a wander through Monaco's labyrinthine underground walkways
It feels like a town in itself, albeit a very empty one - Monaco
The view from the Hotel de France, the cheapest hotel in Monaco, at around 100 Euros a night - La Condamine
Near the hotel is the relaxing Place d'Armes - La Condamine
Place d'Armes is a quiet place at night, La Condamine
Place d'Armes, La Condamine
At the end of April work was well under way preparing for the forthcoming Monaco Grand Prix - La Condamine
Port Hercule is the older and larger of the 2 harbours in Monaco - La Condamine
One of numerous luxury boats berthed at Port Hercule, La Condamine
Port Hercule, La Condamine
From Port Hercule take the Chemin des Pecheurs path to the Aquarium at Monaco-Ville
Peering down from the Chemin des Pecheurs at Monaco-Ville
The Aquarium comes into view - Monaco-Ville
The Aquarium clings to the cliff face at Monaco-Ville
Funny fish at the Aquarium (I've forgotten its real name), Monaco-Ville
A night view of Port Hercule, La Condamine
Looking up from La Condamine to a section of the Prince's Palace in Monaco-Ville
The Jardin Exotique lies up the hill near the French border, in Moneghetti
There's more fantastic views from the Jardin Exotique, Moneghetti
My YouTube video of the Moneghetti views
Cruise ships arrive at Port Hercule, with the Mediterranean and the French Riviera in the distance - Monaco
A superb look at Monaco's old town, Monaco-Ville
Monaco-Ville and Fontvieille harbour. Port Hercule can just be seen to the left of Le Rocher.
Fontvieille harbour, as seen from the Jardin Exotique, Moneghetti
A closer look at the money in Fontvieille harbour
At the top right is Monaco cathedral in Monaco-Ville - Fontvieille harbour
A rather bizarre sculpture at the entrance to Fontvieille harbour. It can (just about) be seen in the Aquarium photo earlier.
Also in Fontvieille is the Princess Grace rose garden
The district of Fontvieille is built on reclaimed land
The fancy way of arriving in Monaco is by helicopter - the heliport, Fontvieille
Making maximum use of Monaco's 2 square kilometres - Fontvieille
And yes Monaco has beaches - this is the smaller, pebbly one between the Monte Carlo Bay Hotel and the Monte Carlo Beach Hotel, at the eastern extremity of the principality
Closer to the centre is the larger, man-made Larvotto beach - Larvotto
Larvotto beach, Larvotto
It's especially popular at the weekend - Larvotto beach, Larvotto
Continue along the coast heading towards Monte Carlo and you'll come across the Japanese Garden - Monaco
Close to the Japanese Garden are a host of footballers' feet imprints, including one Diego Armando Maradona - Monaco
Website and content Copyright © 2008-2018 Mark Wilkinson. All rights reserved.
LINKS
www.visitmonaco.com - Monaco's official site
www.yourmonaco.com
www.principatomonaco.com
I am not responsible for the content of external websites.
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