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.

 Monaco uses the Euro as its currency

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 © 2008-2011 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.