Magnificent Monaco

By Farah Amin

Casino de Monte Carlo
The Casino de Monte-Carlo is an architectural pleasure. It was inaugurated in 1863, reconstructed in 1878 by Charles Garnier. The casino has a foyer paved in marble and surrounded by 28 Ionic columns in onyx. On one side, the Opera Hall, with red and gold décor, bas-reliefs and sculptures, is an ode to Garnier’s other masterpiece, the Paris Opéra. On the other is the Casino itself, which you can visit without having to play. It leads into the newly renovated Salle Blanche, which opens to the sea. Head there to have a cocktail and hear live music; it’s the most elegant place in town!
Musée Océanographique de Monaco
Prince Albert was a scientist and an oceanographer; as well as a sovereign. He built the Musée Océanographique in 1910 as a temple of the sea combining art and science, where it is stuck dramatically to the edge of a cliff.
The building pays homage to the Mediterranean: the facade is decorated with crabs, shrimp, scorpion fish, jelly fish, calamari eggs and other oddities from the deep; the mosaic floors evoke the sea. The admission for the aquarium is 14 euros, where it features a world-class collection, including sharks and ageing octopuses and tortoises.

Jardin Exotique
The Jardin Exotique is home to the world’s largest collection of succulent and cactus. With more than 1,000 varieties of exotic cactuses and other succulents which grow between the rocks and on the steep crags in this botanical garden under the supervision of Monaco’s City Hall. The gardens spill down the slopes of Moneghetti through a maze of paths, stairs and bridges. The prehistoric, stalactite- and stalagmite-laced cave is bizarre: it’s the only cave in Europe where the temperature rises as you descend.

Go For A Walk
It is hard to find markers indicating that you’ve left Monaco and crossed into France. On one side of the Avenue du Port is the Fontvieille district of Monaco, on the other (French) side, the Riviera Marriott. To the left of the hotel is a walkway that borders the water. Expect to see beach volleyball players, belle époque villas, catamarans, joggers and fishing boats. Stone steps lead down to sheltered coves where you can skip stones and be alone. You can turn back anywhere along the way, or go to the end (three hours round-trip) at Cap d’Ail’s Plage Mala, a beautiful hidden cove.
Rent Your Dream Car
While driving is not the best way to get around Monaco; the public bus and free electric bike systems are much more efficient. But hey, you only live once and you should live your fantasy of driving up and down the winding turns of the Riviera in your dream sports car. Monaco Luxury Rent rents cars like Ferraris and Lamborghinis for a minimum of 24 hours. (Reserve the car the day before and expect to pay at least 1,500 euros.) O.K., you only have a few hours. But hey, this is a fantasy.

Brasserie de Monaco
Tourists and locals rub shoulders at Monaco’s only microbrewery, which crafts rich organic ales and lager, and serves tasty lunch and snacking grub too. Watch out for live music and sports-event TV screenings and daily happy hours from 6 PM.

Dinner By The Sea
A’Trego is a futuristic complex that juts out into the sea and offers three dining spaces, located in Cap d’Ail near the Marriott is La Cantine is the most lively out all. Designed by Philippe Starck, it serves a bargain tasting menu: three starters, three entrees and three desserts for 50 euros (without wine). The singer-guitarist William Jones pays a performance sometimes, and if you’re lucky you’ll get to see him. Take the free shuttle bus back to your hotel — or free shuttle boat service to your yacht.
Eat at the Louis XV
If you want to go all out the right place to do that is in Hotel de Paris. Dine at the Louis XV, Alain Ducasse’s Michelin three-star restaurant where a starter of pea soup with gnocchi goes for 76 euros (about $100).