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Monaco
The second tiniest independent state in the world, Monaco, is a natural habour located in the south of France in the region known as the French Riviera.
Its proximity to the azure seas and skies gifts the area with an exceptional climate that is sunny and mild at best. This makes Monte Carlo, the capital of Monaco, one of the best-known resorts of the Riviera.
The largely urban city-state is a constinutional monarchy. Almost half of the mainly Catholic population is French, with less than a third are citizen of Monaco and Italy. This explains while though French is the official language, other languages like English, Italian, and Monegasque (a Romance dialect similar to Provencal) are also widely spoken, making the area a haven for diversity.
Visitors to Monaco are encouraged to visit its capital, Monte Carlo, to experience its gambling tables and the Monte Carlo Opera located within the casino complex, as well as to meet the royal guards at the Monaco Palace.
The Monaco Palace dates back to the 16th-century, with a 19th-century cathedral in the Byzantine style, and a noted oceanographic museum, founded in 1910 by Prince Albert I, close by.
From the palace, views of picture-perfect Bay of Monaco are memorable. The “Carabiniers” who guard the royal palace perform a special ceremony before noon.
Fans of auto racing will thrive in Monaco’s race-tracks as the state is home to both the Monte Carlo Rally and the Monaco Grand Prix. Adventure-seekers on holiday to Monaco may even walk around the route of the legendary Formula One Grand Prix, as long as it is outside racing season.
Visitors wanting to a fascination natural experience can visit the Jardin Exotique (Exotic Gardens). There, many rare plants from around the world are presented in memorable and leisurely walking tour. A host of unusual desert plants, such as cacti, are available in the area due to the rise in altitude bringing to mind a desert climate.
