Monte Carlo is the playground of the rich and famous. Sleek yachts grace the harbor. Boutiques offer the latest fashions and jewelry from the most prestigious couturiers in Europe. Cafes, cabarets and the elegant Casino throb with nightlife. Monte Carlo is also the modern district of the principality of Monaco. The modern Xanadu sits on a rocky promontory above the old port of Monaco and the dazzling harbor. Monte Carlo sprang to life in 1866 and hit full stride with the opening of the Casino, designed by Charles Garnier, whose credits include the Paris Opera. Today, Monte Carlo is one of the most vibrant and fascinating ports of call in the entire world. Monte Carlo lies at the heart of the Riviera. Stunning scenery and charming seaside resorts are to be found in either direction along the Golden Corniche.
This is definitely the most beautiful city we have ever seen. Our first time here and can’t believe we have missed it all these years. We left at 9:30 and Gary & I found the Yacht Club of Monaco, whose president is Prince Albert, we have never seen such elegance in a yacht club. Of course, only the rich and famous belong and it shows. They were lovely to us, showed us around the entire club and even gave us two books. One on the yacht club and one on the “Tuiga,” an all wooden sail boat which was built in 1909 and still races. It was bought by Prince Albert and we had the pleasure of a private tour by its captain.
From there we walked up to the Palace which was on the very top of a small mountain and watched the changing of the guard. There were several narrow streets filled with cafés serving everything from baguettes & pizza to bowls of mussels & spaghetti (Gary had the mussels, I had the pizza). We walked up & down the streets for hours and got back to the boat at 4:00. We sail at 6:00 for Portofino, our last stop.
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