Visiting Monaco - Has anyone ever been?

[FidelCashflow]

Has anyone hear ever been to the Principality of Monaco? All I know about it is it looks really nice, and from what I've heard from some people you have to be loaded to hang out there.

Seems like the type of place I'd like to visit eventually. Just curious if anyone has ever experienced Monaco, and can comment on what its like as a vacation destination.

 

[West24]

I have not been to the principality of Monaco, but i have been to the Club of Monaco. So i could better comment on the ladder if you're interested.

 

[Violinist]

Originally Posted by FidelCashflow

Has anyone hear ever been to the Principality of Monaco? All I know about it is it looks really nice, and from what I've heard from some people you have to be loaded to hang out there.

Seems like the type of place I'd like to visit eventually. Just curious if anyone has ever experienced Monaco, and can comment on what its like as a vacation destination.

Yea you do have to be "loaded". I don't really see what someone would get out of being in Monaco if they didn't have the means to enjoy what is good there. There are amazing hotels and restaurants, but you're dealing with Mr. Chow prices. If cash is an issue for you, which it seems to be, I'd skip Monte Carlo.

 

[gdl203]

I think 3 hours is pretty much all you need to "visit" Monaco. No offense to the Monegasques but there's nothing really interesting or too attractive about Monaco when you consider that there are so many beautiful and charming places around it (Eze, St Jean Cap Ferrat, even Menton). I cannot imagine ever recommending Monaco as a "vacation destination" - a lunch destination, yes.

 

[itsstillmatt]

^^^ I agree. I was there for a couple days, and was bored out of my mind. If you love to gamble, or love great looking hookers, it could be the place for you.

 

[Mark from Plano]

Stay in Nice instead. It's a short drive or train ride from Monaco with some cool things like Eze, Villefranche and Cap-Ferrat in between. The older part of Nice is quite charming with the narrow streets, cafe's and shops. Not nearly as expensive there as Monaco.

All that said, if your an American Europe is just awfully expensive right now with the dollar at 1.55 to the euro.

 

[Violinist]

Originally Posted by iammatt

^^^ I agree. I was there for a couple days, and was bored out of my mind. If you love to gamble, or love great looking hookers, it could be the place for you.

Ya you go there for a sort of relaxing vacation, there isn't much to do. It's a good place to live and use as a springboard for the rest of Europe, but it's the size of like, Central Park, so it isn't a place I'd go for a big vacation.

The Nightlife is cool, the food is really great, and if you're into shopping it's really great too.

 

[kwilkinson]

Originally Posted by Mark from Plano

Stay in Nice instead. It's a short drive or train ride from Monaco with some cool things like Eze, Villefranche and Cap-Ferrat in between. The older part of Nice is quite charming with the narrow streets, cafe's and shops. Not nearly as expensive there as Monaco.

All that said, if your an American Europe is just awfully expensive right now with the dollar at 1.55 to the euro.

+10000 re: Nice. Spring Break my senior year of HS was spent in Nice, and there is nothing better IMO. I think the train ride to Monaco was ~1 hr. As people have said, Monaco was nice for like an afternoon, but seriously, after you visit the casino, walk the main street, eat at a nice place, and maybe see the palace, you're bored out of your mind.

 

[Mark from Plano]

Originally Posted by iammatt

^^^ I agree. I was there for a couple days, and was bored out of my mind. If you love to gamble, or love great looking hookers, it could be the place for you.


As far as the gambling goes...well, I didn't have $10,000 to drop in the Salon Privee in Monaco, so I stayed out in the public areas of the casino and frankly, the building is nice but the gambling sux. Horrible blackjack rules. If the casino were in the states it wouldn't survive.

Now, all that may be different in the private rooms, but where I was it was a really bad place to gamble...unless you're primary interest is supporting the Grimaldi's in the lifestyle to which they've become accustomed.

 

[Joffrey]

I spent a few hours as part of a tour a few years ago. It's pretty, great view but like other said not much reason to spend too long there.

I walked part of the grand prix track (the tunnel with a tacky gift shop at the exit), gambled at the casino (cramped tourist portion were coat isn't required) and had lunch near the cathedral.

 

[gdl203]

If you're in the area, please do go to Eze and climb to the top of the village, treat yourself to a lunch at Chateau Eza or at the Chevre d'Or (most unbelievable views from the terrace), go to Cap Ferrat and visit the Villa Ephrussi, drive along the coast all the way to Nice... there is so much to see and do around there

 

[SoCal2NYC]

Originally Posted by iammatt

^^^ I agree. I was there for a couple days, and was bored out of my mind. If you love to gamble, or love great looking hookers, it could be the place for you.

+1 but only for a weekend. I think I would have had more time if I wasn't travelling with some students who could barely afford hostels and thought it was "fun" to backpack around Europe. Yah...that friendship lasted one trip with me.

 

[Violinist]

Originally Posted by SoCal2NYC

+1 but only for a weekend. I think I would have had more time if I wasn't travelling with some students who could barely afford hostels and thought it was "fun" to backpack around Europe. Yah...that friendship lasted one trip with me.

If you have money it's fun. Staying at Hotel Paris is a great experience, and there's a number of really incredible restaurants of the kind that you won't get to dine at unless you're in Paris, London, or NYC. The nightlife is great and you'll meet really interesting people. However, if you're the typical American tourist with cargo pants, a No Fear shirt and the digital camera your grandma got you for christmas, you won't find it fun. It's a great place to relax and just kind of chill out for a while, and go out at night. But if you're trying to "see" as much as possible and take pictures of yourself in front of every monument, bridge, and whatever else, then yea, it's not really a place for you.

 

[maclovin]

Originally Posted by Violinist

If you have money it's fun. Staying at Hotel Paris is a great experience, and there's a number of really incredible restaurants of the kind that you won't get to dine at unless you're in Paris, London, or NYC. The nightlife is great and you'll meet really interesting people. However, if you're the typical American tourist with cargo pants, a No Fear shirt and the digital camera your grandma got you for christmas, you won't find it fun. It's a great place to relax and just kind of chill out for a while, and go out at night. But if you're trying to "see" as much as possible and take pictures of yourself in front of every monument, bridge, and whatever else, then yea, it's not really a place for you.

Vio,

By any chance are you trying to tell us that you have money? If so, you are doing a fabulous job. Monte strikes me as a place loved by those with some money, but no taste.

Yrs.

 

[johnapril]

I feel a slight unease whenever I am in Monaco but immediately better once in France. Roquebrune Cap-Martin and Menton are very nice, laid back places compared with Monaco. If you need Corthays or something, Nice has that, not Monaco.

That said, it is an interesting place to people watch.