Weather
Mild, with most rain falling during the cool winter months. Hottest months are July and August.
Time difference
GMT +1.
Currency
Euro (€) = 100 cents.
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Monaco holidays
In 1997 Monaco celebrated the 700th anniversary of the royal house of Grimaldi
Taken from The Traveller's Handbook.
Taken from The Traveller's Handbook.
Monaco holiday experts at WEXAS will tailor-make all aspects of your itinerary to create a Monaco holiday, personal to you.
Monaco tailor-made holiday highlights
Monte-CarloThe best known area of Monaco must be the glitz and glamour of Monte-Carlo. Huge motor yachts bob at their moorings in the harbour as their playboy owners play roulette in the lavish, Charles Garnier-designed Grand Casino, while their wives shop in the most fashionable of boutiques. This is the area that hosted the f1 gp, first raced in 1929 and famous for the Loews hairpin, where drivers have to be inch-perfect to keep their cars from the guardrails. Only twice have cars finished their race in the harbour, Alberto Ascari in 1955 and Paul Hawkins in 1965. Both survived.
Monaco-Ville
Balanced on the Rock overlooking the harbour and the lights of Monte-Carlo is the Old Town, a medieval labyrinth of private dwellings, palaces, and cobbled streets. At its heart is the Prince's Palace and State Apartments, built in 1215. Take a tour to admire the beautifully adorned marble staircase and the Saint-Martin Gardens, complete with sea view. A number of Monagesque museums are also found here.
Fonteinville
Located beyond Monaco-Ville is this area which houses the Princess Grace Rose Garden, named after Hollywood actress Grace Kelly who married Prince Rainier III in 1956. The garden contains over 150 varieties of rose. The late Prince Rainier's 100-strong car collection is on permanent display nearby. The Naval Museum and Zoological Terraces are worth visiting in this area.
People & place
Monaco facts
Capital: Monaco
Language: French (official), English, Italian, Monégasque
People: French (47%), Monégasque, Italian.
Religion: Roman Catholic (90%)
Size (sq km): 1.95.
Population: 32,796.
Population density/sq km: 16,818.
Etiquette
Casual wear is acceptable in the daytime, more formal dress should be worn in the evening. Familiar greetings are carried out with a kiss to both cheeks.
Shopping
Perfume, chocolates, ceramics, clothing, hosiery, shoes, books, jewellery, embroidery, racing car models, postage stamps.
Food & drink
Similar to France. Local specialities include barbagiuan (pastry with rice and pumpkin), socca (chickpea flour pancakes) and stocafi (dried cod with tomatoes). French and international wines available.
International Airports
None, but plenty of helicopter pads. Services run by HéliAir Monaco (YO) to link with the airport in Nice, France (NCE).
Internal travel
Good roads. Buses go to all tourist spots. Taxis available.
Red tape
Visas
None.
Vaccinations
Not currently required.
Driving requirements
National driving licence.
Reps in UK/US
UK: 7 Upper Grosvenor Street, London W1K 2LX, tel (020) 7318 1083, fax (020) 7581 8161, email berenice@gouv.mc. US: 2314 Wyoming Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20008, tel (202) 234 1530, fax (202) 552 5778, email embassy@monaco-usa.org.
UK/US reps in Monaco
UK: 33 boulevard Princesse Charlotte, MC 98000, Monaco, tel 9350 9954, fax 9770 7200. US: The American Consulate General in Paris (see France) deals with enquiries relating to Monaco.
Currency
Euro (€) = 100 cents.
Finance
All major credit cards and traveller's cheques widely accepted.
Business hours
0900-1200, 1400-1700 Monday - Friday.
Safety & life expectancy
Safety information
Safe.
Life expectancy
Life expectancy: M 76.14, F 83.97.
Useful websites for travel
www.monaco-tourisme.com, www.visitmonaco.com, www.monaco-consulate-uk.gouv.mc, www.monte-carlo.mc.
Local media
No newspapers in English, but international press available.
Tourist boards
UK: 7 Upper Grosvenor Street, London, W1K 2LX, tel (020) 7491 4264, fax (020) 7408 2487, email dtc.london@gouv.mcæ. US: 23rd Floor, 565 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10017, tel (212) 286 3330.
Monaco tailor-made holiday ideas
Monte-CarloThe best known area of Monaco must be the glitz and glamour of Monte-Carlo. Huge motor yachts bob at their moorings in the harbour as their playboy owners play roulette in the lavish, Charles Garnier-designed Grand Casino, while their wives shop in the most fashionable of boutiques. This is the area that hosted the f1 gp, first raced in 1929 and famous for the Loews hairpin, where drivers have to be inch-perfect to keep their cars from the guardrails. Only twice have cars finished their race in the harbour, Alberto Ascari in 1955 and Paul Hawkins in 1965. Both survived.
Monaco-Ville
Balanced on the Rock overlooking the harbour and the lights of Monte-Carlo is the Old Town, a medieval labyrinth of private dwellings, palaces, and cobbled streets. At its heart is the Prince's Palace and State Apartments, built in 1215. Take a tour to admire the beautifully adorned marble staircase and the Saint-Martin Gardens, complete with sea view. A number of Monagesque museums are also found here.
Fonteinville
Located beyond Monaco-Ville is this area which houses the Princess Grace Rose Garden, named after Hollywood actress Grace Kelly who married Prince Rainier III in 1956. The garden contains over 150 varieties of rose. The late Prince Rainier's 100-strong car collection is on permanent display nearby. The Naval Museum and Zoological Terraces are worth visiting in this area.
