Monte Carlo is the most popular city in the tiny principality of Monaco which is surrounded by France and the Mediterranean. Monaco and Monte Carlo are both considered a playground for the rich, most famous for its grand Monte Carlo Casino. The casino was actually built as a way to keep the royal Grimaldi family out of bankruptcy, and for many years the casino was a large source of funding for the nation, which collects no personal income taxes. The country is a constitutional monarchy and its royal glamour was perhaps best emulated in their former princess, American movie star Grace Kelly. See Monaco’s beauty in person on a cruise to Monte Carlo. Featured below are a few of our favorite experiences for the cruise port of Monte Carlo, Monaco:
- If you happen to cruise to Monte Carlo during the Monaco Grand Prix, you won’t want to miss this most exalted of all Formula One races.
- Be stunned at the stained glass, paintings and sculptures at the Grand Casino. Just a heads up, men must wear coats, sneakers are forbidden and you must show your passport to enter.
- You’ve never been to an aquarium quite like Monaco’s Oceanographic Museum, which not only includes more than 90 tanks, but has paintings and drawings with a maritime theme. The museum also houses specimens from Price Albert I’s expeditions during the turn of the century.
- Visit the 13th century Palais du Prince where inside you can explore a collection of Napoleon’s personal possessions and outside you can watch the pomp and circumstance of the changing of the guard.
- Explore the Grottes de l’Observatoir, a prehistoric cave with stalactites and stalagmites where the temperature actually rises as you descend.
