Rapallo was never on my list. I never thought there could actually be something about this city. It lies on the Ligurian Sea coast, just between Cinque Terre and Genoa. As a girl from Croatia, I know it from the history books as the Treaty of Rapallo was signed there, in Villa Pagana, formerly known as Villa Spinola. A treaty…
The five Cinque Terre villages are situated in northern Italy on the Mediterranean Sea, just 3 hours by train from Milan, Pisa and Florence. I have arrived by car and totally enjoyed the national park that spreads across the five villages. La Spezia My journey started in La Spezia. This was the very first stop as I…
Tintine was slowly climbing up the hills of San Marino. Not much pressure should have been put on this car as she had enough of the shocks in the last year or two. The hills around us were rising and soon we found ourselves surrounded by an amazing view. It was San Marino surrounded by…
My Life in Sicily finished after a year spent on this island. It was time to turn on my Tintine (a beautiful red car), hop on a ferry and say goodbye. I was nostalgic as a was driving through Reggio Calabria. But soon I was in Puglia – the region with the best Italian cheeses.…
Ardennes are super fun to visit. They are cold but there is loads of trails to discover. Hence, after so many locations, Rochefort was on the route as well. Its ancient position at the crossroads where the route to Saint-Hubert crossed that from Liège to Bouillon required fortifying: the ruins of the old castle, which gave the place its name and…
Once upon a time, there was a little Ivana in Cuba trying to explain a poor restaurant holder that the pizza ragusa he is having on the menu is not some Italian name for some Italian city, but the city of Dubrovnik in Croatia. Stupid girl. Ragusa is a city on the southern side of the…
An Ionian seaside town, Avola is a mix of old and new. The town focuses heavily on the sea, with its history as a tuna fishing port. Today, the remains of the Vecchia Tonnara at the wharf are a stone backdrop to the sandy beaches. Avola dates back to a pre-Greek people called the Sicani.…
Located about 11 kilometres north of Catania, it is the perfect little commune to visit during the ottobrata – the local festivity that occurs every October here in Sicily, celebrating the fruits of the land: frutti di terra. The first encounter went wrong already 🙂 Approaching the booth with fruit, I have noticed quince – one…
If something is worth visiting in life, it is the Aeolian islands. Becasue it makes you think about winter in the south. It makes you think about simplicity of life. And it makes you realise how not to treat the tourists: just some bags of potatoes that need to be shipped from one island to…
I haven’t had a chance to spent a bit more time discovering this city. But just a glimpse and it made me think to re-visit and make it’s due. When the time will come, I promise to update with more photos. But for now, enjoy the story 🙂 Several civilizations settled in Milazzo and left…
I didn’t expect much from this harbour city, to be honest. I knew they have a great beer – Messina cristali di sale: a great Sicilian beer brewed since 1923 and one of the most loved Italian beers. It is the third largest city on the island of Sicily, and the 13th largest city in Italy.…
Senlis is a city in the northern French department of Oise, Hautes de France. Cute, medieval and charming. It offered us great peek into history: The monarchs of the early French dynasties lived in Senlis, attracted by the proximity of the Chantilly forest. Senlis is situated on the river Nonette. Senlis was known in early Roman imperial times as Augustomagus. During the 3rd century, a seven-meter…
Monaco, officially the Principality of Monaco, is a micro-state in Western Europe. Actually, this is the second smallest independent state in the world (after the Vatican) and is entirely urban. Monaco is […]
Monaco, officially the Principality of Monaco, is a micro-state in Western Europe. Actually, this is the second smallest independent state in the world (after the Vatican) and is entirely urban.
Monaco is surrounded by France on three sides and the remaining part of the country is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea.
I arrived from the train station which I noticed was entirely in marble.
Train station in Monte Carlo
Monaco is a principality governed under a form of constitutional monarchy, with Prince Albert II as head of state.
The official language is French, but Monégasque, Italian, and English are widely spoken and understood.
The state’s sovereignty was officially recognized by the Franco-Monegasque Treaty of 1861, with Monaco becoming a full United Nations voting member in 1993. Despite Monaco’s independence and separate foreign policy, its defense is the responsibility of France. Yap, that’s true. Monaco does not have its own major defense force. The country’s defense is France’ responsibility.
In more recent years, Monaco has become a major banking centre and due to no income tax, low business taxes became a tax haven
It is also the host of the annual street circuit motor race Monaco Grand Prix, one of the original Grands Prix of Formula One.
Start of Formula 1 Grand Prix
Monaco Grand Prix is one of the main events that the country hosts every year. If you are curious about the winner of the event, note that Ayrton Senna has won the Grand Prix 6 times, more than any other race car driver.
In 15th century, the Grimaldi family purchased Monaco from the Crown of Aragon and became the official and undisputed rulers of “the Rock of Monaco”. The story tells that Grimaldi was good in cheating with cards and gambling so he got the Rock of Monaco by scam and founded the country.
Rainier I of Grimaldi, victor of the naval battle at Zierikzee and first sovereign Grimaldi ruler of Monaco
Monaco was founded on the Rock of Monaco
Unfortunately since then, the entire royal family has been cursed. The latest curse occurred in 1982 when beautiful Princess of MonacoGrace Kelly died in a car crash after marrying Prince Rainier III.
Entire Monaco filled with photos of Princess of Monaco
She is buried in Saint Nicholas Cathedral which is also known as Monaco Cathedral which was built in 19th century.
Cathédrale de MonacoCathedral of Monaco – view from the west
Three of James Bond Films have been shot here in Monte-Carlo Casino. Why not? The casino is so classy that even the best of the James Bond films need to shoot a scene or two here. Unfortunately I was not allowed to enter, but the casino and the buildings around are stunning:
Casino
Casino de Monte-Carlo was opened in Monaco in 1863. Inside are the gambling tables since 19th century.
Do not be surprised to learn that the native of Monaco are not allowed to gamble here and visit the casino. The rule is imposed by the country’s government, which does not want its citizens to gamble away their money. The casino is a source of income for the country and provides employment to its residents.
Although the current Princess Caroline is accredited with establishing gambling casinos in Monaco to support the House of Grimaldi (the ruling family of Monaco) from bankruptcy.
For the rich and famous people from across the world, Monaco is a premier tourist destination and recreation center. So the view on the seaside is actually the view on rich and expensive yachts and streets are filled with luxurious cars.
While wandering around I was bumping into many parks and gardens but the most popular one is the Rose garden of Princess Grace Kelly created in 1984 as a memorial to princess. The garden features more than 4,000 roses.
Princess Grace Rose Garden
Climbing up the hill you will actually get to the Old Town of Monaco. This is also known as Monaco Ville or Le Rocher (eng. the Rock) and is the government and historical centre of the Principality, as well as being one of the two main tourist sites.
Typical medieval alleyways of Monaco’s old town
The Prince’s Palace, official residence of the Prince and Princess of Monaco, location of the Royal court, almost a city within the city is there as well, located at the Palace square.
Prince’s Palace
Since the end of the 13th century, it has been the stronghold and home of the mentioned Grimaldi family.
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the palace and its owners became symbols of the slightly risqué glamour and decadence that were associated with Monte Carlo and the French Riviera. Glamour and theatricality became reality when the American film star Grace Kelly became chatelaine of the palace in 1956. In the 21st century, the palace remains the residence of the current Prince of Monaco.
Portrait of Princess Grace & Prince Rainier of Monaco with Family, 1981. The son Albert ll is current monarch
Montecarlo is breathtakingly beautiful, I would love to visit this city someday. I would plan to visit the city as well as watch the Grand Prix. Nicely described with the pictures.
This is lovely! I absolutely enjoy looking at the designs of the homes. Although they are classic in style, they all look stunning! Thank you so much for sharing with us these photos.
Monaco looks magnificent! Love looking at the colors! I love visiting ancient cathedrals. I did not know that Italian is spoken there. That’s a cool fact! bellissimamma.it 🙂
Princess Caroline establishing gambling casinos in Monaco to support the House of Grimaldi…this is what I call enterprising and moving forward with times.
Hello! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any problems with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing several weeks of hard work due to no backup. Do you have any methods to stop hackers?
With havin so much written content do you ever run into any issues of plagorism or copyright violation? My blog has a lot of unique content I’ve either created myself or outsourced but it seems a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my agreement. Do you know any ways to help reduce content from being ripped off? I’d truly appreciate it.
Wonderful post. Loved the way you explained and the pictures you used!
LikeLike
Great post, Beautiful pics, it very wonder to visit Monaco. You can book cheap flights here
https://www.fractaltravel.com/flights/united-states/los-angeles
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
Your photos are gorgeous! Sounds like a greattrip!
LikeLike
Love the way you have described the beautiful Monaco with pictures.
LikeLike
Worth reading
LikeLike
Great trip and nice photos and i really loved to travel..
LikeLike
Worth reading thank you for sharing
LikeLike
Awesome…..
All the pic showing the beauty of nature.
LikeLike
Wow this is indeed beautiful place to visit
LikeLike
Croatia is so beautiful. I love the scenery.Btw, what camera do you use in taking photos? Your pictures look great.
LikeLike
Montecarlo is breathtakingly beautiful, I would love to visit this city someday. I would plan to visit the city as well as watch the Grand Prix. Nicely described with the pictures.
LikeLike
realy great work love you blog
LikeLike
That marble train station looks lovely. It’s so nice to visit Monte Carlo, I hope I could one day.
Joy to the World
LikeLike
Really great place to drive in Manaco. Superbbb…
LikeLike
This is lovely! I absolutely enjoy looking at the designs of the homes. Although they are classic in style, they all look stunning! Thank you so much for sharing with us these photos.
LikeLike
Really really want to go to MC badly! Fantastic article and great pics!
LikeLike
Monaco looks magnificent! Love looking at the colors! I love visiting ancient cathedrals. I did not know that Italian is spoken there. That’s a cool fact! bellissimamma.it 🙂
LikeLike
Really great place
LikeLike
I did not know that it is the second smallest nation of the world. You mention the facts beautifully
LikeLike
Amazing
LikeLike
Such a wonderful place, I always thought Monte Carlo is a clothing brand. Just realized now that a place with same name exists. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
Wonderful place . Love looking at the colors. ❤
LikeLike
Princess Caroline establishing gambling casinos in Monaco to support the House of Grimaldi…this is what I call enterprising and moving forward with times.
LikeLike
Amazing pictures.
Please check my post on Monaco http://mesmotsbysazz.com/2018/12/20/monaco-a-true-heaven/
LikeLike
Hypnotic place 😍
LikeLike
Hello! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any problems with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing several weeks of hard work due to no backup. Do you have any methods to stop hackers?
LikeLike
With havin so much written content do you ever run into any issues of plagorism or copyright violation? My blog has a lot of unique content I’ve either created myself or outsourced but it seems a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my agreement. Do you know any ways to help reduce content from being ripped off? I’d truly appreciate it.
LikeLike