Destination: Monaco

Situated on the North Mediterranean Sea, Monaco is about a 30 Kilometer drive East of Nice's Côte d'Azur Airport, close to the Italian Border. A car will take you anywhere between 30 minutes to three hours as traffic can be harsh into Monaco.

While this is a great way to see the countryside, there is another alternative. From the airport, grab a helicopter for a 15 min flight up the coast and arrive in style (Remember, you're in Monaco, it's all about style!). The cost is less than renting a car for a week and you don't really need a car, anyway, just a good pair of shoes.

Formally known as The Principality of Monaco, it is the world's most densely populated country and second-smallest independent nation.

In 2005 Prince Albert, Marquis of Baux, son of Prince Rainier III and the late Princess Grace Kelly, succeeded his father to become Prince Albert II of Monaco. French, English, Italian and Monégasque are the spoken languages. Total area of the entire country is less than two square kilometres - much smaller than my old stomping grounds of Random Island - hence the reasoning behind not renting a car.

The Prince's Palace overlooks the harbour where you'll find some of the world's most expensive and luxurious yachts.

I arrived here the second week in May to sunshine and an average temperature of 22 celcius. Preparation was underway for the Super Monaco Grand Prix which happens annually around that time. There are many restaurants and shopping to enjoy but a definite must is to visit the Casino Monte Carlo. Check your cameras and backpacks at the door and don't forget to wear your suit and tie or you won't get in.

This is not your typical Vegas Casino. A look at the lineup of Ferraris, Rolls Royces and Bentleys parked outside should be your first hint.

At the entrance an art gallery, with portraits of all of Monaco's Princes and Princesses, leads into the main gambling hall. Minimum bets start at 20 Euro. Behind the closed doors it's anyone's guess but I'm thinking a second mortgage is not a great way to 'spend' your evening.

Monaco's coastline is surrounded by sandy beaches, where you can soak up the sun during the day (bikini tops optional). Some are public and some are private. On the private beaches you can rent sun beds, have bar service and can eat lunch in the restaurant. However, the entire beach front along the water - private or public - is open to public access.

As one local explained to me, although it may be a private beach, the water in front of it is public so swimming is allowed. All you have to do is enter the water from the public side. This is France, and rules are made to be broken!, he told me.

Water activities include parasailing, water skiing, sailing, and swimming. Cruise ships frequent the area; sometimes there are five or six of them per day, and with the number of hotels in the city, this makes for a very busy tourist spot.

Because of this I think the locals are very friendly (if not tolerant) to tourists. Just about any restaurant, shop, taxi or other local business will be multilingual so you can get by on English easily. Although, a few attempts at 'merci' or 'grazie' are certainly appreciated so keep it in mind.

East along the coast is the city of Menton. It is now a part of France but once belonged to Genoa, Italy, which it now borders. We took a drive one evening to explore and get some pictures. I was told that for budget weary travellers Menton is an excellent alternative to the more expensive Monaco. It also takes pride in remaining Italienesque and, of all things, its year-round lemon crops.

What I found most interesting there was at the end of the cove on the shoreline is a small seafood restaurant called Le Pirate (The Pirate). The food is very good, the Sangria is excellent, and the old Pirate sits in the corner. He's a jolly old sea dog. Stop by and say arr!



Geoff Dean, who hails from Random Island, now lives in Colorado, USA, from where his work takes him to places around the world. Next week Geoff stops in Italy and discovers the authentic 'Marble' Mountain.