During Chinese National Day Holidays of 2016, I took some additional days off and caught a flight to Rome for two weeks long road trip across Italy, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City. After few days visiting Pisa, Florence and Cinque Terre, we drove to Monaco, a sovereign city-state, country, and microstate on the French Riviera.
The principality of Monaco is a tiny country on the Mediterranean Sea and surrounded by France, although the Italian Riviera lies a few kilometers farther east. Monaco is governed under a form of constitutional monarchy, the House of Grimaldi has ruled Monaco, with brief interruptions, since 1297.
With an area of 2.1 km2 (0.81 sq mi), Monaco is the second-smallest sovereign states, country in the world, after the Vatican City. Monaco has the world’s shortest coastline of approximately 3.83 km (2.38 mi). Its 19,009 inhabitants per square kilometer (49,230/sq mi), make Monaco the most densely-populated sovereign state in the world. With over 30% of the resident population being millionaires, Monaco has the world’s lowest poverty rate and the highest number of millionaires and billionaires per capita in the world.
Driving to Monaco.. Almost there !Welcome to Monaco, the Second smallest country in the World. The doormat at the townhall; we couldn’t find Manhole cover with city’s name or logo.Morning Glow Before Sunrise, from the Balcony of my Hotel room at Monaco Marriott.Walking up to the Monaco-Ville (the old city). With real estate prices reaching €60,000 (Oct’2020) per square meter, Monaco is significantly more expensive place to by a home than anywhere in the world.Panoramic view of La Condamine and Monte Carlo from Monaco-Ville (the old city).The Prince’s Palace of Monaco, the official residence of the Sovereign Prince of Monaco. Built in 1191 as a Genoese fortress, during its long and often dramatic history, it has been bombarded and besieged by many foreign powers. The Grimaldi family has rule from the same palace for more than 700 years.Checking map and Making plan for exploring Monaco on foot.The Town Hall of Monaco, We got our passport stamped here. Unfortunately they don’t stamp your official documents anymore, as that could result in your passport becoming invalid.The Coat of arms of Municipality of Monaco.Main post office of Monaco, with bright color and Monaco’s coat of Arms above the entrance door.Walking around Monaco-Ville district. Love that beautiful covered balcony.Walking around Monaco-Ville district. With real estate prices reaching €60,000 per square meter (Oct’2020), each one of these houses are worth multi-million Dollars/Euros.Fortified wall of Monaco Castle with a watchtower.Palace of Justice, built in 1930 using Italian stones harvested from the sea, this small, fort-like, curved building is the courthouse at Monaco-Ville. Royal Guards were waiting out side for arrival of Prince.The Saint Nicholas Cathedral or Monaco Cathedral, built in 1875–1903 on the site of the first parish church in Monaco built in 1252, is the main cathedral of Monaco. Royal events, such as the wedding of Grace Kelly and Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, in 1956 and the investing of his son Albert II as prince and ruler of the country in 2005, have taken place here. Most princes of the royal Grimaldi family are buried here too, including Grace Kelly and Rainier III.Side entrance of The Saint Nicholas Cathedral or Monaco Cathedral.Side entrance of The Saint Nicholas Cathedral A treat from Monaco MarriottMonte Carlo, Monaco, after dark.Fontvieille District, A modern residential area, constructed almost entirely on artificially reclaimed land. Despite not being the highest-priced part of Monaco, Apartments are still very expensive. For example, 59 m² (635 ft²) 1 bedroom apartment with 1 bathroom and 1 car parking space, was offered at €2,650,000 (about $3,125,000 US) in Oct 2020. Definitely NOT in my budget. My friend from Shanghai who was working in Rome at that time and joined me on this road trip.Lunch and Wheat Beer at La Brasserie de Monaco, one of the best place for casual meal.Claimed to the the Oldest Beer in Monaco, since 1905. This is Europe, I am sure they had Beer before 1905, but we couldn’t find one in a bottle.
After visiting Monaco, the second smallest country in the world, we drove to San Marino, a mountainous microstate surrounded by north-central Italy.
In May 2017, 23 days before I was going to complete 50 years, grabbed an opportunity and took an early retirement.. Picked up a backpack and traveling ever since.. Love to travel around the world, experience different culture, local cuisine & drinks .. and take pictures.. so far been to 108 countries and still counting...
Window on the World 