Monaco is home to the cleanest, most pristine train station I have ever seen in Europe. This clean, orderly, air of perfection extends b
eyond the train terminal and permeates the tiny country. With unemployment and homelessness rates at 0%, and no income tax, this constitutional monarchy is almost a utopia of sorts. The pleasant climate and casino culture attract tourists from far and wide. We took a 35 minute train ride in from Nice to explore Monaco and Monte Carlo for the day, awestruck by the immaculate nature of the country. Everything is kept up, from the sidewalks to the harbors, to the architecture, nothing is unkempt or on the verge of becoming so. We ambled around town, not really sure of what sights were notable sans the esteemed Monte Carlo Casino. Manicured gardens and boutique hotels are the norm in Monte Carlo - evidenced by the expensive vehicles parked outside. Bentleys, Rolls Royce's, Mercedes, the list continues...basically a car collector's dream, all vying for recognition or sponsorship at the Monaco Grand Prix - Europe's annual, revered car race. While cruising Monaco we also took in St. Nicholas' Cathedral where Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier were married decades ago. We didn't have a change to sample any cuisine while in Monaco, as prices were so overpriced, hunger seem
ed like the better alternative. An item as small as a bottle of water was 5 euro at one shop! The luxurious amenities even crossed from land to sea, as the Port of Monaco was packed with enormous, sparkling white yachts. We laughed, joking that the sight alone prompted the "Lifestyles of the rich and famous," voice to echo in our heads. Overall - while it is perhaps the cleanest, safest destination you will ever visit, I thought it lacked what most travelers seek, culture, variety and of course a little unpredictability.
Monaco is home to the cleanest, most pristine train station I have ever seen in Europe. This clean, orderly, air of perfection extends b
eyond the train terminal and permeates the tiny country. With unemployment and homelessness rates at 0%, and no income tax, this constitutional monarchy is almost a utopia of sorts. The pleasant climate and casino culture attract tourists from far and wide. We took a 35 minute train ride in from Nice to explore Monaco and Monte Carlo for the day, awestruck by the immaculate nature of the country. Everything is kept up, from the sidewalks to the harbors, to the architecture, nothing is unkempt or on the verge of becoming so. We ambled around town, not really sure of what sights were notable sans the esteemed Monte Carlo Casino. Manicured gardens and boutique hotels are the norm in Monte Carlo - evidenced by the expensive vehicles parked outside. Bentleys, Rolls Royce's, Mercedes, the list continues...basically a car collector's dream, all vying for recognition or sponsorship at the Monaco Grand Prix - Europe's annual, revered car race. While cruising Monaco we also took in St. Nicholas' Cathedral where Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier were married decades ago. We didn't have a change to sample any cuisine while in Monaco, as prices were so overpriced, hunger seem
ed like the better alternative. An item as small as a bottle of water was 5 euro at one shop! The luxurious amenities even crossed from land to sea, as the Port of Monaco was packed with enormous, sparkling white yachts. We laughed, joking that the sight alone prompted the "Lifestyles of the rich and famous," voice to echo in our heads. Overall - while it is perhaps the cleanest, safest destination you will ever visit, I thought it lacked what most travelers seek, culture, variety and of course a little unpredictability.
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