Culture & Economics in Monaco

Monaco is a city-state and an independent country on the fabulous and glamorous French Riviera. It’s also tiny, measuring only 1.3 square miles of land. There is also a lot of money here, with more than 30 percent of the 30,600 residents achieving millionaire status. This is where you’ll spend the week, landing in nearby Nice, France and arriving via shuttle to your hotel. Your guide will meet you at your hotel and give you the lay of the land preparing you for an afternoon of exploring the tiny country.

The group will start on foot this morning for an in-depth walking tour of the historical district of Monaco – Monaco-VIlle. The small country is broken up into four quarters, Monaco-Ville is one of them. Settlements here date back as far as the 6th century. A feature of Monaco-Ville is the Rock which was claimed by the royal family of Monaco in the 1200s. Today, Palais Princier, located on the Rock, remains the home of Prince Albert II. 

In this area,  the group will watch the changing of the guard ceremony at the palace, visit the Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate, tour the Oceanographic Museum and learn about sustainable fisheries in the Mediterranean basin, stop at the Chapel of Mercy, walk through the St. Martin Gardens and finish the day at the Fort Antoine Theatre.

Monte Carlo is another district within Monaco and where your walking tour today will begin. It is the capital of this tiny country and is one of the largest of the four districts. In this area, the group will visit the Port of Monte Carlo for amazing views and incredible boats. You’ll move on to a trip to Monte Carlo Casino Square, the setting for more than one James Bond Movie. You’ll also visit Le Metropole Shopping Centers for a taste of the jet-set lifestyle and high-end brands in demand in this wealthy region of the world. 

The group will board a bus this morning for a short, half-hour ride from Monaco to Nice, France. Nice is where you landed when you arrived before boarding a shuttle and heading to Monaco, but the group will take the time today to actually explore it. Your guide will lead you to Promenade des Anglais. You’ll have the entire day to explore this area. You can spend your time soaking in the French Riviera sun on the sandy beaches, enjoy the city’s cafes and restaurants, explore its historical mansions and palaces, and so much more. You might also decide to wander further into the city toward Vieille Ville, the oldest neighborhood here. 

This morning you’ll be back on the bus for just under an hour as the group travels from Monaco to Cannes, France. Cannes is famous for its international film festival, so it’s no stranger to hosting movie stars. Keep your eyes open and you might spot one in town. You’ll start your tour of Cannes with a visit to the Marche Forville, a giant fresh market, where you can try local items. The group will move on to the Old Port to admire the enormous yachts always docked here, before ending the day by exploring Le Suquet, the oldest neighborhood in Cannes. 

A train will be the preferred mode of transportation this morning as the group heads to St. Tropez. The short ride is less than two hours and you’ll enjoy stunning coastal scenery along the way. There will be plenty of options to explore this area today. Your guide will offer an overview then leave you on your own to explore at your leisure. You might decide to hire a local boat for a boat tour of the area, spend your day relaxing on the beaches of St. Tropez, enjoy the Old Port promenade and the opportunity for people-watching there, or tour the Citadel and the Musée de l’Annonciade. 

The group will enjoy an expansive French breakfast on your last morning in Monaco. You’ll have a few hours left to pick up any last minute souvenirs before boarding the shuttle at your hotel. The shuttle will take you back to the international airport at Nice for your departing flight home.