Monaco The Wealthy Conclave Of Europe : Perched over the Mediterranean Ocean, Monaco is a picturesque country. With very high prices, most travelers can only afford to spend one day in this conclave for the rich. Monaco The principality of Monaco is a bizarre little place. Situated to the east of the French Riviera, the country is very small and dominated by the city of Monte Carlo. Everything in the principality caters to the wealthy, so budget travelers beware. Historically, the Grimaldi royal family has and continues to dominate Monaco. There influence is everywhere and, as you’ve probably noticed, one of them seems to be in tabloid news every day. Regardless, they have managed to stay in power for hundreds of years and turned Monaco into the expat haven of Europe through lax tax laws. #cityoverlook#givethanks#tripinspired#europeanarchitecture#bestislandtraveltowns#romanticrestaurant#naturalwonders#beautifulhotel#seasidephotoguide#summervacation#beachvacation#hotelstay#urbanexplorer

Maison d’Art Monaco is an art gallery that collects, displays, and sells works of art. The gallery particularly specialises in Old Masters from the 13th to 18th centuries. It organises many displays and exhibitions as opportunities to introduce works of art to collectors and potential buyers. Whether you’re looking for a piece of art to decorate your home, as an investment, or you simply want to admire high-quality works of art, you’ll find artwork spanning centuries at Maison d’Art. Despite its specialisation in the works of the Old Masters, the gallery's collection has diversified to include the works of contemporary artists. Among the many artists represented here include Santi di Tito, Johan Richter, and Damien Hirst. 🎨🖌🖼 #summervacation#urbanexplorer

In the center of Courchevel, the White 1921 offers a super friendly, well designed home for skiing holidays. The staff were fantastic in every way. In advance of us getting there they were able to sort out restaurant reservations, booked transfer from the Altiport and arrange a last minute transfer back to Geneva. The ski concierge service was truly fantastic - it made the whole ski in/ out experience even better. Friendly, accommodating, just brilliant. Already looking forward to coming back! 🥳 #summervacation#urbanexplorer

Chocolaterie de Monaco is a paradise for chocolate lovers. With confectionery skills honed over a century, these chocolatiers serve up a vast array of deliciously sinful cocoa-based indulgences. The Viennois hot chocolate comes highly recommended. Aside from chocolates, you can also sample from a broad range of premium loose-leaf teas which makes for an effective way to cleanse the palate between sweets. 🍫 You’ll find a great selection to choose from – Chocolaterie de Monaco also has some very attractive boxed chocolates which make for great souvenirs to take home, or as gifts for family and friends. #summervacation#urbanexplorer

There are many reasons to put Monaco and Monte-Carlo in your holiday itinerary. For one, there are Christmas markets and villages. Mulled wine and festive cocktails. Sparkly decorations cover many landmarks, glittery squares, and decadent goodies abound. Monaco will put every visitor in a festive mood. During the holidays, the courtyard of the legendary palace plays host to a wonderful Christmas village where luxury, tradition, delectable food and drinks, arts, crafts, shopping, and shows combine. You can even enjoy delicious treats snuggled up in blankets in one of the cozy heated areas surrounded by fir trees. What’s on the agenda this holiday season? Fun, educational and friendly two-hour workshops on a range of themes, including cooking (preparing sweet and savory specialties), flower arranging, drawing, and making Christmas decorations. You’ll leave with your own handmade creation, produced with the help of skilled artisans. 🎄🤶🎅 #summervacation#urbanexplorer

Les Grands Chais Monégasques is something of a local landmark, as it's the oldest wine cellar in Monaco. It supplies many of the most prestigious restaurants in town. Besides selling wine, the cellar also hosts wine tastings in its elegant surroundings. Les Grands Chais Monégasques has a gift shop offering bottles from most of the big-name wine and champagne producers, as well as many of the smaller ones. It isn’t only wine and champagne represented here though – the cellar also stocks a very fine collection of whiskies, too. #summervacation#urbanexplorer

Sabrina Monte-Carlo is a locally owned design studio offering unique tableware, furnishings, furniture, fabrics, and other accessories. The studio specialises in both indoor and outdoor decorations. It has kitted out everything, from Mediterranean villas and chalets to superyachts and private jets. With a further 3 showrooms in the region showcasing the brand’s flair for interior and exterior decoration, Sabrina’s is a treasure trove of items and materials as well as a great source of expertise coming in the form of its well-trained and very experienced staff. There is a very chic Mediterranean vibe here. Take note of the unusual opening hours. 🤗 #summervacation#hotelstay#urbanexplorer

The Florentine fashion house, Steffano Ricci, is best known for its refined Italian tailoring. That’s not all you’ll find on offer though, as a trip inside its Monaco boutique will reveal. As well as finely crafted suits, you’ll find all sorts of accessories including belts, cufflinks, wallets, and footwear. The store also sells high-end home furnishings and even has a department dedicated to kitting out superyachts – which is great if you’ve brought yours with you. Located in the Fairmont Hotel, Steffano Ricci has more of the feel of a private gentleman’s club than a clothes shop. The company prides itself on providing the highest levels of customer service to go along with the hefty price tags of its luxury items. #summervacation#hotelstay#urbanexplorer

La Condamine Market manages to maintain a warm Provençal feel to it amid all the Monaco opulence and has done since it was established some 140 years ago. This market is an excellent spot to sample distinctively Monegasque fare, including socca, fougasse, and barbagiuans. It’s no surprise then that the food hall here is a favourite spot for lunch among the locals. Besides the indoor food hall and the fruit, vegetable, and meat stalls, you’ll also find stalls of fresh flowers perfuming the air. In recent years, several bars and restaurants have set up in the food hall after the bustle of a day’s market trading has ended. This has ensured the area remains vibrant throughout the evening as locals and visitors descend for food and drinks. 😊 #summervacation#hotelstay#urbanexplorer