To see where I have been so far, check out my map as I count down the final 93 countries on the road to all 193 UN countries. Belize is my 105th country.
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Monaco does not need much of an introduction. It punches well above its weight for a city-state with a population of only 40,000 people. Images of princes and princesses, casinos and James Bond, yachts and Formula One come to mind when you mention Monaco. Monaco’s history dates back over 700 years.
My launching point for Monaco was Nice, France. A brief 30 minute train ride deposits you in the heart of Monaco. I spent the day walking and exploring this tiny country. I took a tour of the palace, visited the main cathedral, and watched the changing of the guard. I gazed at millionaire’s yachts and watch them set up the grandstand for the upcoming Formula One race. The highlight of the day was losing 100 Euro paying blackjack for 15 minutes at the stately and ornate Monte Carlo casino. The day ended as I took the bus back to Nice as the road traced the contours of the Mediterranean Sea.
Monaco – 105th Country
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I pretty much did the same thing as you in Monaco back in 1997, except I was only 17 and wasn’t allowed inside the Monte Carlo Casino. Plus, I went on a school trip for March Break. The Monaco Grand Prix was still two months away from happening. I really would love to go back to Monaco, though, and explore some more from the perspective of an adult as I think adults would get more out of the experience here than teenagers.
Well, the upside is you saved 100 Euro by skipping the casino if you play cards like I do. It would be great to see the Grand Prix, probably a very cool experience.
I stopped here after being in Italy and I found it almost too clean and too manicured. I wanted to scuff up the stucco a little and expose some brick here and there just to give it some character.
I guess that is not their style. 😉
Good luck on reaching your 100!
[…] friendly people. There was a two week European road trip visiting new countries of Andorra and Monaco with logical repeats to Spain and France. I found Nice to be very enjoyable and finally visited […]