Old Town, Nice
Credit: Orphic Wirestock
Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo
Credit: CANABAE
Situated about 12 miles east of Nice, Monte Carlo is easily reachable from the city. The SNCF trains, the most favored option, take roughly 20 to 25 minutes and operate every 15 to 30 minutes, offering stunning views of the beautiful coastline along the way. There’ s also the equally scenic Lignes d’ Azur Bus 100, which departs from Nice’ s Le Port every 30 minutes and takes about 45 minutes to arrive in Monaco. For a more lavish entrance, a 7-minute helicopter ride from Nice Côte d’ Azur airport is available for approximately $ 200 per seat. Driving is another option, but keep in mind that parking in Monaco is both expensive and limited, and traffic can turn the short trip into a journey of an hour or more.
Upon arriving in Monte Carlo, a little shopping will certainly be in order, and there is no better place than One Monte-Carlo, the swanky locale’ s newest fashion district. It features 24 high-end boutiques along the new Promenade Princesse Charlène and on Avenue Princesse Alice. However, make sure to dress the part, or disapproving eyes may follow you at every turn. Aim for quiet luxury or stealth wealth to achieve the perfect look.
Monte Carlo’ s five-star hotels are another must-see. The Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, a legendary five-star property next to the iconic Casino de Monte-Carlo, exudes Belle Époque opulence and features two of Monaco’ s seven Michelin-starred dining establishments— the three Michelin-starred restaurant Le Louis XV— Alain Ducasse and the one Michelin-starred Le Grill. Meanwhile, the more intimate Hôtel
Hermitage Monte-Carlo, another Belle Époque gem, provides a more understated( but no less extravagant) luxury experience with its rooftop terrace and access to the exclusive Monte-Carlo Beach Club, which stands as another monument to five-star lavishness imbued with the spirit of the Roaring Twenties on the Riviera.
Culturally, the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco showcases more than 10,000 works of art across two magnificent villas— Villa Sauber and Villa Paloma— the Prince’ s Palace of Monaco, the Francis Bacon MB Art Foundation( which includes over 3,500 items dedicated to Francis Bacon and is visitable by appointment only), and the lush, beautifully landscaped Casino Gardens, originally created in 1893. These are all essential stops on any Monte Carlo itinerary. Bottom line: Monte Carlo is a Mediterranean paradise at its elegant, manicured finest.
GETTING THERE
United Airlines has nonstop service from Washington Dulles International Airport( IAD) to Nice Côte d’ Azur Airport( NCE) three times weekly but will operate four times weekly May 22, 2025 through September 24, 2025.
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