- Let's take a look at the map
- How New Year is celebrated in Monaco
- Two temples - two worlds
- Useful information for travelers
The Principality of Monaco is called a dwarf state and this is not surprising. On the world map, you can hardly find a small dot without a hint, but the popularity of the country among fans of auto racing, gambling and luxury has not been questioned for a long time. Do you want to celebrate New Year in Monaco? Prepare a bank card with solid content and book a hotel in advance! Believe me, despite the unmerciful level of prices for absolutely everything, the principality never stays alone with its residents during the winter holidays, and those who want to touch the luxury are only increasing every year.
Let's take a look at the map
The principality covers an area of just over two square kilometers, which does not prevent it from being one of the most popular European tourist destinations. Usually, guests rush here in May, when the next stage of the Formula - 1 race takes place, or in February at the Monte Carlo rally, but during the New Year holidays, there are a lot of foreign tourists on the embankment of the principality.
The climate of Monaco is classified as Mediterranean:
- Winter in the principality is warm and mild. The air temperature during the day rarely drops below + 12 ° С, although at night the mercury columns can drop to + 5 ° С.
- The bulk of precipitation falls in Monaco in the second half of autumn, but in December-January it also periodically rains.
- Small Monaco is protected from cold northerly winds by the large Alps, but a warm windproof jacket or light coat for the New Year will be the best outfit option.
Walking along the embankment of Monaco is wonderful and useful at any time of the year, because the sea air here is saturated with healing ions and other natural chemical substances that have a beneficial effect on the human body.
How New Year is celebrated in Monaco
Monaco for the average tourist seems to be a very expensive country, and therefore it is better to find accommodation in neighboring France. But for walking and visiting local attractions, an impressive bank account is not required at all.
Monegasques, as the inhabitants of the principality are called, are in solidarity with the rest of the Europeans. They love Christmas more, but they don't forget about the New Year either.
The first signs of upcoming holidays appear on the streets of the principality in the second half of November. Monaco residents decorate Christmas trees and house facades, squares and streets. Santa Claus is traditionally on duty in the Metropol shopping center, with whom children love to take pictures. On the eve of Christmas, a church boys' choir performs at the Metropol. The namesake of the shopping center, the Metropol hotel is also considered a model of Christmas decoration. Every year, the theme of decorations changes in it, and regular guests of Monaco who stay at the hotel for the New Year have a good collection of photographs of festive design.
Another sign of the upcoming winter holidays is the opening of the Christmas Village in the port of Monaco. All guests of the fair can taste mulled wine and chocolate waffles, rent skates and go for a drive on the Christmas ice rink.
Monaco residents spend New Year's Eve in restaurants or in the Casino Square, where traditional festive fireworks are held. Another place where tourists and lovers of New Year's Eve gather in the fresh air is the port of Hercule. It is there that an entertainment program with the participation of musicians and actors takes place.
Two temples - two worlds
What to do in a small principality when the New Year's salutes have died down and you don't want to leave yet? There are two attractions in Monaco that you will still have to look for in the world - the casino and the oceanographic museum. Both structures are worthy of a tourist's attention, and the winter holidays are quite suitable for exploring them.
The Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, opened back in 1910 by Prince Albert I, is called the Temple of the Sea. It was erected on the top of a cliff and the aquarium contains more than six thousand marine inhabitants collected in the world's oceans. For many years, the director of the museum was Jacques Yves Cousteau, the famous explorer of the seas and the great French scientist:
- In December and January, the museum is open from 10 am to 6 pm.
- Ticket prices for this period of the year are € 11 for an adult and € 7 for teenagers from 13 to 18 years old. Children under three years old have the right to visit the museum for free, and a ticket for a child 4-12 years old must pay 5 euros.
- The exact address of the aquarium is Av. St-Martin. MC 98000 Monaco.
Casino Monte Carlo opened its doors for the first time in 1865, and the purpose of its creation was to improve the economic situation of the principality and save the ruling house of Grimaldi from bankruptcy. The casino building has been rebuilt many times and today it is no less important attraction of the principality than its inner content.
You can get into the gambling halls and celebrate the New Year in Monaco in the best traditions of the European nobility only if you follow certain rules.
If you are content with a hall with slot machines, you will not need a special dress code, and you will not have to pay to enter, but in order to get into the holy of holies, you have to do something. First, you need an evening dress or tuxedo. Secondly, you have to buy an entrance ticket. Finally, you will have to prove that you have passed the age of 18, for which it is best to have an ID with you. The game starts at 14.00.
If you decide to be content with an excursion, group visits are available in the winter from 9.00 to 13.00. The cost of an adult ticket is 12 euros, for children (from 6 to 12 years old) - 6 euros, teenagers from 13 to 18 years old are entitled to a discount and a ticket for them will cost 8 euros.
Useful information for travelers
The principality does not have its own airport and the nearest international airport is located in French Nice:
- Aeroflot boards fly directly to the Cote d'Azur. For a flight Moscow - Nice - Moscow, you will have to pay at least 600 euros during the New Year holidays. The flight takes about 4 hours.
- With connections and much cheaper, you will get to Nice on Air France wings via Paris. The price of the issue is from 250 euros, but it is possible that during the transfer process you will have to change the Charles de Gaulle airport to Orly.
When planning your winter holidays in Monaco, do not forget to book tables in restaurants in advance. Despite the inhumane prices, you are unlikely to be able to find free seats a few days before New Year's Eve.
On Christmas Eve and December 25, many of the principality's small private restaurants will be closed. At this time, it is guaranteed that you can have lunch or dinner in the establishments at the hotels.
