Monaco: Living the lavish life?

Monaco: Living the lavish life

Just spent 2 nights in the beautiful country of Monaco (second smallest after the Vatican). When I imagined Monaco I pictured yachts with men dressed in nautical inspired attire navy blazers with khakis and ascots tucked into their shirts (shout out to my late daddy who had this look as his staple in his wardrobe), the women I pictured wearing loose blouses with oversized sunglasses (Jackie O in a top designers resort wear line). Well Monaco did not disappoint this was exactly the Monaco we visited. When we needed direction we looked for the most well dressed individuals on the street it almost guaranteed they were a local or from a nearby town off the Cote D'Azur. I saw a women in her 70's wearing black pumps, pearls, slacks and a beautiful red blazer while walking her dog. I am completely mesmerized by French women, they look so effortless and chic. 

Monaco is only 1 square mile but its positioned on mountainous land which makes it a bit hard to navigate. They say the hardest is getting into Monaco, you can helicopter over for 300 euros, take a taxi from the Nice airport for 90 euros, or take the train which is 9 euros ( we took the train, but upon arriving there were no cabs waiting at the station, so we ended up walking for 20 minutes upwards with our luggage and toddler, I would not recco but a tourist falsely gave us the impression our hotel was 5 minutes away).

We stayed at the Fairmont Monte Carlo and got our hotel room for just under 400 a night off of Expedia, but right now Amex cardholders can get buy 2 nights get the 3rd free which brings down the price. Be careful though the longer you spend in Monaco the more you'll spend on meals and drinks. Example hotel breakfast for 3 was 75 euros- yikes! We planned this all in our budget before hand knowing it would be our most expensive stop.

We walked and saw all key tourist attractions in a day like the Casino Monte Carlo, Casino Square, Place du Palais, Japanese Garden, Monte Carlo Harbour. 

I thoroughly enjoyed Monte Carlo, Monaco the views are breathtaking, there's amazing restaurants and a cosmopolitan party scene with lots of resto lounges ( at one point the three of us were in Buddha bar dancing to Punjabi MC -our son is a trooper and these things only happen cause my crazy husband makes friends everywhere).  

Toddler tip #1- Monaco is not an accessible city lots of random stairs so bring a very light weight stroller. We bought the D lite Summer stroller but saw lots with the Maclaren light weight equivalent.

Toddler tip #2- bring crayons and colouring books to restaurants in the evening, to keep your little one entertained after they eat. These upscale restaurants do not always provide like a Jack Astors would.

I would definitely visit Monaco again maybe in a very big group to rent a house which may save us some money. Monte Carlo  is extremely safe there is 1 police officer for every 6th person, and it is all under surveillance.

Off to our next stop the beautiful Nice, France which will be our hub for all other places we visit in the Cote D'Azur. 

Love,

9to5travel and the travelling toddler 

P.S. my son has picked up french he says bonjour and merci poo poo to everyone he meets lol