Monaco

I'm sorry Nice - as much as I love you, you've been surplanted in the most perfect city rankings, and are now a distant second.

Because today, I spent the day in Monaco.

If money were no object, tomorrow I'd move to Monaco, get an apartment on the water front, buy a yacht, and a Ferrari.  The latter seems to be the transport of choice, behind motorbikes and, let's face it, you're nobody in Monaco, if you don't have a yacht. 

This place is beyond words.  I knew I'd love Monaco, but more as a place to visit - I never thought it could appear so livable. 

The Tunnel

If you want to do some car spotting, Monaco is the place to go.  I lost count of the supercars I saw today, Ferraris making up the vast majority.  As you walk around the streets, you're accompanied by the sensational sound of supercar engines.

And speaking of engines and cars, you can walk the GP track, which takes you past most of the big sights of Monaco. 

Koi Pond

First, I did the bus tour again, which mainly focuses on motor sport, and then, mostly F1.  Then, I walked along the racetrack.  There are racing statues and all sort all around Monaco.  Monegasques are completely obsessed with motorsport in general.  There is also a museum of all of Prince Ranier's cars (and I guess added to since), and has everything from horse drawn coaches, to Formula 1 cars. 

There was a football match on between... well, the red team and the blue team, and the city was inundated with crazy, vuvuzela weidling Spaniards siging football songs (I'm assuming) and screaming out to one another.  

  

Unfortunately you aren't allowed to take photos inside the Casino Monte Carlo, but the place is amazing.  You don't get access to much, unfortunately - just the slot machins, roulette and black jack rooms.  The decorations in the pace rivals any of the palaces I've seen so far!  I had lunch in the Casino square, and as it was Monaco and the Casino, I thought it a good opportunity to indulge, and had lobster for lunch - which was delicious. 

I walked up to the Prince's Palace, which isn't quite as spectacular as one may expect, from the outside at least.  It does, however, have amazing views over the whole of Monaco.  I stayed there until dark, to watch Monaco light up.

The Hairpin

Prince's Palace

Casino Monte Carlo

Casino Square