Ashore in Monaco

Monaco is less than a square mile in area, but it certainly manages to pack a lot within a small space and generally does so in a tasteful way.  The other very noticeable feature of the principality is how tidy it is and there are no undesirables hanging around, from impromptu street vendors downwards.

Our main aim today was to see thing we hadn’t seen when we were last here in 2010.  These were particularly the Cathedral and the Palace.  We headed for the headland, but which way to go.  There was the first set of a number of flights of steps before us or the chance to hug the coast on a well-signposted route.

The coastal route was a winner.  We were signposted into a building and there, via an escalator and a lift we were whisked to the top of the hill, emerging near the Oceanographic Museum. From here it was a gentle uphill climb to the Cathedral.

Breakfast with the casino in the background

Jacques Cousteau shows off the Oceanographic Museum to Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace