Monaco: Exploring Monaco's Storybook Beauty

Because Monaco covers less than a square mile, it's easy to explore on foot; the narrow roads necessitated by its geographical location in the mountainside make it virtually inaccessible to cars in certain spots. If you're staying over the border in France proper, entering Monaco is a snap, too. No customs officials and no difference in either language or currency mean you can amble right over to explore Monaco's storybook beauty.

As you stroll through the Fontvieille harbor district, you might notice a fragrant aroma perfuming the air. This originates from the Princess Grace Rose Garden, Prince Rainier's lovely monument to his wife, American movie star Grace Kelly, who died in a car accident in 1982. Past both garden and harbor, you'll arrive at a zoo ideally situated to afford a view of the Mediterranean as well as of a high cliff where Monaco's royal castle sits. Avid walkers will welcome the challenge of scaling the 330-foot tall rock, while others will take the escalator.

However you reach the top of The Rock, as locals have dubbed it, you'll be rewarded with yet another of Monaco's many stunning views, this time looking towards Monte Carlo. At 11:55 A.M. each day, the changing of the guard takes place at the castle, an impressive spectacle despite its small scale. Stop to eat at one of the cafes in Vieille Ville near the palace, a well-preserved area that shows off cobblestone streets and buildings that have been standing for centuries. Finally, Monaco's Exotic Garden is a must-see for its panorama of the Riviera and its winding paths that lead your tired feet over streams and natural bridges.