Is anyone else totally in love with the pastels, bright white, and gold trend going on this summer? Or, alternatively, the vibrant neon color trend? Personally, I can’t choose which one I like better. But summer colors and trends are my absolute favorite! Recently, I visited Monaco, a tiny country along the southern coast of France (an easy breezy 20 minute train ride from Nice), and I am convinced that this country has unintentionally (or maybe intentionally, who knows) created a kick-ass color scheme that makes is absolutely stunning and incredible to visit, especially in the summer. Seriously, go to Monaco and simply feast your eyes upon the beauty.
The country is small and definitely walkable, but there is a hop on/hop off bus option, as well as local buses if your feet are complaining a bit too much. However, Monaco is a great place for simply strolling along the waterfront or getting lost in tiny allies with little shops while eating gelato (the gelato is an important part!).
When you first arrive, a must-see is the walk to the Old Town of Monaco, where the Royal Palais is located. You walk up a bunch of steps, a somewhat steep incline, and shock some fire into your buns and thighs. Then, just when you’re thinking, “there’s no way breaking my no-exercise pact is worth this, I’m out,” you arrive at the top and look out over the incredible cityscape of Monaco and the marina. Then you think, “I’ve got to stop unintentionally making no-exercise pacts with myself so I can see more incredible amazing views like this!” Now that you’ve conquered the climb, you can take silly pics with the statues in the square, visit the cute little souvenir shops in the alleyways nearby (the further in you go, the cheaper the prices), grab a bite to eat, and visit the apartments of the Royal Palais.
Oh, and just a warning: you can’t take pics inside the royal apartments. Even though many of the areas are set up in a way that is just begging you to sit and set up a photo shoot. Resist the urge!
After the Old Town, you can meander along the marina and imagine living on one of the massive houseboat/yachts docked there. Then you can continue along the incline to visit the Casino of Monte Carlo. However, along the way, you might get lucky and stumble across the best surprise EVER: a Laduree pop-up boutique cafe, complete with elegant white carousel, mint tables, gilded moulding and pastel macarons that deliver immediate foodgasms. This summer, June 2015, is the first summer Laduree has ever done this, and the cafe is only in Monaco until August. So cross your fingers and pray that Laduree continues the new tradition and expands this little summer pop-up cafe, because it is so pretty and tasty it’s unreal. Protip: order the chocolat au Laduree. It is, as the French say, simply gourmande (read: the most delicious thing in the entire world).
Once you’re beyond satisfied at Laduree, while simultaneously full of grief that your stunning dining experience is over, you can wander on to the casino and spend your sorrows in the slot machines. This was my first casino experience, and guess who was a winner?!
Finally, across from the casino are the uber designer shops. Think Chanel, Gucci, etc. While the store interiors are similar to every other branch, the architecture of the buildings are unique and one of a kind, to say the least. It’s definitely worth it to pop over and glance at the bubble shape buildings arranged in something of a bubble garden.
These would be my absolute must-dos in Monaco. It’s perfect for a day trip! For a more in-depth visit, you could also include some of the great museums and public gardens scattered around Monaco.
However long you stay, you’ll leave with the understanding that Monacans know what’s what when it comes to color palette forming.
xox,
Lauren
