MONACO is the playground of the rich and is described as the place to see and be seen. From the multi-million pound yachts moored in Monte Carlo harbour to the haute couture boutiques lining the Avenue des Beaux-Arts, this small principality tucked away i

MONACO is the playground of the rich and is described as the place to see and be seen.

From the multi-million pound yachts moored in Monte Carlo harbour to the haute couture boutiques lining the Avenue des Beaux-Arts, this small principality tucked away in the south-eastern corner of France has always symbolised a decadent way of life.

The man-made Larvotto Beach is as glamorous as it is gorgeous, and the exclusive casino and the abundance of luxury hotels make Monaco an exciting place to be.

And there is nothing more exciting than the Monaco Grand Prix - the glamour event of the Formula One year.

There is no other circuit that captures the jet-set image of the sport as the circuit winds around the principality.

WHERE TO STAY

As you may expect, Monaco is not the place to stay on a budget and during the period around the Grand Prix it is virtually impossible to discover any vacant accommodation.

Monaco's mild climate and glamorous image attracts the jet-set all around the year and is an expensive place to visit: meaning, for most, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

VITAL STATS

Monaco is one-square mile - smaller than London's Hyde Park - but it has more than 30,000 registered inhabitants.