| |
|
|
| |
Home
>
World
> Europe
> Monaco
|
Social Profile
Food & Drink: Restaurants in Monaco offer a wide choice of food. Service and standards are excellent. Cuisine is similar to France, with some delicious local specialities. There are many restaurants and bars with late opening hours. Specialities include: barbagiuan, a type of pastry filled with rice and pumpkin; fougasse, fragrant orange flower water pastries decorated with nuts, almonds and aniseed; socca, chick-pea flour pancakes; and stocafi, dried cod cooked in a tomato sauce.
Nightlife: The world-famous Monte-Carlo Casino is a perennial attraction. The building also houses the Casino Cabaret and the Salle Garnier, the delightful gilded Opera House offering a winter season of ballet, opera and music. There are further gambling venues in the Monte-Carlo Grand Hotel and the Monte-Carlo Sporting Club. There are also numerous nightclubs, cinemas, discos and variety shows.
Shopping: Monégasque products include perfume, chocolates, ceramics, clothing, hosiery, shoes, books, jewellery and embroidery. Handcrafted items are sold at Boutique du Rocher, a charity of the late Princess Grace. Monégasque stamps are highly prized by collectors. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1230 and 1500-1830.
Special Events: For further information concerning events and festivals, contact the Government Tourist & Convention Office (see Contact Addresses). The following is a selection of events taking place in Monaco in 2003:
Jan 2-3 Monte-Carlo Ballet, Grimaldi Forum. Jan 16-23 27th Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival, Fontvieille Big Top. Jan 22-26 71st Monte Carlo Automobile Rally, Monte Carlo. Jan 26-27 Celebration of Sainte Devote’s Day. Jan 31-Feb 5 Sixth Monte Carlo Historic Car Rally, Monte Carlo. Feb 28-Mar 2 Monte-Carlo Opera, Salle du Canton. Mar 5 World Music Awards, Le Sporting. Apr 12-20 Tennis Masters Series, Monte Carlo. Apr 25-May 4 Spring Arts Festival, Monte Carlo. Jun 1 61st Formula One Monaco Grand Prix, Monte Carlo. Jun 28 Monaco Festival of the Sea. Jun 30-Jul 5 Monte-Carlo Television Festival, Grimaldi Forum. Aug 1-17 15th Bienniale of Antiques, Jewels and Art Galleries, Sporting d’Hiver. Sep 12-13 17th International Athletics Meeting, Hercules Stadium.
Social Conventions: Casual wear is acceptable for daytime and dress is the same as for the rest of the French Riviera. Smart restaurants, dining rooms, clubs and the Casino’s private rooms require more formal attire. Handshaking and, more familiarly, kissing both cheeks, are accepted forms of greeting. Tipping: Hotel and restaurant bills generally include a 15 per cent service charge; however, where this is not added it is customary to leave a 15 per cent tip. Taxi drivers are usually tipped 15 per cent of the fare.
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
Terms and Conditions apply.
|
|
|
|
|
