How do you make flying to the Cote d'Azur even more glamorous? By taking a helicopter transfer from Nice International Airport to Monaco, of course.

We were lucky enough to hop this speedy leg of a long journey from the U.S. to Monaco on a recent work trip, and we can't recommend it enough. Sure, the drive from Nice to Monte Carlo doesn’t sound bad at around 30 minutes (or, we’re told, 20 minutes by scooter). But why not reduce that trip to seven minutes and throw in staggering views and the inimitable glamour of helicopter travel?

Heli Air Monaco has over 20 daily flights between the airport in Nice and the Principality—from 110 euros each way. For this price, you get the aforementioned speed, views, air of fabulousness, and the ease of checking your bags straight through from the helipad in Monaco to wherever your final destination may be. ]]> MsRebecca 2011-12-22T10:50:43-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/5/5/7334/96414

We're now less than a month away from what some consider the social and sporting event of the year: the Monaco Grand Prix. This Formula One car race through the winding, ridiculously picturesque streets of the capital Monte-Carlo brings the world's richest people together with Formula One's biggest fans and best drivers for a weekend in the Mediterranean sun.

There will be yachts and there will be caviar and champagne will all the exhaust, but there will also be airfare/hotel deals, too. Specifically we found some combo trips that Emirates is doing, which start at £1360 per person if you're cool with sleeping at the Holiday Inn over in Nice, France. For 4 nights at the Fairmont Monte-Carlo, plan on something closer to £3000 per person. Luckily these prices include grandstand tickets for the races from March 27-30, Paddock Club passes, helicopter or boat transfers, "hospitality" at the Hotel de Paris and Amber lounge party tickets. ]]> JetSetCD 2011-05-05T16:02:12-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/8/26/133851/582

You know, we don't get to talk about The Principality of Monaco enough. It's been a while since we last tripped over the postage stamp-sized country, but we're thinking it could be about time to return, especially if they're talking about doing direct connections between helicopters from Monaco and flights from Nice International Airport.

The news comes from HeliAir Monaco, who already keep the waterfront buzzing with 70,000-100,000 per year at the heliport. Currently, you can take a helicopter from Monaco to the Nice Cote d'Azur Airport in six minutes, but you've then still got to check into your flight and go through security. HeliAir is however renovating their heliport and in the final stages of making it possible to check in and clear security at the heliport, allowing you to go straight into the departure lounge for your flight from Nice.

We once did this with the old Wall Street-to-JFK helicopter service for a Delta flight, and it hearkens all the way back to the days when Pan Am flew upper class passengers from the top of their Midtown HQ direct to their waiting flights at JFK. But we're not talking about JFK; this is Monaco. Thus, we're surprised they haven't already had this in place. The price of a one-way flight from Monaco to Nice Airport now? 103 Euros.

[Photo: HeliAir Monaco]]]> JetSetCD 2010-08-26T13:46:27-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/8/5/112733/3053

What is Prince Albert II of Monaco up to only a month after making one of the biggest announcements in his country's modern history? Well, the Prince is taking a vacation to the Midwest, "the heartland of the USA," as the press keeps calling it.

Back in June, Prince Albert, the son of Prince Rainier III and American actress Grace Kelly, declared that he and his longtime girlfriend Charlene Wittstock, a former Olympic swimmer for South Africa, would be married next year. Monaco had almost given up on seeing another royal wedding, since Albert has always topped lists of the hottest bachelors, but now he will give his country something to celebrate for sure. ]]> JetSetCD 2010-08-05T13:36:17-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/7/13/234436/015

File this item under "uncomfortable coincidences": the developers of the famed Hotel Byblos and St.-Tropez club plan to open an upscale nightclub in Monte Carlo, Monaco, with a theme of great African American musicians. To be called "Black Legend," the club will serve tapas all day while featuring impersonator acts singing soul, funk and pop music, but with a focus on the Motown greats.

Speaking from experience—wink wink—we can vouch for the fact that in Monaco, most of the nightlife happens either onboard a yacht or in a high-rise swanky condo, not in clubs or bars since the daytrippers and tourists take over those. Nonetheless, we don't doubt that "Black Legend" will be a success, considering the French disposition to old African American cabaret acts; they did raise Josephine Baker and more to stardom with the US would have none of it.

The club, due to open this October, should have plenty time to hone its Michael Jackson memorial act and more before the famed Monaco Grand Prix rolls back into town next May.

Related Stories:
· St. Tropez Hotelier Takes On Basque Coast [HotelsMag]
· Black Legend Monaco [Official Site, Coming Soon]
· Monaco Travel Coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: mhintsa]]]> JetSetCD 2009-07-14T12:09:18-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/7/13/105841/945

While stateside the year's highlights on the field of fireworks have already faded from the sky, this year's International Fireworks Competition is only getting started. The Monaco-based tourney kicked off last week with a €100,000 prize and high-powered bragging rights at stake.

Portugal and France face off against last year's champion Austria at the deep-water Port d'Hercule. The display with the best style, color, special effects and synchronization with music will get a repeat performance in November for Monaco's national holiday. Who knew the genteel principality was such a fan of the ol' boom boom pow?

Start strategizing your seat for the performances by Austria (July 24 at 10 and August 9 at 9:30) and France (August 23 at 9:30). Call the Jardin Exotique, which will be open free that night for viewing from its hillsides, at (377) 93 15 29 80 to reserve a seat if your yacht won't be available.

Related Stories:
· International Fireworks Festival [VisitMonaco.com]
· Daytime Fireworks, Cake, and "National Treasure" For The Fourth [Jaunted]
· Fireworks Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: pasujoba]]]> egw 2009-07-13T16:44:17-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/6/4/133837/6193

Last one in's a rotten egg! We're finding the best places in the world to stick our toes in this summer (or next winter) for our World's Coolest Pools map. Know of any pools we must check out? Let us know.

We've always associated Monte Carlo with monokinis and James Bond (not necessarily together), so it doesn't surprise us that the most glamorous tax shelter in the world also boasts a few spectacular pools. A tipster wrote in about the Fairmont Monte Carlo pool and, well, we're cashing in all our chips the next time we happen to be in the neighborhood.

Opened in 1975 as the Loews Hotel Monte-Carlo, with a heating and air-conditioning system that uses the natural temperature of the Mediterranean, the Fairmont has an embarrassment of riches in the arena of ocean views. Which is good, if you believe commenters like a Tripadvisor vet who says the property should "shoot the room decorator" for the still-dated-after-all-these-years renovation. ]]> egw 2009-06-04T15:17:05-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/