The date is marked and the events have been revealed: the best athletes in the world will meet on the track at the Louis II stadium on 12th July, featuring a high-flying program, exciting duels and a final rehearsal before the Olympic Games.
Last year, spectators were able to admire Faith Kipyegon flying around the track to capture the world record for the mile, already established in Monaco by Sifan Hassan, in 4’07”64.
This year, the Herculis EBS Meeting will be held on 12th July for an athletics evening at the Stade Louis II.
Voted the best meeting in the world seven times in its history, and with eight world records broken, the Herculis EBS meeting will be a highlight of the 2024 calendar.
As the ninth stage of the Wanda Diamond League circuit, the meeting is ideally located three weeks before the Paris Olympic Games, enough time to expect some exciting head-to-heads and high-level performances.
The 15th season of the Wanda Diamond League will bring together 15 meetings, from April to September.
The OceanoScientific Explorer ‘Love the Ocean’ has just set sail during a ‘Grand Depart Ceremony’ at the Yacht Club de Monaco for the first of the OceanoScientific Coral Reefs Expeditions 2023-2030, marking a significant leap forward in ocean exploration.
‘Love the Ocean’, a Lagoon 570 catamaran, has undergone important enhancements so it can conduct oceanographic endeavours without any CO2 emissions. Docked at the Port Navy Service quay, the vessel received a solar panel surface upgrade designed to meet the demands of emission-free exploration.
Spearheaded by Olivier Mazeas (Prodinox) and Daniel Cailloux (Electro Boat), this upgrade has equipped ‘Love the Ocean’ with a substantial 2,000 watts of solar power. This clean energy source not only ensures the crew’s needs are met but also powers critical tasks, such as DNA sequencing by geneticist Christian Siatka (École de l’ADN) for samples collected from the ocean depths.
Inspiring the next generation
Beyond its technical upgrades, ‘Love the Ocean’ utilised its Yacht Club de Monaco ‘Grand Depart Ceremony’ on Thursday 21st December to engage with the local community. A group of local elementary school students was introduced to the OceanoScientific association’s activities. The session aimed to reinforce in the young minds a profound awareness of the ocean’s significance, beginning with the Mediterranean Sea.
Sustainable exploration
The Grand Départ ceremony marks the start of the OceanoScientific Coral Reefs Expeditions 2023-2030.
With its solar-powered capabilities, the catamaran is poised to navigate sanctuary sites, conducting vital research without leaving a carbon footprint. The vessel’s extensive solar panel coverage ensures energy self-sufficiency and serves as protection for vital equipment.
In an era where environmental consciousness is paramount, ‘Love the Ocean’ exemplifies the potential for sustainable exploration. With solar power as its main source of power, this vessel has pioneered a cleaner, greener future for oceanography.
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A list of the world’s 15 ‘Most Luxurious Hotels’ in 2023 has been revealed by the members-only Luxury Travel Intelligence website, with the Top Three all being backed by designer brands.
The list from Luxury Travel Intelligence is described as a guide for the “affluent traveller” and is a compilation of the swankiest and most glamourous hotels around the world.
In the list, the Italian capital of Rome performs particularly well, with two of its address among the leaders, but there are also a good number of entries from the UK as well as two apiece for the Peninsula and Six Senses brands.
The Peninsula Collection, with its Istanbul hotel pictured here and London’s Belgravia address, boasts two places on the LTI list. Photo supplied
THE LIST
The Bulgari Hotel Roma won first place on the list, with gushing reviews from LTI: “Having reported on luxury hotels and brands for over 12 years, we would never have envisaged that a renowned name in fine jewellery could surpass the world’s leading luxury hospitality operators to create the World’s Best New Luxury Hotel.”
The hotel only opened its doors in June, but immediately established a reputation for finesse. The brand is soon to open resort hotels in Los Angeles, Miami Beach and the Maldives.
Next comes the Parisian 1, Place Vendôme, which is owned by Chopard and has just 15 rooms and suites. It is a true marvel in the heart of the City of Light for the traveller looking for privacy and exclusivity.
Bulgari appears again in third with the Bulgari Hotel Tokyo. This opulent address opened in April to huge fanfare. Then comes the “elegantly appointed” Mandarin Oriental in Costa Narvino, Greece, followed by The Peninsula in Istanbul in fifth.
The UK’s first entry is the Oxfordshire haven of Estelle Manor, which sits on a 60-acre country estate a stone’s throw from the Cotswolds. A 3,000m2 Roman-inspired bathhouse is soon to be built here!
The glorious Estelle Manor estate. Photo supplied
The Six Senses in Rome takes seventh, ahead of The Raffles London at The OWO. The Raffles name is synonymous with exceptionality, and this one doesn’t disappoint. Located in the Old War Office (OWO), this historic building, with its grand staircase, transports visitors to a more elegant era whilst being entirely modern. The nine restaurants, three bars and Guerlain spa add to the heady mix.
The Raffles London at The OWO makes its entry to the LTI list in eighth position. Photo supplied
Four Seasons The Pearl Qatar comes in ninth, followed by New York City’s The Fifth Avenue Hotel to round out the Top 10. One of the best-known streets in the world houses this “rich, romantic and colourful new property” that LTI’s reviewers say feels more like being in a home than a hotel.
The remaining stunners on the list include COMO Metropolitan in Singapore, Six Senses Southern Dunes in Saudi Arabia, Sydney’s Capella, The Dolli in Athens and The Peninsula in London’s Belgravia neighbourhood.
Fusing modern luxury with an Arabian aesthetic, Six Senses’ Southern Dunes has taken a worthy place on the LTI list. Photo supplied
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Hundreds of children from across the Principality were invited to the Palais Princier de Monaco on Wednesday 20th December for the annual Christmas Party, a tradition that dates back to the 1960s and the time of Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace.
Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene were front and centre in the roles of Santa’s helpers at the Palace’s Christmas Party, but sadly, their nine-year-old twins, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, were forced to miss out on the joyous celebrations shared by their parents and friends as they are reportedly unwell.
Some 680 children are believed to have received an invitation to this year’s big event, which featured a winter wonderland theme with kiosks and stalls serving sweet treats and acrobats and magicians providing the entertainment.
All who came along got the meet Father Christmas and were gifted with a present commemorating the event by the Princely couple. Although the twins couldn’t be there, other family members stepped in to help with the proceedings, including two of Princess Stéphanie’s children, Camille Gottlieb and Louis Ducruet, who is celebrating his first holiday season as dad this year.
The final treat of the day came in the form of a cold weather classic: the Palace’s storied hot chocolate. The legend behind it goes that when Prince Albert and his siblings were small, Prince Rainier III decided to buy some cows of his own to supply his family with the finest fresh milk. Years later, using milk from this same herd, Palace Chef Christian Garcia concocted a thick and rich hot chocolate with a hint of cinnamon that has become a perennial favourite among Grimaldi children and locals alike.
A tradition started by Prince Rainier and Princess Grace
The annual Children’s Christmas Party is a tradition that goes back to the early 1960s, when Prince Rainier and Princess Grace first started the event as a way for the former actress to get to know the children of the Principality. Prince Albert and his sisters, Princess Caroline of Hanover and Princess Stéphanie, will have lovingly memories of these parties as all attended the festive get-togethers as children.
Click on the images below to see more from the party:
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While France has been busy with its own controversial new law on immigration, the EU has been working on the Pact on Migration and Asylum to better “manage migration”. Here’s what it entails.
The discussion on how to best manage the arrival, hosting, integration and, in some cases, deportation of migrants in the European Union has gone on for time immemorial.
Now, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced a “major breakthrough” in policy with the unveiling of a new Pact on Migration and Asylum, which she says is “a crucial step in making sure that Europe has the tools to manage migration”.
The contents of the Pact were revealed on 20th December, and there are five key elements: uniform screening regulations for non-EU nationals upon arrival; the development of a common database to better track unauthorised movements; a system to make asylum, return and border procedures faster and more effective; fairer ways of dispersing and managing newcomers to take the burden off the countries who are the most common points of entry; and stronger crisis management plans to face future situations.
“Europe is a strong community and capable of finding great answers to great challenges,” said von der Leyen. “I welcome the timely political agreement reached by Parliament and Council on the key elements of the new Pact on Migration and Asylum. Our goal was to find a fair and pragmatic approach to managing migration together in the EU.”
CHALLENGES
The Pact is drawing a certain amount of criticism from some quarters, with groups like Amnesty International saying it “will set back European asylum law for decades” and that its “likely outcome is a surge in suffering on every step of a person’s journey to seek asylum in the EU”.
Since the start of 2023, an estimated 225,000 migrants have arrived in Europe. More than half of those have come via a dangerous Mediterranean crossing from North Africa. Italy, Greece, and Malta have recorded the majority of the arrivals, and their governments are frequently cited as being overwhelmed by the situation.
Previous attempts to share responsibility for migrant populations have not been successful, as some EU countries were unwilling to take people in. This new plan is meant to change that with a move away from an ad-hoc approach to one that makes for “long-term and sustainable solutions” .
“Today’s historical agreement is a proud testament to the fact that Europe can deliver solutions on the issues that matter most to citizens,” said Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life, of the plans. “The Pact is a series of sensible and indispensable measures to manage migration in a predictable and more effective manner. All of these measures will reduce pressure on the EU and prevent loss of life.”
“We need to manage migration in an orderly way, and we have to do that in a European way,” added Ylva Johansson, Commissioner for Home Affairs. “It’s not about winners and losers. By agreeing on a common approach to managing migration in a humane way together, we will all be winners.”
Once formally ratified, the scheme could come into force in 2024.
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On Tuesday 19th December, just over a week after an earlier version of the law was thrown out before it even reached the debate stage, the French parliament has voted in favour of a controversial new immigration law.
Following the previous version’s defeat on Monday 11th December, a group of MPs and senators were brought together to rehash the bill, which had been deemed too tough for the left and too weak for the right.
“The most regressive bill of the past 40 years”
This revised edition, now made law, includes several “hardline” measures that had not appeared in the first version. Their inclusion has sparked heavy criticism from those on the left, but the far right has claimed the new law as an “ideological victory”, something French President Emmanuel Macron has been keen to deny.
The text covers a range of topics, from migrant quotas and provisions to strip dual-nationality criminals of their French nationality to the “conditioning” of certain social security benefits to foreigners who have lived in France for more than five years or 30 months for those in work. The law makes a clear distinction between foreigners who are “in a situation of employment” and those who are not.
Another contentious aspect of the law is the restriction of jus soli or the right to obtain French citizenship for those born in France to foreign partners. These people will no longer be automatically granted French nationality upon reaching the age of majority and will instead have to apply between the ages of 16 and 18. Additionally, those who are convicted of a crime will not be allowed to obtain French citizenship.
Family reunification will also be made considerably more difficult by the law, and applicants will now be required to prove they have “stable, regular and sufficient” financial resources.
Those on the left have described it as “the most regressive bill of the past 40 years for the rights and living conditions of foreigners, including those who have long been in France”, while a prominent Socialist, Boris Vallaud, has said that its passing is “great moment of dishonor for the government”.
On the right, meanwhile, the law has been largely welcomed.
“The fruit of compromise”
Speaking to the presenters of France 5 on Wednesday 20th December from the Palais de L’Élysée, Macron said, “Fighting illegal immigration is not just a subject just for the [political] right. If you live in a working-class area affected by this you are for this law.”
Nevertheless, the French president did acknowledge the contentious nature of the new law, saying, “This text is the fruit of compromise… Do I jump for joy at it? No. There are things in it I don’t like… The question for the government was, ‘Do we block it because we don’t like parts of it?’ No. When you govern, you have to make difficult choices.”
It would, however, appear that the inclusions are a step too far for some, and Health Minister Aurélien Rousseau has already resigned over the new law.
“It’s not possible for me to defend this text,” he is quoted as saying in Le Monde.
Higher Education Minister Sylvie Retailleau and Housing Minister Patrice Vergriete have also reportedly threatened their resignations.
In the interview with France 5, Macron sought to make clear that the law was part of the promise he had made to the electorate, saying, “The country was waiting for this law.”
Macron concluded by saying, “We are a country that has always welcomed people and we will continue to do so, but we have to combat the flow of illegal immigration, and our processes are too long and complicated to do so, and that’s a loss of control. Our first objective is combating illegal immigration and the second is to encourage better integration through language and work. Those are the two objectives provided in the text.”
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Held at the Grimaldi Forum on Monday 18th December, the Club Eco Monaco Awards shone a spotlight on Monaco’s economic strength and innovation.
Jointly organised by the Monaco Economic Board and the Nice-Matin Group, the awards saw noteworthy enterprises from the Principality rewarded for their achievements in a diverse range of sectors.
In his opening speech, Jean-Louis Pelé, the General Director of the Nice-Matin Group, reflected on the economic vitality and uniqueness present in Monaco.
“Through the richness of their records and the excellence of the represented companies, the Eco Trophies highlight in the best way possible the economic dynamism of the Principality,” he said.
Minister of State Pierre Dartout also praised the positive roles Monegasque businesses play in the international presence of the Principality as well as their contributions to its prosperity.
“You honour the Principality, and I wish for you to continue doing so because the Principality needs its businesses,” said the statesman.
Meanwhile, real estate guru Michel Dotta shared his thoughts on the Principality’s resilience against a backdrop of economic unease in Europe and further afield.
“We will need to pull together, show solidarity, creativity, and tenacity,” he said of 2024. “Qualities in which the entrepreneurs of the Principality excel.”
2023 LAUREATES
The ceremony was led by Guillaume Rose, Executive General Director of the Monaco Economic Board, and Christian Huault, Nice-Matin Group’s Editor-in-Chief.
‘Manager of the Year Award’ went to Victoria Stevenson of Hôtel Columbus Monte-Carlo for her human-centric managerial approach.
The ‘Sustainable Development Award’ went to Azur Tech and Daniel and Cédric Cavassino, who were acknowledged for their continuous efforts in reducing environmental impact in the cleaning sector. Annabelle Jaeger-Seydoux, Director of the Mission for the Energy Transition in Monaco, complimented the founders at the event, saying that they had created “a model to follow”.
The ‘Innovation Award’ went to Youstock and Pierre Charvet for his Monaco-born start-up that is revolutionising storage solutions.
The ‘International Awards’ went to WES’ Thierry Cognard and Alexandre Trueba, who were congratulated on their excellence in the global transportation and customs sector.
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A volcanic eruption on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula has sparked concerns that air travel could be disrupted if the situation worsens, potentially threatening the holiday plans of thousands heading home for Christmas.
Over the last few days, the eyes of the world have been turned to the small fishing town of Grindavík, which lies on the southwest coast of Iceland.
It is sparsely populated, boasting just under 3,700 residents, but is shadowed by the Sundhnúkagígaröðin volcano that burst into life on the night of Monday 18th December after a series of earthquakes and tremors rocked the area.
The volcano is reported to have spewed lava fountains up to 100 metres high into the air, which could be seen from the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik, 53 kilometres away. With a fissure in the volcano about 3.5 kilometres long, and lava flowing at 100 to 200 cubic metres per second, it is the biggest eruption to have hit the area in recent times.
UNDER CONTROL
By most accounts, the Icelandic government has the situation well in hand and the danger level is low for those on the ground, though the smell of the smoke and ash is said to be apparent over large distances. The residents of Grindavík, as well as tourists visiting the famous Blue Lagoon nearby, had already been excavated prior to the eruption as a precaution.
Speaking from Iceland, Doctor Ilyinskaya, an associate professor of volcanology at Leeds University, told the BBC that locals had been “fearing and waiting for” the volcano to blow, and that authorities were preparing for the worst, whilst hoping for the best.
THREAT TO TRAVEL
Both domestically and internationally, there are concerns about the impact the volcano could have on air travel. Back in 2010, a separate eruption in Iceland led to chaos in the skies for several days as experts warned about the damage volcanic ash could have on aircraft and their engines.
As of now, no flights have been cancelled out of Iceland’s Keflavik Airport, nor are there any significant delays. Airlines are saying that they will keep in contact with passengers regarding any changes to the situation and that they are keeping a close watch on the events as they unfold. The general belief at the moment is that a 2010-style shutdown is unlikely.
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Dozens of festively decorated Fiat 500s, from the brand-new to the vintage, will be taking to the streets of Monaco this coming Friday for the annual Club des Fiat 500 Monte-Carlo’s Parade de Noël. Here are all the details.
From 6.30pm on Friday 22nd December, the Club des Fiat 500 Monte-Carlo will be driving through the streets of the Principality for the fifth edition of its annual Parade de Noël.
Appealing to both those who have an appreciation of the timeless Italian-designed car and all-round fans of the Christmas season, the parade will see dozens of the vehicles from all vintages, as well as newer models, adorned with wreaths, lights, tinsel and piles of decorations and presents. Several Topolinos are set to join the troupe too.
The parade will wind through Monaco until the cars reach the Place du Casino at roughly 7pm. Then, the drivers and a visiting Father Christmas will disembark to share out gifts with spectators. All are invited to come along and share a glass of vin chaud with the club members!
Another young person has died following an horrific car accident in Monaco on the weekend, while two others remain in a critical condition.
Local newspaper Monaco Matin on Wednesday reported that, at its request, the Monaco Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the death of a second victim in the road accident that occurred early Sunday morning near the Millenium tunnel, at the western entrance to the Principality.
The second victim is reportedly a 20-year-old, originally from Azerbaijan, who succumbed to their injuries on Wednesday.
It follows the death of a 19-year-old woman from Kazakhstan, who died at the scene despite the quick intervention of emergency services.
Five people were in the Audi RS4 when it hit the wall at high speed at around 4.30am Sunday 17th December. All were students at the International University of Monaco.
Toxicology tests reportedly confirm that the 22-year-old driver, originally from Finland, had been drinking alcohol before the accident occurred.
A judicial investigation was opened on Tuesday on the counts of aggravated involuntary homicide and aggravated involuntary injuries, the General Prosecutor’s Office of Monaco told Monaco Matin.
Two occupants of the car reportedly remain in a critical condition.
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Never before seen on a French or Monegasque stage, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic ‘The Phantom of the Monaco’ premiered at the Opéra de Monte-Carlo on 16th December to a full house that included Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Caroline.
Prince Albert and Princess Caroline, along with Minister of State Pierre Dartout and other Monaco dignitaries, were among those who turned out on the opening night of the “world’s most famous” musical, which will be performed a total of 20 times in Monaco over the holiday season.
After the show, Prince Albert and Princess Caroline mingled with the performers and congratulated the Opéra’s Director Cecilia Bartoli on the clear success of the Temple Live Entertainment Ltd and Broadway Italia SRL co-production.
Opéra de Monte-Carlo Director Cecilia Bartoli is pictured between Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Caroline of Hanover. Photo credit: Axel Bastello / Palais Princier de Monaco
WHERE TO FIND TICKETS
The final performance is set to take place on New Year’s Eve at 8pm and the audience will be encouraged to dress up in their finest and don a mask suitable for a masquerade ball at the Palais Garnier.
Those who missed out on tickets will be happy to hear that a few precious seats have become available for this ultimate performance. They each cost €280 and can be reserved via the Opéra de Monte-Carlo’s official ticket office.
There also appears to be a handful of seats available for the evening performance on Thursday 21st December.
Last minute tickets do sometimes become available for this type of production and if you are an avid fan of the musical – and don’t mind waiting around outside – then you can always head down to the Opéra de Monte-Carlo in the hours before the performance to try your luck at the onsite ticket office.
Whichever performance you choose, matinee or evening, be sure to snap up those seats quickly – The Phantom of the Opera in Monaco has been a near sell-out success!
It has been announced that Chatsworth Schools will operate the future Borgo del Forte Campus, a key aspect in the €200 million redevelopment project of Ventimiglia.
Marina Development Corporation (MDC), an urban regeneration company that focusses on marina areas, revealed on Tuesday 19th December that it has signed a partnership with Chatsworth Schools, owner of 15 independent schools and kindergartens in the United Kingdom and manager of international schools and government consultant for education. The institution will be responsible for the management of Borgo del Forte Campus, the large international educational-sports campus that will be created in the Campasso di Nervia area of Ventimiglia, just 26 kilometres from Monaco.
The international school will open to its first students in September 2026, subject to the approval of the City Council, and will be a key feature in the transformation of the Ventimiglia seafront.
The Borgo del Forte Campus will cover 42,000 sqm.
Large enough to rival international schools in Monaco, Nice and Genoa
The Borgo del Forte Campus, in partnership with the Municipality of Ventimiglia, will be developed in the spaces of the former Campasso railway yard, behind the natural area that stands at the mouth of the Nervia river.
It will include 42,000 square metres of regenerated urban areas, and an international school for 800 students surrounded by a public park.
“We started talking to MDC a long time ago, when the campus and this announcement still seemed like a distant dream,” said Anita Gleave, CEO and founder of Chatsworth Schools. “Being one step away from the launch of this international school that will change the market and which will embrace and strengthen the local community of Ventimiglia is extremely exciting for me and for the entire Chatsworth Schools family.”
The school will be able to accommodate up to 800 students.
Facilities for all
On the sports front, the structure will host an indoor swimming pool that can be used by everyone all year round, an equipped gym, changing rooms, services and a dedicated club house, as well as a multifunction area for indoor and outdoor activities, all open to public.
To the south, the former railway warehouse building will be restored and used as a multi-purpose conference centre, with a conference room, exhibition area, laboratories and offices, all overlooking a large green park.
Meanwhile, the former guesthouse buildings will be restored and used as student accommodation with 100 beds and reception services, offices and cafeteria. The Campus will also be able to take advantage of over 3,000 square meters of parking.
The Campus will include sporting facilities available to the general population.
“Privileged access” for locals
Blenheim Schools – the international school division of Chatsworth Schools – will be responsible for designing and implementing the educational program and learning spaces of the international school, managing the activities of the entire Campus, as well as acting as a facilitator for the integration between the school and the local community, in agreement with the Municipality of Ventimiglia.
Residents of Ventimiglia will have “privileged” access through scholarships, discounts on annual fees and regulated prices for access to sports facilities.
“We are thrilled to announce together with Chatsworth the creation of the largest international school in the Liguria Region, a driver of great social, economic and employment growth for Ventimiglia,” said Giuseppe Noto, CEO of Marina Development Corporation. “After years of work with the public administration, we confidently await the adoption of the urban planning variant by the City Council by the end of the year, which is necessary for its implementation.”
Green spaces will be a key feature of the Campus.
The €200m development that is transforming a sleepy Italian town
Borgo del Forte Campus is an integral part of Marina di Ventimiglia, a large urban regeneration project promoted by MDC, aimed at creating a new tourist destination on the seafront of the city in western Liguria.
With a total investment of €200 million, Marina di Ventimiglia will develop over a total area of 57,000 square metres. It includes several aspects: the main one, Borgo del Forte, will impact the Marina San Giuseppe area, behind the new tourist port of Cala del Forte, owned by Ports of Monaco.
Here there will be a five-star hotel with 70 rooms, gym, wellness centre and restaurant, as well as 60 high-end apartments with terraces intended for sale. Each architectural element, is “built according to the highest technological and sustainability standards”, according to MDC, and will be totally immersed in greenery and “harmoniously inserted into the typical Ligurian morphological context characterised by terraces”.
The inhabitants of Borgo del Forte will also be able to take advantage of a 200 square metre swimming pool and 200 parking spaces, as well as 1,500 meters of underground public parking at marina level.
The other main features are the construction of the La Rocca panoramic restaurant, located to the west of the residential-hotel complex, which will be completed by summer 2024, and Club Italia, which involves the transformation of the former ACI building into a food and beverage “hub of excellence”.
With the countdown to 2024 well and truly on, have you finalised your plans for 31st December? From famous nightclubs to the Salle des Etoiles, let this be your guide to celebrating New Year’s Eve out on the town in Monaco.
After covering all of the finest places to wine and dine with friends and family in our New Year’s restaurant guide, now it’s the turn of the top bars and nightclubs in the Principality.
It looks like Monaco is gearing up for a huge New Year’s Eve, with parties and concerts set to take place in every corner and venue of the Principality. From all-out club experiences to concerts and cocktails, here’s our pick of the best and the biggest.
NIGHTCLUBS
Jimmy’z Monte-Carlo is one of the longest standing nightclubs in Monaco, but its popularity has certainly not faded with time. If anything, the place is going from strength to strength, as shown in its massive plans for the New Year’s weekend. A line-up of renowned DJs, including Ollie Deejay, DOSH, RAWDØLFF and Siryll, will be performing from 29th through to 31st December from 11pm until the early hours. Click here for more information.
Next comes Buddha-Bar Monte-Carlo, with its combination of party and in-house dining. There’s a €490 menu on offer in the restaurant and a €450 Omakase menu in the lounge bar, while DJ Papa will be serving up the tunes in the club. For more information and reservations, which are highly recommended, click here.
Buddha Bar Monte-Carlo will take you from dinner table to dancefloor. Photo credit: Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer
Then there’s Twigaand its New Year’s Eve Gala featuring live music by Alessandro Ristori and The Portofinos as well as an exquisite dining experience blending Italian and “new” Asian cuisine. For reservations, click here.
MK Club down on the Route de la Piscine will be hosting a Studio 54-themed party on 31st December from 10am until 7am. Yes, 7am! It promises to be an unforgettable night. For more information, click here.
BARS
The Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort’s Blue Gin has been transformed into the Antarctic-inspired Blue Ice for the holidays, complete with frosted fir trees and sledges as seating. The New Year’s Eve programme features fireworks, a live DJ and one of the most inventive cocktail menus in the Principality at the moment.
There are blues of a different hue over at the Hôtel de Paris’Bar Américain, which will be pairing live jazz and soul with elegant cocktails and an à la carte dinner service. It is worth noting that there will be a minimum €750 spend on cocktails and other beverages in place here.
Another option is the Crystal Bar at the Hôtel Hermitage, with its special aperitif evening from 7pm. There are two canapé menus on offer here: a €40 package for four gourmet canapés and a cocktail or the €65 menu that offers five dishes and a drink. For more information, click here.
ICONIC VENUES
Live music in the lounge bar of the Salle Europe will provide the perfect backdrop to an evening at the games tables of the Casino de Monte-Carlo. Spending the evening at this legendary Monaco address offers a different kind of thrill to a night on the dancefloor, but will provide an insight into the golden history and heritage of the Principality in a way that no other place can dream of. For the full rundown of the Casino’s scheduling over the holidays, click here.
Make memories at the Casino de Monte-Carlo this coming New Year’s Eve. Photo credit: Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer
And the final spot on the list goes to the famous Salle des Etoiles and its ABBA tribute show. The doors to ‘The Show: A Tribute to ABBA’ will open at 8pm. Tickets cost €665 and the event is suitable for all aged seven and up. Click here to find out more.
There’s still time to get your hands on Christmas cards from the joint Red Cross and Fights AIDS Monaco campaign, but you’ll have to be quick!
Two of Monaco’s leading charitable associations, the local branch of the Red Cross – the Croix Rouge in French – and Fight AIDS Monaco, have teamed up to launch a Christmas card campaign that will raise funds for various initiatives and spread some holiday cheer around the Principality.
The cards have been available to order via the Croix Rouge Monégasque website for some time now, but deadlines are getting tight as the big day quickly approaches so the best way to get a hold of one or more of these cards is to call the association’s office directly on +377 97 97 68 13 or pop in to see the team at 27 Boulevard de Suisse. The cards cost just €2.50 each and all of the proceeds will go to charity programmes.
To explore the range of other products sold on the Croix Rouge website, click here. You can also click here to make a direct donation.
To find out more about Fight AIDS Monaco, click here.
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From exquisite takes on the traditional Yule log to Cova’s beautiful Italian offerings, here are the finest desserts and treats on sale for Christmas in Monaco.
Whether it’s a big family gathering that you’re hosting this year or that you’ve been invited along to a sophisticated dinner among friends, there will be something on this list of delightful desserts to impress all around the table.
Let’s start with the limited edition Yule log currently on sale at the Hôtel Métropole. The fruit of a culinary collaboration between by Chef Christophe Cussac and Pastry Chef Patrick Mesiano, this festive treat captures the essence of Christmas in the Mediterranean with its locally sourced ingredients. It costs €75 and can serve between four and six people.
The Hôtel Métropole’s adorable Christmas cracker of a Yule log. Photo via Instagram
Next up are a range of creations from Chef Gianluca Giorgeschi of the Rampoldi. First is the glorious Bûche Miel et Amandes: a white chocolate mousse and a vanilla sponge layered with honey-almond cream, crispy feuilletine and glazed with honey and pollen.
The Rampoldi’s inspired take on the traditional Yule log: the Bûche Miel et Amandes. Photo via the Rampoldi
Another favourite is the Gateau Noël with its Italian-style sponge, crunchy meringue, chestnut heart and vanilla Chantilly, while the Gateau Horologe will certainly go down a treat with chocolate lovers. It boasts a 55% chocolate cream, criollo mousse, cocoa sand and hazelnut praline as well as an intricate clockface design.
Chef Gianluca Giorgeschi of the Rampoldi’s Gateau Horologe for Christmas 2023. Photo via the Rampoldi
Over at The Niwaki, the restaurant’s brilliant chefs have put their heads together to come up with a selection of stunning mignardisesthat will make the perfect gifts or small servings. The range embodies The Niwaki’s fusion of traditional Japanese craftsmanship and contemporary innovation, and can be picked up directly from the restaurant.
Finally comes Pasticceria Cova, the beloved Italian bakery brand. Top of our list here is the Milanese masterpiece of a Panettone with its light, fluffy texture and tantalising fruity aroma.
You could easily spend a small fortune on the Pasticceria Cova range this Christmas! Photo via Cova
But there are plenty of other options here too, such as the elegant marrons glacés, which are individually wrapped glazed chestnuts that make a delicious alternative to chocolate truffles.
Cova’s incredible range of gem-like pralines will always please a crowd and there’s a flavour for everyone, from pistachio to Arabica coffee, but for real chocolate enthusiasts, the gianduiotti are miniature edible masterpieces. These velvet-textured chocolate and Piedmont hazelnut ingots are carefully wrapped in golden paper and presented in their unique geometric shape. They are a must-try this Christmas!
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