| The European playground and favourite destination | | | | the thousands who commute to Monaco every day |
| for the wealthy is opening a new facility for the | | | | from neighbouring France and Italy the railway station |
| upkeep and repairs of the world's megayachts, and | | | | is one of the best in Europe, with frequent and |
| enhances Monaco's already fabled image. | | | | reliable services. |
| The shipyard, which has taken two years to build, will | | | | 'For those who work in Monte Carlo and travel in |
| be the largest megayacht facility in the Mediterranean | | | | from Nice and her surrounding villages five days a |
| and is an impressive 35,000 square metres capable of | | | | week, it's both cheaper and quicker to take the train |
| taking fourteen 40 to 80 metre yachts. | | | | - the trains are modern and comfortable and it's rare |
| Bearing in mind the size and weight of the yachts, | | | | for seats not to be available even during the rush |
| the new facility can hoist and transfer one in half an | | | | hour', claim a Monaco travel guide. 'Once people are in |
| hour. | | | | Monaco the local transport service is equally quick and |
| The owners of the shipyard have invested 45 million | | | | efficient. Virtually all routes are well planned and easy |
| Euros to make sure it is state of the art, and as well | | | | to understand, and the most you have to wait for a |
| as major repairs can do painting and full servicing as | | | | bus is ten minutes, often it's just a couple of minutes |
| part of its services. | | | | - which isn't exactly a hardship given the weather in |
| The number of megayachts has increased | | | | Monte Carlo!' |
| dramatically in recent years, and Monaco has been | | | | With many major companies and the banks in |
| quick to ensure that the wealthy owners, often | | | | Monaco also looking to see how they can improve |
| nouveau riche, see her as in the same light as old | | | | their own environmental records the business |
| money and the established European and US wealthy | | | | community view the steps as prudent ones. |
| families, who frequent Monaco and the Monte Carlo | | | | The routes are planned to incorporate tourist needs, |
| casino. | | | | with many passing by the Hotel de Paris in Casino |
| Monaco ensured the attention of the yacht owners | | | | Square and the Columbus in Fontvieille, two of the |
| by cleverly staging the annual Monaco Yacht Show, | | | | best known and popular Monaco hotels. Fares have |
| the only one of its type, specialising in Megayachts, | | | | been reduced to one Euro, making public transport in |
| held in the principality each September. | | | | Monaco among the lowest priced, comfortable and |
| As well as the legendary Monte Carlo casino, Monaco | | | | frequent in Europe. |
| is a tax haven and home to the Monaco Grand Prix, | | | | With the overall aim to increase bus usage by 20 per |
| F1's most prestigious race in their calendar. | | | | cent, the Principality is also funding five new duplex |
| For a country with a long tradition of welcoming the | | | | trains with a thirty per cent increase in train services, |
| wealthy, it comes as a surprise to many that Monaco | | | | and in an innovative attempt to persuade commuters |
| is also in the forefront of the battle to save the | | | | to leave their cars at home will provide free electric |
| environment. | | | | cycles at car park schemes. |
| Monaco And The Environment | | | | 'The one time of year you might see fast cars being |
| The environment campaign began shortly after Prince | | | | encouraged is of course for the Monaco Grand Prix in |
| Albert became Sovereign with the Monaco Yacht | | | | May', conclude the guide, 'But overall it's Prince Albert |
| Show 2005, held each September, with the event | | | | who will be able to claim the winners rostrum among |
| successfully becoming carbon neutral. To encourage | | | | European leaders for the environment. |