Monaco — officially the Principality of Monaco — is a tiny sovereign city-state tucked into the sparkling embrace of the French Riviera.

Perched less than a mile from Italy’s Liguria and washed by the Mediterranean, this miniature nation packs a lot of glamor into a very small space.

Renowned as a playground for the rich and famous, Monaco’s historic streets bustle with grand casinos, high-fashion boutiques, glamorous bars and clubs and even a stretch of manmade sand where sun seekers gather year‑round.

Beneath the glittering facades and racing roar, Monaco's subtler charm lives in its quiet Mediterranean terraces, narrow alleyways and the gentle rhythm of seaside rituals shared by locals.

Just be warned: navigating its steep, winding lanes carved into the mountainside can feel delightfully bewildering.