Happy New Year! Hope you had a wonderful break. As we start afresh for the new year, not all celebrations are over yet as the Chinese New Year season is right around the corner. On behalf of Visit Monaco, we would like to put forth 8 ways to spend your Chinese New Year in Monaco should you wish to escape the traditional festivities and get out of town.
Resting on the mountains with the Alps in the background and with a full picturesque view of the Mediterranean Sea, the Principality of Monaco enjoys a privileged geographic location – which, in Chinese folklore, represents prosperity in the art of Fengshui. For years, Monaco has enjoyed being the ‘playground for the rich and famous’. As we enter the new year, we hope to show that Monaco is in many ways versatile and ‘For You’ – so whether you’re looking to live it up and enjoying the finest with your partner, or indulge in some of the city’s many wonderful offerings with your family, there will be something for you.
1. Stay at the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo
When in Monaco you can naturally expect that most hotels are designed for families. The Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo, for one, offers connecting rooms and a special welcome for young guests. Ideally situated in the Carré d’Or, within walking distance of the Casino, Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo overlooks the Mediterranean Sea. The sumptuous Belle Epoque property was built in 1886 and fully renovated in 2004 by famous French designer Jacques Garcia, who transformed it into a palace of 126 rooms and suites with a Mediterranean charm in keeping with its era, combining glamour, sophistication and sensoriality. Till 31st March 2020, you can opt to book a Junior Suite and an adjoining room from 835 € – inclusive of a full daily American breakfast served at Joel Robuchon and surprise welcome amenities for the children.
2. Visit the Casino de Monte-Carlo
It’s Chinese New Year, and as far as Chinese New Year traditions and gambling go, you can’t miss a stop at the Casino de Monte-Carlo. Several James Bond movies and Ocean’s Twelve had long sequences shot there. Since 1863, the legendary casino has offered only the best to its prestigious customers, so make sure you tap on some of that New Year luck and stop by here for a full Monte-Carlo experience. Tuxedos are no longer required, but a formal dress code is still necessary.
3. Let your inner child shine at the open-air skating rink at Port Hercules
While in summer you’ll be basking in the glorious summer sun and enjoying a dip in the pool, during wintertime this place transforms into a splendid frozen ground. Each year, under the aegis of the Municipal Sports and Associations Department, the Rainier III Outdoor Swimming Stadium is transformed into a 1,000-sqm ice-skating rink for several weeks from the start of December to early March, at the Stade Nautique Rainier III. Entry tickets for a single ticket is priced at 6.70 € inclusive of skate rental. Opening hours to public over Chinese New Year’s, are Monday to Thursday 11am to 6pm, Friday 11am to 11pm, Saturday 10am to 11pm, and Sunday 10am to 9pm.
4. Shop to your heart’s content in Monaco
As the Chinese New Year saying goes, “new clothes bring new luck”. Winter also spells off-season sales – and what better time to shop than for brand new clothes to ring in the New Year? At this brand-new district nestled between the Hotel Hermitage Monte-Carlo and the Place du Casino, is where you’ll find One Monte-Carlo – where shopping, culture, and luxury real estate come together. Here, it houses some of the biggest names in fashion and jewellery including Prada, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Valentino, just to name a few. If ever you need a break from shopping, rest your worn-out feet while munching on some haute couture snacks at Mada One. The “aperitif therapy” session runs from 5.30pm to 8.30pm, where you can try a signature cocktail along with some of the chef’s sweet and savoury bites. Now we call this bliss…
5. Watch the Change of Guards Ceremony in front of the Prince’s Palace of Monaco
The Change of the Guards Ceremony takes place daily on the Palace Square at 11.55am. Since their creation on 8 December 1817, this is one military ritual that has been mastered and performed in full dress uniform – black in the winter – and has not been changed for over a century. You can expect a grand show complete with drums rolling and trumpets sounding. Apart from this formal ceremony and ensuring the security of the Palace, the guards also escort religious, civil and ceremonial processions; and ensure security for sports and other public events in the Principality. At times, up to hundreds of spectators gather to watch the show, so if you want to grab a spot, make sure you’re there at least half an hour early.
6. Dig into some scrumptious reunion dinner feed at one of these offerings
Song Qi is where you’ll want to be for Chinese New Year. Known for its fine Cantonese cuisine, the place is elegantly laid out with silky green banquettes and chairs that add warmth to the otherwise opulent Song Qi. Whether you fancy some dim sum, hearty chicken soup, or perhaps even a Singapore-style spicy vermicelli on the mains, this will set the pace for a yummy reunion dinner feed.
Alternatively, take your pick between the best seafood at Les Perles de Monte-Carlo, located at the very tip of the Port de Fontvieille jetty in Monaco, or Yoshi, Joël Robuchon’s first Japanese restaurant in the world, featuring the freshest nigiri, maki, sashimi, fish and cooked meat teppanyaki-style, alongside the best sakes and Japanese green teas.
7. Celebrate at the Buddha Bar Monte-Carlo
They say that passing through the doors of Buddha Bar Monte-Carlo is like going on a journey to far east Asia. The warm colours, Buddha statue and lounge ambience set the tone for celebrating Chinese New Year in style. Be amazed by the colossal Buddha – from Asia, no less – seated tall in a meditation pose. Thai and Japanese cuisine are showcased in a menu that mixes Asian flavours, while sakes and Southeast Asian inspired signature cocktails are highlights on the drinks menu. The bar itself brings a storied history – it stands where the old Cabaret de Monte-Carlo used to be at the beginning of the century.
8. Catch the Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival
The 44th Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival takes place from 16 to 26 January 2020. For 10 days, a selection of spectacles come to life under the Chapiteau de Fontvieille with breath-taking performances. Here, dreams truly take flight – it’s the perfect activity for the whole family to be enthralled by the acrobats, animal trainers, trapeze artists, and clowns under one of the most prestigious world circus events. A stop by here during your trip is sure to delight the young ones.
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