Monaco and Monte Carlo evoke fascinating moments that perhaps we have never lived, but have dreamed of countless times. A fable turned into reality, like the dazzling presence of Grace Kelly that still pulses in our desires, as if she could appear at any moment in the stunning backdrop of the sea that protects and bestows splendor upon the small kingdom.

The Principality of Monaco rises over the Mediterranean, silent and equidistant between Ventimiglia, where Italian Liguria concludes, and Nice, where the French Côte d'Azur displays its uniqueness and charm. In less than half an hour, coming from Italy, we cross three sovereign states, because Monaco spans barely 2 square kilometers of surface, becoming the second smallest state in the world after the Vatican.

It is precisely when arriving from Italian Liguria that we witness a dazzling spectacle: the city-state suddenly appears in all its majesty beyond the hills. It's said that what the diminutive Monegasque realm lacks in size, it compensates for with its ability to attract high rollers, hedonists, and the ultra-rich seeking a secure haven for their mega-yachts and a way to safeguard their immense incomes from the interference of other states eager to tax.

32 percent of the principality's population is composed of millionaires. Out of the 38,000 residents, 12,000 are millionaires. Ostentation, therefore, presents itself naturally in the Principality, so natural that it's experienced as an everyday phenomenon, not as a gesture of arrogance. There will always be someone who can boast of a more sumptuous yacht or a newer and more expensive Bentley or Lamborghini car.

Monte Carlo, although just one of the ten neighborhoods that make up the Principality, is its emblematic district and is directly associated with it. It's here that the image of Formula One cars zooming through the narrow and winding streets comes to mind. In this setting, maintaining the lead in the race is a feat, given the narrowness of the streets. On the hotel terraces, beautiful women sunbathe, unconcerned about whether Verstappen, Hamilton, or the city's own son, Leclerc, are leading the competition.

Monte Carlo is synonymous with refinement, chic spirit, and elegance on Princesse Charlotte Boulevard, Boulevard des Moulins, and Avenue Monte Carlo. Undoubtedly, the emblem that identifies Monte Carlo and Monaco to the world is the Casino building, constructed in 1863 by the desire of Charles III and designed by architect Charles Garnier, the author of the Paris Opera.

Visiting Monte Carlo for just a few hours is enough to understand that we've been transported to another dimension, perhaps unreachable but real, because it exists. The grandeur and luxury are palpable in every corner, and the inherent elegance of the Principality becomes a tangible experience that endures over time.

And suddenly, the first image that comes to mind when I wander through the streets of Monte Carlo is the swift Formula One cars zooming through the narrow and winding streets, where holding onto the lead is a formidable task. On the rooftops and terraces of hotels, beautiful women sunbathe, almost unconcerned whether Verstappen, Hamilton, or the city's own son, Leclerc, are leading the competition.

Monte Carlo is synonymous with refinement, chic spirit, and elegance on the avenues of Princesse Charlotte Boulevard, on Boulevard des Moulins, or on Avenue Monte Carlo.

Without a doubt, the emblem, the most representative symbol that identifies Monte Carlo and Monaco worldwide, is the Casino building, constructed in 1863 by the desire of Charles III and designed by none other than architect Charles Garnier, the author of the Paris Opera.