Forget Cannes and Nice

Just kidding, Cannes is superb, but Monaco has already claimed my hungry heart quite a bit. And I've only been here for six hours. What I like about it? That everything is so petite and charming, the houses are painted in candy colors and come on, you stumble from Dior to Chanel to Elie Saab and back past Bonpoint. In between, you find many authentic shops with beautiful dolls or stunning antiques. And it's clean and well-kept without looking like Disneyland. Also funny: in almost every shop there is a portrait of the royal family. You have to replace it with a fresh photo every two years, otherwise, apparently, something happens. Here’s a summary of why it’s nice to be here.

1. Everything in Monaco is within walking distance
If you go from left to right or from top to bottom, you walk a maximum of 56 minutes.

2. Monaco has the lowest unemployment in the world. Only 2 percent of the population is unemployed, but they are probably so rich that they don’t need a job either.

3. Monaco is the country with the most millionaires and billionaires per capita. Funny to think that it used to be very different here. Monaco was almost bankrupt until Princess Caroline came up with the idea to start a big casino and thus brought wealth to Monaco. It’s also notable that everyone here can gamble, except for the Monegasques themselves.

4. Prince Rainier created a pleasant investment climate that attracted many companies and brought a lot of capital to Monaco. Monaco is also a tax haven for the rich. You don’t have to pay income tax, wealth tax, or inheritance tax here. This attracts rich people to Monaco and a lot is spent in Monaco, which ensures a flourishing economy.

5. Monaco has several helicopter landing pads (our hotel has one too). Nice, because otherwise, you would have to sit in the car for 40 minutes from Nice. The idea!

6. Monaco has no agriculture, but did have chocolate factories. Now I find it even more enjoyable here.

7. The skincare brand Lancaster was founded in Monaco in 1946 and still operates from Monaco. All products are also developed and manufactured here. One product was made entirely for Princess Grazia because her pale skin needed to be well protected from the sun.

8. The Monaco Grand Prix is a big spectacle. As I write this, preparations are in full swing.