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