Monaco: An Unplanned Journey into the World of Millionaires

As the title suggests, I ended up visiting Monaco. But why Monaco, of all places? That’s exactly what I was asking myself too. And just like I mentioned in the previous chapter, it all happened because of a few unexpected complications — so let me tell you how it all turned out.

Monaco is a truly special place. It’s the second smallest country in the world – covering just over 2 km², which means you can walk across the whole thing in a single afternoon. And yet, it’s one of the richest and most luxurious spots on the planet.

Monaco is a constitutional monarchy, led by Prince Albert II, and the country has managed to preserve both its independence and its unmistakable, almost surreal atmosphere to this day.

Plans Made Under the Sardinian Sun

Back in mid-July, while I was soaking up the Sardinian sun, I started thinking about my journey back home. I had only bought a one-way ticket from Slovakia – a little experiment of mine, like “we’ll see how it goes.” Around the same time, management at work began asking how long we planned to stay. In my case, the answer was clear: school starts in September, so by September 4th, I had to be sitting back in the classroom.

Since our work contracts were only valid until August 31st, I started looking for flights on September 1st. But when I saw the price – around €150 – I nearly fainted. That felt way too steep. So I began brainstorming: maybe I could fly to Budapest and take a bus from there?

Then I came up with an even better plan – what if I searched for flights with a stopover instead of direct?
So I started checking for the cheapest departures from Sardinia, specifically from Olbia Airport, the closest big city to Orosei (as you might remember from this chapter HERE). And just like that, I also got to practice the route to Olbia – because… well, you never know.

Budget Flights and a Plan B for the Luggage

After a few hours of digging through Kiwi and Skyscanner, I finally found a flight for under €38 – Olbia to Nice. I mean, how could I say no to that? And then from Nice to Budapest two days later – for just €24.
Now that’s what I call a deal worth a standing ovation.

But then came the real question – what do I do with two and a half days in Nice? And more importantly – what about my luggage?

Well… luckily, I had a plan for that too. I realized that if I brought a large suitcase with me, I’d have to pay for it twice – once on each flight. And that would completely kill the good deal. So I did some more research and found a courier service called SendMyBag.com, which specializes in luggage shipping. It works super easily – you just enter where you’re sending your bag from, where it should go, add your contact info, and you’re good to go.

So I arranged a pickup straight from my address in Sardinia, with delivery all the way to my home in Slovakia. Now tell me – doesn’t that sound like a small logistical miracle?

How I Shipped My Suitcase Home and Got Ready for a New Adventure

One of the biggest advantages of SendMyBag is that you can choose the exact day when the courier picks up your suitcase. I picked the day before my departure, so I could travel light – just a small backpack on my shoulders.

The courier showed up in the morning, stuck a barcode label on the suitcase so it could be easily tracked through the airports, and that was it – done. And the best part? Within a week, my suitcase had already arrived home in Slovakia.

Landing in Nice and a Full-Day Game Plan

After a smooth journey, I had plenty of time at Olbia Airport – around three hours, which gave me more than enough to calmly find my gate and wait for boarding. This was actually my first solo trip ever.

I landed in Nice around 1:15 PM, and headed straight to my Airbnb, which I’d booked not far from the airport.
It wasn’t exactly around the corner, but the walk took about 35 to 40 minutes – a totally pleasant stroll past airport terminals and quiet local streets.

Even better – right next to my accommodation was the Nice Saint-Augustin train station (not “St. Augustine” like I originally thought – thanks, Google Maps).
And that was exactly what I needed – a direct train line to Monaco, basically on my doorstep.

By Train Along the Azure Coast

Trains departing from Nice Saint-Augustin station travel along one of the most scenic railway routes in Europe – with views of the sea for nearly the entire ride. The trains head east toward Monaco, and even further into Italy, to cities like Ventimiglia and Sanremo.

Going the other way, you can head back into central Nice or continue west toward Cannes and Marseille. The journey to Monaco takes just about 30 minutes, with trains running every 15–30 minutes – they’re comfortable, quick, and offer stunning views of the turquoise coastline. Tickets cost around €5–7 one-way, and you can book them on the website HERE or through the app HERE.

How to Get to Monaco – Tête de Chien Viewpoint

I quickly checked into my accommodation, grabbed only the essentials, and set off toward Monaco. But I didn’t want to dive straight into it – I figured I’d first get a bird’s-eye view. And that’s how the first stop of the trip came to life: a hike to the Tête de Chien, which translates to “Dog’s Head.” Link to the spot HERE.

How to get there? Just get off at the Cap-d’Ail train station. When you step outside and look inland, you’ll see a massive hill rising in front of you – that’s it. Pull up Google Maps, and off you go. Along the way, you’ll spot hiking trail markers that guide you in the right direction. When you reach the trash bins, head uphill and keep going – the trail is waiting.

Cap-d’Ail

So what exactly is Cap-d’Ail? It’s a picturesque town that borders Monaco directly. The border between them is almost invisible – just a few steps and you’re suddenly in the wealthiest principality in the world.

Cap-d’Ail is known for its beautiful villas, coastal promenade, and a historic atmosphere straight out of the Belle Époque era.

The Belle Époque is a crucial period because that’s when Monaco transformed into a global destination for luxury. Iconic hotels and casinos were built, the Monte Carlo district came to life, and aristocrats from all over Europe began flocking to the Riviera.

💡 TIP: Don’t forget to buy fresh water while you’re still in Nice. In Monaco or Cap-d’Ail, a simple bottle can easily cost you €3 or more. After all – you’re in a place where everything has its price and nothing comes cheap. That’s just how the millionaire world works.

The hike to Tête de Chien is truly beautiful, and incredibly rich in views. Along the way, you’ll see scenes straight out of a movie: luxurious villas with pools, manicured gardens, and the azure sea stretching out to the horizon. You’re surrounded by stunning nature – a mix of rocks, trees, and the scent of the sea that you’ll fall in love with. Honestly – I’d recommend this to anyone who wants to experience Monaco from a different perspective.

Descent Through La Turbie and My First Steps in Monaco

After soaking in the views from Tête de Chien, it was time to head downhill – straight into the heart of Monaco. And let me tell you, even the descent itself was an experience.

From the top, I followed a paved road that runs through the French village of La Turbie. It’s a quiet, well-kept little town with beautiful stone houses, tiny cafés, and that warm, laid-back vibe you expect from the south of France. If you want, you can take a break here – grab a coffee or just sit on a bench and soak in the calm.

From La Turbie, a pleasant yet steep path takes you down to Monaco in about an hour, walking at a relaxed pace. Along the way, I wandered past villas, manicured gardens, and parked supercars – and honestly, it felt like stepping into another world.

The contrast between the peaceful village and the shiny, high-end world of Monaco was surreal. I also realized just how tiny Monaco really is – and how perfectly squeezed it is between the sea and the mountains. A tiny country with big dreams.

And when you’re ready to descend right into Monaco, I’ve got a handy tip for you: below, I’ll show you the paved road you can take to get down there comfortably.

Monaco – Monte Carlo: Luxury, Supercars… and No Signal?

When I finally made it into Monaco itself, I had one goal in mind – to head straight to Monte Carlo. And believe me, I had no idea it would hit me this hard.

First stop: Hotel Fairmont – one of the most luxurious hotels in Monaco. Right in front of it is the famous Formula 1 hairpin turn, a holy site for any fan of fast cars. And you don’t have to wait for the Grand Prix –supercars race through here every day. Ferraris, McLarens, Bentleys… all just a few meters away.
It was pure eye (and ear) ecstasy.

Just next door is the iconic Casino de Monte-Carlo – a place that oozes old-world elegance. Golden signs, grand staircases, shiny Rolls-Royces parked out front… it honestly felt like a Bond movie. (Tip: You can just sit in the square out front, soak in the atmosphere, and people-watch the millionaire show in action.)

But of course, there was a small catch: signal. In Monaco, mobile signal behaves… well, differently. Because of various protections and security protocols, mobile connections are insanely expensive – if you accidentally pick up a call or turn on roaming, get ready to pay.

For me, internet completely vanished, and so did my signal.
Solutions?
➡️ Just walk a few steps back into France (literally a 5-minute stroll), and everything works perfectly again.
➡️ Or – here’s a solid tip – connect to the free Wi-Fi from Casino Monte-Carlo. It worked perfectly for calls too, and the signal reaches all the way to Hotel Fairmont and the square out front.

So I sat down, took a stroll, connected to the Wi-Fi, snapped some photos of the cars, and just soaked in the incredible atmosphere – the sun, the luxury, the roar of engines, and that unique Monaco vibe you simply can’t find anywhere else.

And once I’d had my fill of this high-end fantasy, I started heading back to my accommodation, taking the same train route in reverse. But don’t worry – in the next part of Flying Easterner, I’ll show you even more: what to see in Monaco, where to walk, and which must-visit spots you definitely shouldn’t miss. Follow me on Instagram and sign up for the newsletter so you don’t miss a thing!

Cross your boundaries – that’s where the treasure you’re seeking is hidden.

Flying Easterner