Sea and rich people: where else to find a better combination than in Monaco! A real Monaco yachts parade can be admired throughout the year in the Hercule Port, beside the local yearly yachting events. From imposing, big-sized ones to neat, small, jewel yachts. If you are a yachting amateur or if you are hardly interested in the matter (as I was before seeing this impressive display) you will find something to like here.
There is a restraint, exclusivist rich group that has a thing for yachting, mainly because they can afford to! You and I, we both know that we'd like to own even a small, "unpretentious" sailboat, don't we? And have at least once dreamed to relax on the deck of a luxury yacht in Monaco. But, hey, who needs a yacht in a so busy world? Do we wake up in the morning with nothing better to do than dress in white completely (maybe some blue too), have our cafe au lait (maybe a croissant also if not on diet) and go to the quay ordering around the employees to rub up better that side? We certainly don't! If you say you do, that's another story!
What better place (and object) for a competition: who has the bigger, more expensive model, envies arise, disputes start... Shirley Bassey reportedly complained of the big size of "Le Grand Bleu" belonging to the Russian billionaire Abramovich. The yacht apparently spoiled the view on the port of her uphill apartment. Well, what else would you like rich people to do?...
Beside occasional cruises and constant care some rich people find a practical use to their yachts: some rent them, others live there. Owning a yacht can be extremely useful if you are a tax exile, especially UK citizens who live in Monaco but work in the UK. Renting is very profitable, especially during holidays season or when big events happen in Monaco: prices go from 25,000? per week to 365,000? per week, depending on the size and facilities.
Some of world's famous yachts rest in the waters of the bay. Some of them are so big that they have helicopters on their top decks. Among worlds' 100 largest yachts are:
* Octopus - owned by Paul Allen, the Microsoft cofounder;
* Tatoosh - owned also by Paul Allen;
* Atlantis II - owned by the Niarchos family, descendants of Onassis' rival Stavros;
* Le Grand Bleu - owned by the Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich;
* Delphine - owned by the American car magnate Horace Dodge;
* Montkaj - owned by Prince Mohammed bin Fahd, son of Saudi Arabia's King Fahd.
Following its policy of capitalization of all (though scarce) natural resource, the Principality quickly became aware of the potential of the Hercules Bay and started a yachting tradition. There is a Yacht Club founded in 1953 by Prince Rainier and it was all along supported by him and his son Albert, who is also its President. The Yacht Club de Monaco gained international fame attracting worlds' greatest names in sailing to come and battle on the Monegasque waters.
Naturally, there are also prestigious yachting events of international interest, excellent opportunities for yacht owners all over the world to show off.
* Primo Cup ? Trophée Credit Suisse
* Challenge Inter-Banques
* Monaco Classic Week
* Fête de la Mer
* Régates Corporatives
* Monaco Yacht Show
The events are organized with the support of H.S.H. Prince Albert I and of H.S.H. Prince Rainier III. All these events have display and competitions parts, except for Monaco Yacht Show, which is the greatest in-water yacht exhibition in Europe, without competition show.
So, rich or less rich, you can at least enjoy a great show for free if you happen to be in Monaco at the right time. Welcome aboard!
Laura Ciocan writes for http://www.ilovemontecarlo.com/ where you can find all you want to know about living in Monaco Please feel free to use this article in your Newsletter or on your website. If you use this article, please include the resource box and send a brief message to let me know where it appeared: mailto:lauracio@gmail.com
Are you contemplating a travel vacation and don't know how... Read More
It is important when cleaning a dock that you use... Read More
If you find your boat with gray and weathered teak,... Read More
Cleaning boat canvas covers is difficult unless you know the... Read More
In May my husband and I took a wonderful steamboat... Read More
Well my sister in law is in town this week... Read More
A carnival cruise is one of the best-loved types of... Read More
Of the six states that comprise our country's quaint New... Read More
On a Crystal cruise it is not difficult to find... Read More
August 7, 2005 -- Taking a cruise is now one... Read More
Every cruise vacation offers passengers a luxurious cruising experience. Some... Read More
Stroll around any marina and you will soon spot the... Read More
Radisson cruises come under the flagship of six star luxury... Read More
Boats are a fine part of any man's retirement. They... Read More
Are you tired of the hustle and bustle of driving,... Read More
1. If you're 55 or older, you can get senior... Read More
A Mediterranean cruise is without doubt the most varied type... Read More
For those new to cruising, there are a few things... Read More
Have you considered taking a cruise vacation but just aren't... Read More
Just think of it, the world of opulence and leisure:... Read More
Why Take a Cruise Vacation? Well, with all the cruise... Read More
We were on the Radiance of the Seas for the... Read More
Scuba diving Philippines does not get any diverse, anywhere in... Read More
Europe is one of the premier cruise destinations in the... Read More
Under the "G" for Great Holiday. Bingo players can take... Read More
The results are in for 2004. The number of people... Read More
Good quality deck hardware of stainless steel or chrome is... Read More
Imagine a cruise line where choices include ships with golf... Read More
When 13-year-old Bill Lefakinis first visited the famed yacht Christina... Read More
If you spend any time in or around the water... Read More
Whether you are considering your first yacht charter vacation or... Read More
Alaska cruises can be the experience of a lifetime. Enhance... Read More
New Zealand is a country guaranteed to surprise. Emerald green... Read More
For those new to cruising, there are a few things... Read More
Relaxing in your canoe on a beautiful calm lake, fishing... Read More
A carnival cruise is one of the best-loved types of... Read More
If you spend any time in or around the water... Read More
Today, Norm Goldman Editor of Sketchandtravel.com, is pleased to have... Read More
The world is blessed with wonderful beautiful sandy tropical beaches.... Read More
It's not just the size and opulence of their sleek... Read More
Cleaning boat canvas covers is difficult unless you know the... Read More
If you find your boat with gray and weathered teak,... Read More
There's magic in everything that team Disney touches and their... Read More
Determining Oxidation Levels on Your Yacht and how to deal... Read More
Alaska is a place to experience not merely to visit... Read More
SAILING ITINERARIES IN GREECE - A PROPOSAL Bellow you may... Read More
Inflatable boats such as inflatable kayaks, inflatable catamarans, and inflatable... Read More
It is important when cleaning a dock that you use... Read More
Committed to elegance, luxury and gracious hospitality, Silversea Cruises is... Read More
The weekend is finally here. You're all loaded up (well,... Read More
Every cruise vacation offers passengers a luxurious cruising experience. Some... Read More
Well my sister in law is in town this week... Read More
Swimming is noted in many of the classics as relating... Read More
Some years ago my wife and I decided to take... Read More
Ever wanted to really put yourself to the test and... Read More
Experiencing a Hawaii cruise is a dream come true for... Read More
Under the "G" for Great Holiday. Bingo players can take... Read More
So you are in the pressure washer business and you... Read More
Would you like to try a cruise, but aren't sure... Read More
Kids and vacation ? trying to find the perfect option... Read More
Radisson cruises come under the flagship of six star luxury... Read More
Robotic Underwater ship cleaning robotic unit, the M3500 Robotic System... Read More
For centuries, the Nile River has been at the center... Read More
If you are a boater, in particular a sea or... Read More
Have you ever thought what it would be like to... Read More
Early summertime is the time of year, when boat owners... Read More
Cruising & Sailing |