Summer break in Monte Carlo, Monaco

If you are looking for a special few days away for fine dining, glitz and glamour, Monte Carlo is the place to be! On the other hand, if you are looking for a family break then you won't be disappointed either.

I stayed a few days at the Monte Carlo Bay Hotel which is a beautiful, sparkling hotel with a fabulous pool area. The pool has sand on the bottom so feels like you are in the sea. It does have sea access if you want to take a dip and has water sports but no beach. It has great facilities and is just across a small bay from the Monte Carlo Beach Club. The MCBC is a great place for a day, although the name is slightly misleading as there is no beach! It is right on the water’s edge with direct access for swimming and it has a fab pool area and cabanas for hire with amazing views. It also has a water sports centre.

Next, I moved to Le Meridien Beach Plaza which is the only hotel in Monaco with a beach! It's a lovely modern hotel with a large pool area and a beach with a netted area for swimming. They also have a water sports centre on the beach and have weekly beach BBQ's with music which shouldn't be missed!

If you have older children, then they will love pool parties or just chillin' at Nikki Beach at the Fairmont Hotel or a night out in Twiga or The Budda Bar. There are some wonderful restaurants and of course the world-famous Casino and Café de Paris!

We had a walk up to the old town and the royal palace to watch the changing of the guard. The views from The Rock are incredible and again some lovely restaurants with stunning views over Monte Carlo and the Mediterranean Sea.

During the summer months they have an evening open air cinema. You can choose your seats, sit back and relax with an ice cream or a bottle of wine under the stars in the still 22-degree heat - we loved it!

Having a car for a day or two is ideal as there are some beautiful towns and villages within 30-45 mins from Monaco. A couple of my favourites are Saint Jean Cap Ferrat with its small windy streets and beach side cafes and Port de Beaulieu but you can also drive up into the hills and enjoy the magnificent views!

All in all, Monaco is a fantastic place to visit and a short hop from the UK so even a long weekend is easy!