The Principality of Monaco is as lavish as it looks on television, neatly resting on the French Riviera, not far from the Italian border, and featuring some of the world’s most exclusive hotel resorts. It’s not all for the jet-set and business crowd, however, and it is possible to rub shoulders with the rich and famous by watching your budget and not shopping and dining exclusively.

Iconic landmarks most tourists come to see when in Monaco are the lavish Monte Carlo Casino, the equally lavish harbour, with its million-dollar yachts, and the track of the F1 Monaco Grand Prix through the streets of Monte Carlo. Monaco is also about the old town of Monaco Ville, where winding streets and grand buildings reside.

Other cultural highlights include the ancient cliff-top Royal Palace, with its fabulous architecture and furnishings; the brilliant Oceanographic Museum; and the beautiful Exotic Garden. Monaco’s other main gift is its beaches and although most of them are private - open only for associated hotel guests - public Larvotto beach is open to all.

People-watching in Monaco is a favourite pastime, with James Bond look-a-like yacht owners and their significant others, super-rich businessmen and women and a slew of stars frequenting the city-state. Wandering the marina, ambling past the café pavements and window shopping at the most exclusive boutiques is the way to catch sight of celebrities, while dressing up and paying the entrance fee to the casino is another way.

Away from the razzle and dazzle of Monte Carlo is a bustling coastline of exclusive and lavish resorts. Those who hire cars can be in Nice in 30 minutes, the Côte d’Azur’s main highlight, while farther afield are the glamorous Cannes and St Tropez.

Monaco is not for the budget-conscious holidaymaker. If you are looking for a mid-range hotel, there are less affluent areas than Monaco Ville and Monte Carlo to be based, such as the nearby border town of Ventimigalia. But if it’s luxury you want, there are endless accommodation choices.

July and August are the busiest months to be in Monaco, when booking ahead is a must. May is also very busy owing to the F1 Monaco Grand Prix, while last-minute hotel deals are possible off season. The best way to get a reduced price hotel in Monaco is to book ahead of time online.

Nice International Airport is the gateway to Monaco and it receives flights from all over Europe as well as from North American cities. Transfers take around 45 minutes via bus, train, hotel shuttles and taxis, while helicopter transfers drastically cut transfer times. Motorway access provides easy driving for those who hire cars. You can also get to Nice by high-speed train from Paris.

With its prime location on the Mediterranean, just along from the French Riviera, Monaco has great weather throughout the year, apart from the mild, wet winters. Summer is naturally the busiest and hottest time to visit Monaco, with average temperatures of about 25°C and highs in the mid-30s (°C).

For less crowds and cheaper hotels, try visiting in the spring or autumn, with autumn having slightly better weather than spring. Spring is nice, but it sees the blustery Mistral wind on occasions, which drastically lowers temperatures. Wintertime is the low season in Monaco and the wettest time of the year. Although it is milder here than elsewhere in Europe at this time, Monaco can still be quite busy as people head here for Christmas.