Places Rated: Monaco
The November/December issue of Traveler features our annual “Places Rated” survey of destination stewardship, and this year 340 expert panelists rated 99 coastal destinations around the world. Here on the blog, we’re going to highlight some of these coastal destinations and are interested in adding your feedback to the mix. What do you think?
Monaco: As a whole
Rating: 49 — “Facing Trouble” Category
With a skyline crowned by glimmering high-rise hotels, streets clogged with expensive cars, and a harbor guarded by a world-famous casino, Monaco lives up to its reputation for unrestrained extravagance and conspicuous consumption. “There is no social or cultural integrity to speak of because the only culture is the love of money.” Yet, the Old Town “is lovely and well cared for.”
Why did the place earn this score? Read representative panelist comments after the jump.
“A completely commercial coastline with a city lacking in character. The Old Town snakes through the characterless blocks of hotels and shopping malls.”
“Monaco has become a gaggle of high rises, underground tunnels and traffic, and a new, man-made port. La Roche, although I was there only in the evenings, is rather safe from the coaches that enter the city in an endless stream, but certainly not the foot traffic. It will be rather difficult to marry the prince’s new green initiative with the conspicuous consumption that is the Monaco tourism industry.”
“Still interesting to visit due to its location and fame. Very overcrowded.
Tourism is big business and will continue to be so.”
“A busy, modern city with much less charm than the name might conjure up. The coast is beautiful.”
- Nat Geo Expeditions
Survey scoring system:
74-84 Top Rated
65-73 Doing Well
55-64 In the Balance
48-54 Facing Trouble
34-47 In Trouble
22-34 Near Catastrophic
See all 99 ratings and representative panelist comments online and share your thoughts below.
Photo: Greg Dale
