Untitled - Tarom

JURNAL DE VACAN}| Holiday Diary 22
Muzeul oceanografic [i Acvariul / Oceanographic Museum and Aquarium
® ]ional\ a ]\rii prin c\s\toria sa, `n 1956, cu una dintre cele mai faimoase
actri]e ale Americii, Grace Kelly.
Aceast\ uniune a fost binecuv‚ntat\ cu trei urma[i: `n 1957, Principesa
Caroline, un an mai t‚rziu - mo[tenitorul tronului, Prin]ul Albert, [i, `n 1965,
Principesa Stephanie. La moartea tat\lui s\u, `n 6 aprilie 2005, Prin]ul Albert
al II-lea a devenit al 32-lea membru al Casei Grimaldi care domne[te `n
Principatul de Monaco.
SUPERBELE IAHTURI, FRUMOASELE CASE
Micul stat este o nestemat\ care-]i taie respira]ia, `n montura sa de albastru
marin, vibrant. Zg‚rie-norii [i cl\dirile elegante, `nnobil‚nd fiecare centimetru,
dau impresia unui amfiteatru natural, cu porturile Condamine [i
Fontvieille a[ezate acolo unde ar trebui s\ se afle scena. Porturile sunt
`n]esate `n tot cursul anului de iahturi minunate, fiecare dintre ele concur‚nd
cu rivalele sale pentru titlul de cea mai mare, mai frumoas\ [i mai bine
echipat\ ambarca]iune.
Ma[inile scumpe str\lucesc la tot pasul: Rolls Royce, Ferrari, Lamborghini
[i Porsche, pentru a aminti doar c‚teva, parcate `ntre palatele
plutitoare [i imobilele cu apartamente de lux. Din loc `n loc, r\sar pe acoperi[urile
unor imobile mici vile, unele `nconjurate de palmieri [i gr\dini.
Palatul regal a fost cl\dit pe st‚nc\, deasupra celor dou\ porturi.
Proprietarilor s\i li se deschide, desigur, o panoram\ superb\ a ]\rii care
g\zduie[te 6.000 de monegasci [i 26.000 de str\ini, din peste 125 de ]\ri.
Anual, zeci de mii de vizitatori sunt atra[i irezistibil de numeroasele
evenimente interna]ionale g\zduite de micul principat. ~n prim\var\ are loc
Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix, singura curs\ de ma[ini ce se desf\[oar\ pe
str\zile unui ora[.
~n iulie-august e r‚ndul Festivalului Interna]ional al Focurilor de
Artificii, manifestare `n cadrul c\reia speciali[tii pirotehni[ti concureaz\
pentru onoarea de a-[i proba m\iestria cu ocazia Zilei Na]ionale. Toamna
adun\ `n expozi]ia din portul Condamine `n jur de 100 dintre cele mai frumoase
iahturi, cu lungimi `ntre 25 [i 90 de metri. Oaspe]ii care sosesc iarna
se pot bucura de faimosul raliu Monte-Carlo [i, pe parcursul unei `ntregi
s\pt\m‚ni, de Festivalul Interna]ional al Circului. Monaco, o nestemat\ `n
coroana Coastei de Azur, e `n orice sezon o `nc‚ntare a privirii pentru cel
care se bucur\ de un sejur chiar de numai c‚teva zile. ∫
® When Prince Rainier began
his 55-year reign in 1950, 95% of Monaco’s
annual revenue came from
gambling in the Principality’s luxurious
casinos. Today the gaming
houses, originally established in
1863 by Prince Charles III, to help
the country overcome serious financial
difficulties following the loss to
France of two major income-generating
cities, Menton and Roquebrune,
in exchange for Monaco’s independence,
generate a mere 3% of
revenue. The country now flourishes
economically due to industry,
tourism, trade, services, and promotion
of the arts. Moreover, some
39,000 foreigners depend on
Monaco for their livelihood.
Prince Rainier III significantly
raised his and his city state’s international
recognition when he married
one of America’s most famous and
stunning actresses, Grace Kelly, in
1956. Their union produced three
beautiful offspring: Princess Caroline
Detaliu arhitectonic / Design detail
in 1957, an heir to the throne, Prince
Albert in 1958, and Princess Stephanie
in 1965. On the death of his
father on 6 April 2005, Prince Albert
II became the 32 nd member of the
House of Grimaldi to reign over the
Principality of Monaco.
EXQUISITE YACHTS,
BEAUTIFUL HOMES
The tiny city state is a breathtaking
jewel, firmly locked into its
vibrant sea blue setting. Elegant
high-rises and buildings fill
virtually every inch of the country
that resembles a natural amphitheater,
with the Condamine and
Fontvieille Harbors settled in the
area normally serving as stage of
such a tiered theater. Both harbors
are filled year-round with stunning
yachts, each vying with its neighbor
for the prize of biggest, most
beautiful and best equipped.
Nor is there a lack of the
world’s most expensive cars, Rolls
Royce, Ferrari, Lamborghini and
Porsche, to mention but a few,
some parked between the floating
palaces and the luxurious apartment
buildings. The rooftops occasionally
house small villas and
penthouses, some surrounded by
palm trees and tailored gardens.
The palace sits on the Rock,
overlooking both harbors. Its royal
occupants must have a splendid
view of much of their country, home
to some 6,000 Monegasques,
and about 26,000 foreigners from
over 125 countries.
The country is host to a number
of important international events,
each attracting tens of thousands of
visitors annually. In spring there is
the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix,
the only car race that takes place on
city streets. In July/August there is
the Monte-Carlo International Fireworks
Festival, an event whose pyrotechnic
specialists compete for the
honor of creating the fireworks for
Monaco’s National Day. Monaco,
one of the crown jewels of the Cote
d’Azur, is a must for all business and
leisure tourists, and even a few days
will be sure to bring delight to your
eyes and senses. ∫