What Monaco lacks in size, it makes up for in sparkle. And by sparkle I mean glitz, glamour and ostentatious wealth oozing out of every pore of this tiny principality located less than an hour from Nice. Famous for this view of glittering Port Hercules by night, being crowded by zillion dollar yachts, being a beautiful backdrop to the Grand Prix, Monaco is the affluent gambler’s paradise with the Monte Carlo Grande Casino drawing in the likes of James Bond and Chuck Bass. Bigger than those two cads and better than fiction is Grace Kelly, who lived here after she became achieved every little girl’s dream of being a movie star AND a princess.

It’s a pretty little principality and I would like to see more of during the day one time. It’s a perfect day trip from Nice.

The Monte Carlo was the first casino I had ever set foot in and it has been a tough act to follow. Posessing very little knowledge of or interest in gambling, I wandered around looking at the extravagant rooms and high tech bathrooms and watched some of the boys play Black Jack. I was vaguely familiar with the rules, but figured one of the most famous casinos in the world wasn’t the place to bumble around with cards. Instead I fumbled over a wildly confused poker machine from which I think I won 12 euro.

Despite never taking a seat at a game table, it was well worth a visit for the glitz and glamour that has made Monaco famous.

For the big spenders (and gold diggers) out there, there’s a table with a $10,000 minimum bet.

My advice? Brush up on card games other than Snap, Go Fish, Bullshit and Masters & Slaves before heading in.