With luxury casinos beckoning you through their grand and opulent doors on almost every street, boulevard and square, it has to be said that the city of Monte Carlo is a gambler’s paradise.

If your trip to the world-renowned ‘playground for the rich and famous’ comes attached with intentions to spend an evening or two rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous in a lavish casino, then read on, as we locate three of the top casinos in Monte Carlo.

Le café de Paris

Walk away from a world of beautiful bronzed bodies lying on soft and immaculate sand as the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean water gently laps the shores, and into a world of where glamour, glitz and wealth reaches new heights. Le Café de Paris is the largest casino in the whole of Monaco and even its lobby emulating the very essence of style and sophistication.

Situated on Monte Carlo’s famous Place du Casino, le Café de Paris is set within futuristic décor Guests can discover the largest array of slot machines and Jackpot hand-outs on the Cote d’Azur, living up to its reputation that an evening at the Casino Café de Paris is more than just a night out, it is a journey in itself…

Casino Monte Carlo

The Casino Monte Carlo was one of the world’s first major casinos to be opened. Also situated in the prestigious Place du Casino, this legendary casino oozes a charming and almost hypnotic atmosphere with décor that combines the traditional with the contemporary.

Last summer this world-famous casino was enhanced even further by the opening of a vast terrace where players can enjoy playing in the open air whilst taking in the dazzling view of Monte Carlo at night.

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With the early buds beginning to bloom, the weather becoming deliciously warmer and the long light evenings of summer beginning to immerse themselves into the laidback way of life, March is possibly one of the most perfect months to visit the Cote d’Azur.

The town of Cros de Cagnes, not far from Nice in the heart of the Cote d’Aur, being surrounded by olive groves beginning to blossom in the early spring, sporadically interrupted by beautiful old chateaus, is particularly worthy of a visit, especially if you plan your visit to coincide with the Fete de l’Olivier Cors de Cagnes.

This gourmet event is held annually in March and celebrates every gourmet aspect of this particularly cuisine-obsessed region of the Cote d’Azur. Many of the area’s best chefs become involved in the Fete de l’Olivier Cors de Cagnes, keen to prove their culinary talents to an eagerly awaiting host of guests.

The participating chefs will prepare a gourmet lunch under a marquee erected in the verdant garden of the Renoir Museum.

Asides eating a delicious gourmet dinner made from only the finest local ingredients Cros de Cagnes and its surroundings has to offer, guests will visit a regional market and have the chance to buy some of the delightful local produce for themselves.

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Back for its sixth consecutive year is the Antibes Yacht Show and this year, the Mediterranean’s only springtime brokerage, charter and refit show, promises to be bigger and better than ever.

Over the last 12 months the organisers of this exclusive and luxury yacht event have been preparing hard to make the Antibes Yacht Show more memorable than ever before.

From 12 April – 15 April 2012 the town of Antibes, one of the best known resorts on the Cote d’Azur, will be holding this highly-anticipated event, which, for the past five years has drawn yachts of varying sizes and beauty to the shores of the Mediterranean and has had exhibitors from 14 different countries display their yachting delights to a highly receptive throng of both local and international visitors.

This year’s Antibes Yacht Show will be particularly focused on developing its ‘Seminar Area’, whereby the International Superyacht Society is working in cooperation with the Professional Yachting Association and holding a co-hosted seminar on the Friday of the show.

Also on the Friday, which happens to be Friday 13^th, a late night evening event, which is a new focus of the show, will be taking place, enabling exhibitors to welcome their guests by relaxing, talking and enjoying a few drinks in the most inspiring of surroundings for any yachtsman.

On the last day of the Antibes Yacht Show, exhibitors will have the opportunity to present their yachts in a highly entertaining method to other yacht professionals and enthusiasts, in an event known as ‘Yacht Hop on Sunday’.

Another new asset who will no doubt enhance this year’s Antibes Yacht Show is the appointment of the team’s new Commissioner General. Stephane Trabet has come from the luxury hotel industry and therefore bringing his expert knowledge and skills of an industry oozing in luxury and wealth, and will undoubtedly enrich this inspiring event and elevate it to even greater global recognition and esteem.

The town of Antibes boasts a magnificent 23km stretch of stunning coastline, making it the longest shoreline of any town in the Cote d’Azur department.

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The 2012 edition of the French Michelin guide has provided France with another rare three-star ranking for one of its Southern restaurants.

Flocons de Sel in Megève South-eastern France is tucked away into the mountains of the Rhône Alps, and has now been named by the Michelin Inspectors as a secret well worth discovering.

The restaurant, which can be translated as “salt flakes”, is owned by Emmanuel Renaut who is known for his innovative and modern cuisine.  Renaut acquired the site of the restaurant in 1998, taking over from a pizzeria that previously occupied the space.

Flocons de Sel came about after Renaut had finished a stint of running a 20-man team at the luxurious Claridges Hotel in London. He has since transformed it into an ultra modern eatery, with a light-flooded dining room that leads onto a vast terrace, revealing a breathtaking view over the hills.

The restaurant is also part of a small resort that has its own spa and a handful of luxury rooms.

The menu at Flocons de sel is based on traditional Savoyard cuisine that originates from the mountainous regions of South-eastern France.

The current winter menu boasts dishes like Jerusalem artichoke in butter noisette  sauce, and local fish from Lac Leman with leeks and a lemon paté. It also features a smoked chocolate dessert which is served with wood ice cream – infused with wood instead of the traditional vanilla flavouring.

It becomes the 26^th restaurant in France to receive the prestigious three-star status, and now joins the ranks of Alain Ducasse at the Plaza Athénée and Guy Savoy. France is still closely behind Japan, who has 32 three-starred establishments and is currently in the lead around the world.

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