| Sea and rich people: where else to find a | | | | Microsoft cofounder; |
| better combination than in Monaco! A real | | | | |
| Monaco yachts parade can be admired | | | | * Tatoosh - owned also by Paul Allen; |
| throughout the year in the Hercule Port, | | | | |
| beside the local yearly yachting events. From | | | | * Atlantis II - owned by the Niarchos family, |
| imposing, big-sized ones to neat, small, | | | | descendants of Onassis' rival Stavros; |
| jewel yachts. If you are a yachting amateur | | | | |
| or if you are hardly interested in the matter | | | | * Le Grand Bleu - owned by the Russian |
| (as I was before seeing this impressive | | | | billionaire Roman Abramovich; |
| display) you will find something to like | | | | |
| here. | | | | * Delphine - owned by the American car |
| | | | magnate Horace Dodge; |
| There is a restraint, exclusivist rich group | | | | |
| that has a thing for yachting, mainly because | | | | * Montkaj - owned by Prince Mohammed bin |
| they can afford to! You and I, we both know | | | | Fahd, son of Saudi Arabia's King Fahd. |
| that we'd like to own even a small, | | | | |
| "unpretentious" sailboat, don't we? And have | | | | Following its policy of capitalization of all |
| at least once dreamed to relax on the deck of | | | | (though scarce) natural resource, the |
| a luxury yacht in Monaco. But, hey, who needs | | | | Principality quickly became aware of the |
| a yacht in a so busy world? Do we wake up in | | | | potential of the Hercules Bay and started a |
| the morning with nothing better to do than | | | | yachting tradition. There is a Yacht Club |
| dress in white completely (maybe some blue | | | | founded in 1953 by Prince Rainier and it was |
| too), have our cafe au lait (maybe a | | | | all along supported by him and his son |
| croissant also if not on diet) and go to the | | | | Albert, who is also its President. The Yacht |
| quay ordering around the employees to rub up | | | | Club de Monaco gained international fame |
| better that side? We certainly don't! If you | | | | attracting worlds' greatest names in sailing |
| say you do, that's another story! | | | | to come and battle on the Monegasque waters. |
| | | | |
| What better place (and object) for a | | | | Naturally, there are also prestigious |
| competition: who has the bigger, more | | | | yachting events of international interest, |
| expensive model, envies arise, disputes | | | | excellent opportunities for yacht owners all |
| start... Shirley Bassey reportedly complained | | | | over the world to show off. |
| of the big size of "Le Grand Bleu" belonging | | | | |
| to the Russian billionaire Abramovich. The | | | | * Primo Cup - Trophée Credit Suisse |
| yacht apparently spoiled the view on the port | | | | |
| of her uphill apartment. Well, what else | | | | * Challenge Inter-Banques |
| would you like rich people to do?... | | | | |
| | | | * Monaco Classic Week |
| Beside occasional cruises and constant care | | | | |
| some rich people find a practical use to | | | | * Fête de la Mer |
| their yachts: some rent them, others live | | | | |
| there. Owning a yacht can be extremely useful | | | | * Régates Corporatives |
| if you are a tax exile, especially UK | | | | |
| citizens who live in Monaco but work in the | | | | * Monaco Yacht Show |
| UK. Renting is very profitable, especially | | | | |
| during holidays season or when big events | | | | The events are organized with the support of |
| happen in Monaco: prices go from 25,000€ | | | | H.S.H. Prince Albert I and of H.S.H. Prince |
| per week to 365,000€ per week, depending | | | | Rainier III. All these events have display |
| on the size and facilities. | | | | and competitions parts, except for Monaco |
| | | | Yacht Show, which is the greatest in-water |
| Some of world's famous yachts rest in the | | | | yacht exhibition in Europe, without |
| waters of the bay. Some of them are so big | | | | competition show. |
| that they have helicopters on their top | | | | |
| decks. Among worlds' 100 largest yachts are: | | | | So, rich or less rich, you can at least enjoy |
| | | | a great show for free if you happen to be in |
| * Octopus - owned by Paul Allen, the | | | | Monaco at the right time. Welcome aboard! |