“After being told countless times that I have a keen resemblance to Daniel Craig, I couldn’t wait to visit the Casino de Monte-Carlo in Monaco that has been featured in two James Bond movies, Never Say Never Again and GoldenEye. And since my wife and I were already spending a few days on the French Riviera in the small hamlet of Villefranche-sur-Mer exquisitely perched on the aqua-colored Mediterranean Sea, the tiny little country was only a short train ride away.
If you are traveling in May, note that the Monaco Grand Prix is held that month and many of the streets are blocked off. Stay on foot. We followed the crowds, maneuvering through town to find our destination.
Adjacent to the iconic Hotel de Paris, the Casino de Monte-Carlo is indeed luxurious and opulent, living up to both its name and lore. Admission is 17 Euros apiece, you must be at least 18 years old and have your passport scanned. Proper attire is expected. After being permitted to proceed, we were handed printed tickets bearing our names to show another employee before entering the actual casino. We felt safe and important.
Much of the casino consists of private (privé) rooms, which we could not enter, but there were plenty of slot machines to pique our interest and take our Euros. The bright gold and velvety décor is something out a movie set, a feast for eyes. We eventually took solace at the bar, sipping champagne, enjoying a laugh or too, and soaking in the fabled casino and all its drippings.
And while nobody mentioned that I looked like James Bond, I still channeled my inner Daniel Craig and crafted a memory that will last a lifetime.”
