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Month: January 2020

Europe's top 5 ski resorts

by: Cassandra Tanti
31/01/2020

The February school holidays are fast approaching, and that can only mean one thing: skiing!
Here are Europe’s top five resorts and what you can expect to enjoy these holidays with your family.[ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type=”show” ihc_mb_who=”2″ ihc_mb_template=”1″ ]
 

Courchevel

Courchevel 1850, France
Arguably the world’s most exclusive ski resort, Courchevel is also very kid friendly. This year, they will be offering a unique ‘Frozen II’ themed events programme, giving visitors the chance to take part in a real-life skiing treasure hunt following in Elsa and Anna’s tracks on a one-of-a-kind route. Highlights include specially decorated ‘Frozen II’ gondolas, a magical cabin surprise, Olaf lost in a maze, and a Frozen-themed igloo village. Another fun addition is a competition to win a Howling Wolf sculpture by French contemporary artist Richard Orlinksi, simply by taking a selfie on the slopes!

February also sees the International Pyrotechnic Festival in Courchevel, which this year is themed ‘Game of Thrones’. Firework display teams from around the world will pull out all the stops in a bid to win over the jury. The fireworks will follow a torchlight descent by ESF Courchevel on 13th, 20th and 27th February, and 3rd, 4th and 5th March.
Gastronomy is a highlight of any trip to Courchevel and this year the resort boasts the first ever pastry chef to ever win a Michelin star: Sébastien Vauxion. You can find the world’s first dessert-only restaurant Le SarKara at Hotel K2 Palace.
White Turf racing at St Moritz

St Moritz, Switzerland
There is never a dull moment in St. Moritz. This February, expect to see the annual White Turf International Horse Races on frozen Lake St. Moritz, Cricket on Ice, the Swiss Bobsled Championship, and the Cresta Run Grand National. But there is something new this year to thrill car lovers: ICE – the International Concours of Elegance. The event combines the beauty of the Engadin winter landscape with all the glamour of the automobile elite; 50 immaculately preserved vintage, classic and sports cars take centre stage on frozen lake St. Moritz, so their elegant design can enjoy all the attention and admiration of visitors.
New Year’s Eve at Farinet, Verbier

Verbier, Switzerland
Verbier is the ultimate playground for the rich, royal and famous. With nearly 100 lifts and more than 400 kilometres of ski runs, Verbier is great for all levels. So, send the kids off on their ski lessons and settle in for the après-ski that Verbier has become famous for.
Four Kicks performing at Farinet

The Farinet is undoubtedly the place to be come 6pm. “In our bars and nightclub, we’ve got a great line-up of live bands, DJs and artists for this season,” Stephen Wilson, General Manager of Farinet, told Monaco Life. “Après-ski crowds will rock out with the likes of Four Kicks (18th-24th February), Men On The Hill, Waste and The Sons Of Guns, some of the French Riviera’s most talented artists, and favourites amongst the Verbier locals.”
If you want to mix it up this year, check out the Brewery Tour, join in the midnight snowshoe treks, get the kids in on the Ice Silent Disco, there’s a magic show on 22nd February, and the SkiColour Carnival where participants in white suits are sprayed from head to toe with different colours as they pass through various zones.
Zermatt – Matterhorn

Zermatt, Switzerland
This car-free luxurious town is surrounded by the highest peaks of the Swiss Alps, including the famous Matterhorn. Since 2013, Zermatt – Matterhorn has been given a seal of quality for its family-friendliness. Enjoy Gondola Fondue – yes, it is a thing and it does include schnapps – lunch in an Igloo, and a backstage dining tour. Kids will love Wolli, the young, adventurous black nose sheep mascot of Zermott, and his treasure hunt.
As a side note, did you know that Zermatt is now the second location in Switzerland where taxpayers are officially allowed to pay their taxes in Bitcoin?
Val d’Isere

Val d’Isere, France
Val d’Isere is a gorgeous old village and packs a lot of charm as well as high-quality skiing. Michelin-starred restaurants and cool bars provide plenty of entertainment for mum and dad, Some of the most exciting things to do here are ice driving on the frozen lake, heli-skiing or the Bun J Ride – there are plenty of activities to get the adrenaline flowing. If that’s all a bit too much, there’s also a simulator. Après ski is also as important as the skiing here, and the Underground Bar and Melting Pot are guaranteed hot spots.
 
 
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New film grant to honour Sir Roger Moore

by: Cassandra Tanti
31/01/2020

The Princess Grace Foundation-USA will honour the late Sir Roger Moore, seven-time 007 secret agent, with a new film grant in his name. Prince Albert has welcomed the award, saying the legendary actor held a special place in his mother’s heart.
The announcement comes as Monaco is set to roll out the red carpet for the premier of James Bond’s ‘No Time To Die’ at the Grimaldi Forum on 7th April. Sir Roger Moore brought humour, panache and suavity to his role as James Bond in seven feature films during the 70s and 80s.

Roger Moore in his role as James Bond

“My father was a great man, a beloved actor and was deeply committed to the arts,” said the late actor’s son Christian Moore. “He adored Princess Grace and believed in her mission to support emerging talent and ensuring the arts community remained vibrant and impactful. My family thanks the Princely Family for their generosity in recognising my father by bestowing him with this named award. I know he would be truly humbled.”

 
‘No Time To Die’ is the 25th movie in the beloved James Bond franchise and will be Daniel Craig’s fifth and final appearance as 007. It was directed by Princess Grace Award winner Cary Joji Fukunaga.
“Becoming part of the Princess Grace Awards family has been incredible, I received a scholarship that helped propel my career in a multitude of ways,” said Cary Joji Fukunaga. “Several years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Sir Roger Moore in Monaco when I received my second Princess Grace Award. I never would have imagined that just five years later I would be helming ‘No Time To Die’.”
The Princess Grace Foundation-USA, of which Moore was a founding member along with Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Stewart, Cary Grant and Gregory Peck, will host an exclusive black-tie post-premier party at the original ‘Casino Royale’, the Monte Carlo Casino. All proceeds will go towards the new Sir Roger Moore Film Scholarship, the first recipient of which will be announced at the 38th Annual Princess Grace Awards Gala in Monaco in October 2020.
Prince Albert ll and Cary Fukunaga

“It is particularly meaningful for us to honour the late Sir Roger Moore and Princess Grace Award winner Cary Joji Fukunaga here because of the special ties that connect them to us,” said HSH Prince Albert. “Sir Roger Moore was a dear friend to my mother and we remain grateful for his guidance in establishing the Princess Grace Foundation-USA. We are equally proud of Princess Grace Award winner Cary Joji Fukunaga’s masterful direction of ‘No Time To Die’, and to know that my mother’s legacy lives on through his flourishing career.”
Princess Grace Foundation-USA CEO Brisa Trinchero said that the foundation was “thrilled” to support Cary Fukunaga’s most high-profile film premier in Monaco. “He represents all for which a Princess Grace Award winner stands – an exceptional artist with boundless capacity. During her lifetime, Princess Grace brought the glamour of Hollywood to Monaco. We are delighted to be carrying on her legacy with this extraordinary event.”
Prince Albert II and Brisa Trinchero, CEO of the Princess Grace Foundation-USA

VIP tickets for the black tie post-premier party are available at pgfusa.org. General premiere tickets will be available at the Grimaldi Forum on 17th February.
 
Read more:

Interview: Brisa Trinchero, Princess Grace Foundation-USA CEO

Princess for a night

 
 
 
 

ACHM signs National Pact

by: Cassandra Tanti
31/01/2020

The Association of Honorary Consuls of Monaco (ACHM) has joined a growing list of Monegasque institutions to sign the National Pact for the Energy Transition.  
The plenary meeting was held on Thursday 30th January between the Department of External Relations and Cooperation and the ACHM, in the presence of the Ambassadors of France, Italy and Malta, foreign consuls as well as numerous personalities.
The ACHM was created in 2003 under the impetus of Prince Rainier III and currently has 84 honorary consuls members.
The meeting was opened by Isabelle Rosabrunetto, Director General of the Department, who spoke about the strong regard that the government has for the ACHM.
ACHM President and Honorary Consul General of Slovenia Marc Lecourt recalled the foundations of the association, its values ​​and its role, saying: “The ACHM has acquired, over its years of existence and its actions, a unifying role with its members and it also aims to involve them more in the life of the Principality.”
At the request of the ACHM, presentations on the Smart City and the Energy Transition policy of the Prince’s Government were given, after which Marc Lecourt proceeded to sign the National Pact for the Energy Transition.
 
Photo left to right: Isabelle Rosabrunetto, Director General of the Department of External Relations and Cooperation, Laurent Anselmi, Government Advisor-Minister of External Relations and Cooperation, Marc Lecourt, President of the ACHM and Honorary Consul General of Slovenia in Monaco, Annabelle Jaeger-Seydoux, Director of the Mission for the Energy Transition. © Communication Department / Manuel Vitali
 
 
 

Roca team domination continues

by: Stephanie Horsman
30/01/2020

Rytas Vilnius didn’t stand a chance against the whirlwind that was AS Monaco Basketball on Wednesday night at Salle Gaston Medecin.

With a huge 86-61 victory over their EuroCup opponents Rytas Vilnius, the Red and Whites crushed it on Wednesday when they took on the Lithuanian team at home. This was clearly payback for the 22nd January beating they inflicted on Monaco on their home turf in the Top 16 Round 3.

From the outset, Monaco was on fire and by halftime, the score proved just how much. An unbelievable 53-15 span between the teams had the Red and Whites heading into the locker room with a swagger only winners can pull off.

The second half was no different, though by the 4th quarter, the astonishing lead had closed marginally thanks to three for three 3-pointers by Vilnius’s Bickauskis. 

In the end, coach Sasa Obradovic’s boys gave him a 51st birthday present to remember, and the first he’s been able to enjoy, having never won on his birthday before.  

“We played in a really intense way, everyone was involved in a practically perfect first quarter,” he said after the match. “We lost energy in Paris, but we had a good reaction. We expect even more challenges in the upcoming matches. It was a good it was on my birthday, it makes me smile even more.”  

The President of ASM Basketball, Sergey Dyadechko, stated publicly that it’s the fans and their unconditional support that have made this team what it is. “Dear supporters, dear friends, I can only tell you how proud I am of the support you have shown for the Roca Team. Thank you for this wonderful atmosphere,” said Dyadechko in a statement issued at the end of the unforgettable night.

But Roca Team can’t rest on their laurels. They are in an incredibly tough EuroCup pool, with all four teams sitting at 2 wins and 2 losses. Monaco currently has the lead, sitting at the top with the highest basket ration and goal average.

 
 

Slimani wants to leave AS Monaco

by: Stephanie Horsman
30/01/2020

AS Monaco’s Vice-President Oleg Petrov has reportedly made it clear that the team is not intending to let Islam Slimani leave this transfer period, despite his asking to do so.

Islam Slimani is not a happy camper. After having begun the season paired with Wisam Ben Yedder and being consistently part of the starting line-up, life under new head coach Robert Moreno is not so good. His 4-3-3 approach has left Slimani’s time on the pitch significantly slashed, playing only one game since Moreno’s arrival.

The 31-year-old Leicester City loan has found the new set up to be less than desirable, going so far as to say he feels Monaco has been “ungrateful” toward him, according to some reports. He has requested to leave his contract sixth months early to pursue other options, notably offers from the Tottenham Hotspurs and Manchester United.

Man U has been searching desperately for a striker, whilst the Spurs are in need of a replacement for the injured Harry Kane until at least April.

But Monaco is reportedly reluctant to let him go, so far not agreeing to release the Algerian striker under the terms of their loan agreement, which also disallows him to be recalled by Leicester City. The Red and Whites could ask for compensation to cancel his loan if he is snapped up by another team, but there’s been no word if this is even an option has been floated thus far.

With only a couple of days left in the transfer window, it’s still unclear if Slimani will stay or be free to go. Hang on to your hats, folks. Looks like this one is going to go down to the wire. 

 
Top photo: Source AS Monaco
 
Read also: 

AS Monaco out of French Cup


 
 

Boosting train services to Monaco

by: Cassandra Tanti
30/01/2020

Monaco is pushing for France and Italy to increase their train services for workers travelling in to and out of Monaco each day.
Monaco’s Minister of Equipment, Environment and Town Planning Marie-Pierre Gramaglia welcomed a delegation from the European Commission to the Monaco train station on Thursday 30th January as part of its two-day mission in the southern region of the Mediterranean Corridor – a railway infrastructure project that crosses six countries and covers close to 10,000 kilometres.
Iveta Radicova, EU Coordinator of the Mediterranean Corridor, was accompanied by Vice Delegate for Transport, Intermodality and Travel in the PACA Region Philippe Tabarot, and officials from the Nice Metropolis, Liguria and Piedmont regions.

© Direction de la Communication / Michael Alesi

The objective of the meeting was to present cross-border issues on the Nice-Monaco-Ventimiglia-Genoa axis. “As an economic player at the heart of this vast regional area, our country welcomes nearly 45,000 French and Italian employees every day who access their workplace by road or rail,” said Ms Gramaglia. “We are promoting a modal shift to public transport with the objective of reducing the flow of light vehicles by around 20% by 2030. This represents nearly 13,000 incoming and outgoing vehicles and 10,000 internal vehicles. This is why developing access to Monaco by rail is one of the priorities of our mobility policy.”
The train, and more specifically the TER, represents an essential alternative to cars in accessing Monaco, with 6.4 million journeys made by TER trains to and from Monaco in 2018.
“We are campaigning to improve and intensify the current offer of rail services in the Principality, with an increase in supply during morning and evening peak hours,” said the minister.