Low-cost airline easyJet will be adding two weekly flights from Nice to the “Royal City” of Rabat from November; the perfect way to curb the winter blues!
Summer still has its grip on the Côte d’Azur, but soon enough, the days will be getting shorter and the temperatures will start to fall.
To help combat any winter blues, easyJet has announced that it will be running two new weekly flights from Nice to Rabat beginning 1st November and continuing through to the end of March 2024.
AN EXCLUSIVE
The “Royal City” of Rabat will be an exclusive destination from Nice for the airline. While others are servicing Marrakech, Casablanca and Fez, easyJet is the sole airline flying to the capital and the home of the Moroccan royal family.
WHAT TO DO IN RABAT
Though less visited than its more well-known cousins, Rabat, as the capital city and royal seat, has some fabulous sites to see. Some of the can’t-miss attractions include the 12th century Oudaya Kasbah, originally used as a fortress to stop invaders. Today it houses a museum, lovely gardens and a café.
A trip to a crypt may sound bizarre, but the Mausoleum of Mohammed V is one of Rabat’s top draws. He was the first Moroccan king after declaring independence from France and is something of a hero to the people. Though Mohammed gets the starring role here, his equally famous son, Hassan II, is also buried here.
No visit would be complete without a wander through the medina, or historic city centre. Visit the narrow streets lined with stunning architecture, lively markets and some of the best restaurants in the city for a proper immersion into life in Rabat.
The Great Mosque of Salé is also well worth a look in. Located in Rabat’s sister city, Salé, it boasts being the third biggest and second oldest mosque in the country. The town itself is about as authentic as it gets, in terms of Moroccan life, and is located just across the Bou Regreg river from Rabat.
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A host of iconic culinary luminaries from Monaco’s top restaurants will be pairing up with contemporaries from around the world at this autumn’s Festival des Etoilés. Monaco Life brings you the programme.
Now in its third year, the Festival des Etoilés – the “Festival of the Starred” – from Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer has well-established itself as a showcase of exceptional culinary talent and creativity.
It attracts the finest chefs working within the Principality, as well as a number of international figures, who pair up to host exclusive dining experiences during the autumn months, with the event culminating in an unmissable Lumières d’Etoiles gala.
This year, that special event will be taking place in the Salle Empire of the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo on 11th November, but there is a lot more planned before that.
À QUATRE MAINS
The concept of the festival is to pair a Monaco-based head chef at a SBM establishment with a Michelin-starred chef who runs a restaurant of legendary status elsewhere in the world. The duo then collaborate, working together to create both a menu that is entirely unique and a gastronomic experience found nowhere else on the planet.
The Festival des Etoilés pairs Monaco’s best Michelin-starred chefs with overseas contemporaries to great effect. Photo credit: Monte-Carlo SBM
THE MYTH, THE LEGENEDS
Kicking off the 2023 edition is Marcel Ravin, the two Michelin-starred head chef of the Blue Bay at Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Chef Julien Royer, the three Michelin-starred head chef of Odette in Singapore who was due to take part in the event, will not be present however he will be represented by his talented chef of the Odette restaurant as well as a chef from the Michelin-starred Claudine restaurant, in Hong Kong.
They will work together to offer an exceptional menu on two successive evenings on 29th and 30th September on the Las Brisas terrace that costs €690 per person including champagne pairings.
Then it will be the turn of the Hôtel de Paris for two nights featuring the executive chef of the three Michelin-starred Le Louis XV-Alain Ducasse, Dominique Lory, and Jason Atherton of the one-starred Pollen Street Social in London on 13th and 14th October at Le Grill. The price per person here is €450, including a complimentary glass of champagne.
The address remains the same, but the restaurant changes for one of the most – if not the most – awaited pairing on 27th and 28th October. The famous Alain Ducasse himself, a mentor and inspiration to countless haute cuisine chefs around the globe, will oversee two services created by head chefs of two of his finest restaurants: Emmanuel Pilon of Le Louis XV-Alain Ducasse and Amaury Bouhours of the two-starred Le Meurice Alain Ducasse in Paris. This experience is priced at €900 per person with Dom Pérignon champagne pairings.
The final ‘Dîner à Quatre Mains‘ will be held at Pavyllon Monte-Carlo in the Hôtel Hermitage. Here, the one Michelin-starred restaurant and its enigmatic Chef Yannick Alléno will welcome Sven Wassmer of the three-starred Memories in Grand Resort Bad Ragaz, Switzerland, for one special service on 3rd November that costs €650 per person with wine.
An extravagant gala, featuring Alain Ducasse, Marcel Ravin, Yannick Alleno and Dominique Lory all cooking in front of guests at the Salle Empire at the Hôtel de Paris, will close the food festival on 11th November. The black tie event is priced at €850 per person, with each of SBM’s prized chefs serving a menu of their signature dishes.
For more information and how to reserve, please click here.
To read more about the festival and the incredible 2022 edition, as well as view images from the closing gala, please see below:
Monaco’s town hall and the new eco-restaurant Conscientiae are on a mission to clean up the streets of the Principality for World Clean Up Day. Here’s how you get can involved.
World Clean Up Day is taking place on Saturday 16th September, and it is hoped that residents in towns and cities of all sizes around the world will be heading out with a rubbish bag to collect wayside waste. Some will be doing it off their own backs, others will be joining in with collective projects and missions, such as the one organised for next weekend in Monaco.
The Mairie de Monaco, or town hall in English, has partnered with the wellbeing and sustainability focused Conscientiae restaurant in Port Hercule to encourage locals to participate in a morning litter pick.
For its part, Conscientiae, which officially opened its doors in late July in the former premises of Stars’N’Bars, has put out a call for “eco angels” that are willing to put aside a few hours to help clear the “waste thoughtlessly thrown onto our [Monaco’s] streets”.
The Mairie has issued a similar message, asking anyone interested in joining the pre-arranged route to send a message to environnement@mairie.mc.
The eventual group of cleaner-upers will depart the Marché de Monte-Carlo at 9.30am, passing through Casino Square, along Port Hercule and up the Avenue de la Porte Neuve to the town hall for 12pm, where a thank you reception will take place.
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Dining out at restaurants can be a delightful experience, but for those who are conscious about their nutrition and health goals, it often presents a dilemma. How do you navigate a menu filled with irresistible options while ensuring you stay on track with your fitness or health objectives?
In this article, we’ll explore the art of making mindful choices when dining out, allowing you to enjoy delicious meals without sacrificing your well-being or performance goals.
BALANCING MACRONUTRIENTS
One of the first challenges when dining out is selecting a meal that provides a balanced mix of macronutrients—proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Sometimes, it’s clear that certain dishes are loaded with butter and carbs but lack the essential proteins and vegetables filled with the vitamins your body needs.
When it is clearly apparent, try to avoid it and choose a meal with some vegetables, a lean protein source, and strike a better balance between flavour and nutrition. An example if you go to an Asian restaurant could be a delicious pad thai with noodles, shrimps and grilled vegetables.
BEWARE OF DESSERT TEMPTATIONS
It’s easy to get tempted by the allure of a decadent dessert, especially when you’ve already indulged in a substantial main course. However, topping off a substantial meal with an extravagant dessert can tip the calorie scales and leave you feeling overly full.
Instead, consider sharing dessert with your dining companions or opt for a smaller, lighter option such as a fruit sorbet or a fruit platter if your sweet tooth calls. Moderation is key to avoiding post-meal regret.
Photo source: Fallon Michael, Unsplash
COMPENSATION STRATEGY
Learning to balance your overall calorie intake is a valuable skill, particularly if you’ve had a heavy restaurant meal. After a night of indulgence, aim for a lighter and healthier meal the following day. Focus on lean proteins, vegetables, and whole grains to help reset your nutritional balance and keep you on track toward your health or performance goals.
You can make yourself a light, fresh and nutrient-packed salad with a mix of vegetables to fill you up and some lean protein such as fish, turkey breast or others, and a light dressing.
SPORTS NUTRITION AND POST-WORKOUT DINING
If you find yourself heading to a restaurant right after an intense workout, your food choices can significantly impact your recovery. Prioritise carbohydrates and proteins in your meal, as these nutrients play a crucial role in replenishing energy stores and promoting muscle repair. Following this advice will make you progress faster to your sporting achievements, so let yourself be tempted by a grilled salmon fillet alongside some roasted potatoes and vegetables!
PRE-EXERCISE MEAL
If you’re planning to engage in physical activity within a few hours of eating at a restaurant, it’s crucial to make wise food choices. Opt for a moderate portion size to avoid discomfort, bloating, or even vomiting during your training session. Additionally, limit your intake of high-fat foods, as they can slow down digestion and potentially impair your exercise performance, and focus on carbohydrates to provide the energy needed for intense activities. In this case, pasta could be a great option if the sauce isn’t too rich and the meal contains some sort of lean protein such as chicken breast.
Dining out doesn’t have to be a challenge for those striving to maintain their health and fitness goals. By making informed choices that consider macronutrient balance, portion sizes, and the timing of your meals, you can enjoy restaurant dining while staying on track with your objectives. Remember, it’s all about finding that perfect balance between satisfying your taste buds and nourishing your body.
Tristan Boetti is a sports nutritionist. Through his company Performance & Bien-Être Monaco, he works with professional athletes as well as recreationally active individuals to help them achieve their goals through customised nutrition plans and expert advice.
TAERA, a fresh new Venezuelan restaurant concept headed up by the talented Victoria Vallenilla, is set to open at the Hôtel de Paris in October. Here’s what we know so far.
It has been a very busy year for Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) when it comes to new restaurants, reopenings and renovations, so perhaps it is no surprise that little noise has been made about TAERA as yet.
However, we do have some information on this new gourmet destination, including its launch date: Thursday 12th October.
The Venezuelan cuisine-led eatery will be located on the Patio of the Hôtel de Paris and it will be open daily from noon until 7pm, thus providing a “Salon de Thé” style service, but with its own strong South American twist.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Chef Victoria Vallenilla, a name that fans of the vibrant COYA Monte-Carlo might recognise, will be in charge of the kitchen, which is set to serve up traditional Venezuelan dishes steeped in “colour and originality”.
Vallenilla was born in Caracus in Venezuela, but grew up on the Isla Margarita in the Caribbean, so her personal style has an element of fusion. This background certainly helped Vallenilla play to her strengths at COYA, which she has been at the helm of since 2021, but her connections to Monaco go back a little further.
The 30-year-old started off in the Principality at the Vistamar of the Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo under Joël Garault and later Benoît Witz. From there, she took up at post at Alain Ducasse’s Trattoria before joining COYA as a junior member in 2018.
“Victoria’s joyful cuisine traces a history rich in flavors, offering authentic dishes revisited with creativity,” reads the incoming restaurant’s excerpt. “The menu is an invitation to gastronomic exploration, highlighting the Arepa, a corn pancake garnished with salmon, burrata and caviar, or pulled meat… A subtle balance between modernity and heritage to enhance the flavours.”
As always with restaurants managed by SBM, the design and décor of the space has been given as much thought as the menu. Although no images of TAERA have been released yet, it is described as a “lively and warm” locale decorated with frescos painted by South American artist Viviana Grondona.
Stay tuned for more information on Monaco’s latest restaurant as we get it!
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Boxing will make its return to the Principality later this month when Hugo Micallef competes on home soil for the first time. The bout will mark the latest chapter in Monaco’s long and illustrious boxing history.
Like Monaco, boxing is associated with glamour and wealth. However, the Principality is more well-known for the Monaco Grand Prix, the Monte-Carlo Masters or its football club, AS Monaco, than it is for hosting a thriving boxing scene.
A European Middleweight title contested in La Condamine
That isn’t to say that one doesn’t exist. Monaco’s history with boxing dates back to the 19th century when Prince Albert 1 oversaw the rise of the sport and the installation of structures and facilities to allow for boxing to grow in popularity.
Then, in 1912, a year in which the European middleweight title was contested within the borders of the Principality, the sport really exploded onto the Monegasque scene.
Georges Carpentier and England’s Jim Sullivan came to town to fight it out for the title, the former beating the latter in a bout organised by the International Sporting Club, an internal structure of the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM), and contested on the Radziwill field in La Condamine. The venue had just celebrated its 18th birthday at the time.
A regular visitor
Whilst an iconic venue given its place in Monaco’s boxing history, it would not be one more commonly associated with boxing. That title perhaps goes to the Stade Louis II, which saw frequent fights in the 1970s, as well as a certain frequent visitor.
In the space of just over six years, Argentine boxer Carlos Mónzon came and conquered in the Principality. The undisputed middleweight world champion took part in four fights in the Stade Louis II between 1971 and 1976.
He won the first, against Nino Benvenuti by technical knockout in 1971, before proceeding to beat Emile Griffith and Rodrigo Valdez by unanimous decision. After a second fight against Valdez in Monaco in 1977, just one year after his last victory against the Colombian, Monzón called a time on his career, ending on a high after another unanimous decision.
An iconic knockout at the Stade Louis II
Fighters such as Gerrie Coetzee, Leon Spinks, Donald Curry, Richie Sandoval, Davey Moore, Bob Arum, Milton McCrory, Sumbu Kalambay and Doug DeWitt have all fought in Fontvieille over the years, but arguably the most iconic fight to have taken place within the borders of the Principality pitted Lee Roy Murphy against Chisanda Mutti.
In an IBF cruiserweight bout, the pair landed simultaneous right-handers with both boxers hitting the canvas in the 12th round. Both boxers had already suffered heavy knockdowns, but on this occasion, Murphy managed to lift himself. The same could not be said for Mutti, who was counted out and subsequently lost the fight.
A boxer in his prime
Julio Caesar Chavez, who is regarded by many as one of the greatest in the history of the sport, competed in Monaco in his prime. The Mexican boxer, who held the WBC super featherweight title from 1984 to 1987, beat Rocky Lockridge in Fontvieille in 1986 to retain his title by majority decision.
Monaco has become no stranger to hosting big fights, with the WBC middleweight title contested by Mike McCallum and Sumbu Kalambay in 1991. The former came out on top in that bout.
Prince Albert II at the Monte-Carlo Boxing Bonanza. Photo source: Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer
In recent years, the iconic Casino de Monte-Carlo has hosted fights as boxing experiences a resurgence in the Principality. Eddie Hearn and Matchroom organised an eight-fighter-strong Sky Sports event billed as the “Monte-Carlo Showdown” in the location back in 2016, whilst the Monte-Carlo Bonanza has also taken place in the same event. The last edition occured in 2019.
Micallef writing a new chapter
Boxing is now set to return to the Principality once more thanks to the young Hugo Micallef. The Monegasque boxer, known as the “Fresh Prince of Monaco”, is unbeaten in his short professional career, and he will be looking to extend his run in another new venue, the Châpiteau de Fontvieille. There he will face Czech boxer Michal Bulik on 23rd September.
Micallef is helping to reignite mainstream interest in the sport thanks to his exploits, and his return to the Principality will be a blockbuster event. Many world-renowned stars have boxed in Monaco over the years, but the latest chapter of the sport’s history in the Principality is a local story and one that is already capturing the imagination of the Monegasques.
Make sure you’re never left out of the conversation.
