Rolling the dice on the Monaco Grand Prix

Nothing says glamour like the casinos of Monte Carlo; and with the forthcoming Monaco Grand Prix later in May it’s a chance for people to combine a trip to the tables with a bit of Formula One. Watch Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg battle it out on the asphalt by day and then while away the evenings in the casinos.

The Casino de Monte Carlo has to be the number one destination on the list. One of the world’s first major casinos, its history stretches back 150 years, during which time it has been at the heart of European high society.

Table games include European roulette, Trente & Quarante, English roulette, Chemin de Fer, Punto Banco and Black Jack. You can even dabble at the more modern Texas Hold ‘Em poker tables, though in Monte Carlo it’s definitely more about the classic casino games.

Mind you, these days there is a distinct whiff of Las Vegas about Monte Carlo: with over 1,000 slot-machines, the Monte-Carlo offers the largest collection of these games in Europe.

Other casinos in Monte Carlo include the Cafe de Paris on the famous Place du Casino, one of the Grand Prix’s most iconic corners.

Or for another bit of F1, the Casino La Rascasse is situated near to the end of the circuit after the Swimming Pool section, not that you’ll be seeing much of the race from the confines of your gambling tables.

Meanwhile, the Sun Casino offers the most American experience of all Monte Carlo’s gambling venues. If you forget your Tux this is a good bet as there is no dress code.

For accommodation you’re not going to find anywhere around race day that’s cheap. So assuming you are prepared to delve deep for funding this trip, it’s hard to beat the stunning Hotel de Paris Monte Carlo. A four-night package over race weekend will set you back €48,000 – nearly £40,000.

A standard room at the Hotel Florence is a little more affordable at £782 per night, again for a four-night deal.

The race weekend lasts from the Thursday to the Sunday (May 25th), the day of the main event. While a more affordable casino trip to the principality could be arranged for just about any other time of the year, there is nothing quite like being in Monte Carlo at the time when the F1 circus comes to town.