Monaco

Measuring just under one square mile in size, the Principality of Monaco is the world's second-smallest independent country. Famous for its casino, Grace Kelly, and Prince Ranier, Monaco commands fantastic views of the Mediterranean Sea, and neighboring France. Subdivided into ten wards (instead of cities), Monaco can further be divided into city blocks -- it has 173 of them! Monte Carlo, probably the most famous of its wards, houses the world-famous casino.

I've been obsessed with Monaco ever since reading Thomas Eccardt's Secrets of the Seven Smallest States of Europe. I longed to visit -- and it sure didn't disappoint -- perfectly clean and orderly in every way, a place where medieval meets cafe culture, Monaco is one of my favorite places in the world to date. Hope you enjoy the following snapshots of this tiny country on the Riviera.

Eze, France