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Booking is open — reserve your room when you're ready · Full January itinerary posting December 2027
Welcome
An unforgettable celebration in Monte Carlo

40 / Monaco

More Life.
January 3–8, 2028 · Birthday: January 5
Confirm Interest Preview the Week
01The Invitation

A milestone years in the making.

For as long as I can remember, Monaco has been the place I said I'd go when the time was right.

It started with the Grand Prix — the cars threading that impossible coastline — and grew into something bigger: the cliffs above the water, the harbor full of ships, a corner of the world that has always stood for arriving somewhere. Turning forty felt like the right reason to finally do it, and to do it properly. So Caneita and I are gathering a small circle of the people we've traveled best with for five nights in Monte Carlo. Everything you need to plan is here, and it will stay current as January gets closer.

“Not a themed birthday trip. A beautiful week in a place that has always meant something.”More Life in Monaco · 2028

Last updated · July 2026What's new: hotels, travel routes, and the January guide are now live.

Until we raise a glass in Monte Carlo.

January 5, 2028 · the birthday dinner

000Days
00Hours
00Minutes
00Seconds
Add the week to your calendar
02The Experience

Three hosted moments. The rest is yours.

The week is intentionally light on required programming. There will be enough structure to make the trip feel special, with enough open time for couples to explore, rest, shop, dine, or disappear into Monte Carlo for the afternoon.

I

Welcome Evening

Champagne, dinner, and the first night together in Monte Carlo.

II

Forty

A formal birthday dinner, portraits, Casino Square, and late drinks.

III

The Riviera

A private chauffeured day through Èze and the surrounding coast.

Mon · Jan 3

Arrive in Monaco

Check in, recover, and join informal drinks if the flight allows.

At leisure
Tue · Jan 4

Welcome to Monte Carlo

The first official hosted evening. Time and meeting point will be confirmed here and by message.

Hosted
Wed · Jan 5

Forty / Monaco

Free morning, formal portraits, birthday dinner, and Casino Square. Fine-dining tables book weeks ahead — reserve early if you’re joining.

Hosted
Thu · Jan 6

Nothing Required

Spa, shopping, lunch, casino, Monaco-Ville, or sleep.

At leisure
Fri · Jan 7

The Riviera

Private vehicles, scenic stops through Èze and the coast, and a long lunch.

Hosted
Sat · Jan 8

Departures

Transfers to Nice based on flight schedules.

Travel day
Hosted by us

The official moments

  • Welcome dinner and first-round cocktails
  • Birthday dinner and planned birthday-night details
  • Private Riviera transportation and group lunch
  • Transportation connected to official events
Planned by each couple

Your personal trip

  • Flights to and from Nice
  • Hotel accommodations
  • Independent meals, spa, shopping, and casino play
  • Travel insurance and personal incidentals
03Will's List

For the open days.

Three evenings are planned; everything else is yours. These are the places I'd point you toward if you asked me over a drink — not a schedule, just the shortlist worth building a free afternoon around.

01
Dinner

Le Louis XV — Alain Ducasse

Three Michelin stars inside the Hôtel de Paris, on Casino Square. The reference point for the whole Riviera and, to my mind, the one meal to build an evening around. Jackets required; book well ahead.

02
The bar

Le Bar Américain

Also in the Hôtel de Paris — mahogany, leather, live jazz, and one of the best hotel bars in the world. Order a martini and ask about table 34, where Sinatra used to sit.

03
The walk

Up to Monaco-Ville

The climb to the old town on the Rock — the Prince's Palace, the cathedral, narrow lanes, and the harbor spread out below. Go mid-morning and end with lunch up top.

04
Coffee

Cova Monte-Carlo

Milanese café culture a minute from Casino Square — dark wood, marble, and the best cappuccino in the principality. A local morning ritual before anyone else is moving.

05
The view

Tête de Chien

A 550-metre cliff above La Turbie where all of Monaco unfolds below like a model — the Rock, the harbor, the coast to Italy. The photograph everyone will want. Drive up; leave the good shoes at the hotel.

06
Worth the drive

Èze village

A medieval stone village perched above the sea, ten minutes along the coast — cobbled lanes, an exotic garden at the summit, and the Riviera falling away in every direction. Easy half-day, easy to fall for.

More Life. The rest is yours to find.

04Where to Stay

One square mile. Three easy choices.

Will and Caneita plan to stay at Hôtel de Paris. Guests are welcome to stay there or select a nearby hotel that fits their preferred level of spending. Official meeting points will remain in or near Casino Square.

Mer Méditerranée Port Hercule Monaco-Ville Five-minute walk Casino Square Hôtel de Paris Hermitage Fairmont 400 m N
Host hotel

Hôtel de Paris

The centerpiece of the trip and the closest option to the official birthday-night plans.

Best for: the full iconic Monte Carlo experience.
Visit hotel site
Recommended

Hôtel Hermitage

Classic, quiet luxury within an easy walk of Casino Square and Hôtel de Paris.

Best for: traditional elegance and proximity.
Visit hotel site
Flexible option

Fairmont Monte Carlo

A larger luxury hotel in the center of Monaco with broad room selection.

Best for: flexibility and value within the luxury tier.
Visit hotel site
05Getting There

Fly to Nice. The rest is scenery.

Monaco has no airport of its own. Every route runs through Nice Côte d'Azur (NCE), about 30 km west along the coast. From there, three good options — ranked from most memorable to most practical.

The arrival

Helicopter

≈ 7 minutes

Scheduled shuttle flights run between Nice Airport and Monaco throughout the day, with hotel drop-off included. The single best way to begin this trip. Book once flights are confirmed.

The classic

Private car

≈ 40–50 minutes

A pre-arranged driver along the Basse Corniche coast road. Comfortable, door-to-door, and easy with luggage. Hotels can arrange this, or book independently.

The local move

Train

≈ 25 minutes + transfers

The coastal line from Nice-Ville to Monaco–Monte-Carlo hugs the sea the whole way. Inexpensive and scenic, though it involves a taxi at each end.

NCE

Flight planning: aim to land in Nice by mid-afternoon on January 3 so you're settled before the evening. Most U.S. routes connect through a European hub; a handful of seasonal nonstops serve Nice directly. For departure day, allow at least two and a half hours from your Monaco hotel to your gate at NCE.

06Good to Know

January in Monaco, briefly.

The essentials for packing and planning. This section will be refined as the trip approaches — treat it as the current best guidance.

Live now
Monte Carlo · right now
—°F
Checking the sky over Monaco…

Weather in January

Riviera winter: mild, often sunny, cool after dark. Expect daytime highs around 55°F / 13°C and evenings near 45°F / 7°C. Rain is possible but rarely lingers.

Attire

  • Daytime — smart casual; a light coat for evenings.
  • Hosted dinners — jackets for men, cocktail or evening wear for women.
  • Birthday night — formal. Details will follow closer to the date.
  • Casino — jacket recommended after dark; no sportswear.

Practical

  • Currency — Euro. Cards accepted almost everywhere.
  • Language — French officially; English is widely spoken.
  • Casino entry — passport or ID required; guests must be 18+.
  • Power — European Type C/E plugs, 230V. Bring adapters.

Phones & timing

  • Time zone — Central European Time, six hours ahead of U.S. Central.
  • Roaming — confirm an international plan or eSIM before departure.
  • Distances — Monaco is under one square mile; nearly everything is walkable.

The short packing list

  • Formal — one proper outfit for the birthday night; jackets for men at hosted dinners.
  • Layers — January evenings turn cool by the water; bring a good coat.
  • Casino-ready — smart shoes and a jacket after dark; leave the sportswear home.
  • Essentials — passport, EU plug adapters, a card that plays nicely abroad, and comfortable shoes for the hills.
07Helpful Links

Bookmarks for planning.

Monacair — helicopter shuttle

Scheduled flights between Nice Airport and Monaco, with hotel transfer included.

Open

Nice Côte d'Azur Airport

Terminal maps, airline routes, and arrival information for NCE.

Open

Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer

Hôtel de Paris, Hôtel Hermitage, the Casino de Monte-Carlo, and their restaurants.

Open

Visit Monaco

The official tourism guide — museums, gardens, Monaco-Ville, and events.

Open

Casino de Monte-Carlo

Opening hours, entry requirements, and dress guidance for Casino Square.

Open
08Questions

Asked and answered.

Is this the formal RSVP?

The guest response below is how we count you in. It helps us plan around you as one of the invited couples; final confirmations for dinners and the Riviera day will be gathered closer to the trip.

What should couples expect to spend?

As a broad planning range, couples should anticipate approximately $12,000–$20,000 depending on airfare class, hotel choice, and personal spending. The three hosted evenings and Riviera day are on us.

Will every day be scheduled?

No. Only the welcome evening, birthday celebration, and Riviera day are planned as official group events. The rest of the week is deliberately open.

Do we have to stay at Hôtel de Paris?

No. Any of the three hotels above keeps you within a short walk of Casino Square, which will remain the official gathering point. Choose the one that fits your preferences.

When should we book?

Book flights and hotels once you've confirmed interest below — January is a quieter season, but the best rooms at the host hotel go early. If plans shift, we'll post updates here first.

What if our dates don't line up perfectly?

Arriving a day late or leaving a day early is completely fine. Let us know in your response so hosted-evening headcounts stay accurate.

How do we reach you and the other guests?

The fastest way to reach me is a text to (313) 676-7368. There’s also a WhatsApp group for everyone — the link is in the footer below — where day-of timing, meeting points, and any changes will be shared.

09Private Guest Response

Could you see yourselves in Monaco?

This is not a binding reservation. It simply lets us know whether we should plan around you as one of the invited couples.

Working dates January 3–8, 2028
Birthday January 5, 2028
This page morelifemonaco.com
Something went wrong sending your response. Please try again, or email us directly.
Response received

Thank you — we'll plan around you. Watch this page and your inbox as January approaches.