Ritzy, glitzy Monaco is our dream destination this week - and the good news is that you don't need the trust fund of a minor Russian aristocrat to enjoy the prosperous principality. Though we can't deny that it would help.

For example: if you'd like a taste of the high life then you should splash out on a helicopter transfer from Nice Airport into the city. You can get a one way flight from around €100 per person.

The pauper's alternative: the bus from Nice airport is perfectly comfortable and a snip at only €20 per person each way.

To see this tax haven at its most glam spruce up your finest Primarni togs for a trip to the Casino. The Belle Epoque Monte Carlo Casino charges a €10 entrance fee (free to use the slot machines), but there are others such as Cafe de Paris and the Monte Carlo Bay where you'll be able to wander in for free. Free so long as you can resist the temptation to see how your life savings would fare on the roulette wheel, that is.

Watch out for famous residents. F1 drivers especially will be out in force this weekend for the Monaco Grand Prix. It'll mean a whirlwind of parties, blocked off roads, and not a sniff of a cheap hotel this side of that famed hairpin bend. Not that Monaco hotels are bargainous normally. While some more affordable hotel options have been springing up recently, our best tip for finding a cheap Monaco hotel is still stay just across the border in France!

As with any other self-respecting tourist hotspot there are plenty of open-topped sightseeing buses; all following Schumacher, Hamilton, Senna et al's hallowed tire treads through Monaco's prestigious roads. But you could just jump on any circular bus route for a cheaper city tour. At less than a square mile you can easily cover Monaco by foot in a weekend. Pretty places to head to for a stroll include the marina to check out the super, mega and epic yachts belonging to Monaco's glitterati, or you can window-shop along the exclusive boutiques of Carre d'Or.

For something different, wander through the serene Japanese gardens, or visit the incredible Oceanographic Museum and Aquarium - this museum was built atop a sheer cliff by Monaco's Prince Albert I in 1910. It contains one of Europe's finest aquariums, plus breathtaking ocean views from its top-floor brasserie.

Want more tips of what to see in Monaco? Check out our destination guide. Or get booking your holiday by comparing prices on dealchecker.

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