The Japanese Garden of Monaco was designed at request of Prince Rainier who thus fulfilled a desire Princesse Grace had expressed during her life-time. The garden was designed by landscape-architect Yasuo Beppu, has 7,000 square meter, its construction took 3 years and it was inaugurated in 1994.

There are some specific elements:

* The wall (Heï) with an intermediary bamboo fencing (Takégaki) that stands for fragility and simplicity.

* The main gate (Shô-mon)

* The stone lanterns (Tôrô) - each having special different characteristics;

* The lake (Iké) with large swishing gold fish.

* The stone fountain (Fusen-Ishi)

* The covered terrace (Kyukeïjo)

* The islands (Shima) - represent two long-living animals - tortoise and crane, symbols of complementarity expressed

* The Tea house (Chatshitsu)- named Garden of Grace (Ga-én)

* The dry landscape (Karésansui) - quintessence of Cosmos

* The Belvedere (Azumaya) - a house on a hill allowing view in all four corners

* The waterfall (Taki) - symbolizes strength of Man and Nature, contrasting to horizontality of lake.

* The arched red bridge (Taïkobashi) - is red, color of happiness and is narrow so as to make access to divine island more difficult.

There are olive trees, cherry trees, conifers, azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias, a varried, rich vegetation of Mediterranean, South American, Australia, African and Asian origin, pruned according to Japanese tradition.

Walking in crowded Monaco, with all its stone, steel and glass, you can find in Japanese Garden a peaceful, green oasis where even great number of tourists passes unnoticed, wandering on winding paths, through thicket of garden.

Laura Ciocan writes for http://www.ilovemontecarlo.com/ where you can find all you want to know about living in Monaco

Caribbean cruises are nice family cruises if you time them right i.e. during your children’s school holidays. All year round, cruises are organized. Holidays are busiest periods, so plan ahead and book ahead. All major lines offer number of routes and cruise itineraries for Caribbean. You receive excellent food, attentive service, interesting historical tours of ancient ruins and a look at distinctive culture on way to islands. Have a great time onboard relax on deck, have fun at entertainment centers and try your luck at casino in typical Las-Vegas style.

Caribbean cruise discovers for you beautiful concealed harbors and peaceful coves. It takes you to quiet and serene places away from mad rush and maddening world. Explore picturesque beauty of sand beaches of St. John, beauty of sea caves around Virgin Gorda try your hand at yachting at St. Martin. Find yourself a nice bottle of French perfume in peaceful streets of St. Barthelemy. Enjoy music and beats of Tortola’s drums. Try your hand on snorkeling at Pigeon Island. Absorb magnificence of Barbados, Nevis, Anguilla and Martinique. You discover amazing beauty and character at every place you visit and just be a mute spectator of all beauty and natural abundance surrounding you. Caribbean cruise are your passage to an enchanting world with enthralling experiences.