Increase font size London: Monte Cristo, the tiny Italian island whose mysterious history is filled with saints, monks and pirates, is to be opened to the public for the first time in nearly 40 years.

He decided to write The Count of Monte Cristo to remind him of the trip. His hero, Edmond Dantes, discovers a pirate's treasure on the island after being tipped off by his companion in prison ...

After 14 years in the island prison of Château d’If, he manages a daring escape. Now rich beyond his dreams, he assumes the identity of the Count of Monte-Cristo and exacts his revenge on the ...