Don’t let what happened a few years ago put you off going to the US Grand Prix. History, no matter what its shape or form is made at every Grand Prix, and you can’t get more historic than The Brickyard – the world’s oldest racetrack.
Indianapolis is called the Crossroads of the US, and it typifies the country – abundant food, accommodation, and transport options - and it needs it when you consider the scale of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with its quarter of a million spectator capacity.
United Airlines will get you to Indianapolis, and pretty much anywhere in the US you could possibly want to go.
With such an abundance of accommodation, choose proximity as your criteria and stay at the Red Roof Inn Indianapolis Speedway. It is located about 3Km from the Speedway and has all the facilities you could possibly want or need.
The US is all about the motor vehicle, so either hire a car or use the frequent bus services connecting the city, airport and Speedway.
General Admission accesses the twisting infield, while the grandstands along the flat-out straights will appeal to the speed freaks. General Admission costs approx. $90 for the weekend, with grandstands prices ranging from $110 to $220 for Sunday Race Day. There are VIP options which cost $1680 for a weekend pass and $1440 for Sunday alone. All prices quoted in Australian Dollars.
Monday, 14 May 2007
Canadian Grand Prix Travel Guide - Montreal
Canadians are mad for Formula1 so the Canadian Grand Prix is always well attended. JV’s departure from the grid has done nothing to diminish the enthusiasm of the locals for the race or the excuse to throw a weekend long party. The location of the Circuit on the Ile Notre-Dame, its natural attractions, and the people of Montreal make the Canadian Grand Prix well worth going to.
Air Canada can get you from Australia to Montreal in less than 24 hours with two stops, while United Airlines can get you there slightly quicker with only one stop! Both airlines are part of the Star Alliance and can be used in conjunction to get to and from Montreal.
Stay at the Sofitel Montreal or Novotel Montreal Centre for their location, quality and value. Airport hotels may be easier to book into if you leave your run late and they offer a convenient option with their easy access to the city.
The local Metro stops just 200m from the circuit and provides the most convenient way of getting around the city. You can drive, but parking near the circuit is limited and issued on a first come first served basis, so take the train.
General Admission costs approx. $140 for the weekend, with grandstands prices ranging from $310 to an ominous $666. All prices quoted in Australian Dollars.
Air Canada can get you from Australia to Montreal in less than 24 hours with two stops, while United Airlines can get you there slightly quicker with only one stop! Both airlines are part of the Star Alliance and can be used in conjunction to get to and from Montreal.
Stay at the Sofitel Montreal or Novotel Montreal Centre for their location, quality and value. Airport hotels may be easier to book into if you leave your run late and they offer a convenient option with their easy access to the city.
The local Metro stops just 200m from the circuit and provides the most convenient way of getting around the city. You can drive, but parking near the circuit is limited and issued on a first come first served basis, so take the train.
General Admission costs approx. $140 for the weekend, with grandstands prices ranging from $310 to an ominous $666. All prices quoted in Australian Dollars.
Saturday, 5 May 2007
Monaco Grand Prix Travel Guide - Monte Carlo
Let’s face facts… there is no need to try and convince anyone to go to the Monaco Grand Prix. EVERYONE wants to go, right? Wanting to go isn’t the issue – it’s knowing how to get there and knowing how to make the most of it. Well read on to find out.
There are two ways to get to Monaco for the Grand Prix – oh, there is a third way, but you need to be an F1 driver! One way is to book hotels, flights, race tickets, insurance, transfers, and transport as early as possible. The easier way is to book onto an all inclusive tour – it won’t only save you time and money at home, it will save you time and money once you’re there.
For example, an experienced guide can help you avoid ‘Grand Prix Prices’. This is where prices go up and quality goes down. If a restaurant gives you a menu printed in half a dozen languages, get up and leave. Eat where the locals eat – and in Monaco, that means you climb The Rock and wander the less inhabited alleyways.
And when you’ve got a thousand sights all worthy of your attention, how do you know which one to go to? Will the ones you drop from your agenda be better than the ones you visit? Travelling independently is to be encouraged, but when it comes to the Monaco Grand Prix, experience matters.
Getting there from Australia:Thai Airways International flies to Nice from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth six days a week with convenient connections in Bangkok and either Zurich, Frankfurt, Copenhagen, Stockholm or London. Total travel time is between 24 and 30 hours depending on your home port and connecting airline.
Getting there from the rest of the world:The Star Alliance have flights originating from all coners of the globe that can get you to Monaco (Nice Airport). http://www.staralliance.com
Accommodation: If you’re planning on staying in Monaco, then book early! However, if you’re planning on staying in Nice, then you can wait about a week or two longer. No kidding. And if you’re thinking of turning up without pre-booking, then whatever you do, inspect the room before paying for it!
Instead, to ensure quality and convenience, book into any one of the many Ibis, Mercure, Novotel, or Sofitel hotels found between Grasse and Monaco. The Ibis Nice Centre Gare is very conveniently located next to the train station, and Mercure Nice Marché aux Fleurs on the Promenade des Anglais, although a fair walk from the station, is nicely located near the beach, old town, and harbour.
Transportation: By Train:The train is the most convenient way of getting to Monaco during race weekend as most of the streets are closed off – Monaco is a street circuit after all. The local trains will leave many Sydneysiders and Melbournians envious – not only are they clean and efficient, the scenery as you glide along the coast is breathtaking. It is a 20 minute journey from Nice to Monaco with souvenir tickets issued for the weekend. The ticket queues can be tedious, so take a walk to the station before breakfast to avoid the rush.
By Bus: Buses run every 15 minutes from Nice to Monaco, take half an hour and costs just under 7 Euro return.
Tickets: General Admission costs 126 Euro (AUD$200 approx.) for Saturday and Sunday, with grandstands prices ranging from 448 Euro (AUD$730 approx.) to 783 Euro (AUD$1275 approx.). VIP tickets to balconies and rooftop terraces range from $2250 to $3715 – it is Monaco after all!
For tickets and all-inclusive fully escorted Tour recommendations contact Temple Grand Prix on 0433 300 527 from Australia, or email mailto:info@monacof1gp.com
Thai Airways International: 1300 651 960 (from Australia)
Accor Hotels: Australia - 1300 656 565; NZ 0800 44 44 22; http://www.accorhotels.com
There are two ways to get to Monaco for the Grand Prix – oh, there is a third way, but you need to be an F1 driver! One way is to book hotels, flights, race tickets, insurance, transfers, and transport as early as possible. The easier way is to book onto an all inclusive tour – it won’t only save you time and money at home, it will save you time and money once you’re there.
For example, an experienced guide can help you avoid ‘Grand Prix Prices’. This is where prices go up and quality goes down. If a restaurant gives you a menu printed in half a dozen languages, get up and leave. Eat where the locals eat – and in Monaco, that means you climb The Rock and wander the less inhabited alleyways.
And when you’ve got a thousand sights all worthy of your attention, how do you know which one to go to? Will the ones you drop from your agenda be better than the ones you visit? Travelling independently is to be encouraged, but when it comes to the Monaco Grand Prix, experience matters.
Getting there from Australia:Thai Airways International flies to Nice from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth six days a week with convenient connections in Bangkok and either Zurich, Frankfurt, Copenhagen, Stockholm or London. Total travel time is between 24 and 30 hours depending on your home port and connecting airline.
Getting there from the rest of the world:The Star Alliance have flights originating from all coners of the globe that can get you to Monaco (Nice Airport). http://www.staralliance.com
Accommodation: If you’re planning on staying in Monaco, then book early! However, if you’re planning on staying in Nice, then you can wait about a week or two longer. No kidding. And if you’re thinking of turning up without pre-booking, then whatever you do, inspect the room before paying for it!
Instead, to ensure quality and convenience, book into any one of the many Ibis, Mercure, Novotel, or Sofitel hotels found between Grasse and Monaco. The Ibis Nice Centre Gare is very conveniently located next to the train station, and Mercure Nice Marché aux Fleurs on the Promenade des Anglais, although a fair walk from the station, is nicely located near the beach, old town, and harbour.
Transportation: By Train:The train is the most convenient way of getting to Monaco during race weekend as most of the streets are closed off – Monaco is a street circuit after all. The local trains will leave many Sydneysiders and Melbournians envious – not only are they clean and efficient, the scenery as you glide along the coast is breathtaking. It is a 20 minute journey from Nice to Monaco with souvenir tickets issued for the weekend. The ticket queues can be tedious, so take a walk to the station before breakfast to avoid the rush.
By Bus: Buses run every 15 minutes from Nice to Monaco, take half an hour and costs just under 7 Euro return.
Tickets: General Admission costs 126 Euro (AUD$200 approx.) for Saturday and Sunday, with grandstands prices ranging from 448 Euro (AUD$730 approx.) to 783 Euro (AUD$1275 approx.). VIP tickets to balconies and rooftop terraces range from $2250 to $3715 – it is Monaco after all!
For tickets and all-inclusive fully escorted Tour recommendations contact Temple Grand Prix on 0433 300 527 from Australia, or email mailto:info@monacof1gp.com
Thai Airways International: 1300 651 960 (from Australia)
Accor Hotels: Australia - 1300 656 565; NZ 0800 44 44 22; http://www.accorhotels.com
Spanish Grand Prix Travel Guide - Barcelona
The Circuit de Catalunya is one of the most spectator friendly circuits anywhere; it is the home circuit of the reigning World Champion; and it’s the first of the season's European races. And if that isn't reason enough for any self-respecting F1 fan to go then consider this...it is located half an hour's drive north of Barcelona along the motorway to Girona. Or in other words, two of the best tourist destinations in Europe!
There isn’t much to recommend staying near the circuit unless your visit is restricted to the three days of the event - accommodation and attractions are limited. However, with the temptations of Barcelona so close, the short commute to and from the circuit is a small price to pay.
Barcelona has always had its fair share of attractions; most notably the architecture of Gaudi, the art of Picasso, and its other one and a half million inhabitants who daily frequent Barcelona’s most famous thoroughfare, La Ramblas. It took the 1992 Olympics to remind people that Barcelona is a worthwhile travel destination – and it isn’t about to let us forget Barcelona is a party town.
One thing to get used to is the Siesta/Fiesta clock. Lunch is the biggest meal of the day; you then take it easy for the afternoon before putting in a few more hours of work. The evening meal doesn’t start until about 10pm – and by start, I mean it carries on for hours in the form of tapas. The constant grazing on these tasty bits and bites, combined with the constant consumption of sangria accounts for the ‘fiesta’ atmosphere. Don’t expect any early nights!
Getting there from Australia:Thai Airways International flies to Barcelona from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth six days a week with convenient connections in Bangkok and either Frankfurt, Zurich, Copenhagen or Madrid. Total travel time is between 22 and 28 hours depending on your home port.
Getting there from the rest of the world:The Star Alliance have flights originating from all coners of the globe that can get you to Monaco (Nice Airport). http://www.staralliance.com
Accommodation: The area surrounding the circuit has many small privately run hotels, but to be sure of a place to stay, we recommend the Ibis Barcelona Montmelo-Granollers right next to the circuit. A short distance from the circuit you’ll find the Formule1 Barcelona Mollet. It is a budget hotel and suitable if you have your own vehicle. The Novotel Barcelona Sant Joan Despi is the place to stay in Barcelona if you want to be within easy reach of the sights and available transport.
Transportation:By Train: From Barcelona, the Passeig de Gracia, Barcelona Sants, or Clot rail stations will get you to Montmelo, which is the nearest station to the circuit. Tickets are a little complicated; because Montmelo is in Zone 2, the Bonotren Zone 2 ticket (9.20 Euro) is the best value if you’re going to the circuit for all 3 days – it gives you 10 journeys and is valid for 30 days. The train journey takes approximately half an hour from Barcelona to Montmelo.
By Bus:A special bus service for spectators is available from Passeig Sant Joan 52 - Diputacion. Purchase your return ticket (6.00 Euro) at the ticket office between 07:00 and 13:00 or 15:00 and 20:00 Monday to Friday. Check the bus operating hours before purchasing your ticket.
Tickets: General Admission costs 136 Euro (AUD$220 approx.) for the weekend, with grandstands prices ranging from 215 Euro (AUD$350 approx.) to 533 Euro (AUD$865 approx.).
For tickets and travel recommendations contact Temple Grand Prix on 0433 300 527.
Thai Airways International: 1300 651 960
Accor Hotels: Australia -1300 656 565; NZ – 0800 44 44 22; www.accorhotels.com
There isn’t much to recommend staying near the circuit unless your visit is restricted to the three days of the event - accommodation and attractions are limited. However, with the temptations of Barcelona so close, the short commute to and from the circuit is a small price to pay.
Barcelona has always had its fair share of attractions; most notably the architecture of Gaudi, the art of Picasso, and its other one and a half million inhabitants who daily frequent Barcelona’s most famous thoroughfare, La Ramblas. It took the 1992 Olympics to remind people that Barcelona is a worthwhile travel destination – and it isn’t about to let us forget Barcelona is a party town.
One thing to get used to is the Siesta/Fiesta clock. Lunch is the biggest meal of the day; you then take it easy for the afternoon before putting in a few more hours of work. The evening meal doesn’t start until about 10pm – and by start, I mean it carries on for hours in the form of tapas. The constant grazing on these tasty bits and bites, combined with the constant consumption of sangria accounts for the ‘fiesta’ atmosphere. Don’t expect any early nights!
Getting there from Australia:Thai Airways International flies to Barcelona from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth six days a week with convenient connections in Bangkok and either Frankfurt, Zurich, Copenhagen or Madrid. Total travel time is between 22 and 28 hours depending on your home port.
Getting there from the rest of the world:The Star Alliance have flights originating from all coners of the globe that can get you to Monaco (Nice Airport). http://www.staralliance.com
Accommodation: The area surrounding the circuit has many small privately run hotels, but to be sure of a place to stay, we recommend the Ibis Barcelona Montmelo-Granollers right next to the circuit. A short distance from the circuit you’ll find the Formule1 Barcelona Mollet. It is a budget hotel and suitable if you have your own vehicle. The Novotel Barcelona Sant Joan Despi is the place to stay in Barcelona if you want to be within easy reach of the sights and available transport.
Transportation:By Train: From Barcelona, the Passeig de Gracia, Barcelona Sants, or Clot rail stations will get you to Montmelo, which is the nearest station to the circuit. Tickets are a little complicated; because Montmelo is in Zone 2, the Bonotren Zone 2 ticket (9.20 Euro) is the best value if you’re going to the circuit for all 3 days – it gives you 10 journeys and is valid for 30 days. The train journey takes approximately half an hour from Barcelona to Montmelo.
By Bus:A special bus service for spectators is available from Passeig Sant Joan 52 - Diputacion. Purchase your return ticket (6.00 Euro) at the ticket office between 07:00 and 13:00 or 15:00 and 20:00 Monday to Friday. Check the bus operating hours before purchasing your ticket.
Tickets: General Admission costs 136 Euro (AUD$220 approx.) for the weekend, with grandstands prices ranging from 215 Euro (AUD$350 approx.) to 533 Euro (AUD$865 approx.).
For tickets and travel recommendations contact Temple Grand Prix on 0433 300 527.
Thai Airways International: 1300 651 960
Accor Hotels: Australia -1300 656 565; NZ – 0800 44 44 22; www.accorhotels.com
Monaco for the Fast and the Furious
Of all the sporting events in the world, none can match the glamour and excitement of the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix.
More than just a car race, it transcends sport to become Europe's premier sporting and social event. Even just the name conjures up images of sun-soaked celebrities, expensive yachts and even more expensive living. But this image is somewhat misleading. Monaco is far more accessible and affordable than it appears.
F1 Grand Prix weekend is definitely the best time to visit Monaco. This may go against all the advice you've ever heard about travelling in the off-season to avoid crowds. But it is the crowds - the spectators - who lend this event the carnival atmosphere it's so famous for. Everyone from self-made millionaires to budget backpackers is there for the pivotal race on the Formula 1 calendar.
Even if you have no interest in motor sports, you can't help but get swept up in the atmosphere.
The Monaco F1 Grand Prix has been held on the first Sunday after Ascension Day since its modern inception in 1950. It determines the staging of the races for the entire Grands Prix season.
There are three real options for viewing the race. You can watch it from the grandstands; this offers the best views of the race, the yachts and the giant screen televising those parts of the track you can't see. The stands situated opposite the harbour, which run from Tabac Corner to the Swimming Pool, offer the most encompassing view. While the stands at the chicane, facing towards Tabac Corner, provide a different picture altogether and give a clearer view of how hard the drivers really work. Depending on the Grandstand, tickets can be expensive, so you may care for the next option.
You can buy a General Admission ticket offering access to Old Monaco, which is situated on The Rock and provides a bird's eye view of the track. Your best bet is to wedge yourself firmly against the parapet and stay there for the rest of the day. It helps to be part of a larger group, because if you move from your spot for any reason, it will soon be occupied.
It also helps if you get there early as all the best spots are snapped up quickly.
An easier option with General Admission tickets is to find a shady tree on The Rock hillside, just below the parapets of Old Monaco, and enjoy the race among the Tifosi. These Italian fanatics follow Ferrari to all the European Grands Prix and are as remarkable to watch as the race itself. You can always tell how well or badly Ferrari is doing by the expression on their faces.
Watching the race from the leafy hillside requires the surefootedness of a mountain goat. However, it does offer some of the best views of the race. Just remember, no matter how strenuous it may seem climbing up, it's getting back down that's the challenge.
The most civilized option for watching the race requires a little planning. It involves booking a table at one of the many restaurants overlooking the track. Only, be sure to book the best table! The meal may be a little extravagant, but considering you get grandstand views, a great meal - including service, and you save on the cost of admission, it's hard to beat. So why not organize a group and book a table?
Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the spectacle.
Race day in Monaco is best described as LOUD! From the roar of the engines to the cheers of the crowd, your senses are on full alert. That's the kind of excitement this race generates. Fortunately, Monaco is rich in natural beauty and quiet, out of the way places where your senses can escape - even if only temporarily.
Old Monaco is one of the most interesting places to explore. Here you will find the cathedral in which Prince Rainier married Grace Kelly.
In front of the cathedral, on the rocky coastline of Old Monaco, the Exotic Garden offers wonderful views of the azure Mediterranean, and the newest of Monaco's districts - Fontvielle. It's the most tranquil and manicured example of horticulture you are ever likely to see. And, the sculptures within the Garden are as exquisite as their surroundings.
The Exotic Garden is an oasis of peace while, just below, the harbour area is shaking with the force of Formula 1.
The only 'unpalatable' aspect of Grand Prix weekend is the peculiar practice of 'Grand Prix Prices'. Many taxis, restaurants, hotels, bars, tobacconists, and roadside fruit sellers raise their prices. The higher prices are also usually matched with lower quality.
Vendors who charge 'Grand Prix Prices' figure most of the trade isn't regular and won't be coming back anyway. The trick is to find establishments that don't try to rip off tourists. This is easy - either go with someone who knows what to avoid, or look for places inhabited solely by the locals.
The independent traveller will have an impossible time finding accommodation in Monaco for the race weekend. And nearby towns like Menton, and even Nice and Cannes are usually booked out well in advance.
The alternative is to book onto a dedicated tour. These tours vary from four to 14 days and cater to all standards. The best advice when looking for a tour is to go with a specialist Motor Sport tour company like Australia's Temple Grand Prix that offers a fully escorted tour from Australia, and incorporates a land content only package for travellers from the USA and Asia who wish to make their own way to the Riviera.
More than just a car race, it transcends sport to become Europe's premier sporting and social event. Even just the name conjures up images of sun-soaked celebrities, expensive yachts and even more expensive living. But this image is somewhat misleading. Monaco is far more accessible and affordable than it appears.
F1 Grand Prix weekend is definitely the best time to visit Monaco. This may go against all the advice you've ever heard about travelling in the off-season to avoid crowds. But it is the crowds - the spectators - who lend this event the carnival atmosphere it's so famous for. Everyone from self-made millionaires to budget backpackers is there for the pivotal race on the Formula 1 calendar.
Even if you have no interest in motor sports, you can't help but get swept up in the atmosphere.
The Monaco F1 Grand Prix has been held on the first Sunday after Ascension Day since its modern inception in 1950. It determines the staging of the races for the entire Grands Prix season.
There are three real options for viewing the race. You can watch it from the grandstands; this offers the best views of the race, the yachts and the giant screen televising those parts of the track you can't see. The stands situated opposite the harbour, which run from Tabac Corner to the Swimming Pool, offer the most encompassing view. While the stands at the chicane, facing towards Tabac Corner, provide a different picture altogether and give a clearer view of how hard the drivers really work. Depending on the Grandstand, tickets can be expensive, so you may care for the next option.
You can buy a General Admission ticket offering access to Old Monaco, which is situated on The Rock and provides a bird's eye view of the track. Your best bet is to wedge yourself firmly against the parapet and stay there for the rest of the day. It helps to be part of a larger group, because if you move from your spot for any reason, it will soon be occupied.
It also helps if you get there early as all the best spots are snapped up quickly.
An easier option with General Admission tickets is to find a shady tree on The Rock hillside, just below the parapets of Old Monaco, and enjoy the race among the Tifosi. These Italian fanatics follow Ferrari to all the European Grands Prix and are as remarkable to watch as the race itself. You can always tell how well or badly Ferrari is doing by the expression on their faces.
Watching the race from the leafy hillside requires the surefootedness of a mountain goat. However, it does offer some of the best views of the race. Just remember, no matter how strenuous it may seem climbing up, it's getting back down that's the challenge.
The most civilized option for watching the race requires a little planning. It involves booking a table at one of the many restaurants overlooking the track. Only, be sure to book the best table! The meal may be a little extravagant, but considering you get grandstand views, a great meal - including service, and you save on the cost of admission, it's hard to beat. So why not organize a group and book a table?
Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the spectacle.
Race day in Monaco is best described as LOUD! From the roar of the engines to the cheers of the crowd, your senses are on full alert. That's the kind of excitement this race generates. Fortunately, Monaco is rich in natural beauty and quiet, out of the way places where your senses can escape - even if only temporarily.
Old Monaco is one of the most interesting places to explore. Here you will find the cathedral in which Prince Rainier married Grace Kelly.
In front of the cathedral, on the rocky coastline of Old Monaco, the Exotic Garden offers wonderful views of the azure Mediterranean, and the newest of Monaco's districts - Fontvielle. It's the most tranquil and manicured example of horticulture you are ever likely to see. And, the sculptures within the Garden are as exquisite as their surroundings.
The Exotic Garden is an oasis of peace while, just below, the harbour area is shaking with the force of Formula 1.
The only 'unpalatable' aspect of Grand Prix weekend is the peculiar practice of 'Grand Prix Prices'. Many taxis, restaurants, hotels, bars, tobacconists, and roadside fruit sellers raise their prices. The higher prices are also usually matched with lower quality.
Vendors who charge 'Grand Prix Prices' figure most of the trade isn't regular and won't be coming back anyway. The trick is to find establishments that don't try to rip off tourists. This is easy - either go with someone who knows what to avoid, or look for places inhabited solely by the locals.
The independent traveller will have an impossible time finding accommodation in Monaco for the race weekend. And nearby towns like Menton, and even Nice and Cannes are usually booked out well in advance.
The alternative is to book onto a dedicated tour. These tours vary from four to 14 days and cater to all standards. The best advice when looking for a tour is to go with a specialist Motor Sport tour company like Australia's Temple Grand Prix that offers a fully escorted tour from Australia, and incorporates a land content only package for travellers from the USA and Asia who wish to make their own way to the Riviera.
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