Historic Monaco 2006

Historic Grand Prix weekend in Monaco is very special. Thousands of people fill the grandstands but the atmosphere remains relaxed and everyone enjoys the sight and sounds of pre and post-war racing cars on the tight street circuit.

Many of the original buildings around the track have long since been bulldozed and smart new hotels and shops have risen from the ashes. No-one talks about the Gasworks Hairpin these days and a new pit complex has eased pressure considerably on the modern F1 teams but, relatively speaking, the circuit has changed little since racing first began here in 1929.

Being plunged into darkness for ten seconds plus on every lap is a unique feature of Monaco. It is little wonder that the chicane is a hot spot coming as it does immediately after the tunnel exit and on one of the fastest sections of track. Amazingly, in the history of the race, only two cars have ended up in the water, most famously Alberto Ascari in 1955, although the film ‘Grand Prix’ might lead you to believe it’s a more common occurrence.

Overall, few would disagree that Monaco is a most unsuitable place to run a race. How nice then that once again, in 2008, they’ll be running two!

Join us on this delightful weekend in a choice of hotels by air from London and regional airports. Alternatively, our grand driving tour will lead you there on a well- chosen route and through spectacular scenery of vineyards, lakes and mountains with comfortable overnight stops along the way.

Fly from Heathrow, Gatwick or regional airports and stay in a choice of hotels in and around the Principality. Grandstand seats for Saturday and Sunday are included and hospitality is available as an optional extra. For alternative arrangements or longer stays please ask – we’ll be happy to organise it for you!

Fly from Gatwick at 0640h or from Heathrow at 0855h to Nice. On arrival you will be met and taken to your hotel where accommodation is reserved for you for three nights. For hotel descriptions and prices see opposite. Accommodation at all hotels is on bed and breakfast basis.

At leisure to enjoy as you wish and to come and go to your grandstand to watch the practice sessions on Saturday and the racing on Sunday.

You will be taken back to Nice Airport in good time for your flight to Gatwick departing at 1020h or to Heathrow at 1250h.

9th May, London Heathrow 0855, arrive Nice 1155
12th May, Nice 1250, arrive London Heathrow at 1350
flying with bmibaby

9th May, London Gatwick 0640, arrive Nice 0940
12th May, Nice 1020, arrive London Gatwick at 1120
flying with British Airways

Prices are based on flights from London Heathrow or Gatwick to Nice as detailed in the itinerary. Alternative flights from London and regional airports can also be reserved for you. All flights are subject to availability and should any supplements be applicable due to increased airfares at the time of booking you will be advised before your booking is confirmed.

From the rooftop – which is covered – of the Shangri-La building, you can see the start/finish, Ste Devote, the Avenue d’Ostende up to Hotel de Paris, the exit of the tunnel, the chicane, Tabac corner, swimming pool curves and Rascasse – approximately 60% of the circuit. You will also see a giant screen. The view is phenomenal and the service and catering are equally impressive. With a welcoming breakfast, a superb buffet lunch each day, an open champage bar, TV screens and hostess service you will enjoy an excellent weekend’s racing.

Roof terrace viewing supplement: £725 per person for Saturday & Sunday, £515 per person for Sunday only

You can take an exhilarating helicopter flight between Nice Airport and Monaco as an alternative to our included transport by road. Flying time is just 7 minutes each way and the views you will get of the picturesque coastline are wonderful. Arriving in Monaco by helicopter transport between the heliport and your hotel is provided. Flying from Monaco your pick up time at the hotel and helicopter flight will be timed to allow you ample time to check in for your onward flight to the UK.

Nice Airport to Monaco - £65 per person
Monaco to Nice Airport - £50 per person
Nice Airport to Monaco & Return - £95 per person

For this event grandstand seats are not numbered. You can take a different grandstand each day, as they are all priced the same, you just
have to tell us which ones you want. There are a few grandstands which traditionally are not opened for this event - namely E on the chicane, Z and Rocher - which are standing areas in any case and C at Portier

Hotel Boeri ** A small family-run hotel well located on the street where France adjoins Monaco. Just beneath is the market and the Boulevard des Moulins – one of the main shopping areas – and not ten minutes walk is Casino Square. Bedrooms have bathroom, TV, telephone and air-conditioning.
Hotel de France ** A small hotel located just off the rue Grimaldi and close to many shops, restaurants and just five minutes walk to the circuit. The hotel is fully modernised and rooms are comfortable and bright with shower, wc, TV and telephone. The hotel has a lounge and bar.
Novotel *** Newly built and just five minutes walk from Casino Square. Excellent facilities include a bar, restaurant and swimming pool and gym and bedrooms are bright and inviting.
Hotel Alexandra *** Just a couple of minutes from Casino Square this is an excellent and popular hotel. There are plenty of shops and restaurants close by. Bedrooms have bathroom TV and telephone. Breakfast is served in your room.
Marriott Cap d’Ail **** A modern hotel on the border of France and Monaco and close to the sports stadium, heliport , the beach and Fontvieille marina. The hotel has a bar, restaurant and swimming pool and bedrooms are very comfortable with excellent amenities. The hotel offers a shuttle service into Monte Carlo.
Le Meridien Beach Plaza**** A splendid hotel in a quiet location. It is the only hotel in Monaco with a private beach. In addition there are indoor and outdoor swimming pools, an inviting lounge and bar and a 24-hour restaurant. Bedrooms are spacious and well-appointed.
Columbus **** One of the newest properties, elegantly modern and with excellent facilities. The pool deck with terrace café, popular bar and bistrot style restaurant add to its appeal and bedrooms are attractive and comfortable.
Fairmont L Located on the famous hairpin the hotel has its own casino, a pool deck with sun terrace and gym, a large piano-bar and a choice of restaurants. Front desk services are excellent and bedrooms are spacious.

A relaxed itinerary through the best of the French countryside. Dinner on four evenings is included.

Check in at Dover for a mid-afternoon crossing to Calais. On arrival it is just 50kms to our hotel – a beautiful converted mill – where we will get to know fellow travellers over dinner which includes drinks.

Today we continue to Reims for a visit to the historic Grand Prix circuit before continuing the journey south to Burgundy. Our hotel this evening is close to Dijon and we will enjoy a guided tour of the vinyards and a tasting before dinner in a wine cellar just a few minutes walk from the hotel.

Continuing south today the scenery gradually changes. Crisp, clean lakes and the foothills of the Alps signal our arrival in Aix-les-Bains – a popular rally stop and spa resort – where accommodation and dinner is reserved for us in a comfortable hotel.

Some serious driving today up into the Alps, across major passes and on smaller roads which have over the years hosted stages of the Monte Carlo Rally. Eventually the deep blue Mediterranean comes into view and the scenery is spectacular as you descend towards the coast. Accommodation is reserved for three nights at the Meridien Beach Plaza Hotel on bed and breakfast basis and garage space is also reserved for you. In the early evening we will meet for cocktails in the bar and the evening is then free to enjoy as you wish.

At leisure in Monaco to visit the car auction, to watch practice sessions and the races. Grandstand tickets for both days are included.

Time to leave Monaco and begin the return journey. The route will take you north via Grasse and Gap to Grenoble and then through the Beaujolais hills to Beaune. Accommodation is reserved in a comfortable hotel in the centre of town. In the evening we will visit a local wine cellar for tasting and have dinner in a local restaurant.

After breakfast we leave Beaune and continue the drive to Calais arriving in good time for an early evening sailing to Dover.

Why not carry on from Monaco to the Mille Miglia which departs from Brescia on Thursday 15 May. Join our group in Italy to witness the best bits of the Mille Miglia route and take in some private collections and museums around the Emilia Romagna.

We propose that you take a few days to relax after the Historic Weekend before joining the Mille Miglia tour in the Italian Lakes.

Wednesday 14 May

Today we will again arrange a minibus to take us to nearby Brescia for the start of the Mille Miglia. You can spend the day absorbing the atmosphere and viewing the cars at close quarters. We will meet for an excellent lunch at one of Brescia’s oldest restaurants. In the evening you can watch the whole field leave from the famous starting ramp, or we can also arrange a bar to view the cars on the route through the town. The coach will return us to the hotel at the end of the evening.

Today we drive to Mantova to visit this historic city and the very special museum dedicated to its famous son – Nuvolari. Afterwards we continue to Modena and to visit delightful and extensive private collections of cars. Our hotel this evening is close to Maranello and we will have dinner in the hotel restaurant.

We will spend some time today visiting the Galleria Ferrari, passing the Ferrari factory and the Fiorano test track. You can then either drive via Bologna and into the Apennines, or come into Modena for free time then meet at a prearranged bar fronting the route, to watch the Mille Miglia come through during the afternoon. Tonight we will dine at an excellent restaurant near Modena.

From Modena we begin our drive north, stopping in the lovely city of Verona at lunchtime. From there we continue towards the Brenner Pass and into the Dolomites, to stay at Merano in a comfortable four star hotel with spa facilities, dinner will be taken at the hotel.

Today we have the chance to drive over the Stelvio or one of the nearby passes, depending on weather conditions, and into Switzerland. Dinner and overnight will be in Davos.

Today we cross through Switzerland and back into France. We have arranged a visit to the Schlumpf Collection at Mulhouse this afternoon. Then we will stay nearby in Alsace in a picturesque wine village and enjoy local cuisine within walking distance of the hotel.

We drive up the route des vins, one of the prettiest vineyard trails in the world and then head towards the north of France for our final evening at a Michelin-starred Chateau, you are promised a special dinner here!

Continue with a short drive to Calais to check in for your reserved ferry crossing to Dover.

For further details, to check availability and to make a booking please call us on 0845 003 2213