Grand Prix
Catch the Grand Prix this year in one of several fabulous destinations
Go to: Grand Prix Explained
Super-fast cars, hair-raising manoeuvres and that all-important chequered flag. It can only mean one thing - Formula One Grand Prix is here again.
Fans of Formula 1 racing won't need any reminder that the Grand Prix is now well under way.
But if you don't know your Catalunya from your Coulthard, and if asked, you'd think Rubens Barrichello was a fancy sort of musical instrument, then fear not. Watching Formula 1 isn't all jargon and aerodynamics, and you can still enjoy the thrill of the race however much you know. And you'll enjoy it even more if you're right there in the thick of the action! But if Formula 1 still strikes a blank with you and you feel like you need to know more, then we've also got a speedy low-down for you right here (notebooks at the ready).
Luckily for us obsessive travel folk, Formula 1 takes place in some stunning destinations around the globe. And it's a great excuse to take yourself off for a weekend or more and soak up the action. The competition kicks off in Melbourne, and then continues throughout the season at the likes of Kuala Lumpur, Istanbul, Montreal, Budapest, Singapore, Shanghai, Sao Paulo, and many more.
The first European race of the season takes place in Barcelona. For more info, take a look at our highlights below...
Spanish Grand Prix - Barcelona
The first European race of the season kicks off on April 25th, at the Circuit de Catalunya in fabulous, cosmopolitan Barcelona. The city itself is in a league of it's own, and is the perfect spot for a weekend away. There's bustling tree-lined boulevards, stylish modern streets and cutting-edge bars. Not to be missed is the famous Las Ramblas, the city’s trendy main thoroughfare. You'll find shops, cafés and restaurants galore on this chic strip. And as if that's not enough, the city is known for being well at the forefront of everything - so make time to soak up the radical design and outrageous architecture around the city. From the swirling turrets and spires of Gaudi's Sagrada Familia, Barcelona’s key landmark, to the gingerbread houses of Parc Guell and Casa Batló, Barcelona is a city just waiting to be discovered.
If beaches are more your thing, then you won't be disappointed with Port Olympic. It's a glorious waterfront which is home to four kilometres of sandy beach, not to mention a host of restaurants, cafés and shops. You'll also find the gorgeous shores of Sitges just a short train journey away.
And for nightlife, Barcelona is right up there with the best. Take your pick from modern champagne bars to Gothic-style wineries. Bustling tapas cafés and sleek nightclubs. It's all there for the taking. But if you fancy something a little more laid-back, you'll find plenty of quieter night (or day) spots all over the city. Take yourself off to the old Gothic quarter for a truly Medieval experience. There's underground tapas bars, antique shops and stacks of beautiful sights for you to feast your eyes on. Just don't forget to watch the Grand Prix race...
Visit our hotels website for some great deals on hotels in Barcelona.
Monaco Grand Prix
Whether you come here for the Grand Prix or not, a visit to Monaco - playground of the rich and famous - is a truly unforgettable experience. Considered one of the world's most glamorous sporting events, the Monaco Grand Prix is an exciting spectacle that draws Formula 1 fans to its shores every year. Taking place over the weekend of 22nd, 23rd, 24th and 25th May 2008, the race itself is run on the very streets of Monaco, with plenty of narrow routes and tricky corners to be negotiated. Monaco has played host to this exciting spectacle since 1929, and is thought of by many as the jewel in the Formula 1 crown.
You only have to catch a glimmer of one of the sparkling yachts that line Monaco's Mediterranean shores to realise that this is the place to be. The Larvotto Beach is a great spot to catch some rays, and with Nice only a few miles away, you can easily stop by to Monaco on a day visit. Luckily for those planning to be here for the race, May is a great time to be in this gorgeous corner of the world. Typically warm and sunny, it's perfect for strolling along boutique-lined streets, browsing through the Monaco market or stopping to sip a frothy cappuccino at a pavement café.
And when the sun goes down and the atmosphere hots up, you’ll find plenty to keep you going throughout the evening and even into the early hours. Michelin-Starred restaurants. Chic wine bars. Top-notch baroque casinos, playing host to the uber-rich and famous. In short, you’ll never be short of some seriously stylish evening entertainment here in Monaco. Talk about living the high life...
Visit our hotels website for some great deals on hotels in Monaco and Nice.
