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Historic Grand Prix

10 day driving holiday

Sample itinerary based on our 2007 tour

Magnificent scenery through northern Spain, stunning overnight accommodation in traditional paradors, dinner on the Douro, tastings in port wine cellars and historic racing at its best, all feature on this tour.. Also, for those wanting to display their cars there is a classic car exhibition area where you will also be given the opportunity to take part in parade laps of the circuit.

Wednesday

Check in at Plymouth for the 1200h sailing of Brittany Ferries to Santander. Comfortable en suite cabin accommodation is reserved for you. Meet us for a welcome drinks reception and then enjoy free time on the ship.

Thursday - 260 miles

Arrival at Santander is scheduled for 0830h.  Leaving the port our scenic route takes us on the coastal side of the Picos mountains and then along the Cantabrian coast making the most of the coastal scenery of Asturias and onwards into Galicia. We will stay this evening at the Parador of Vilalba, with its 15th century tower. There is a secure underground garage and we will enjoy dinner in the hotel restaurant.

Friday - 180 miles

After breakfast at the hotel we continue south to Portugal. En route there is an opportunity to visit Santiago de Compostela, the capital of Galicia, where you can stop for coffee  and see the magnificent cathedral. 

We will continue through Galicia, past the Rias Bajas, the small estuaries and mussel beds along the coast. We pass through the Minho region of northern Portugal to the city of Oporto and should arrive by the mid afternoon. There is a choice of hotels and accommodation is reserved for you for four nights on bed and breakfast basis. This evening we have a welcome dinner cruise aboard a boat on the Douro River.

Saturday

After breakfast board the shuttle bus from the hotel to take you the circuit to watch the practice sessions. Seats are included in grandstand A on the Castelo do Queijo roundabout. The shuttle bus between the circuit and the hotels will be available throughout the day so you can return to your hotel after lunch for a siesta! Your race tickets also include access to the social and technical paddocks.

This evening the high society ball takes place, held in the fine old stock exchange building in the old city centre and we can arrange tickets for you if you wish.  Alterntively, explore the many cafés and restaurants along the old waterfront.

Sunday

After breakfast take the bus back down to the circuit for race day. There is a small tourist train to transfer you to the paddock. Your passes also give you grandstand seating.

This evening we have arranged dinner in the city’s oldest Port Lodge with a pre-dinner cellar tour. We can also offer tickets to the Gala prize giving and dinner with the competitors on the beach.  This is optional and will incur a supplement.

Monday

Today we are taking a full day to explore the spectacular Douro valley. We will travel some distance on the picturesque railway which follows the river and some distance by boat on the river itself. Lunch will be taken at the colonial-style Relais Chateau hotel, built by Taylors Port, riverside at Pinhao. We will also visit a Quinta and have the opportunity to taste and learn about the wines from here.

Tuesday - 265 miles

Depart from your hotel in Porto after breakfast for the drive through the mountains of inland Portugal to the Spanish border near Cuidad Rodrigo, where we will make a comfort stop. From here it is a short drive to the amazing university city of Salamanca where you can take lunch at your leisure and spend some time visiting the historic centre. In the late afternoon continue your drive to Zamora, another picturesque historic city, for an overnight stop at the Parador located in a 15th century Renaissance palace.  We will have dinner here this evening.

Wednesday - 200 miles

Today the driving is spectacular! Leaving the sultry Castillian plains around Léon we head into the high Picos de Europa mountains with rivers with great dams and waterfalls and eagles soaring around the summits. Tonight we stay in the highest area of the mountains at the Parador of Fuente Dé with an opportunity to take a cable car ride to the nearest peak. Dinner is included this evening.

Thursday - 85 miles

An opportunity to have a leisurely morning, perhaps with lunch on the Cantabrian coast around Comillas or at picturesque Santillana del Mar where there are world famous prehistoric cave paintings. It is a relaxed drive back to Santander where we need to arrive by 1430h for the 1500h crossing to Plymouth.

Friday

Arrival in Plymouth is at 0930h.

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3 nights by air

Sample itinerary based on our 2007 tour

Our flight tour gives those with less time available to them, the opportunity to take part in all the activities we have planned during the weekend as well as to watch the racing.

Friday

We depart from London Gatwick at 1350h by scheduled flight of TAP Air Portugal and arrive in Oporto 1555h. You will be met on arrival and taken by coach on the short journey into the centre of Oporto and to your hotel. . There is a choice of hotels and all are described below. This evening coaches will arrive to take you to the welcome dinner cruise on board a boat on the Douro River.

Saturday

After breakfast, board the shuttle bus from the hotel to take you to the circuit to watch the practice sessions. Seats are included in grandstand A on the Castelo do Queijo corner after the pit straight for both Saturday and Sunday. A shuttle bus will take you back to your hotel after lunch if you wish. Your race tickets also include access to the social and technical paddocks.

This evening the high society ball takes place in the fine old stock exchange building in the old city centre and we can arrange tickets for you.  Alternatively,  explore the many cafés and restaurants along the old waterfront.

Sunday

After breakfast take the bus back down to the circuit for race day. There is a small tourist train to transfer to the Paddock.

You will have access to the automobilia fair and artwork exhibition.

This evening we have arranged dinner in the city’s oldest Port Lodge with a pre-dinner cellar tour. We can also offer tickets to the Gala prize giving and dinner with the competitors on the beach.  This is optional and will incur a supplement.

Monday

After breakfast in the hotel  most of the day is free for you to do some sightseeing or shopping.  Your transfer to the airport will be in the late afternoon for the 1935h flight to London Gatwick arriving at 2140h.

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Our Hotels, Porto

Hotel Ibis * *

As you would expect hotel is modern, spacious and comfortable. There is a restaurant, bar and plenty of parking. The hotel is situated 4km from the centre of Oporto and is well situated for access to the circuit.

Hotel Fenix Porto * * * *

This hotel has an excellent location situated in the heart of the cultural, commercial and business centre of the Boavista, half way between the circuit and the old part of the city. There is a secure car park. The hotel serves an extensive buffet breakfast daily and there is a pleasant bar where snacks are available.

Hotel Ipanema Park * * * * *

Strategically located between the city centre and just a few minutes from the motorway, the Ipanema Park is not only luxurious but very convenient. There is a  large, secure, underground car park. This hotel has its own shops and health suite with indoor and also outdoor rooftop swimming pool. There is a large bar, which often has live music. The hotel has a good restaurant, which serves breakfast lunch and dinner.

Hotel Porto Palacio * * * * *

The Palacio has recently been updated in a very contemporary and luxurious fashion. The hotel is located opposite the Sheraton and is very close to the circuit. The Palacio is a favourite with the drivers during the event and has a health club with two swimming pools. There is a very good restaurant and bar in the hotel.

Hotel Sheraton * * * * *

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VIP village pass

You can upgrade your race tickets to have the full VIP village pass. This not only includes access to Grandstand A and access to the social and technical paddocks but also to the VIP marquee. The marquee is located on the sea front where you have access to the free bar on all three days and lunch in the VIP restaurant at the circuit on Saturday and Sunday.

Supplement per person £110

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Gala Ball

For those wanting to add a touch more glamour to their visit to Oporto they can attend the gala ball and dinner at the stock exchange on Saturday evening. This promises to be a grand affair with excellent food and wine.

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