Join us at the magical Historic Grand Prix of Monaco 2012 – a fairytale setting in which to enjoy the glory days of F1 motor racing. Our tour to the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique is studded with stunning overnight locations, you will travel through magnfiicent and varied scenery and stay in specially chosen, comfortable hotels where we will be warmly welcomed and will dine in style.
In Monaco we will stay in the Hotel Columbus in Fontvieille – a splendid three star property with excellent facilities and just 15 to 20 minutes walk from the track. The Monaco Historic GP tour is designed for classic and modern sports cars capable of driving good daily distances. You will always, however, have a choice of route each day so that you can decide to cover the journey in the least time or take the scenic route and sightsee along the way. Full routing and tourist notes will be sent to you and each evening you will be able to discuss the next day's itinerary and sightseeing opportunities with your knowledgeable tour guides.
Monday 7 May
The journey begins in Portsmouth where we take the overnight sailing to Caen. On board accommodation is reserved for you. After loading we will meet in the bar for a welcome drink and then the evening is free to enjoy as you wish.
Tuesday 8 May
Leaving Caen we are making our way to the banks of the River Loire at Saumur. There will be time en route to make a coffee stop, perhaps in the delightful Spa town of Bagnoles-de-l’Orne, perhaps at the Museum of the Le Mans Circuit or in the pretty riverside town of La Fleche. In Saumur we rendezvous at one of the wineries where we will enjoy a guided visit, tasting and lunch. Afterwards there’s time to stroll around Saumur itself or to visit one of the chateaux before making your way to our nearby hotel for the evening where we will also take dinner.
Wednesday 9 May
After breakfast we leave the Valley of the Kings and head south to the Dordogne. En route you may want to stop and reflect at the site of Oradour-sur-Glane - a village razed by the WW2 occupiers and left untouched to this day. South of Brive is the hilltop town of Rocamadour - a pilgrimage site since the 11th century. Our hotel this evening is on the banks of the Dordogne River, where we will enjoy dinner.
Thursday 10 May
Today we cross the forests and pastures of the Midi-Pyrenees on the edge of the Massif Central on our journey south. A highlight of the day's drive will be crossing the Gorge du Tarn on the magnificent Millau bridge. From here the scenery changes as we head down to the coast - vineyards appear as we enter the Languedoc and it is then not far to our overnight hotel and well-earned dinner, near Nimes.
Friday 11 May
Leaving the Bouches-du-Rhone, where the mighty river empties into the sea, we enter Provence and continue our journey along the beautiful coastline to the Cote d'Azur. After Marseilles are the majestic cliffs sheltering the seaside villages of Cassis and Bandol. Further east the landscape changes as you pass the famous resorts and beaches of St Tropez, Frejus, Cannes and Antibes. Finally, you drive along the famous Promenade des Anglais in Nice and continue around the many stunning bays to enter the Principality of Monaco. With the Alps to your left and the early Summer sunshine glistening
on the sparkling blue Mediterranean - this is the only way to arrive in Monte Carlo! Accommodation is reserved
for us for three nights on bed and breakfast basis. In the early evening you are invited to join us for a drink at a trackside venue and the paddocks are open for viewing.
Saturday 12 May & Sunday 13 May
After breakfast at the hotel each day you are free to watch practice, qualifying and the racing. Grandstand seats are included in the stand of your choice.
Monday 14 May
It's time to start the journey north and today's route takes us across the Alps on the Route Napoleon. After the pretty but stark landscapes we reach the Rhone Valley and the scenery changes again to orchards and vineyards. Our hotel for this evening is north of Valence where we will enjoy a tutored wine tasting before dinner.
Tuesday 15 May
Today we drive via Clermont Ferrand and then follow the Cher north - a region of splendid forests and meandering canals, rich arable farmland and plenty of small towns and villages. This is the heart of rural France. Finally we reach our hotel in the Touraine for our final evening in the Loire. Accommodation and dinner is reserved for us.
Wednesday 16 May
Time today to visit one of the nearby chateaux before making your way to Caen for the mid-afternoon sailing, arriving in Portsmouth at 2030h.
If this tour itinerary doesn't meet your requirements, please call us to speak to one of our specialists. We will discuss your plans and we can design a tour to specifically suit your needs. Whether you would prefer flights from a regional airport or would prefer to spend longer at the destination... we will be able to tailor make a tour to suit you - call us now on 0845 375 0300.
Fly from Gatwick or your prefered airport 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!
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