Travel Blog by Monte Carlo, a city of glamour, fast cars and playboys. And there is no better time to see all of these things than during the last weekend of May when the city is throbbing with the roar of the Formula 1 car engines.
Many people do not even make it as far as the town itself - they are stuck in their rented Renault Modus' on the A8, having expected to be able to drive and park in the town. Park in Monte Carlo? You cannot even find somewhere to park in this town when the roads are open to traffic! So, a word from the wise - take the train!
This was my first year at the GP itself. I have been before but did not have tickets and was too miserly to pay the Euro 600 for the two day pass. This time I was invited by a friend who owns an apartment with a terrace that overlooks the track. At least I did not have to sit on those rather uncomfortable pastic seats all day (and did not need to pay Euro 600 for the pleasure).
The noise of the cars has to be experienced - although most people brought earplugs to block out some of it. As you can see from the photos, we could see the cars racing but could not really tell what was happening in the race itself. Luckily, my friend has a large LCD TV screen and so we were half watching the race on the TV, courtesy of ITV! I don't know how the spectators in those plastic seats know what is happening - you get a glimpse of something flashing past at 180mph or 130mph if you are on one of the sharper bends and that is it.
Anyway, for me Monte Carlo is an experience - it is more than just the race. It is about the people, the atmosphere and the cars. Would I go again? Yes, especially if it was free... but I would actually choose to go on the Friday before race day when you can walk the track, see the pits and the cars at close range and hang out at the casino, where almost every Enzo that exists in Europe seems to be parked.
Comments
Alexandra says...
Great experience - I'd love to do that. The prices are totally prohibitive though aren't they? Did you have to spend a lot on accommodation etc too?
Posted 518 days ago.
GreenHippo says...
Hi Alexandra
Yes, it can be expensive with hotels at £300+++, flights at £400 (even on the bargain basement airlines) and actual tickets for the event costing £400 for one day.
However, it is possible to get the same experience on a budget. My advice would be:
1. Book flights now for next year
2. Stay in a hotel that is not in Monaco, unless you have an unlimited budget (by the way, if you have that unlimited budget it is possible to kill two birds with one stone and stay in one of the MC hotels that has a view of the track!). The train service into Monaco is wonderful and therefore, you can stay in Nice or Cannes and take the train (about a 30 to 45 min trip and an experience in its own right as the scenery is beautiful!)
3. Make sure that you go on the Friday - you can enter MC free of charge, walk around the track, watch the drivers and mechanics preparing the cars in the pits and enjoy the overall buzz.
4. Take the train there on Sunday (final day) and go to the Rue Grimaldi. You do not need a ticket to get to this area, and whilst you will not be able to see the race itself you can sit in one of the bars with the fans, watching the race on a big TV - to be honest, you will have better information about what is happening than the people who have paid £400 or £500 for their tickets in one of the grandstands!
Anyway, I will be there next year, so if you decide to come over, let me know and I will give you more suggestions....
Posted 518 days ago.
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