For the sports enthusiast, there’s nothing more exciting than following your favourite game or race around the world. Fortunately, Formula 1 makes doing so easy for its fans. Each year, the multi-billion dollar sport traverses the globe, racing in Australia, Miami, and everywhere in between. As of 2023, there are 24 races on the calendar, none more iconic than the Grand Prix De Monaco.
The oldest and last remaining street track on the F1 circuit, Monaco is as beautiful as it is historic, with tickets to race weekend some of the sport’s most coveted. Though the race is an experience in itself, combining it with a motorsport-themed tour of Italy, France, and Monaco raises the bar entirely. Join Globus and Sportsnet on an 11-day tour, and you’ll not only get tickets to the hottest race of the season, but you’ll also party Monegasque-style on a super yacht, visit the birthplace of Ferrari, and drive the Cinque Terra.
What’s involved in the Monaco Formula 1 tour?
Day 1
Your adventure of a lifetime starts in Milan, Italy. Here, you’ll meet your tour group and director over an authentic Milanese welcome dinner. Rest up in the city overnight, ready to embark on your journey in the morning.
Day 2
Day two begins bright and early with a guided tour of the medieval Castello Sforzesco. Though there’s no official guided tour of Teatro alla Scala, it’s highly recommended you pop in to admire the rich history of the building before heading to lunch at the commune of Busseto. Then, it’s onwards to Modena, where you will spend the next two nights.
Day 3
Modena is a region known to produce some of the most luxurious sports cars in the world. Fittingly, the first pit stop today will be Museo Ferrari.
You’ll be privy to Ferrari road and track cars from different eras, alongside photographs, trophies, and other memorabilia in the museum. The Ferrari test tract is also within this tour, where you can see the history of testing these cars since 1972.
The afternoon is at your leisure and is best spent trying some balsamic vinegar in Acetaia Leonardi.
Day 4
Motorsport enthusiasts will remember this day forever as they spend the day touring the birthplace of Pagani, Lamborghini, and Ducati.
At Museo Horacio Pagani, browse the renowned Italian sports car’s exclusive showrooms, design offices, and assembly lines. Then, set off to the largest city of the Emilia-Romagna region in Northern Italy, Bologna, where you’ll see cars come to life within the Museo Lamborghini. The final stop of the day is Museo Ducati.
Day 5
Watch the landscapes change as you make your way from Bologna towards the Cinque Terre. Once there, join a guided boat tour to Monterosso, where you can swim, wander the colourful town, or enjoy a spritz at your leisure. Finally, board a train to Rapallo and spend the night in La Spezia.
Day 6
Gaze out the window at the cliffs and spectacular coastal scenery as you drive along the world-famous Italian and French Riviera on your way to Monaco. On arrival, enjoy an all-inclusive lunch followed by a tour of the affluent micro-country. Marvel at the overt displays of wealth in the Place du Casino, window-shop private for private planes and yachts, and climb up to Place du Palais for a spectacular view of Monaco.
After a day in the city, you’ll be moving on to Nice, where you’ll spend the next five nights.
Day 7
The morning of day seven will be your first taste of the Monaco Grand Prix. Head to the Circuit De Monaco and board the exclusive F1 yacht, ‘Sirroco’, moored in the marina opposite your seats in grandstand L. It’s the quintessential Monaco experience. Soak in the views and expect a visit from one of the drivers.
At the end of the day, take the 30-minute trip back to Nice.
Day 8
Back in Monaco, it’s practice session time. Take your seat in grandstand L between turns 14 and 15. From here, you’ll catch all of the trackside action and might even be able to sneak a peek into the pit lane.
Again, it’s an overnight in Nice.
Day 9
Day three of the Monaco Formula 1 is qualifying, where the 20 drivers are vying for tomorrow’s pole position. Held in three sessions (Q1, Q2, and Q3), qualifying sets the grid lineup from twentieth through to pole position, with the top ten fastest drivers of the day being the only ones to make it to Q3. Watch all the action from your grandstand seats and cheer on your favourite driver.
A day at the track is followed by a dinner in Nice, where you can relax and debrief with your fellow travellers.
Day 10
Today is the day the tour group has been waiting for. It’s race day.
Head back to grandstand L and take your place for lights out. Listen to the crowd roar as local Monegasque driver Charles LeClerc navigates through the iconic tunnel and along the marina at speeds of up to 290 kilometres per hour.
Once the winner has collected their trophy, head back to Nice for the final evening.
Day 11
As you conclude this once-in-a-lifetime adventure, you’ll say goodbye to the tour director and fellow travellers over a late breakfast. Then, it’s up to you to continue the adventure, making your own way to your next destination.
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Lead image: Clive Rose Getty Images