A dream trip from Grand Prix Tours:

**Gatorrari** · #1 02-12-2005, 05:52 PM

I just got the new catalog from Grand Prix Tours (it was bundled with "Racer" magazine), and there is an incredible two-week combination of four tours available for those who can afford it. (Sadly, I am not one of them.) It is made possible by the fact that Monza and Spa are on consecutive weekends. Consider this itinerary:

Mon., 8/29: Fly into Milan and transfer to hotel in Modena. Welcome dinner with Phil Hill. He will be host for the next three days.
Tue., 8/30: Visit the Lamborghini factory in the morning and a "private collection of cars & motorbikes" in the afternoon.
Wed., 8/31: Visit the Maserati factory in the morning, lunch at the Cavallino, visit the Galeria Ferrari and nearby stores in the afternoon.
Thur., 9/1: Visit the Alfa Romeo Museum, then transfer to hotel at Lake Como for four nights.
Fri., 9/2: To Monza for practice, where all grandstands are unreserved this day. Evening party aboard a paddle steamer.
Sat., 9/3: To Monza for qualifying, or spend the day at Lake Como.
Sun., 9/4: To Monza for the Italian G.P., followed by a farewell dinner in Como.
Mon., 9/5: Fly to Stuttgart and transfer to hotel; another welcome dinner with Phil Hill. Again, he will host the next three days.
Tue., 9/6: Visit the Porsche Museum & factory in the morning, then lunch and the afternoon at the Mercedes Museum.
Wed., 9/7: To Mulhouse and the French National Auto Museum (Schlumpf Collection). Overnight in Mulhouse.
Thur., 9/8: Visit the French National Railroad Museum, then on to Aachen for four nights.
Fri., 9/9: No planned activities except an evening party at the hotel.
Sat., 9/10: To Spa for qualifying.
Sun., 9/11: To Spa for the Belgian G.P.
Mon., 9/12: To Cologne/Bonn Airport for the flight home.

The minimum cost for the combined four tours (double occupancy) adds up to about $7750(US), and that does not include race tickets or airfare! Still, it's a fabulous opportunity for those with the resources.

tifosi4life · #2 02-12-2005, 11:49 PM

I did that Monza trip with PH in 1998. Worth EVERY penny. Probably the best week in my life.

Gilles27 · #3 02-13-2005, 09:45 AM

I was considering the Spa-only trip, for a long weekend. My problem with GP Tours is they are too over-priced. Bernie is selling you the convenience of one-stop shopping along with top selection, but with a hefty premium slapped on.

**jknight** · #4 02-13-2005, 10:18 PM

We tend to do F1 trips on our own. We don't get a "party" with a guest driver instead, we can do several races with the money saved. We can do the same museums and stay closer to the race and operate on our own schedule. The majority of the races we attend are done on long weekends. But then, this type of travel is not for everyone.

Carol

**tifosi12** · #5 02-16-2005, 09:29 AM

Grand Prix Tours is overpriced. I would only use them when nothing else is available. E.g. the French GP seems almost "undoable" (is that a word?) without them offering the ship as a hotel. Other tracks like Montreal are easy on your own.

Anthony_Ferrari · #6 02-16-2005, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tifosi4life

I did that Monza trip with PH in 1998. Worth EVERY penny. Probably the best week in my life.

I went to Maranello and Monza in 1998, but I arranged everything myself. However I happened to be in the Galleria in Maranello when Phil was giving a guided tour, so I tagged along!

**tifosi12** · #7 02-16-2005, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimpern

I just got the new catalog from Grand Prix Tours (it was bundled with "Racer" magazine), .

As much as I like RACER magazine, the fact that they had a two page on Grand Prix Tours rubbed me the wrong way. It sounded more like an ad than a report.

PS: Check out the letters to the editor in the last edition...

parkerfe · #8 02-16-2005, 02:21 PM

Check out the F1 tour packages at www.owners.ferrari.com . You can even fly on the same plane as the Ferrari team! They seem to have the best packages IMHO.