Headed to Monaco Grand Prix then down to Maranello

The Casino is a rip off... it is far from black tie.... more like euro trash jeans and big gold chain... I think on Saturday night they actually ask that you have a jacket, unless a sponsor has taken over for the evening... really its SO disapointing... it Aint Like James Bond.... the place to be is the sporting club over the weekend... not only do they use the patio as a chopper pad for the drivers, but that is where all the action takes place with the teams and sponsors... Rosies, tip top, Le Bar, are all tourist traps... where you will spend $120 on a soda... if that is your thing.

Louis XV at the Hotel de Paris IS worth having dinner in, if you can get a reservation... dont do lunch .... not at all same menu or quality, but the prices are double from about May 1st to June 1st...

I hope you have a good time, Monaco is something every racing nut should do, but for me its been disapointing each time Ive been there... you just dont see a whole lot, and you cant walk around the track at all so you have to have a seat.... however it is cool to be in a cafe and hear an F-1 car scream by and never see it!

Sante!

Tom

 

Thanks for your input. We're giving Monaco a try this year (as you said, something every racing nut should do!). We've attended many F1 races at various European circuits and have always been able to walk the track after the race, paid much less for good seats, always had a large tv for viewing, easier access and wouldn't begin to spend $120 for a soda and the list goes on . . . In Spa, after the day's activities we'd go to one of two grocery stores in Stavelot and buy our goodies for the next day. We've ventured out from F1 this year - (the only good racing we saw last year was in Imola - MS and Alonso) - we're headed to the San Marino GP again - an annual thing - but going to 24 hours of Le Mans, ALMS, vintage racing in the UK, possibly the last DTM race at Hockenheim. Bernie saved us some money this year as we won't be making an annual trek to Spa.

Carol

 

I went to the GP last year and it was amazing. Between practise sessions the track is open. If you go to the Casino Square you'll see exotic cars coming from everywhere. It's very much a "look at me" experience but what the heck.

You may also want to visit the Musée de l'Automobile near Bocca Cannes (it's right on the highway). They always have several Ferraris on exhibit.

Have fun!

Ciao, Peter

 

I get the feeling you are not into the night club routine. So if you are more casual, in Monaco for a touch of home, look for a restaurant called Le Texan. Decent Mexican food, and and ice cold Coors. If you want to give your wife a treat, and you should with a trip like this, skip a day in Monaco, and take her to Grasse. Its like the perfume production capital of the world. Not sure if it can be reached by train, so you may have to rent a car.

When in Marenello, I would make reservations ahead of time at Cavallino to avoid disappointment in the event a large club is in town to also see the factory.

You have the right Stand for the race, you have a terrific trip planned, and the fact that your wife is going along with this is a moment in history. When you return, ask her if she would like to move to Florida :}

 

Chateau Eza or Eze? We have an apartment in Eze Village which is about 10 km east of MC. Things to do: Go to St Jean Cap Ferrat and have lunch at Paloma Beach. If you like your cars, and you probably do, there's a great car museum at Aire Nord des Bréguières on the A8, about a 45 min-1 hour drive from MC.

Grasse for good perfume, although there's also a perfume factory in Eze Village.

Go to Tetou in Golfe Juan for Boullabaise, but be warned it's not cheap and they only accept cash.

 

The bouillabaise is also excellent in the port at St. Jean Cap Ferrat; the port in Beaullieu has a magnificent collection of floating palaces and is overlooked by the famous L'hotel Reserve probably the most expensive place you could ever visit. Without going as far West as St. Tropez, you can get some of the flavor of Beach clubs at the Hotel Eden Roc although its likely to be over run by NY LBO types who can be obnoxoius. On the Inferior Corniche, little is left of the original S of F Cote atmosphere of the Cary Grant and David Niven era excpet perhaps Menton and some parts of Villefranche so make the most of the flash at Monaco. There really is nothing quite like it in the US or anywhere else for that matter. You will see why the Europeans are able to take their cars for granted and ahve no real undestanding of the US phenomenon of spending all weekend polishing them or to boast how little mileage they have. To some extent Monaco is not a place where you are what you drive. Rather you drive what you like and no one cares a dang except the tourists who are awed !

 

Yep, that's in Eze village, which is a perché village about 1000 ft up on the first mountains overlooking the sea. It's very pretty, and there's the perfume factory, plus the ornamental gardens to wander round.

It's been 5 years since I was last there - not had the chance to go since moving to the US, but the wife and I are having our honeymoon at the end of may down there, including going to the GP. Can't wait.

 

Which I have done many times I always leave withthe exact same refrain..."..next time bring less clothes and more money..." ah..yes...the sporting club..unreal retractable roof..wild.. great events and don't forget Jimmy'z underneath...Eze romantic cap ferret ..my oh my on and on you will never come back!

 

'bring less clothes and more money' - BINGO !

One thing I will suggest for the both of you is to wear shoes you can easily slip off and on at the airports so security can check them.
Also, the less stuff in your pockets the better, not just for the security, but it's less stuff to lose.
And have photocopies of your tickets, iteneraries, etc. kept somewhere away from the originals.