Monaco 2017 - best long weekend trip?
Discussion
Hi there, I'm looking for help from any F1 officianados and it will be gratefully recieved
I tried searching the archives but couldn't find much on this topic. Plan is a long weekedn trip to Monaco to watch the grand prix next year.
I guess my first question is, hotel viewing versus grandstand? Are the random/google hotel packages any good? They sound pretty good with viewing and catering often thrown in.
Secondly is it possible to stay in Monaco, but at a cheaper place without F1 views, and then get a grandstand ticket? Any ideas if this is better or worse in terms of viewing and flexibility of view?
Lastly - any pro-tips on things to see/do in the evenings? I found a reference to amber-lounge but that is above my price range unfortunately!
I tried searching the archives but couldn't find much on this topic. Plan is a long weekedn trip to Monaco to watch the grand prix next year.
I guess my first question is, hotel viewing versus grandstand? Are the random/google hotel packages any good? They sound pretty good with viewing and catering often thrown in.
Secondly is it possible to stay in Monaco, but at a cheaper place without F1 views, and then get a grandstand ticket? Any ideas if this is better or worse in terms of viewing and flexibility of view?
Lastly - any pro-tips on things to see/do in the evenings? I found a reference to amber-lounge but that is above my price range unfortunately!
I did Monaco in 2014 for my girlfriends 40th but on a budget and made a holiday out of it.
Car to south of France with an overnight stop in Grenoble, yes it's a bit out of the way but beautiful
We stayed in Menton for a week, apartment sea views etc and it was a 5 minute walk from the train station, train into Monaco from the Menton side is far less busy than those from Nice.
As for Grandstands we did "Z1" for the Thursday and Saturday, but I was to late booking so couldn't get tickets there for race day. It was good, there are viewing platforms and bars and restaurants in there to so your pretty self contained and handy for the bars after qualifying/ practice.
For race day we went to the Rocher, got there about 7am with our packed lunch and refreshments, got a great spot with fantastic views of the circuit. The wait was a bit of a pain but had good chat with some Germans beside us. My other half loved it and if I done Monaco again I'd love to be in the swimming pool area but would happily do the rocher again but we would take folding chairs next time rather than a picnic blanket and dump them after the race.
As for after the race we went for beers, managed to get a table at a restaurant for A Pizza, walked the track, had drinks at the Tip Top bar and enjoyed the views and all the Supercars that were out and got the train back to Menton at 10 or 11pm after a great day.
Car to south of France with an overnight stop in Grenoble, yes it's a bit out of the way but beautiful
We stayed in Menton for a week, apartment sea views etc and it was a 5 minute walk from the train station, train into Monaco from the Menton side is far less busy than those from Nice.
As for Grandstands we did "Z1" for the Thursday and Saturday, but I was to late booking so couldn't get tickets there for race day. It was good, there are viewing platforms and bars and restaurants in there to so your pretty self contained and handy for the bars after qualifying/ practice.
For race day we went to the Rocher, got there about 7am with our packed lunch and refreshments, got a great spot with fantastic views of the circuit. The wait was a bit of a pain but had good chat with some Germans beside us. My other half loved it and if I done Monaco again I'd love to be in the swimming pool area but would happily do the rocher again but we would take folding chairs next time rather than a picnic blanket and dump them after the race.
As for after the race we went for beers, managed to get a table at a restaurant for A Pizza, walked the track, had drinks at the Tip Top bar and enjoyed the views and all the Supercars that were out and got the train back to Menton at 10 or 11pm after a great day.
I've described it a few times, but what the hell...I enjoyed it so it bears repeating 
Drive down through France in one hit (as I did - 13hrs) or stop off on way down.
I camped at Sospel, very quiet that time of year, no pre-booking required 8-9 Euros a night with wifi. Beautiful views over the valley below, quiet and peaceful.
The Col De Turini runs past the site entrance pretty much!!
Drive into Menton, park up (not easy)
Catch the train into Monaco (5 euros return)
Rascasse general admission and sit/stand in the bushes with everyone else, big screen in front, view of the whole of Monaco, med and mountains and the cars from the swimming pool through to the start finish straight.
70 euros
Saturday did the same
Friday is free.
Drive back through France as before...via Route Napoleon
The roads and scenery completely out classed the F1 spectacle.
Drive down through France in one hit (as I did - 13hrs) or stop off on way down.
I camped at Sospel, very quiet that time of year, no pre-booking required 8-9 Euros a night with wifi. Beautiful views over the valley below, quiet and peaceful.
The Col De Turini runs past the site entrance pretty much!!
Drive into Menton, park up (not easy)
Catch the train into Monaco (5 euros return)
Rascasse general admission and sit/stand in the bushes with everyone else, big screen in front, view of the whole of Monaco, med and mountains and the cars from the swimming pool through to the start finish straight.
70 euros
Saturday did the same
Friday is free.
Drive back through France as before...via Route Napoleon
The roads and scenery completely out classed the F1 spectacle.
Thanks both - really useful things for me to check out!
I should have said, given this is a car forum! that we'll be flying down and then staying there for a couple of days, then flying back out.
Rascasse viewing sounds interesting, I am torn between being close to the cars and being able to actually see whats going on in the race (via TV!)
What is it like moving around on race day? is there an "inside" and an "outside" so you have to make sure you're in the right place?
I'll check out the z1 stand as well.
Has anyone been on one of the hotel packages where you get a room overlooking the race course and/or a roof balcony to watch from?
Menton sounds like a great tip if we stay outside of monaco.
I should have said, given this is a car forum! that we'll be flying down and then staying there for a couple of days, then flying back out.
Rascasse viewing sounds interesting, I am torn between being close to the cars and being able to actually see whats going on in the race (via TV!)
What is it like moving around on race day? is there an "inside" and an "outside" so you have to make sure you're in the right place?
I'll check out the z1 stand as well.
Has anyone been on one of the hotel packages where you get a room overlooking the race course and/or a roof balcony to watch from?
Menton sounds like a great tip if we stay outside of monaco.
I went this year, Flew out Wednesday, stayed in Nice and caught the train in each day. Loved it, it's something every F1 fan should do at least once.
Different stand each day (Thursday was Casino Square, Friday everywhere is open for some support races. Saturday was at Anthony Noghes and Sunday was at La Rascasee).
I took some photos showing the views from each stand and a few from walking about over the weekend.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/94169616@N03/albums/7...
Different stand each day (Thursday was Casino Square, Friday everywhere is open for some support races. Saturday was at Anthony Noghes and Sunday was at La Rascasee).
I took some photos showing the views from each stand and a few from walking about over the weekend.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/94169616@N03/albums/7...
It was busy on race day, obviously there are bits you can't go down without the right ticket but post race the track is open and all the Bars and Restaurants come alive,
So as soon as Drosberg won we (and everyone else) made for the exit, and a cold beer.
We went here to this street first for Beers and Pizza, as there were a few big restaurants here and service is quick as it's a limited menu 16 Rue Princesse Caroline, 98000 Monaco https://goo.gl/maps/6VFAoUGAJaC2
So as soon as Drosberg won we (and everyone else) made for the exit, and a cold beer.
We went here to this street first for Beers and Pizza, as there were a few big restaurants here and service is quick as it's a limited menu 16 Rue Princesse Caroline, 98000 Monaco https://goo.gl/maps/6VFAoUGAJaC2
This is all really useful - thankyou!
I hadn't thought of different stands each day but that sounds like a good way to see different parts of the circuit. I think I'll go for the K stand on race day as that sounds "the best"....and my wife can watch for celebrities (as well as the race).
A good tip on restaurants as well because I hate waiting when I'm hungry :-)
I hadn't thought of different stands each day but that sounds like a good way to see different parts of the circuit. I think I'll go for the K stand on race day as that sounds "the best"....and my wife can watch for celebrities (as well as the race).
A good tip on restaurants as well because I hate waiting when I'm hungry :-)
johnoz said:
I did a balcony trip this year, run by ordinary people, arrived at 8.30 left 21.30 best day far, did not get wet, drank all what was on offer, ate all they cooked.
Compared to a grand stand seat, sitting in the rain (2016) all morning had own toilets. etc etc
Ok thanks - hand't thought about the weather! Do you know know the name of the hotel?Compared to a grand stand seat, sitting in the rain (2016) all morning had own toilets. etc etc
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