The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is the final Grand Prix in the 2010 Formula 1 World Championship season and is due to take place on the weekend of the 12th to the 14th of November 2010 at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. If you’re planning to go to the race, here is some information about the circuit and some of the area’s other attractions.

Abu Dhabi Overview

Abu Dhabi is the largest of the United Arab Emirates, which are situated in the south-east of the Arabian Peninsula. You can find out more about Abu Dhabi in our previous post about the emirate.

Getting to Abu Dhabi

The main airport for Abu Dhabi is Abu Dhabi International Airport. It’s situated about 32km from the centre of Abu Dhabi and is only about 15 minutes’ drive from the Yas Marina Circuit. A number of airlines operate flights to Abu Dhabi from the U.K. You can find out more in our previous post about Abu Dhabi International Airport.

The Yas Marina Circuit

The Yas Marina Circuit is situated on Yas Island, which is about 30 minutes’ drive from the centre of Abu Dhabi. The circuit, which was designed by Hermann Tilke, was completed in 2009 and the first Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was held there in November of that year.

Yas Marina Circuit is 5.554km long and has 21 corners. Formula 1 drivers aim to complete 55 laps of it. The grandstands are all covered and the circuit is also of note because it passes through the luxurious Yas Hotel.

Abu Dhabi Hotels

There are plenty of hotels to choose from in Abu Dhabi. You can learn more about some of these in our previous posts about Yas Island Hotels and Abu Dhabi Corniche Hotels.

Attractions in Abu Dhabi

The city of Abu Dhabi is a fascinating place to visit, with both historic and contemporary attractions. Yas Island, on which you’ll find the Yas Marina Circuit, is also home to attractions such as the Ferrari World Theme Park, Yas Gateway and the Yas Links Golf Course.

Other attractions within Abu Dhabi include the beautiful Sheikh Zayed Mosque, the Emirates Heritage Village, the Corniche, the Abu Dhabi Mall and the Al Meena Souk.

Essential Information

Abu Dhabi is 4 hours ahead of the U.K. and the currency used there is the Dirham.

Image: Nepenthes

The Brazilian Grand Prix is the eighteenth Grand Prix in the 2010 Formula 1 World Championship season and is due to take place on the weekend of the 5th to the 7th of November 2010 at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace in Interlagos, in the Brazilian city of São Paulo . If you’re planning to go to the race, here is some information about the circuit and some of the area’s other attractions.

São Paulo Overview

São Paulo is Brazil’s largest city and is situated in São Paulo State, in the south-east of the country. It’s a bustling city, with a range of attractions, so if you’re visiting Brazil for the Formula 1 Brazilian Grand Prix, it’s worth extending your stay so that you can explore the city.

Getting to São Paulo

The main international airport in the city is São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport. It’s situated about 25km from Downtown São Paulo and about 40km from the Autódromo José Carlos Pace. A number of airlines operate international flights to São Paulo.

You can travel between the centre of São Paulo and the Autódromo José Carlos Pace by bus, train, taxi or hire car.

The Autódromo José Carlos Pace

The Autódromo José Carlos Pace was completed in 1940. Originally known as Autódromo de Interlagos, its name was changed in 1985 in order to honour the Brazilian racing driver José Carlos Pace, who died in a plane crash in 1977.

The first Brazilian Grand Prix, in 1972, was held at the Interlagos Circuit, although it was not part of the official Formula 1 World Championship. The Brazilian Grand Prix was included on the official F1 World Championship calendar from 1973. It was hosted at Interlagos until 1977, in Rio de Janeiro in 1978, and at Interlagos in 1979 and 1980. The race then moved to Rio de Janeiro from 1981 until 1990, when it returned to Interlagos.

The circuit is 4.309km long and has 15 turns. Formula 1 drivers aim to complete 71 laps of it, and progress around it anti-clockwise.

Hotels in São Paulo

São Paulo has a wide range of hotels, so you should be able to find something to suit you whatever your budget. Hotels in São Paulo include the InterContinental São Paulo, the Radisson Hotel São Paulo Faria Lima, the Grand Hyatt São Paulo and the Renaissance Hotel São Paulo. Unfortunately, camping is not available at the circuit.

Attractions in São Paulo

If you’re extending your stay in São Paulo, you’ll find many things to see and do within the city. One of the city’s most popular attractions is Ibirapuera Park. It’s a great place to visit for a stroll or a picnic, and it’s also home to a number of other attractions, such as the Museu de Arte Moderna (Museum of Modern Art), the Museu de Arte Contemporânea (Museum of Contemporary Art), the Museu Afro Brazil (Afro-Brazil Museum) and the Planetário Professor Aristóteles Orsini (Professor Aristóteles Orsini Plantarium).

Other attractions in São Paulo include the historic city centre, São Paulo Zoo and the Mercado Municipal (Municipal Market).

Essential Information

São Paulo is 3 hours behind the U.K and the currency used is the Real.

Image: Marlon Hammes

South Korea Overview

Officially known as the Republic of Korea, South Korea is situated on the Korean Peninsula, in East Asia. Its only border is with North Korea. South Korea’s capital city is Seoul.

Getting to South Korea

The best way in which to get to South Korea is by air. South Korea’s main international airport is Incheon International Airport, which is situated about 70km to the west of Seoul. A number of airlines operate flights to Incheon Airport from the U.K.

The Korean International Circuit

The Korean International Circuit is situated in Yeongam, in the South Jeolla Province, in the south-west of South Korea.  It’s about 370km to the south-west of Seol, so if you hire a car at Incheon International Airport, it will take you about 5 hours to reach the circuit. Alternatively, you could take a high-speed train from Seoul to the town of Daebul and travel to the circuit from there.

The circuit was constructed in 2010 and should be completed just in time for the 2010 Formula 1 Korean Grand Prix. Designed by Hermann Tilke, it is comprised of a permanant section and a temporary section. The temporary section passes along the harbour.

There are 18 turns and 3 high-speed straights on the track, with the longest straight measuring 1.2km. The circuit is 5.621km long and the F1 drivers will aim to complete 55 laps of it.

Hotels near Yeongam

Yeongam is in a rural area of South Korea, so finding accommodation there isn’t easy. There are some hotels and guesthouses, such as the Shangria Beach Tourist Hotel and the Shinan Beach Hotel, in the nearby city of Mokpo, and there are also a number of hotels in the city of Gwangju. The city of Seoul, however, has a wide range of hotels for you to choose from.

Nearby Attractions

South Korea is a beautiful place and is well worth exploring. If you’re visiting South Korea for the F1 Korean Grand Prix, you may want to extend your stay and see some of the state’s many attractions.

The city of Mokpo, which is only a short distance from Yeongam, is home to a number of attractions,  including South Korea’s National Maritime Museum and the Mokpo Natural History Museum.

You could also spend some time exploring Seoul. Attractions in the city include the palaces of Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, the National Museum of Korea, N Seoul Tower and the Everland theme park.

Essential Information

South Korea is 8 hours ahead of the U.K and the currency used is the South Korean Won.

The Singapore Grand Prix, Formula 1′s only night race, is the fifteenth Grand Prix in the 2010 Formula 1 World Championship season and is due to take place on the weekend of the 24th to the 26th of September 2010 at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore. If you’re planning to go to the race, here is some information about the circuit and some of Singapore’s other attractions.

Singapore Overview

The city-state of Singapore is situated in South-East Asia. It’s an amazing mix of the historic and the contemporary, and is packed with attractions.

Getting to Singapore

The easiest way in which to get to Singapore from the U.K. is to fly to Singapore Changi Airport. More than 80 airlines operate flights to and from Singapore Changi Airport, and it’s only about 20 minutes’ drive from Marina Bay, where the F1 Singapore Grand Prix takes place.

Although you can hire a car during your stay in Singapore, it’s can be both complicated and expensive, so your best option is to use public transport to get around. There are shuttle buses which operate between the airport and the main hotels, and you can travel around Singapore and to the Marina Bay Street Circuit by bus, taxi or train (on Singapore’s metro system, the Singapore MRT).

The Marina Bay Street Circuit

The Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix takes place on the streets in the Marina Bay area of Singapore. Although Singapore was a venue for a Grand Prix during the 1960s and early 1970s, it first appeared on the F1 calendar in its current form in 2008 and has already gained a reputation as being one of the most challenging of the Grand Prix season.

The circuit stretches for 5.073km, and passes by the Raffles Hotel, Padang, over the Anderson Bridge and along Esplanade Drive. It has 23 turns, including Sheares Corner and Singapore Sling, and drivers aim to complete 61 laps of it.

Hotels in Singapore

There are many different hotels to choose from in Singapore, but be aware that room prices tend to increase at the time of the F1 Singapore Grand Prix, so it’s worth spending some time looking for a good deal before booking.

If you have deep pockets, try the expensive but luxurious Raffles Hotel Singapore (1 Beach Road, Singapore). Originally opened in 1887, the Raffles Hotel is now one of Singapore’s best-known landmarks and is known as being the birthplace of the “Singapore Sling” cocktail. The hotel has 103 suites, 15 bars and restaurants, a theatre, a gym, a swimming pool, a spa, a shopping arcade and even a museum.

Other hotels in Singapore include the Grand Pacific Hotel Singapore, the Fullerton Hotel, the Crowne Plaza Hotel Changi Airport, the Hilton Hotel Singapore and the Grand Hyatt Singapore.

Nearby Attractions

Singapore has plenty of attractions, so here are details of just some of the other things that you can see and do whilst you are there:

• The Singapore Flyer (30 Raffles Avenue, Singapore) – take a flight on Singapore’s version of the London Eye, the Singapore Flyer. At 165m tall, it’s actually 30m taller than its London equivalent, and offers stunning views across Singapore.
• Singapore Botanic Gardens (1 Cluny Road, Singapore 259569) – founded in 1859,  the Singapore Botanic Gardens contains a wide range of plants, including medicinal plants, bamboos, fruit trees, bonsai trees and palm trees. It is also home to the National Orchid Garden where you can see the world’s largest collection of tropical orchids. Other attractions within the Singapore Botanic Gardens include a number of sculptures, a visitor centre, a children’s garden and a botany centre.
• Universal Studios Singapore (Resorts World Sentosa, Sentosa, Singapore) - Singapore’s Universal Studios theme park is the perfect place to visit for a day out. Rides at the park include the Revenge of the Mummy thrill ride, the Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure and the Battlestar Galactica duelling rollercoasters. You can see a number of shows within the park, and there are also restaurants and shops there. Universal Studios Singapore is part of Resorts World Sentosa, which is situated on the island of Sentosa, about 10 minutes’ away from Singapore’s Central Business District. The resort also includes Singapore’s Marine Life Park and Maritime Xperiential Museum, as well as hotels, shops, bars and casinos. 
• Singapore Zoo (80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore, 729826) -set in a rainforest environment, Singapore Zoo is home to more than 2,500 animals, birds and reptiles, including lions, elephants, gibbons, baboons, white tigers, emus, Komodo dragons and snakes. You can  see a number of shows and watch the animals being fed, and the zoo also has several food outlets and a zoo shop.

Essential Information

Singapore is 8 hours ahead of the U.K. and the currency used there is the Singapore Dollar (SGD).

Image: Colina†ion

The Italian Grand Prix is the fourteenth Grand Prix in the 2010 Formula 1 World Championship season and is due to take place on the weekend of the 10th to the 12th of September 2010 at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza in Italy. If you’re planning to go to the race, here is some information about the circuit and some of the area’s other attractions.

Monza Overview

Monza is situated about 20km to the north of Milan, in Italy. Although its best known as the location of the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix, it also has a number of historic attractions, and is within easy reach of the famous Italian lakes, Lake Como, Lake Lugano and Lake Maggiore.

Getting to Monza

The easiest way to get to Monza is to fly to Milan and then hire a car and drive to Monza. It will take you about about 40 minutes to drive to Monza. You can’t drive within Monza Park, so you’ll need to park your hire car nearby and then either walk or take a shuttle bus to the circuit. Alternatively, you can travel between Milan and Monza by rail.

Autodromo Nazionale di Monza

The Autodromo Nazionale di Monza is situated in Monza Park, in Monza, and first opened in 1922. The second ever Italian Grand Prix was held there on the 10th of September that year (the 1921 Italian Grand Prix having been held at Brescia). The track has undergone many changes since then, partly due a number of fatal accidents that occurred there.

The current circuit is 5.793 km long and the Formula 1 drivers aim to complete 53 laps of it. There are 11 main turns and two main straights, and highlights of the circuit include the Variante Ascari chicane and the Cruva Parabolica.

Camping and Hotels

If you want to immerse yourself in the Grand Prix atmosphere, the best way to do so is to camp at one of campsites near the Monza circuit. You can camp at Monza’s temporary Grand Prix Village, which has electricity, water and chemical toilets, or at the permanent campsite in the north of Monza Park, which has additional facilities, including a bar and shop.

There are also a number of hotels within Monza. For a really luxurious break, you could try the Hotel de la Ville, a 4-star hotel situated just outside of Monza Park, facing the Royal Palace. The hotel has 70 rooms and suites, 63 of which are in the main hotel building and seven of which are in an adjacent restored villa. Facilities within the Hotel de la Ville include the Derby Grill and the American Bar.

Other hotels in Monza include the AS Hotel Monza, the Hotel della Regione and the Hotel Royal Falcone. You’ll also find a wide range of hotels to choose from in Milan, should you wish to base yourself there instead.

Nearby Attractions

If you want to extend your stay, you’ll find plenty to see and do in the Monza area. Attractions within Monza include the 18th century Villa Reale, and Monza Cathedral.

You could also travel to the nearby Italian Lakes (Lake Como, Lake Lugano and Lake Maggiore), and spend some time exploring this beautiful part of the country. You can learn more about the attractions around Lake Como by reading our guide to taking a driving tour in the area.

Alternatively, you could extend your trip by spending some time in Milan. The city’s attractions include the Duomo (Milan’s Cathedral), the Teatro della Scala (opera house) and many museums and galleries, such as the Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology, the Pinacoteca di Brera, and the Natural Science Museum. Milan is also known as one of the world’s fashion capitals, and you’ll find a host of designer-name stores.

Essential Information

Monza is an hour ahead of the U.K. and the currency used in Italy is the euro.

Image: Wikicommons

Belgium Overview

Belgium is officially called the Kingdom of Belgium, and is situated in the north-west of Europe, between France and Holland. Although it’s only a small country, there is plenty to see there, from historic towns and cities to beautiful forests and countryside.

Getting to the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps

The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is situated in the Belgian town of Spa.

You can get to Brussels, the capital of Belgium, from the U.K. either by air or rail. A number of airlines operate flights between airports in the U.K. and Brussels Airport. Alternatively, you can take the Eurostar from London St. Pancras Station to Brussels Midi Station (also known as Brussels Zuid or Brussels South).

Once  in Brussels, you can rent a car and drive to Spa. It will take you about an hour and a half to drive from to the circuit from the centre of Brussels in your hire car.

The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps

The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps was constructed during the 1920s and the first Grand Prix to be held at the track was the 1925 European Grand Prix. There was no racing at Spa during the Second World War, but an annual Grand Prix was held there during the 1950s and 1960s.

During the 1970s, the venue for the Belgian Grand Prix alternated between Zolder and Nivelles-Baulers, as the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps was considered to be too dangerous. However, a new track was constructed at the circuit and the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix returned there in 1983. Since the 1980s, the race has been held at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps most years, and further changes have been made to the track.

The current track is 7km long and includes 19 turns. The Formula 1 drivers aim to complete 44 laps of it.

Camping and Hotels

If you want to immerse yourself in the Grand Prix atmosphere, you may want to camp at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamp’s campsite. There are also a number of other campsites in the area as well.

However, if you’re looking for something more luxurious, you’ll find a number of hotels within Spa. These include the Radisson Blu Palace Hotel, the Best Western Premier Hotel Villa des Fleurs, and the Auberge du Wayai.

Alternatively, you’ll find a number of hotels in the city of Liège, which is also only about 40 minutes’ drive from Spa. Hotels in Liège include the Holiday Inn Liège, the Ramada Plaza Liège City Centre, and the Hotel Ibis Liège Centre Opera.

Nearby Attractions

One of the main attractions near the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is Stavelot Abbey, which is home to three museums, including the Spa-Francorchamps Racetrack Museum, where you can see exhibits relating to the history of the track. The other museums on the site are the Museum of the Principality of Stavelot-Malmédy, which includes exhibits relating to the history of the area as well as works of art, and the Guillaume Apollinaire Museum, which contains exhibits relating to the life and work of the poet. You can also see the remains of the abbey.

There are also a number of attractions in the nearby city of Liège, including the Palais des Princes Evêques (Former Palace of the Prince-Bishops), the 400-step stairway known as the Montagne de Bueren, and a number of museums and galleries.

Alternatively, you could extend your stay in Belgium with a few days in Brussels, so that you can see some of the city’s attractions, such as the Atonium, the Royal Palace, the famous Mannekin Pis fountain, and Mini-Europe, which features models of famous European landmarks. There are also many museums in Brussels. One of these is AutoWorld, which features more than 400 cars and a range of other exhibits relating to the history of motoring.

Essential Information

Belgium is one hour ahead of the U.K and the currency used is the euro.

Image: Nathanael Majoros

Budapest Overview

The Hungaroring is in Mogyoród, in Greater Budapest, in Hungary. The city of Budapest is the country’s capital and is situated on both banks of the River Danube, in central Hungary.

Budapest came into existence in the 19th century, when the cities of Buda, Pest and Óbuda were unified. In 1950, a further 7 towns and 16 villages were attached to Budapest and the area became known as Greater Budapest.

The city is known for its beautiful, historic architecture, and its attractions include a wide range of museums, performing arts venues, and spa baths.

Getting to Mogyoród

The easiest way in which to get to the Hungaroring is by flying to Budapest Ferihegy International Airport and hiring a car. It will take you about 30 minutes to drive from the airport to the centre of Budapest in your hire car, and about 40 minutes to drive to the Hungaroring from the airport.

The Hungaroring

The Hungaroring opened in March 1986 and hosted the first Formula 1 Grand Prix to take place behind the “Iron Curtain”. The track is 2.722 miles long and feaures 14 turns.

It’s notoriously difficult to overtake on the Hungaroring, despite changes having been made to the layout of the track over the years to help to make it easier to do so. The track is also built on sandy soil and isn’t regularly used throughout the year, so is known for being dry and dusty.

If you’re visiting the Hungaroring to watch the 2010 Formula 1 Grand Prix, you should be able to get a great view of the action, as the track is in a valley and 80% of it is visible from any one point on it.

Camping and Hotels

If you want to truly immerse yourself in the Grand Prix atmosphere, the best way to do so is by camping at one of the campsites situated by the circuit. However, if you’re looking for more luxurious accommodation, you’ll find plenty of hotels to choose from within Budapest.

If you can afford to splash out, try the Four Seasons Budapest, which is situated on the banks of the Danube, in central Budapest. This 5-star hotel has 179 rooms (including 15 suites) and its architecture is in the Art Nouveau style. Facilities at the Four Seasons Budapest include a restaurant, a bar, an indoor swimming pool and whirlpool, a gym and a spa.

Other hotels in Budapest include the Hilton Budapest, the Budapest Mariott Hotel, Le Meridien Budapest, the InterContinental Budapest and the Ramada Plaza Budapest.

Attractions

Budapest is packed with attractions, so it’s worth extending your trip and exploring the city. Here are just some of the things that you can see and do in Budapest:

• Cool down at the Mogyoród Aquarena Water Park. Situated next to the Hungaroring site, it has 8 different pools and 26 water slides.
• Explore Budapest City Park. The park covers more than 300 acres and is home to many attractions, including Budapest Zoo, the Amusement Park of Budapest, the Vajdahnyad Castle, the Transport Museum of Budapest, Heroes’ Square and the Museum of Fine Arts.
• Relax with a visit to one of Budapest’s thermal baths. There are 15 different thermal baths within the city, thanks to its 118 natural springs, and bathing in the waters is reputed to have health benefits.
• Explore the city’s historic Castle District, home to famous buildings such as Buda Castle, Matthias Church and the Fisherman’s Bastion.

Essential Information

Budapest is an hour ahead of the U.K. and the currency used is the Hungarian Forint.

Image: Kleszczu

Baden-Württemberg Overview

Baden-Württemberg is situated in the south-west of Germany. It’s largest city is the State’s capital, Stuttgart, but it also includes the cities of Heidelburg, Baden-Baden, Freiburg, Karlsruhe, Mannheim, Heilbronn, Pforzheim and Ulm. The State is one of Germany’s most popular tourist destinations, particularly as it is home to Lake Constance and the famous Black Forest.

Getting to Hockenheim

The easiest way to get to Hockenheim is to fly to Frankfurt or Stuttgart, and pick up a rental car at the airport. It will take you about a hour to drive to Hockenheim from Frankfurt and about an hour and twenty minutes to drive there from Stuttgart.

The Hockenheimring

The original motor racing circuit at Hockenheim was built in 1939, and it was used as a test track by Mercedes-Benz. Although the German Formula 1 Grand Prix was initially held at the country’s main racing track, the Nurburgring, it was used for the 1970 Grand Prix, as there were concerns about the safety of the Nurburgring following the death of Formula 2 driver Jim Clark in 1968.

Changes were made to the Nurburgring and Formula 1 returned there in 1971, but in 1976, it was still deemed to be unsafe. Although the 1976 Grand Prix was still held at the Nurburgring, the decicion was made to move future races back to Hockenheim. The decision was validated when Niki Lauder, the reigning World Champion, suffered serious injuries in a crash during the 1976 Grand Prix. The Grand Prix was held in Hockenheim until 2007, when the decision was made to alternate between Hockenheim and the Nurburgring.

The Hockenheimring is 2.842 miles long and drivers aim to complete 67 laps of it.

Hockenheim Hotels

Many people choose to take advantage of the camping facilities at the Hockenheimring, as it means that they don’t have to drive to and from the circuit each day and can enjoy the race weekend atmosphere to the full.

However, if you would rather stay in a hotel, there are a number to choose from within Hockenheim itself. Most of the hotels in Hockenheim are independently owned, although there is one chain hotel, the Ramada Hotel Hockenheim. The 3-star Ramada Hotel Hockenheim has 80 rooms and is only 850 metres away from the Hockenheimring. Other hotels in Hockenheim include the Hotel Kanne and the Hotel Zur Pfalz. They do fill up quickly, so make sure that you book your room well in advance of the Grand Prix if you want to stay in Hockenheim.

Alternatively, you could stay in Frankfurt or Stuttgart and use your airport hire car to drive to the circuit.

Hockenheim Attractions

For motorsports enthusiasts, Hockenheim’s most important attraction (apart from the track itself) is the Hockenheim Motorsports Museum. The museum, which is part of the Hockenheimring site, contains a range of exhibits relating to the history of motorsports, including a number of historic cars.

Other attractions within Hockenheim include:

• The Hockenheim Tobacco Museum – Hockenheim has a long history within the tobacco industry and this museum houses a range of exhibits, including photographs, pipes and tools.
• The Aquadrome – This swimming pool complex includes a wave pool.

If you hire a car during your stay, you can also drive to the cities of Heidelburg, Frankfurt and Stuttgart, or explore the beautiful Black Forest.

Essential Information

The time in Germany is one hour ahead of the time in London, and the currency used is the euro.

The Silverstone Circuit

Originally a World War II military airfield, Silverstone was transformed into a Grand Prix circuit by the Royal Automobile Club in 1948. It hasn’t always been the venue for the British Grand Prix, with Brooklands, Aintree and Brands Hatch also having been used during the race’s long history.

A number of developments have been made to the track over the years and, in April 2010, a new Grand Prix Circuit was opened at Silverstone. The new circuit includes a new section of track, whilst retaining famous sections such as Maggotts Corner and Becketts Corner. The new circuit is 3.66 miles (5.9km) long and the drivers will aim to complete 52 laps of it.

Previous winners of the British Grand Prix have included Jackie Stewart, Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell, Ayrton Senna, Damon Hill, Michael Schumacher, David Coulthard, Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel.

Getting to Silverstone

The Silverstone Circuit is situated near to the town of Towcester, in the south of the English county of Northamptonshire. You can get to the track via the A3, which is easily accessible from both the M40 (London to Birmingham) and the M1 (London to Leeds) motorways. The nearest railway stations to Silverstone are Banbury Station and Milton Keynes Station.

If you are travelling to England from overseas, the easiest way to get to the track is to fly to London or Birmingham and pick up a hire car at the airport. You can then drive to Silverstone. It will take you about an hour and a half to drive from London to Silverstone and about an hour to drive to the track from Birmingham.

Hotels near Silverstone

There are a number of hotels and B&Bs within easy reach of Silverstone. The 4-star Whittlebury Hall Hotel & Spa, in Whittlebury, for example, is just 3 miles away from the circuit. You can choose to stay in a standard room, a club room or a suite, and make use of the hotel’s day spa, fitness club and hair studio.

There are three restaurants within the hotel (Murrays at Whittlebury Hall, Astons and Bentleys), as well as the Terrace Cafe. Murrays at Whittlebury is the hotel’s fine dining restaurant. It has 2 AA Rosettes and F1 fans will enjoy looking at the restaurant’s photographs and memorabilia relating to the career of F1 commentator Murray Walker. The hotel’s Silverstone Bar also features a wide range of motorsports memorabilia.

Other hotels near Silverstone include: the Villiers Hotel in Buckingham; the Park Inn Northampton; the Holiday Inn Milton Keynes; and the Hellidon Lakes Golf and Spa Hotel in Hellidon.

Attractions near Silverstone

If you’re travelling to Silverstone to watch the British Grand Prix and want to extend your stay for a few days, there are a number of attractions in the area that you can visit. Here are details of just two of them:

• Stowe House and Landscape Gardens – built in the 18th century, Stowe House became Stowe School in 1923, but the state rooms are open to the public for part of the year. In 2010, they will be open between 12pm and 5pm on the 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th and 16th and 18th of July, so if you’re staying in the area before or after the British Grand Prix, you may be able to take a tour of them. Stowe’s beautiful landscaped gardens, which are now owned by the National Trust, are also well worth exploring. They are open between 10.30 am and 5.30pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during July.
• Warwick Castle – it will only take you about 50 minutes to drive to Warwick Castle from Silverstone. The castle dates back to the Middle Ages and has had a considerable amount of restoration work done on it in recent years. You can visit the Great Hall and State Rooms, explore the castle’s “Military Zone”, scare yourself in The Castle Dungeon and take a stroll through its extensive gardens.

Image: David Stowell

Valencia Overview

Valencia is the third largest city in Spain and is situated on the Mediterranean Coast. It’s a beautiful city and is known for its historic buildings. As well as  the F1 Grand Prix de Europe, it has also played host to the 2007 America’s Cup. It’s due to host the America’s Cup again in 2010 and is also the venue for one of Spain’s most famous festivals, Las Fallas, which is held in March each year.

Getting to Valencia

Valencia Airport is situated in Manises, about 8km away from the city, and is sometimes referred to as Manises Airport. Several airlines operate flights from the UK to Valencia and you can also fly to Valencia from a number of other European destinations.

Alternatively, you could fly to Madrid or Barcelona, take advantage of the airport car hire facilities and drive to Valencia. It will take you three and a half hours to drive from Barcelona to Valencia in your rental car and about four hours to drive from Madrid to Valencia.

Valencia Street Circuit

The current European Grand Prix takes place through the streets of Valencia (although it has taken place in many other countries during the history of Formula 1 racing). The first European Grand Prix in Valencia was in 2007 and the race is due to be held there until 2013.

The circuit is 5.4 km long and is in the port area of the city. It has 25 turns and the drivers aim to complete 57 laps.

Valencia Hotels

You’ll find many hotels to choose from in Valencia, from budget hotels to luxury hotels.

If you can afford to splash out, try the 5-star Hotel Las Arenas Balneario Resort. It’s situated near the marina, within walking distance of the circuit and has 253 rooms and suites, comprised of: 39 classic rooms; 69 superior rooms; 105 deluxe rooms; 30 executive rooms; 8 junior suites; and 2 presidential suites. For sea views, opt for a deluxe or an executive room. Facilities at the Hotel Las Arenas include outdoor and indoor swimming pools, a gym, a spa and several bars.

Other hotels in Valencia include the Holiday Inn Valencia, the Westin Valencia, the Tryp Oceanic, the Hilton Valencia and the Eurostars Gran Valencia Hotel.

Attractions in Valencia

If you’re travelling to Valencia to see the Grand Prix of Europe, it’s worth extending your stay there by a few days, as there is plenty to see and do. Here are some of the city’s must-see attractions:

• The City of Arts and Sciences – One of Valencia’s top tourist attractions, the City of Arts and Sciences is comprised of four main buildings. El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia is the city’s new opera house. It seats more than 1,800 and hosting a range of events, including ballet, theatre productions and musical performances. L’Hemisferic includes a planetarium and an IMAX cinema, whilst El Museo de las Ciencias Principe Felipe is a fantastic science museum with many interactive exhibits. The Oceanogràfic is Europe’s largest aquarium and is home to more than 500 different species. You can also explore the city’s beautiful garden areas.
• Valencia Cathedral – Constructed in the 13th century on the site of a mosque, the cathedral incorporates a range of architectural styles and its bell tower is one of the city’s main landmarks. Its famous for housing the Holy Chalice, which cathedral officials claim is the chalice from which Christ drank during the Last Supper, and some people claim that it is, in fact, the Holy Grail of Arthurian Legend. The cathedral contains some stunning works of art, including paintings by Goya, and you can also visit the Diocesan Cathedral Museum.
• The Silk Market – Located by the city’s Plaza del Mercado, the Silk Market dates back to the 15th century and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The Botanic Garden -The University of Valencia’s Botanic Garden has a collection of more than 4,500 species of plant and is a great place to spend an afternoon.

Essential Information

Valencia is one hour ahead of the U.K. and the currency used there is the Euro.

Image: Chosovi