The Grand Prix of Europe is the ninth Grand Prix in the 2010 Formula 1 World Championship season and is due to take place on the weekend of the 25th to the 27th of June 2010 in Valencia. If you’re planning to go to Spain to see the race, here is some information about the circuit and some of Valencia’s other attractions.
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
Tags: European Grand Prix, Formula 1, Grand Prix of Europe, Spain, Valencia, Valencia Attractions, Valencia Hotels, Valencia Street Circuit
