High-Octane Thrills: Exciting Racing Events and the Captivating Locations That Make the Experience Worthwhile
Discover the thrill of motorsport and the delight of fine dining as we take you on a grand tour across Europe. From the historic circuits to the refined tables, this journey promises an unforgettable experience.
First stop, Verona, Italy. Steeped in history, the city breathes in counterpoint with cobbled lanes, hidden courtyards, and the scent of jasmine and old stone. For those seeking a taste of history, the Due Torri Hotel, a 14th-century palace, offers an authentic experience. Alternatively, venture to Villa Cordevigo Wine Relais, an 18th-century estate that combines Michelin-starred dining with forested calm.
Off the race track, the experience at Monza is pure Italian theatre. Paddock Club guests enjoy Franciacorta, haute horlogerie lounges, and exhibitions where speed meets style. Monza, Ferrari's spiritual home, is where the Tifosi don't watch the race, they inhabit it. The circuit combines public roads and permanent track, demanding precision, stamina, and trust in engineering.
The Italian Grand Prix at Monza, built in 1922, is known as the "Temple of Speed" due to its long straights and low-downforce layout. The race has been a laboratory of progress, where breakthroughs like disc brakes, endurance lighting, and hybrid powertrains were first tested under real pressure.
After the race, visitors can head to Durbuy, a small city in Belgium, offering intimacy with nature and refinement. Le Sanglier des Ardennes, a gourmet-hotel hybrid, is known for its inventive tasting menus and cellar wine list. Private hiking guides and backpacks packed by the hotel chef are available for those seeking adventure in the great outdoors.
Durbuy is also home to Spa-Francorchamps, a challenging circuit through Belgian countryside, known for its unpredictable weather, brutal elevation, and legendary corners. The CrowdStrike 24H of Spa brings together over 70 GT3 machines, factory-backed teams, and elite drivers from every continent. Victory is won through energy management, brake discipline, perfect driver changes, and mental fortitude.
Post-race, visitors can head to Amboise, a riverside town in France with a château towering above the water. Clos Lucé, a historic site, offers a portal to another era, where a certain Italian genius spent his final days imagining machines.
Cochem, a town in Germany, offers calm and quiet after the Nürburgring race. Hotel Schloss Lieser, a five-star retreat, is known for its wine cellar featuring rare Rieslings and riverside terrace. Electric boats can be rented for wine tastings along the Moselle River.
In Bath, England, visitors can relax at the Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, an 18th-century elegance oasis, or indulge in a Michelin-starred meal at Restaurant Hywel Jones. The Roman Baths, a portal to another era, offer luxury whispered through warm mineral pools, handwritten menus, and quiet knowledge.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans race, held since 1923, tests both speed and endurance. Top speeds reach 340 km/h on the Mulsanne Straight, but victory is won through energy management, brake discipline, perfect driver changes, and mental fortitude. Le Mans has been a laboratory of progress, where breakthroughs like disc brakes, endurance lighting, and hybrid powertrains were first tested under real pressure.
This grand tour promises an unforgettable experience, combining the thrill of motorsport with the delight of fine dining. Whether you're a racing enthusiast or a gastronomy aficionado, this journey offers an adventure that will leave you breathless.
- After the excitement of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, travelers can embark on an adventure in Durbuy, Belgium, where they can retreat at Le Sanglier des Ardennes, a gourmet-hotel hybrid, and engage in adventure travel with private hiking guides or explore Spa-Francorchamps, a challenging race circuit.
- Following the unpredictable 24H of Spa, visitors can immerse themselves in the cultural travel experience of Amboise, France, where they can stay at Clos Lucé, a historic site that offers a glimpse into the life of a certain Italian genius, and later visit the Nürburgring in Germany for a calming experience at Hotel Schloss Lieser, a five-star retreat known for its wine cellar and riverside terrace.
- The grand tour doesn't forget the adrenaline seekers; after relaxing at the Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa in Bath, England, they can experience the thrill of motorsport at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, where speed and endurance are tested, just like the breakthrough innovations in disc brakes, endurance lighting, and hybrid powertrains first demonstrated at this race.
