The 4 best ways to see the Monaco Grand Prix

The Monaco Grand Prix is the highlight of the F1 racing calendar; the race that every driver wants to win. Set in stunning surroundings between the glistening Alps and the azure waters of the Med, it attracts the most expensive yachts, finest cars, and most beautiful people. In this environment the last place you want to be is squashed into a grandstand seat….so this article will show you the most interesting and unique ways of experiencing the indulgence of the Monaco GP – from private terraces, to luxury yachts! Have lunch at Restaurant ‘Virage’ on Tabac Corner This trackside restaurant is located directly on Tabac corner, offering unique views of the F1 cars as they tackle the harbour section of the circuit. You’ll see the cars exit the tunnel, round the chicane, and accelerate directly towards you at over 120 mph, braking only yards from your table as they take the corner towards the swimming pool chicane. All of this whilst you enjoy a three course lunch of local French cuisine, admiring the super yachts which are moored directly opposite. The entire weekend costs less than two grandstand tickets, and includes as much as you can manage to eat and drink. Hire your own private yacht Ok, ok, so despite being the obvious choice, hiring your own yacht can be prohibitively expensive. Port fees alone are over £20k for a decent size yacht, and you need to allow at least another £50k for the yacht itself! But in return you can accommodate 10 guests overnight for the entire 5 days of the event, and host over 50 guests during the days. Or just watch the race from your Jacuzzi! If £70k is beyond your reach for a long weekend, then there is always the option of chartering a smaller yacht for the day and anchor outside of the port. From under £400 per head for 10 guests you can get a 70ft Sunseeker for the day – that’s less than the cost of a grandstand ticket! At anchor you can get a glimpse of the cars as they round Portier and scream into the tunnel, and with Sat TV and 46” plasma aboard you can follow the race is style and comfort. However, the key is that you still get the full experience of the GP; the atmosphere, the noise of the cars, and you can take the tender ashore to access the port and the town. Be a guest on someone else’s private yacht There is no suggestion of gate crashing a yacht here (although scantily clad young ladies do seem to have the best shot at this!) But it is however possible to buy individual tickets to enjoy the race from a luxury yacht, and it is not as expensive as you might think. From £2000 for the weekend you can get aboard a 50m yacht moored in the coveted “zone 1” of Monaco harbour, a trackside berth giving you direct views of all the action. Lay back on a sunbed whilst the crew serve bottle after bottle of Cristal, and that’s even before the haute cuisine lunch is served on the aft deck. It doesn’t get better than this! Watch from a hotel terrace or apartment balcony The Fairmont VIP terrace is the place to watch the Grand Prix from a more relaxed and understated vantage point. With intimate balconies adjoining private hospitality suites (enjoying unobstructed views of the Fairmont hairpin) you’ll see the entire race up close; whilst remaining clear of the hustle and bustle of the port. A fully catered 2 day balcony with first class service, fine buffet lunch, and endless Champagne costs from £1500 per person for the whole weekend. Daniel Barber is Director of AquaCruise Yacht Charter. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.