MONACO  HISTORIC  RACES
& the MILLE MIGLIA,
May 10 -18, 2012

We are happy to announce that, once again, Brian Redman, his wife Marion and Alain De Cadenet will be accompanying this program.

This event runs every two years and it has become the ‘Jewel in the Crown’ for both racers and fans alike.  The Monaco Historics has grown from being a ‘private members’ event to an important part of the European race calendar.  Where else can you see historic race cars, being pushed to the limit, no quarter asked and no quarter given. To mix this kind of racing with a venue such as Monaco is in a word, ‘spectacular’.

Monaco Historics offers an experience that will never be forgotten.  We mix great hotels, the finest restaurants, include weekend highlights and most of all bring you the event in true Monaco fashion – first class. You’ll view the races from our VIP private roof-top suite.  Gourmet snacks, lunch and afternoon tea are served with an all day open bar.  Racers Brian Redman and Alain DeCadenet host an in-depth tour of the racing paddock, their input and close association with the competitors make this a very special occasion.  In the evenings you’ll enjoy the ambiance of Monte Carlo and some of the finest Mediterranean dining.

ITINERARY

MAY 10   Day 1  You are met at Nice International Airport at Noon and transferred by private vehicle to our Monaco seafront Hotel.  This afternoon an optional visit to the paddock with Alain DeCadenet and Brian Redman.  This evening we dine at a splendid restaurant overlooking Monaco.  Aperitifs and canapés in the village plaza offer great photo opportunities.

 MAY 11   Day 2  This morning we again spend in the paddock.  First practice is this afternoon and so it will be very busy with mechanics and drivers making last minute adjustments.  This afternoon we visit two of the Collector Car Auctions, Bonhams and RM.  Our small shuttle van will also help those who wish to negotiate their way up to the shopping areas.  Some of you may also wish to visit the Palace and Cathedral.  Dinner this evening is on the waterfront at a new and very trendy restaurant.

 MAY 12   Day 3   The racing starts today in earnest and our private Hospitality Suite is on a rooftop directly over the start finish line.  The harbor glistens in front of you while the cars roar by beneath.  Directly across is a ‘MegaBig Screen’ allowing the viewing of the complete circuit. Breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea in the Suite is catered by the famous restaurant ‘Fusion of Paris’.  Our shuttle van is available for those wishing to take a break from the cars. This evening is at your leisure.

 MAY 13   Day 4   All the classes race today and in true European Historic Racing there is no quarter given.  Again we enjoy our Hospitality Suite and the catering from ‘Fusion’.  A lunchtime ‘parade’ by historic Ferraris is always a crowd favorite.  This evening our dinner is a relaxed affair at Fontvielle harbor. The ‘Historics’ week-end is concluded with a fireworks display that can be viewed from the hotel.

 MAY 14   Day 5   Following breakfast we depart Monaco for the Italian Riviera.  About a three hour coach ride brings us to the Portofino coastline and the tiny, but magnificent, harbor of Camogli.  There will be plenty of time to view the harbor and enjoy our exceptional hotel, the Cenobio dei Doges.  Prior to dining at the hotel at its award winning restaurant we enjoy the sunset with aperitifs and canapés in a beautiful Mediterranean setting.

 MAY 15   Day 6   Today we leave the Italian coast and head northeast into car country.  Our main stop is Maranello. Even if you are not a ‘tifosi’ you can’t help get caught up in the Ferrari juggernaut.  Our visit will include the ‘Ferrari Galleria’.  Should you wish to enjoy lunch at either  the ‘Cavalino’ restaurant or the ‘Montana’, the two popular restaurants in Maranello, we have tables reserved.  Of course, there are a number of other places to eat as well.  Mid-afternoon we visit the Maserati Collection close to Modena.  Apart from the great cars, motorcycles and farm implements on display, the whole museum is set on a working Parmeggiano Cheese farm.  You can purchase the products in their small shop.  Late afternoon we arrive on the shore of Lake Garda and the lakeside Hotel Grand Gardone.  Dinner this evening at the hotel.

 MAY 16   Day 7   Today is quite a long day, but exceptional.  We return to Modena to visit first the Stanguellini ‘National Car Museum’.  Then the Enzo Ferrari Museum.  This, most probably, will be the first visit for all of us as the museum is not expected to be completed before March 31, the building alone being worthy of a visit.  A favorite of many of our previous groups is a wonderful Trattoria in a village just outside of Modena.  It’s Italian home cooking at its best!  Our final visit of the day is to a Balsamic Vinegar producer.  Balsamic vinegar from Modena is equally as famous as the red cars.  We’ll have a short tour of the premises and then the opportunity of both tasting and purchasing the product.  Our return to Lake Garda is early evening and the rest of the day is at your leisure.

MAY 17   Day 8   An early start this morning into Brescia.  All the Mille Miglia cars congregate in three squares in the centre of the old town.  Many historic and rare cars are parked along the narrow streets between the squares.  Mingling with the crowds offers an atmosphere of real history.  Eventually the entrants will make their way to the Mille Miglia Museum grounds.  We’ll have an opportunity to visit the museum during the middle of the day before heading back to the lake for a special afternoon.  A trip by motor launch across the lake takes us to a famous restaurant in one of the great settings of Europe.  Our mid-afternoon meal is one you will long remember.  This evening we return to Brescia for the start of the 2012 Mille Miglia.  Guests of a local ‘patisserie’ we view the cars as they get underway – it is a fitting finale.

MAY 18   Day 9   Following breakfast we board our coach for the last time and head for Milan’s Malpensa airport.  Please check our paragraph on Arrival and Departure information.

Arrival & Departure Information:  The arrival date is May 10 with an afternoon pick-up at Nice International Airport.  We suggest you might like to arrive one day early to combat any jet lag.  We will arrange an afternoon pick-up for the 9^th and can make early reservations for you at the Monaco hotel or, should you prefer, accommodations in Nice.
Our departure is out of Milan’s Malpensa Airport.  Our anticipated arrival at the airport is 11:30am on May 18.  The earliest flight you should book is to leave Malpensa no earlier than 1:00pm.  Most mid west and west coast destinations will require an overnight either in Milan or at an ongoing airport.  We can arrange hotel accommodations for you.

Arrival Airport: Nice  Departure Airport: Malpensa Milan 

Tour Dates:                 May 10 -18  9 days  
Tour Price:                  $6,350 pp/twin occupancy,  $2,100 single supplement