We haven't forgotten the ladies...

We always ensure that there’s plenty to please any participants who may have less car-oriented interests.

The Roadbook we produce will be full of ideas of interesting highlights and destinations. Here’s a taste of some of the alternatives to car activities… These are almost all photos I've taken myself.

The schedule allows free time to explore, shop and wander around many of the great destinations we visit. Of course shopping is an integral part of holidaying and some of the places we visit have amazing shopping opportunities. And at times where there are major international events taking place, like the Cannes Film Festival and Monaco Grand Prix, retailers make an extra special effort. Don't miss the chance to do some celebrity spotting at the Cannes Film Festival.

One couple who participated in one of our tours have travelled extensively for years. The wife Marjorie came along on her husband Alan’s insistence, even though she has no interest in cars. Marjorie called me aside on the final evening to tell me that they travel by themselves or in tour groups often, and even though she isn’t at all interested in cars, this was the best trip she had ever been on. She underlined the wonderful destinations, free time allowed in the schedule, guidance, fascinating insights she got at the places we visited and the good mix of hotels and restaurants as highlights. It was great to get feedback that we were looking after everyone’s interests. – Paul Blank, itinerary designer & Tour Leader

The restaurants we go to are well-located so as to be in walking distance from our hotels. Many of the restaurants capture the essence of the locations we’re visiting.  For example, in Nice we have our lunch with Bob Constanduros, the international Grand Prix commentator on a rooftop restaurant overlooking the ocean. At night in Nice we will dine in a charming restaurant in a square in the old town centre, followed by ice cream from a specialist shop with over 100 flavours. Some restaurants are outdoors, making the most of the lovely evening light and Mediterranean climate.

Our hotels are carefully selected, luxuriously fitted out and well placed in the towns we visit. These are hotels I’ve personally stayed at and can vouch for. Some have characteristics of their region. Our Turin Hotel, for example, sits on the edge of the historic town centre and is a restored building from the 19th Century. It’s ideally situated for exploring the old town centre and its many attractions. That's not old compared to the exquisitely restored 16th century hotel we stay in at Strasbourg, with its wonderful combination of contemporary and historic design. Elsewhere we stay in a beautifully converted priory. Our Lucerne hotel overlooks the spectacular lake with mountains behind. Our lovely St Tropez hotel is right in the heart of the village and you can enjoy breakfast by the pool, where the Geneva hotel has its breakfast room on the top floor, giving a great vista. Expect to be impressed!

In Monaco, for example, there is a plethora of things to do if the racing doesn’t take your fancy. Monaco is quite small and easy to get around on foot. Public escalators assist in many locations. The Royal Palace sits on a rocky outcrop known locally as “The Rock” and it is surrounded by the old town of Monaco with its charming alleys, shops, cafes and restaurants. There’s the cathedral which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2011 and many other historic buildings. Of course the Casino at Monte Carlo is always worth a look as are the exclusive shops around it. Monaco is also famous for its many themed gardens. Then there are the museums, owned by the Royal Family – covering such diverse things as stamps, cars, oceanography and even a zoo.

Destinations in our tour include, as an example, Sirmione, which sits on a peninsula jutting into Lake Garda – a spectacular huge lake in Northern Italy. Originally a Roman settlement, the more recent wall and water-surrounded village is only about 800 years old... It’s a strikingly beautiful place to visit, and there’s time to explore before dinner. Wonderful shopping, scenery and historic buildings, much like many of our destinations. Between Nice and Monaco are many incredibly beautiful locations along the Cote d’Azur with plenty to see. St Jean Cap Ferrat, with some of the world’s most expensive real estate features the Ephrussi de Rothschild Villa. Eze on the middle road to Monaco is an amazingly pretty village, with a big perfumery open to the public. Even Nice has plenty to offer, with many art galleries, specialist shopping districts and the famous beachfront the Promenade des Anglais.

In Stuttgart there’s the long Koenigstrasse shopping street – a mall closed to traffic, with side-streets featuring specialist galleries and shops. Nearby are historic buildings. At Nurburg is the derelict castle which can be visited. Another of our overnight destinations, Lucerne boasts a spectacular lake with snow-capped mountains behind it. You can take a funicular ride up to the top of Mt Pilatus to get the view of a lifetime...

Turin has many impressive Piazzas and historic buildings you can explore in its expansive old town centre. The river Po is just a few blocks from our hotel. The historic old town centre in Strasbourg never fails to impress people, especially with its dramatic cathedral. We're staying right in the heart of Strasbourg.

There’s plenty to see everywhere we go…

In Nice, on the Monday morning following the Grand Prix is the biggest Brocante market in the region. This is a collectables and antiques fair held in a square a few blocks from our hotel. It has an amazing array of items, quite unlike anything you might have seen in Australia.

And the car museums and events we go to are among the world’s absolute best – and are immensely popular for very good reason – they are spectacular! The Monaco Grand Prix is so famous because it’s one of the world’s premier events of any kind – and 2013 will be its 71st year, proving it's stood the test of time well. The Mille Miglia has a character like no other event. The newly refurbished car museum in Turin has just had 40 million euros spent to create an amazing experience which will impress any visitor. The Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart attracts over a million visitors a year – and half of them are women. All come away impressed. As we've seen every time the tour has taken place, you don’t need to be a car fanatic to appreciate the automotive highlights of The Ultimate Grand Prix Experience.

For more details, contact the staff at Magic Travel in Subiaco on (08) 9381 8744 or email sales@magictravel.com.au
Tour Director Paul Blank will also be happy to discuss the itinerary with you - (08) 9271 0101, info@classicrally.com.au
Magic Travel - Member of ATFA Lic 9TA 1268

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