The Monaco Grand Prix is the most glamorous of the Formula 1 races held around the world. It’s part of the Triple Crown of Motorsport, along with the Indy 500 and 24 Hours of Le Mans (only won by one person in history: the British racing driver Graham Hill). Oozing with celebrity, exclusivity and wealth – attending this automobile event is a once in a lifetime experience.
With a track that twists and turns through the tiny principality, including an iconic hairpin turn and tunnel, the Monaco Grand Prix is a thrill for everyone who watches – whether you consider yourself a motorhead or not. The street circuit runs through Monte Carlo and La Condamine over a narrow 3.3 kilometer track. Drivers attempt to overtake each other during the course of 78 laps, covering a total distance of 260 kilometers.
Recent winners have been Sergio Perez, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. Picking your favorite driver and egging them on to win from the grandstand is so much fun. There are also a number of ways to enhance your attendance at the event such as staying on a luxury superyacht, driving an ex-F1 racing car on a private track and taking chartered helicopter rides. This is where Ultimate Driving Tours comes into play.
Ultimate Driving Tours is an award-winning boutique operator that specializes in luxury motoring adventures in the UK & Europe, America and Australia. On their tours guests drive supercars through spectacular roads and enjoy VIP access to Formulas 1 races – combined with deluxe accommodation, fine dining, and bucket list activities like helicopter rides.
Led by the partners Anthony Moss and Julie Hunter, Ultimate Driving Tours was once a small passion project but today it’s an international tour operator that caters to those who love cars and the finer things in life. In addition to readymade holidays, the team at UDT can create bespoke corporate and private tours. If there is one experience that stands out though, it would have to be the Monaco Grand Prix trip. Let us tell you why.
Best Luxury Tours of the Monaco Grand Prix
F1 Monaco Grand Prix Yacht Package (25 – 29 May, 2023)
Luxury greets you every step of the way on the F1 Monaco Grand Prix Yacht Package. It all starts on the superyacht set in Port Hercules. Luxurious cabins onboard mean you can relax in comfort and style for three nights while enjoying the prestigious event. Your days will be spent partying on the yacht, watching the race, exploring Monaco, sipping on champagne and eating canapés, and driving an ex-Formula 1 car on a private track.
You can also join the tour earlier for a meet-up on the yacht with legendary Aussie racing driver Mark Webber. Mark is a two-time Monaco Grand Prix winner and he happily shares his insights about the race with those guests who can make it. The first day then kicks off by exploring Monaco or Nice, an optional drive of the ex-Formula 1 car on a private track and convening together with guests aboard the yacht for a cocktail party.
Day 2 is all about watching the Monaco Grand Prix Qualifying Session which takes place the day before the race. Guests stay on the yacht and watch the cars – during which all-day gourmet catering is provided, as well as a cocktail bar and various live music, guest appearances and entertainment. The third day is race day and things begin to heat up.
With the best seat in the house (your own private yacht), you will be able to marvel at the speed and maneuvers of the cars and support your favorite driver. Again, all catering and entertainment is included on this day. After a much-needed sleep in and big breakfast, guests then check-out and finish the tour. From here, you could continue traveling along the French Riviera or head off to another region of Europe for more adventures.
Keep in mind that there are two accommodation choices on this tour: the superyacht cabins in Monaco or a luxury stay in Nice. If you decide to base yourself in Nice, you will still get full access and inclusions on the yacht but just sleep in Nice overnight. Another cool feature of staying in Nice is that an optional chartered helicopter flight can take you to Monaco for the Grand Prix. The views from the helicopter are nothing short of sensational.
European Supercar Tour & Monaco Grand Prix Yacht Hospitality (20 – 29 May & 26 May – 4 June, 2023)
The European Supercar Tour & Monaco Grand Prix Yacht Hospitality is UDT’s signature driving tour. En route to Monaco, guests journey across several countries in the driver’s seat of a shiny supercar. Some of the world’s most impressive car brands are on offer such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Porsche, Mercedes and Bentley. The only thing that competes with the joy of the car are the natural landscapes that pass you by along the way.
Only the finest accommodation and dining will be arranged – so you can rest your head at night with a belly full of goodness. The duration of the trip is 11 days and includes four epic days of driving the fleet of supercars. Europe’s roads were built for cars like these and you will find the handling to be superb across the autobahns, alpine passes and backcountry roads.
It starts in Zurich and ends in Nice with the grand finale being the Monaco Grand Prix. Like the tour above, guests base themselves on a private superyacht for an incomparable hospitality experience and can add on optional extras mentioned before such as an evening with Mark Webber, an ex-F1 racing car drive on a private track and helicopter transfers.
The main highlights of the supercar driving are the Swiss Alps, the Italian lake district, the Maritime Alps and Provence. Besides driving, guests will also be able to do their fair share of sightseeing throughout the road trip. Places like Interlaken, Lake Maggiore and Grasse all offer plenty of amazing things to see and do. The good times just keep on rolling as you enter Monaco for what will be one of the most memorable events of your life.
With just two dates left to book for 2023, you better be quick to secure your place on this extraordinary driving vacation. For those who are short on time, another option is to join the two-day supercar tour of Provence which includes the Monaco Grand Prix. This equals roughly a week of traveling, so it might be better suited for people who lead busy lives.
Important Information Before you Book
As a company, UDT has become a lot more than what it was at the outset – pairing the world’s best driving roads with the world’s best cars. The Monaco Grand Prix trips are just a few examples of how UDT can take care of your entire travel experience – including accommodation, cuisine and transfers. While the tours are all-inclusive, there are still some key things to remember before you book your once in a lifetime driving holiday.
The first thing to know is that these tours are for everyone, as long as you can afford it (there is no hiding the fact that driving supercars comes at a price). UDT has a variety of people booking tours with them – from single drivers looking to realize a lifelong dream, to couples searching for a luxury getaway, to father and son duos, families, business associates, etc.
One myth that needs dispelling is that these driving vacations are boy’s trips. Women are actually a core part of the business at UDT and many solo female drivers and wives/partners happily join in. Although driving fast cars is typically a male orientated hobby, it’s just as exciting for females too – as long as they are comfortable in participating. They will also find the socializing, fine dining and luxury accommodations to be appealing.
No matter your gender, age or background – the tours with UDT provide a unique way to meet new people, bond over shared passions like cars and travel, and make new friends along the way. The small group sizes of 12 – 24 people and 6 – 12 cars in each convoy mean the tours are large enough to meet people from all walks of life and small enough to remain intimate.
By traveling in a convoy, the driving is both safe and invigorating at the same time. A lead car stays at the front and a sweep car at the rear. These vehicles are operated by professional support drivers. This helps to keep the convoy together. The lead car communicates via radio to the other cars about what is happening ahead like traffic, turn offs, fuel stops, photo-ops, etc. The sweep car then ensures all cars have followed the navigation calls.
In the unlikely event that an accident or damage occurs, an excess is in place. UDT have implemented procedures to prevent incidents from happening such as minimum driver ages, vetting, the convoy system and avoiding congested cities. The best thing guests can do is organize a travel insurance policy prior to the trip that covers a higher excess. All drivers will be informed on what the vehicle excess is before the driving commences.
Apart from insurance, guests should also have valid visas. And the last thing to note is luggage. You don’t have to worry about packing light because UDT logistics include a van that follows each tour and transports your belongings safely from hotel to hotel. The driver even brings the luggage into your room. Smaller bags and valuables, of course, can be placed in the car. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to book your driving holiday!
