| The Circuit de Catalunya is one of the most | | | | |
| spectator friendly circuits anywhere; it is | | | | The Star Alliance have flights originating |
| the home circuit of the reigning World | | | | from all coners of the globe that can get you |
| Champion; and it's the first of the season's | | | | to Monaco (Nice Airport). |
| European races. And if that isn't reason | | | | |
| enough for any self-respecting F1 fan to go | | | | Accommodation: |
| then consider this...it is located half an | | | | |
| hour's drive north of Barcelona along the | | | | The area surrounding the circuit has many |
| motorway to Girona. Or in other words, two of | | | | small privately run hotels, but to be sure of |
| the best tourist destinations in Europe! | | | | a place to stay, we recommend the Ibis |
| | | | Barcelona Montmelo-Granollers right next to |
| There isn't much to recommend staying near | | | | the circuit. A short distance from the |
| the circuit unless your visit is restricted | | | | circuit you'll find the Formule1 Barcelona |
| to the three days of the event - | | | | Mollet. It is a budget hotel and suitable if |
| accommodation and attractions are limited. | | | | you have your own vehicle. The Novotel |
| However, with the temptations of Barcelona so | | | | Barcelona Sant Joan Despi is the place to |
| close, the short commute to and from the | | | | stay in Barcelona if you want to be within |
| circuit is a small price to pay. | | | | easy reach of the sights and available |
| | | | transport. |
| Barcelona has always had its fair share of | | | | |
| attractions; most notably the architecture of | | | | Transportation:By Train: |
| Gaudi, the art of Picasso, and its other one | | | | |
| and a half million inhabitants who daily | | | | From Barcelona, the Passeig de Gracia, |
| frequent Barcelona's most famous | | | | Barcelona Sants, or Clot rail stations will |
| thoroughfare, La Ramblas. It took the 1992 | | | | get you to Montmelo, which is the nearest |
| Olympics to remind people that Barcelona is a | | | | station to the circuit. Tickets are a little |
| worthwhile travel destination - and it isn't | | | | complicated; because Montmelo is in Zone 2, |
| about to let us forget Barcelona is a party | | | | the Bonotren Zone 2 ticket (9.20 Euro) is the |
| town. | | | | best value if you're going to the circuit for |
| | | | all 3 days - it gives you 10 journeys and is |
| One thing to get used to is the Siesta/Fiesta | | | | valid for 30 days. The train journey takes |
| clock. Lunch is the biggest meal of the day; | | | | approximately half an hour from Barcelona to |
| you then take it easy for the afternoon | | | | Montmelo. |
| before putting in a few more hours of work. | | | | |
| The evening meal doesn't start until about | | | | By Bus: |
| 10pm - and by start, I mean it carries on for | | | | |
| hours in the form of tapas. The constant | | | | A special bus service for spectators is |
| grazing on these tasty bits and bites, | | | | available from Passeig Sant Joan 52 - |
| combined with the constant consumption of | | | | Diputacion. Purchase your return ticket (6.00 |
| sangria accounts for the 'fiesta' atmosphere. | | | | Euro) at the ticket office between 07:00 and |
| Don't expect any early nights! | | | | 13:00 or 15:00 and 20:00 Monday to Friday. |
| | | | Check the bus operating hours before |
| Getting there from Australia: | | | | purchasing your ticket. |
| | | | |
| Thai Airways International flies to Barcelona | | | | Tickets: |
| from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth | | | | |
| six days a week with convenient connections | | | | General Admission costs 136 Euro (AUD$220 |
| in Bangkok and either Frankfurt, Zurich, | | | | approx.) for the weekend, with grandstands |
| Copenhagen or Madrid. Total travel time is | | | | prices ranging from 215 Euro (AUD$350 |
| between 22 and 28 hours depending on your | | | | approx.) to 533 Euro (AUD$865 approx.). |
| home port. | | | | |
| | | | For tickets and travel recommendations |
| Getting there from the rest of the world: | | | | contact Temple Grand Prix on 0433 300 527. |