A great drive to the Historic Grand Prix
19 April—1 May 2026
April 25-26 is the weekend of the Monaco Historic Grand Prix 2026 and we are organising a great trip for the race weekend.
The trip starts with an overnight crossing Plymouth on Sunday 19 April to Santander before the first stop at Pamplona where we have two nights in a lovely hotel just a short cab-ride into this super town. Next we go to Vielha high in the Pyrenees, approached by a fantastic drive with 20+ tunnels. There will be snow on the mountain tops! From Vielha we enter France and stay for a night at Beziers where the hotel has categorised the group as VIPs—with VIP rooms! The next run will get us to Nice where we have three nights at the comfortable Hotel Westminster on the Promenade des Anglais which is a short train ride to Monaco—or take the car as there is parking in Monaco. Want to drive the Route Napoleon? It’s possible on this day and the video linked on the next page shows just how spectacular it is
We haven’t booked grandstands so you can sit where you want rather than where we think you should be—Tickets can be bought over the web from the Auto Club of Monaco
After the racing the journey back is no anti-climax. The next step is Chateau Ayres which is close to the Milau Bridge—there is a chance to drive over it of course, and a visitor centre nearby. Next the group re-enters Spain to go to the Parador at Arties—more snow capped mountains. The route then wends back into France to San Sebastian where we have a hilltop hotel overlooking the bay and city. It’s a short cab ride to the Pinxto (Tapas) bars and a great evening out can be had, eating in a totally different way in the midst of busy nightlife. After San Sebastian it’s a short drive to Santander for the overnight ferry back to Plymouth.
So you get the best driving, save the miles of coming from Northern France and get to drive a carefully curated route with the delights of Monaco, Route Napoleon and the Pyrenees.
| 19 Apr | Afternoon Sailing from Plymouth to Santander with Brittany Ferries |
| 20-21 Apr | Drive 160 miles to Pamplona for two nights at Hotel Castillo Gorraiz |
| 22 Apr | Drive 220 miles to Parador de Vielha for a night in the Pyrenees (it has a small spa) |
| 23 Apr | Drive 210 miles (past Carcassonne) to Beziers and stay at Hotel Insitu |
| 24-26 Apr | Drive 245 miles to Nice for three nights at the Hotel Westminster. It’s also possible to do part of the Route Napoleon on this day |
| 25-26 Apr | Free time to visit Monaco Historic Grand Prix and explore stylish Nice |
| 27 Apr | Drive 250 miles to Meyrueis and stay at Chateau D’Ayres |
| 28 Apr | Drive 270 miles via Milau (and see the bridge) to Arties and stay at the Parador—back in the Pyrenees! |
| 29 Apr | Drive 200 miles to San Sebastian and stay at Monte Igueldo |
| 30 Apr | Drive 120 miles to Santander |
| 1 May | Lunchtime arrival at Plymouth |
Tito Kabir has made a great film of this trip—it’s here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9H2VVZz2iI
Tour Booking & Information
Price £4100 per car with two people to include ferry crossings, bed and breakfast at all hotels except Castillo Gorraiz, Parador de Vielha and Parador de Arties which have dinner included. Price does not include tickets for the racing so you can get the tribunes you want from the Auto Club of Monaco
To book contact Jasper
Tel:+44 (0) 1442 842542
Mob: 07831 327727
Email: info@driveespana.com
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