FORMULA ONE

We’re back into the Formula 1 season!
We’re back into the Formula 1 season! Fast cars and adrenaline rush – what could be more exciting? However, when your neck has a crick from snapping your head in attempt to keep your eyes on the zooming cars, what else is there (that is stationary) to see in the cities that host the races?




Melbourne, AustraliaSpend a weekend there and you''ll like it; spend a week and you''ll fall in love with it. The entire city has an effortless style that you find in continental European cities such as Milan or Paris - from its trams to the haute couture trappings of its citizens, Melbourne exudes an air of intelligence and sophistication. It is also the Australian capital of performing arts and the sheer range of entertainment on offer will keep you coming back for more.






Sepang, Malaysia Home sweet home! But how many of us know our own back yard? Sepang is a town and district located in the southern part of the state of Selangor in Malaysia which is famous for the township of Cyberjaya. Conceptualised as a model intelligent city of the world, Cyberjaya is the nucleus of our country''s strategic vision for the new economy, the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC). Located in the middle of the MSC stretch in between Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) to the north and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to the south, Cyberjaya complements the development and operation of Putrajaya, which is Malaysia''s new government administrative capital affectionately known as the “Garden City, Intelligent City”.






Sakhir, BahrainSakhir is located on Bahrain Island, by far the largest of this small archipelago, the capital Manama is a modern, fast moving city with high-rise buildings and wealthy citizens. Many visitors to Bahrain come predominantly to make the most of the country''s sunny climate and there are certainly plenty of opportunities to do this. The islands are endowed with some spectacular beaches and the clear blue waters are ideal for diving, snorkelling or just cooling off from an arduous session of sunbathing.


Barcelona, SpainBarcelona is Spain''s second city - but don''t tell the inhabitants that. To them Barcelona is the most fabulous city on earth. And they may just be right. Barcelona is one of the few great European cities by the sea. While Madrid withers in the summer sun, Barcelona chills out on its beach. Its main thoroughfare, Las Ramblas, runs all the way from the quayside through the heart of the city, and it is here that you should start your tour of one of Europe''s most exciting cities.


Monaco, MonacoMonaco and, in particular, the principal district of Monte Carlo, has drawn the rich and famous to its sunny Mediterranean shores since the 19th century - when its grand casino was built. Admittedly the glitz and glamour associated with the tiny principality are still hard to ignore, but Monaco does have a lot more to offer than just gambling and Formula One racing. The Place du Palais, Monaco''s cultural heart, leads onto the imposing Prince''s Palace and the delightful, historic charms of Monaco-Ville. Views from this enormous square stretch over both of Monaco''s glitzy ports, all of its tall buildings and over to neighbouring Italy and France, making it a great point to orientate oneself from.






Montreal, CanadaCanada''s great French speaking metropolis entertains her visitors with some of the continent''s most vibrant nightlife, stylish shopping and historic buildings.. To get a taste of the real flavour of Montreal, visit a neighbourhood such as the famous Plateau-de Mont-Royal, Here you may stroll past brightly painted Victorian buildings with their characteristic external staircases. Spend time shopping on Mont-Royal Avenue or Rue St-Denis in the small clothing boutiques; take a coffee and bagel at a bakery. Later, while away an evening in a cocktail lounge before dining on world-class cuisine at one of the many original, fine restaurants.



Indianapolis, USAIndianapolis is the capital city of the State of Indiana, located in the Midwest region of the United States of America. One of the main attractions there is the Indianapolis 500 Hall of Fame Museum which has, among other things, 75 sleek racing cars (including former Indy winners) and a 226kg (500lb) Tiffany trophy. You can also take a tour of the race track by bus. However, there is more to this city than screaming wheels - as its museums, architecture and James Dean memorial will prove.


Magny Cours, FranceMagny Cours is located near Nevers in the Burgundy area of France. Nevers is a picturesque town on the banks of the Loire river with narrow winding streets and numerous old houses of the 14th to the 17th centuries. The surrounding area has more châteaux than any other region of France, in fact nearly 100 castles, medieval strongholds and châteaux of every architectural style dot the landscape from Vézelay to Cluny. Many, now with well-stocked wine-cellars, gourmet restaurants and swimming pools, are open to the public as luxury hotels.


Silverstone, Great BritainSilverstone is situated in the county of Northamptonshire, only an hour away from London and close to international airports. Northamptonshire is a place with beautiful countryside, a rich tradition and charming stone villages. The vast rural landscape is ‘quintessentially English’ and brimming with character. Nestled amongst the hills and valleys of Northamptonshire are many beautiful and historic market towns. From the charming conservation area of Towcester''s town centre to the magnificent Victorian Guildhall in Northampton''s market square, you can spend hours discovering secrets from centuries ago.
Nurburgring, GermanyKnown as simply "the Ring" by enthusiasts, the famous motorsport race track in Nürburg, Germany is about 90 kilometres southwest of Cologne. Cologne (Köln in German) is a distinctive and original city, the artistic hub of Germany and perhaps the friendliest destination you''ll come across in the whole country. Most visitors to Cologne spend most of their time in the Altstadt, the historic core of the city which was largely levelled by Allied bombing during the Second World War. Fortunately, the Kölner Dom, the famous gigantic city centre cathedral, came out of the conflict largely unscathed and remains in all its original magnificence.


Hungaroring, HungaryThe Hungaroring is situated near Budapest, which is divided by the magnificent Danube. On one side cosmopolitan Buda, looking down from the lofty heights of its hills; on the other schizophrenic and scruffy Pest. A must see for any visitor are a series of ramparts facing the river in Buda''s splendid Castle District, known as the Fisherman''s Bastion after the traditional defenders of this stretch of walls. In fact the Bastion bears testament to the whole of Hungary''s fortitude over the centuries. The seven conical topped towers are representative of the seven original Magyar tribes that established the nation.



Istanbul, TurkeyWith three and a half thousand years of history there''s no shortage of attractions in Istanbul, it is the only city on earth that straddles two continents and a visit to Istanbul is truly a unique experience. As you might guess this means there''s plenty to see, but luckily for the tourist most of the city''s sights are close to the huge Sultanahmet Square -- the heart of Istanbul. History notwithstanding, Istanbul is a fast changing, modern metropolis. The past ten years has seen a revolution as Turkey''s predominantly young population has made its presence felt, spawning a vibrant and ever expanding nightlife.


Monza, ItalyMonza, located in the Lombardy region of Italy is just 15 kilometres North East of Milan. Milan has all the style and cultural pedigree expected from an Italian city, and its streets are lined with trees and art treasures. The most famous designers on the globe have their headquarters here and the shopping streets of Milan attract the bold and the beautiful from every corner of the earth. Meanwhile Milan''s piazzas and art galleries boast sculptures and canvases from the most famous Italian artists of the Renaissance. But the piece de resistance, and the reason why many people flock to the city, is just a single painting - Leonardo da Vinci''s The Last Supper.


Spa-Francorchamps, BelgiumSpa, is located in the French speaking Belgium province of Liege. Belgium has been the unlikely backdrop for some of the most important events in European history. It has seen armies of all the major empires come and go and its flat landscape hides the battlefields of Waterloo, Ypres and Passchendale, events that changed Europe forever. Being sandwiched between the Netherlands and France, Belgium is in many ways a combination of the two countries, with a twist of Germany thrown in for good measure. This fascinating mixture has created an amazingly diverse people and a varied culture that is surprisingly refreshing for visitors



Fuji Speedway, JapanThis circuit’s claim to fame is through “Pole Position”, as it was the first race track to be featured in a video game. The Fuji Speedway is nestled in the foothills of Mount Fuji, one of the most famous volcanoes in the world and the highest point in Japan. Mount Fuji is an impressive crater-topped cone, and one of Japan''s biggest tourist attractions. The mountain rises just 100km from Tokyo and is easy to get to in season (July-August) when tourist buses ferry visitors out to the park 2300m up Fuji''s flank. From here, with a reasonable amount of effort, you can hike the remaining 1500m to the top.



Shanghai, ChinaIndisputably one of China''s most cosmopolitan city, Shanghai has been welcoming foreign visitors to its streets for centuries, infusing the metropolis with a unique history. British, French, American and Japanese businesses flourished here in the 19th and early 20th centuries, lured by the city''s prime trading position and enticing business prospects. Modern Shanghai has been almost completely rebuilt, with brand new high rises springing up everywhere you look - providing the city with a new focus. The past has not been forgotten, though: among the back streets, you''ll still find traditional Chinese gardens and temples, just as they were centuries ago, or just a few blocks away, the Bund with its Art Deco colonial buildings, evoking Shanghai''s heyday (though for most, minus the opium).


Interlagos, BrazilThe neighbourhood known as Interlagos is located in the city of São Paulo which is home to over 17 million people. From the Brazilian Grand Prix, the International Film Festival to New Years Eve celebrations - Sao Paulo buzzes after dark and becomes a stunning colourful city with lively and crazy events. Brazil is one of the most colourful and vibrant countries on earth with the most diverse flora and fauna, the largest rainforest and the longest river on Earth.