Jetsettersblog

More than 530,000 visitors from all across the world, 2,555 guided tours and some 14,326 grilled steaks at the Christophorus are some of the more significant numbers tallied by the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart just a year after its opening.

When the Porsche Museum opened its doors to the public for the first time on Jan. 31, 2009, Porsche officials had predicted optimistically that 200,000 people would visit annually.

No one imagined that more than a half million would pass through the doors and into the world of Porsche.

The new Porsche Museum is arguably one of the most daring architectural designs to emerge among a recent wave of auto museums in Germany.

The award-winning building is host to some 80 of the brand’s most famous sports and race cars, numerous small exhibits, as well as little-known prototypes from the company’s more than 60-year history.

For more information, visit

www.porsche.com

Car enthusiasts can start their engines in preparation for the 80th International Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland, hosted at the city’s Palexpo Centre from March 4 to 14, 2010.

To make the most of this action packed ten days, visitors have the opportunity to stay at the Hotel d’Angleterre, which is offering a Motorshow package that includes:

accommodations for two guests; buffet breakfast daily; two tickets for the Motorshow; return taxi transfers to the Palexpo Centre; and a four-course dinner in Windows restaurant.

For more information, visit www.dangleterrehotel.com

Head to Kuala Lumpur for the 2010 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix and watch Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton battle it out in the third race of the season.

Britain’s new ‘super team’ of drivers will be driving wheel to wheel in the race to the chequered flag.

Button – shortlisted for this year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award – is the defending champ at Malaysia, claiming victory by more than 22 seconds over Nick Heidfeld in last year’s race.

Premier Holidays, the UK’s leading independent tour operator, is offering race fans a three-night package to the Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix, departing London Heathrow on 1 April 2010. The deal includes tickets to the final day of qualifying on Saturday 3 April and race day on Sunday 4 April.

The special offer also includes return flights with Malaysia Airlines, three nights’ accommodation with free upgrade to deluxe room at Hotel Capitol on bed and breakfast basis, return private transfers to the hotel and race circuit, a city tour of Kuala Lumpur and prepayable taxes.

Price is from £999 per person, based on two people travelling – a saving of up to £245 per person. Departures from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester are available at a supplement.

To book, contact Premier Holidays on

www.premierholidays.co.uk  or 08444 937 524.

Grandstand Motor Sports, the market leader in motor sports travel, has unveiled its first-edition brochure of exciting motor sports events for 2010.

The programme, which covers everything from headline Formula 1 races right through to classic car rallies, NASCAR races and World Superbike events, offers a comprehensive preview of the year’s most anticipated international events – representing the very best that the thrilling, high-octane world of motor sports has to offer.

Grandstand Motor Sports’ services stretch from simple race ticket reservations through to fully inclusive, individually tailor-made itineraries.

Now in its fifth year, Grandstand Motor Sports has grown to become the market leader in its field, taking more people to more events than any other operator. In addition to its expertise in organising specialist tours and packages for motor sports enthusiasts, the company also benefits from being part of the award-winning Titan Travel Group, which is renowned for offering excellent value for money and fantastic customer service coupled with complete satisfaction and total peace of mind.

The main focus of the brochure is the Formula 1 circuit, with the Australian Grand Prix being an early highlight of the calendar.

This race takes place in Melbourne on 28 March 2010 (closely followed by the Malaysian Grand Prix on 4 April) and is always hotly anticipated, though this year it stands to attract more interest than ever from the UK market thanks to the high-profile partnership between British favourites, Jensen Button and Lewis Hamilton.

A three-night hotel package in Melbourne (arriving on Friday 26 March) costs from £449 per person B&B, based on two people sharing. Weekend passes to the Albert Park Circuit are available from an additional £190 per person.

Those that wish can extend their trip with, for example, a four-night Great Ocean Road fly-drive (from £345 per person) or a five-night Reef & Rainforest tour of the Queensland coast (from £440 per person).

Following the Australian and Malaysian events, the annual quest for racing supremacy continues around the world for the next eight months, culminating with the Brazilian Grand Prix on 14 November.

Before the attention turns to the Formula 1 circuit, however, the focus of the motor sports world will be firmly fixed on Florida’s east coast for the 24 Hours of Daytona (30-31 January) and the Daytona 500 (14 February).

Both these events take place at the Daytona International Speedway, the original home of stock-car racing.

A three-night package to Daytona Beach departing on Friday 29 January costs from £1,259 per person, to include flights, transfers, room-only accommodation, a weekend pass to the race and a one-day admission to the Daytona 500 Experience (an interactive motor sports attraction located at the Speedway).

Those preferring to enhance the non-stop buzz of the track with the thrills and spills of Orlando’s famous theme parks (just an hour away) could easily combine the two.

A five-night package departing on Thursday 11 February, for example, costs from £1,209 per person, to include flights, transfers, room-only accommodation and tickets to the race (with reserved seating).

For the committed enthusiast, the brochure also contains a selection of classic car events and historic car races.

The most famous of these is the Monaco Historic Grand Prix, which was immortalised in the 1955 movie Grand Prix and remains one of the undisputed highlights of the annual racing calendar.

The sight and sound of pre- and post-war racing cars zooming around the tight street circuit is a unique and unmissable experience.

A three-night package departing on Friday 30 April costs from £599 per person (based on two sharing), to include flights, transfers and grandstand seats for both the practice sessions on the Saturday and the race itself on the Sunday.

Alternatively, the race can be enjoyed as part of an 8-night driving tour. Departing from Dover on Tuesday 27 April, the Monte Carlo Adventure costs from £1,699 per person and includes ferry crossings, luxury accommodation, meals and an exciting programme of sight-seeing and wine-tasting.

Another favourite classic car experience is a self-drive holiday celebrating the legendary Mille Miglia.

Originally an open-road endurance race, the Mille Miglia is now the ultimate racing event for classic car owners and enthusiasts.

Its popularity with British race-goers has grown significantly since TV chef James Martin participated in the race two years ago, generating a surge in interest and demand.

A self-driving itinerary taking in the countryside of the French Champagne and Burgundy regions before crossing into Switzerland and via some spectacular mountain passes into the Italian Lakes region and Brescia (historic starting place of the Mille Miglia) costs from £2,199 per person.

The 12-day trip departs on Saturday 1 May and includes ferry crossings from Dover, luxury accommodation, meals and a programme of sight-seeing and excursions.

The return route takes in beautiful Dolomites region and on through Switzerland and France back to Calais.

A new addition for the 2010 brochure is Classic Days at Magny Cours, which takes place on the former Grand Prix circuit.

This will mark the third running of this event, with highlights including track sessions or a scenic drive through the surrounding area.

The three-night trip costs from £599 per person (includes ferry crossings, accommodation, meals and circuit admission).

Another classic-car favourite is the Le Mans Classic (9-11 July), a biennial event that attracts an enormous gathering of classic cars and their enthusiasts.

Such is the popularity of this event that availability for 2010 is already running low, so early booking is recommended to avoid any disappointment.

Lovers of modern-day motor cars, meanwhile, will surely appreciate the Supercars tour to Modena, home to what’s commonly known as ‘Motor Valley’. This holiday includes various factory tours to uncover the secrets of such famous vehicles as Ferraris, Maseratis, Paganis and Lamborghinis.

This three-night trip costs from £849 per person (including flights, transfers, meals, accommodation and sight-seeing tours) and has been reintroduced to the programme following popular demand.

Commenting on the brochure, Di Simons, General Manager for Grandstand Motor Sports said, “Our first-edition brochure is designed to whet the appetite for a new calendar of exhilarating motor sports events.

A second-edition brochure will be launched in the New Year with further details of Formula 1 and MotoGP events, especially those whose dates have not yet been confirmed.

In addition, following the recent acquisition of our parent company, Titan Travel, by the owners of the Automobile Association, we are now able to offer significant benefits to our customers – such as a 30% saving on European breakdown insurance.

Further details of this and other deals will be promoted in the next edition of the brochure”.

For more information call Grandstand Motor Sports on 0845 375 0300 or visit the website at www.grandstandmotorsports.co.uk

Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) has announced that Rally Abu Dhabi will launch next year as a World Rally Championship (WRC) event.

If successful, the new international motorsport event aims to become part of the official WRC circuit in 2011.

“This is a major leap forward in Abu Dhabi’s motorsport ambitions,” says His Excellency Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, chairman of ADTA.

“We are confident we have the right experience, pedigree, determination and skills to deliver a unique and highly successful round of the WRC championship and that our 2011 ambitions will be fully realised.”

The introduction of Rally Abu Dhabi charts another significant milestone for motorsports in the emirate, coming shortly after the successful inauguration of the Formula 1™ Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Rally Abu Dhabi will also complement ADTA’s other major motorsport event – the Abu Dhabi Challenge which is to be held on March 25th to April 1st 2010 – in strengthening the emirate’s motorsport and major events credentials.

ADTA has been actively involved with WRC since 2007, as both the WRC’s Official Destination Partner and a principal partner of the BP Ford Abu Dhabi team within the series.

“WRC is the pinnacle competition in rally motorsports, with ADTA leveraging on the championship’s considerable fan base to promulgate its destination brand and awareness on a global scale,” said Ahmed Hussein, deputy director general, ADTA.

“Involvement in the WRC has delivered significant returns for our tourism mandate, taking Abu Dhabi’s name and exposing its proposition to audiences as far apart as the icy roads of Sweden to the dusty tracks of Australia.”

Whilst the specific dates for Rally Abu Dhabi 2010 will only be confirmed in March, Rally Abu Dhabi has already solicited strong domestic and international support from both the Automobile Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE) and Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management.

“It is a massive sporting and management challenge for us and ADTA to secure WRC status,” said Mohammed Ahmed Ben Sulayem,

ATCUAE president and FIA vice-president. “While the international goodwill is high for our event, the FIA observation process is very rigorous and demanding so we must aim very high to pass the inspection process and secure WRC status.”

WRC and International Sportworld Communicators (ISC), global promoter of the WRC, have also pledged to support Rally Abu Dhabi with their experience and expertise.

“As Championship Promoter, we welcome the opportunity to expand the grassroots appeal of our sport into new territories,” said Simon Long, CEO of the ISC.

“Abu Dhabi is fast becoming a centre of excellence for building a culture of motorsport which showcases both the unique character of the emirate and the exciting aspirations of the Middle East.

“We look forward to seeing the new dimensions which Abu Dhabi can undoubtedly offer the sport of rallying and, potentially, WRC as a whole.”

F ollowing the World Motor Sport Council’s agreement move the Monaco Grand Prix date forward by one week Star Clippers has changed its 7 night Cote d’Azur sailing itinerary to give passengers the opportunity to be in Monaco for the Grand Prix on Sunday 16th May 2010.

The revised itinerary, original sailing from Monaco to Cannes, now embarks from Cannes on 15th May, sailing along the Cote d’Azur to anchor in the bay of Monaco on 16th May, the new date of the 2010 Monaco Grand Prix.

The cruise continues its Mediterranean voyage calling into ports in Corsica, Elba, Portofino and along the Cote d’Azur, before returning to Cannes on 22nd May.

It will be the first time that the 170 passenger `Star Flyer’, one of the world’s largest and most luxurious tall ships has been scheduled to be in Monaco for the Grand Prix.

Passengers will be within easy reach by tender of all the action and the head-turning vessel will be one of the most beautiful ships on the scene with her graceful lines, four masts and teak decking.

Grand Prix fans wanting to enjoy the seven days of luxurious sailing can join the cruise for just £1179 per person, based on 2 sharing.

Demand for the jet-set Grand Prix sailing is expected to be high, according to Alison Repoulios, general manager of Star Clippers in the UK.

Repoulios says: “Accommodation in Monaco is hugely expensive during the Grand Prix and chartering a private yacht is beyond the reach of most people, so to be able to offer this exciting opportunity to British clients for 2010 is something really special”.

Life is on board each of the three tall ships in the Star Clippers fleet is as it would be on a private yacht, with impeccable service and fine food in an informal, relaxed setting.

Star Flyer has two plunge pools, the convivial deck-top Tropical Bar and a comfortable piano bar inside.

Guests are free to help the crew raise the 3,365 square metres of sails or simply to relax and soak up the sunshine.

The seven night Grand Prix cruise can be booked for £1179 per person, based on 2 sharing a cabin, and including breakfast, lunch, dinner, port taxes and 7 days sailing itinerary.

Contact Star Clippers reservations on 0845 200 6145, e-mail star.clippers@fredolsentravel.co.uk , or www.starclippers.co.uk

Contact Star Clippers reservations on 0845 200 6145, e-mail star.clippers@fredolsentravel.co.uk , or www.starclippers.co.uk

The 2010 Hanging Rock Racing Season kicks off on Friday 1 January 2010 and V/Line will help you get there in comfort and style, from the station to the race course and then back again.

There is no need for a convoy of cars and obligatory designated drivers – with V/Line you can relax and enjoy the beautiful Victorian countryside on the trip up. And when the day is done, you can rest your weary feet as V/Line brings you home again.

Just over an hour from Melbourne, the annual Hanging Rock race meetings have attracted big crowds over their 120-year history. The course is lined with elm trees creating a spectacular natural amphitheatre for picnicking racegoers to sample local food and wine.

The first of the race days is held on New Years Day, with plenty of free activities to keep the kids entertained and an array of food, wine and local specialties on offer.

The second of the main race days is held on Australia Day. Expect a relaxed day, where you can get close to the racing and enjoy great country hospitality.

While the country races have a more relaxed feel than the city events, racegoers are still encouraged to frock up and be part of ‘Fashions on the Field’. Everyone can enter and there are fabulous prizes on offer.

V/LINE HANGING ROCK RACES DEAL:

For only $32.80 ($26.40 Conc.), V/Line’s Hanging Rock Races deal includes: an economy return ticket with V/Line from Melbourne (Southern Cross Station) to Woodend; shuttle transfer to the racecourse and entry to public areas of the racecourse.

PURCHASING V/LINE TICKETS

• Call 136 196 (6am-10pm AEST)
• At V/Line stations, through V/Line agents or premium metropolitan stations – see vline.com.au/wheretobuy

MORE INFORMATION
• For more information about these special deals visit www.vline.com.au/racing
 • For more information about country racing please visit www.countryracing.com.au

The annual Penguins winter motorcycle rally is revving up for its start date in January.

Penguins 2010 is the 29th International Motorcyclists Winter Rally and is expected to draw crowds from all over Europe.

Held in the village of Simancas in the Valladolid province of western Spain, the rally will head out on January 7th.

Anyone staying in Salamanca hotels may want to make the trip to the neighbouring province to visit the bike meeting during its four-day run.

Organised by the Turistimo Club in Spain, the event brings motorcycle lovers of all nationalities together in one place.

At the last event, more than 29,000 cyclists participated in the festivities.

The rally is about more than motorbikes, with concerts and trophy ceremonies taking place alongside the races.

Food marquees and organisational tents will also be set up in the large pine forest that plays host to the gathering of bike enthusiasts.

A fireworks display, bonfire and a range of live music should be enough to entertain those who do not want to ride.

Registration for the event costs EUR25 (GBP22.70), with activities planned every day from January 7th to 10th, including excursions to allow bikers to explore the surrounding countryside.

If you’re heading to the Penguins International Motorcyclist Rally this year, we strongly advise that you book your hoteles Salamanca as soon as possible, given the huge popularity of the event.

The Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada in Montréal has been confirmed and will take place from June 11 to 13, 2010.

Following this announcement by the various levels of government, the lodging tax will increase from $3 CAD to $3.50 CAD effective February 1, 2010. This tax increase is temporary and will remain in effect until Jan. 31, 2015, as the agreement with Grand Prix promoters is valid until the end of 2014. For further details regarding this change, please consult the ministère des Finances du Québec newsletter, in particular the last paragraph of this document confirming that the tax will remain at $3 for all contracts finalized with hotels before Feb. 1, 2010 for reservations taking place before Nov. 1, 2010.

For more information, visit www.tourisme-montreal.org

Best Western International, the World’s Largest Hotel Chain, has extended its partnership with one of NASCAR’s most popular teams, Michael Waltrip Racing, for the 2010 NASCAR season, the hotel chain announced.

Best Western has been a loyal sponsor of the two-time Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip and his team for the past six seasons.

The hotel chain will serve as the primary sponsor of the No. 00 Toyota Camry driven by the 2009 Coca-Cola 600 winner David Reutimann for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race to be held at the Phoenix International Raceway on April 10, 2010.

Best Western will also serve as an associate sponsor of the No. 00 for the remainder of the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule.

The only hotel loyalty program for racing fans, Best Western’s Speed Rewards is one of the most generous rewards programs, and one of a few that is truly international.

With more than 4,000 locations in 80 countries, racing fans will find it easy to earn points that can be redeemed for global free room nights with no black-out dates, dining, shopping and entertainment gift cards, gas cards, airline miles and more.

Program members can book their award nights and purchase travel at the banner at right.

For more information on Best Western Racing or to sign up for the Speed Rewards loyalty program, visit www.bestwesternracing.com