If you're into Formula 1 the Canadian GP could be part of a pretty special Montreal trip. The race is normally in early summer, and the circuit is on an island (Ile Notre-Dame), which is a subway ride from the centre of the city.

I think you would need to get a ticket for seats in one of the grandstands, which can be expensive - there is a general admission ticket but you would have to be very lucky or persistent to find a reasonable spot to watch the race from.

Trust me, the start of an F1 race is the loudest and coolest sound you will ever hear (ear-plugs recommended and available from most of the souvenir stands)!

The island has a bunch of stuff going on during the race weekend, including the casino and a lake where you can sunbathe and swim to cool off. This year, back in town, the area around the Rue Sainte-Catherine had a big F1-themed street fair going on in the evenings. Of course, there's a ton of other stuff to do in the city too.

For more information see www.grandprix.ca

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The Monaco F1 Grand Prix is the one revered by F1 enthusiasts. The location and grandeur make it the one to attend if it’s the only one you get to.

For those wanting to go, and especially for those not in the UK or Europe, I recommend that you ignore the (overpriced) package tours and arrange your own trip there. Fly into Nice (like the stars do) stay in a boutique hotel on the Promenade Des'Anglais in Nice and on race day take the train to Monaco.

Tickets to the grand prix? Either contact the Automobile Club de Monaco (see their site) or use their booking agent online. The Monaco Grand Prix is for petrol heads and a tad different to visiting the casinos. Don't forget the earplugs.

Monte Carlo (SNCF) station is adjacent to the circuit and a 20 min train trip from Nice;
Monaco Automobile Club: www.acm.mc;
Ticket bookings: www.visualseat.com

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If coming to Shanghai for the Grand Prix check to see if there is a shuttle bus running from Shanghai Stadium (Metro Line 1). There was for the A1 Grand Prix in April. The circuit is on the outskirts of the city and although a taxi is quite cheap (100 RMB) not all the drivers know where the circuit is. Formula One is Eff ee in Chinese by the way. Say that and flash your ticket if you do decide to go by taxi.

There were plenty of people selling binoculars and fake Rolex watches but I only saw one person selling earplugs so bring your own if you can.

Always carry a card with the name and address of your hotel in Chinese just in case you get lost and want to jump into a taxi. Not many speak English but they will understand if you point to the card.

You can save money by sitting on the grass on one of the hairpin bends. There is plenty of action there but you may need a new lens for your camera as the action is a bit further away – but this can be paid for by the money you save on the ticket.

Take an umbrella. If Westerners get a cold here it lasts for three weeks when the locals shake it off in a couple of days.

www.icsh.sh.cn/english/node/node_9603.htm

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