Chasing the Checkered Flag by Sea: The Ultimate Sports Vacation

By Lisa Spiller, Luxury Travel Advisor
Preferred Travel & Co.

This summer, I gathered a dozen of my fellow Formula 1 enthusiasts for a journey that traded traditional grandstands for the open ocean.

Booking a voyage with Azamara, our goal was the crown jewel of motorsport: the Monaco Grand Prix. Our adventure began in Nice, France, where we boarded our ship to cruise through the sun-drenched ports of the French and Italian Rivieras before arriving in Monte Carlo and ending our journey along the golden beaches of Spain’s Costa del Sol. While there are countless ways to witness the glitz of Monaco, combining the adrenaline of the track with a four-country Mediterranean cruise proved to be the absolute pinnacle of a sports vacation.

Arriving by cruise or luxury yacht has become virtually synonymous with the Monaco Grand Prix experience. Azamara Cruises stands out as one of the few ocean lines providing dedicated, F1-themed itineraries during race week. However, discerning travelers can also find ultra-luxury race week packages through lines like Explora Journeys and Aman at Sea.

The Azamara Journey felt intimate yet lively, boasting a choice of dining venues, cozy lounges, and a vibrant night club. The real surprise was the exceptionally talented Filipino trio anchoring the “disco” each evening. They drew a standing-room-only crowd, and we found ourselves dancing nightly alongside a spirited group of fellow Gen X and Baby boomer travelers. It was a remarkably young, high-energy demographic for a cruise—a lively atmosphere likely driven by the premium nature of the Formula One itinerary.

Azamara is celebrated for its destination-immersive itineraries, and ours delivered a spectacular lineup of Riviera superstars. We began our trip in Nice and spent the afternoon drinking rosé, strolling the waterfront promenade and exploring the lively street markets before a champagne sunset dinner on our private verandah.

After setting sail on our ship out of Nice, we awoke our first morning to the postcard-perfect Ligurian coast of Italy. We joined a small-group boat tour to the charming seaside villages of Rapallo, Santa Margherita and Portofino, where we discovered that the definitive way to experience these destinations is to simply wander the cobbled pedestrian alleys. We shopped the local boutiques, ducked beneath the shade of vibrant bougainvillea to sip espresso and limoncello and savored warm pizzetta slices from neighborhood bakeries while people watching and snapping photos.

After an evening of wining, dining, and dancing on board, we awoke to the ancient castle walls guarding the harbor of Porto Venere. Seeking to explore the Cinque Terre, we boarded a small ferry, securing prime spots on the top deck to watch the lush landscape unfold. Though rough waters made navigation a challenge, we caught close-up views of Riomaggiore and Vernazza tucked tightly into the steep, vine-lined cliffs. Reaching Monterosso al Mare, we gladly stepped onto terra firma to wander past its cabana-striped beaches and shop for local olive oil and limoncello. From there, we braved the choppy waves to Lerici, a picturesque waterfront village guarded by its own historic fortress. We rewarded our rocky journey by indulging in the local specialty: fresh, exceptionally salty oysters just unloaded from the fishing boats. Shucked on the spot and washed down with local wine, they were the perfect precursor to the afternoon ahead, where we returned to Porto Venere to savor fresh frutti di mare and house-made pasta at a sun-spattered trattoria.

Continuing up the Italian coast overnight, we awoke in the port of Livorno, the gateway to Florence, Pisa, and the rolling hills of Tuscany. While some of our friends whisked away to explore Florence and Pisa, others chose the adventure of truffle hunting, followed by a picnic featuring the proceeds of their forest finds. We opted instead to explore the historic walled city of Lucca by bicycle, pedaling along its beautifully preserved Renaissance walls and charming streets.

That evening, we all gathered for a truly special opera performance by the Goldini Sisters at Teatro Goldoni, Livorno’s largest and most prestigious historic theater. The signature performance was graciously hosted by Azamara Cruises for all guests, making it an extraordinary evening—and one we will never forget.

The following day, still immersed in the beauty of Tuscany, we explored the hilltop villages of Volterra and San Gimignano, offering us a genuine glimpse into everyday life under the Tuscan sun. We were captivated by the remarkably preserved medieval castles and fortresses, and by the centuries-old stone streets, polished smoothly by generations of footsteps.

Here, we browsed the charming storefronts stocked with brightly painted ceramics, Italian leather goods, local wines, Parma ham, and seemingly endless variations of everything lemon putting our suitcases to the ultimate test with every purchase. The highlight of our day was a wine tasting and leisurely luncheon at Tenuta Torciano, a centuries-old, family-owned Tuscan vineyard.

Surrounded by the vineyards and immersed in generations of family tradition, we savored wonderful wines and an unforgettable homemade lasagna prepared by the owners’ 16-year-old granddaughter—quite possibly the best lasagna we have ever tasted.

During our cruise, former Formula One driver Derek Daly brought the thrill of the track to our voyage with a series of gripping lectures. He took us deep into the driver’s seat and the pit box, sharing vivid personal stories from his career on the asphalt, in the team box, and in the broadcast booth. His expert insights built incredible anticipation, giving everyone a genuine appreciation for the roar of Race Day.

We awoke on Race Day anchored off the glittering coast of Villefranche with adrenaline already coursing through our veins. Azamara coordinated flawless logistics that started with a scenic tender ride ashore to a breathtaking coastal drive into Monaco, where we were whisked through pristine streets lined with boulangeries, bustling markets and impossibly chic boutiques, straight to the grandstand gates.

And what a grandstand! From Grandstand K, we had a front-row view of Monaco’s glittering harbor, mega-yachts bobbing in the sunshine and the legendary track winding directly in front of us. There’s no single way to experience the Monaco Grand Prix. The yachts become floating nightclubs; balconies transform into private viewing parties and elegantly dressed crowds spill from rooftop clubs and terraces. We chose the grandstands—and loved every sun-soaked, people-watching minute of it.

Then came the moment we’d been waiting for. The roar of engines erupted behind us as the cars lined up on the grid. We watched the start on giant screens before the pack came screaming around the track. In an instant, the entire grandstand erupted, people jumping to their feet, cheering and waving as the cars flashed past just yards away.

Seventy-eight laps and nearly two hours of pure adrenaline later, we had experienced the magic of Monaco at full throttle—and witnessed Kimi Antonelli take his fifth consecutive victory. Unforgettable.

Our voyage continued along Spain’s sun-drenched Costa del Sol, with a bike ride through Palma de Mallorca and a grand finale worthy of the journey: wine tasting, live flamenco music and passionate dancing inside a 175-year-old, family-owned bodega. It was the perfect ending to an epic adventure, with the Monaco Grand Prix at its heart.

Lisa Spiller is a Luxury Travel Advisor affiliated with Preferred Travel & Co.
Contact Lisa: Lisa@PreferredNaples.com.