Hi, we are going to the Italian Grand Prix. I've been checking out hotels, and am aware of the issues with finding places to stay. We just decided to go on this trip two weeks ago, so we are kind of late in the game. We will be in Europe for several days, but in the Milan area for three nights. The race is two days before we leave out of Malpensa. I've been to Milan before, and would like to skip it this time. Three nights there is just way too much, plus I don't know if you have ever been to this area during the Italian Grand Prix, but it is crazy getting into a decent hotel, and I am fairly saavy about doing research and working things out. Como is out of the question, as well as fairly booked already. I am considering Stresa-Arona area, or Bergamo. The train ride into and back from Monza will be longer from Lake Maggiore, but the trip to Malpensa will be easy when we finally leave! So I am debating a longer ride to the race, and a shorter one to the airport two days later. Has anybody else gone to the race? Where did you stay? What would you recommend? Thanks.

excerpted from a previous post (please note that I no longer use the e-mail address listed below):<BR><BR>Author: Rex ([email protected])<BR>Date: 03/02/2001, 12:13 am<BR><BR>Message: I took a small group of people to Italy last September, and we made a day to the Grand Prix part of a four day stay in the Lake Como area. Hotels book up very heavily - - perhaps in a 50 mile circle (I can only tell you about the Lake Como area - - where we were lucky to find four rooms, four weeks out). <BR><BR>We went to a qualifying day (Friday), not "race" day (Sunday), and the price was very reasonable (not sure I can precisely remember - - 25.000 LIT or maybe it was 45.000). The track is in a heavily wooded area - - almost like a state forest here in the US. I know very little about racing tracks here in the US (I have been to Indy once), but this seemed unusual to all the others who were with me. It was a very pleasant atmosphere over all. There were literally hundreds of stalls of vendors of paraphernalia along a 1000-1500 meter walk from where a shuttle bus dropped us off (we just followed signs, and essentially parked on side streets in areas served by this shuttle bus - - about a 5 minute ride from where we parked to the drop-off point). The exit to go to Monza off the autostrada is NOT at all obvious; I would have to get out a map to consult for the name of the exit. <BR>I can also find you some websites with info showing the layout of the track, the locations of various seats (not really relevant on qualifying days), and so forth. <BR><BR>As for where to stay, you will find many opinions here on places to stay in Milan (the majority of them not necessarily praising lodging in Milan, for value or nice features). I can tell you that the "bigwigs" stayed out at Lake Como (for example, Schumacher's whole entourage at Villa d'Este, or so we heard). There were FOUR Ferraris parked parked on the front circle of GH Villa Serbelloni on Saturday night (high-roller fans, one might assume?) <BR><BR>I think you might want to investigate Monza itself, or maybe Bergamo - - not more than 30 minutes away from Monza. <BR><BR>As an aside, on race day, we were in Bellagio, and the race was quite clearly on the minds of locals (shopkeepers, bar-owners, etc). It was generally a festive day - - similar to a major "game day" in a college football town. <BR><BR>I predict that you will like it. <BR><BR>Best wishes, <BR><BR>Rex Bickers <BR>Westerville, Ohio <BR><BR>====================================<BR><B R>So... in response to your specific questions... you say you depart Tuesday? and arrive Saturday? You're going to have a very hard time, even though you have 5-6 weels lead time because so many places will require Th-F-S-S stay. I think Bergamo is a good idea, if you can get it. Nothing wrong with the Malpensa area per se, as far as efficient use of time - - just not all that interesting (on the other hand, you can get to Como in no time, for Monday fun).<BR><BR>I would encourage having/renting a car.<BR>

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Sorry if the travel dates were unclear. We arrive on Saturday 9/14 from the coast, and depart on Tuesday 9/17 to come home. <BR><BR>Thank you for responding.