Grand Prix Package A Special Event At Sea

by Chris Owen on

Monaco’s Grand Prix has brought out the best of Formula One auto racing each year, and to race fans waiting for that starting flag to drop, there’s nothing better. In 1929, the first winner was a sleek Bugatti, completing the difficult course in just under four hours. Last year, racing legend Mark Weber crossed the finish line in less than two.

Want to know what next year will bring? Add the Grand Prix with Windstar package to a Yachting the Riviera yacht vacation.

Sail into the glamorous port of Monaco, on Windstar Cruises elegant sailing yacht Wind Surf, to experience the world’s most legendary auto racing event. With Windstar’s exclusive Grand Prix package added on to Wind Surf’s Yachting the Rivera voyage, race fans get preferred seating for the preliminaries on Saturday.

They’ll also get a glimpse at all the preparation that goes into the famous race, then the race itself on Sunday where they can cheer on their favorite driver with select seats.

Other highlights of the package include a night out in Monaco with dinner at the Café De Paris, followed by a night of gambling at Monte Carlo’s Grand Casino. Also included is an exclusive cocktail reception and Grand Prix dinner on board the yacht in Cannes as well as a special Sunday brunch the day of the race.

Rubbing elbows with the rich and famous has its cost though. The optional Grand Prix Package starts at $2,299 per person (in addition to cruise fare starting at $2999).



[Flickr photo by fusky]

Video: Virtual Tour Of Maeshowe, Scotland

by Sean McLachlan on


I recently had the good fortune to visit the Orkney Islands to the north of Scotland and saw that region’s amazing prehistoric archaeology. One of the most impressive monuments was the large vaulted burial chamber of Maeshowe. It was built around 2700 B.C., making it older than the pyramids at Giza, and is a masterpiece of stonework. Maeshowe is also famous for its much later (but still old) Viking graffiti.

Now Historic Scotland has made a virtual tour of this monument. Maeshowe was meticulously 3D-laser scanned to create this animation. The video takes place on the winter solstice, when the setting sun shines down the long, low entrance passage to illuminate the central chamber.

This video makes a good memento for me because when I visited, I was surprised and disappointed to learn that photography isn’t permitted inside Maeshowe. This video shows the tomb much more clearly than I could have ever captured on film anyway. So sit back, enjoy, and consider a trip to Orkney. It’s a magical place. Not only do you get stunning prehistoric monuments, but you can also enjoy the rugged scenery, abundant wildlife and lots of traditional Scottish music.

Embedded Into Finnair’s Flight Safety School

by Josh Wolff on

Safety is top priority for airlines around the world, and each crew member goes through weeks of recurrent training to prepare for emergencies. They do it in an a flight training center, where situations such as fires, bail outs and all sorts of other crises can be simulated and practiced.

At Finnair, this place is called the Flight Academy, a sprawling complex on the outskirts of Helsinki airport. Gadling Labs stopped by to get a taste of the action, and left amazed and humbled by the great work underway. Take a look.

Gangs Of Mice Attack Tube Travelers In London

by Jessica Festa on

When riding the subway, it’s not uncommon to see signs warning travelers of route changes and to be wary of pickpockets; however, According to the UK’s Daily Mail, London’s Farringdon Station has an uncommon warning for tube users:

“The mice at this station have been attacking customers. Please place the bottom of your trousers into your socks to avoid being a victim of the Farringdon mice.”

Apparently, mice have been “attacking” the feet of commuters as they wait for their train. It’s a bit of a mystery, however, as tube staff deny being the ones to put the sign up. While it’s now been taken down, thousands of people have already seen it and have taken to Twitter to spread the word.

For example, @alfredcamp wrote, “The #EssexLion turned out to be a harmless pussycat. The #FarringdonMice turned out to be far more sinister!”

@AlexKammAndSons also tweeted, saying, “I am not passing through Farringdon without a packet of mini cheddars as mouse bait #Farringdonmice.”

And @secret_escapes is now having nightmares. “Last night I dreamt that I was savaged by a (very large & scary) mouse. Now this warning appears. OMEN. #FarringdonMice”

[Image via Rama]

A Tour Through The World’s Longest Bar In Düsseldorf, Germany

by Josh Wolff on

Taking advantage of a long layover in Düsseldorf, Germany last month, we took a team into the city to check out the reported longest bar in the world.

Bad news? It’s not an actual bar but actually a series of bars linking across several miles of real estate in downtown Düsseldorf.

Good news? It involves copious amounts of drinking and bar-related activities, including but not limited to: stag and hen parties, greasy food, massive steins of beer, shots and no shortage of laughing and shouting. Take a look at our trip above.