Globetrotter
barcelona
#5. make like al pacino
Petrol-heads looking to splurge can take a Ferrari F430 for a spin in Barcelona (if you believe Al Pacino in Scent of a Woman that’s an experience second only to doing the tango with a beautiful woman). Gran Hotel La Florida, the luxury design hotel on Mount Tibidabo outside the Catalan capital, is offering a Ferrari weekend package this summer. As well as a night in one of the hotel’s Design Suites, the deal includes breakfast for two, a pampering bath with a bottle of Gimonet Brut Premier Champagne, and a ‘tasting menu’ dinner for two in their L’Orangerie restaurant. The Ferrari is yours for an hour. Wooooohah!
» Fly Sterling to Barcelona
The Drive Your Dreams package costs €1,690. Gran Hotel La Florida, Carretera Vallvidrera al Tibidabo 83-93, Barcelona, +34 93 259 3065, www.hotellaflorida.com
greece
#6. the ultimate island hop
In July, yachtsmen from all over the world gather in the crystal waters around Greece for the country’s oldest regatta, the Aegean Rally. The action starts off at Piraeus, near Athens, with the yachts then racing from island to island. This year’s stop-offs include Naxos, Lipsi and Tinos. Join the teams on their return to Piraeus for the prize-giving, barbecues and traditional celebrations.
» Fly Sterling to Athens
11–20 July. www.horc.gr, www.aegeanrally.gr
valencia
#7. streetside seats for the european grand prix
Motorsports fans rejoice. This August, Valencia will host its first ever Grand Prix, with a crazy street circuit in the Monaco style. Set in the Grao port area, the 5473.5m route, which has an estimated track time of one minute 37 seconds, takes in the docks, fish market and marina. Will boy wonder Lewis Hamilton be able to work his magic again? Will this be one of the last chances to watch Kimi Raikkonen before he retires? No doubt the F1 gossip engine will be in overdrive again this summer.
And after the race is done, there’s always Valencia itself. The sun-soaked home of paella is perfect for a longer break – take some time out to admire the city’s eclectic mix of cutting-edge Modernist architecture and Moorish medieval buildings, or simply chill out on the 7km-long beach.
» Fly Sterling to Valencia
22–24 August. For information and tickets for the race visit www.valenciastreetcircuit.com
london
#8. we’re off to see the wizard
Some stories are so fantastic that even the most glorious Technicolor is not enough to do them justice. So it’s time to put on your ruby slippers and follow the yellow brick road to see the new theatrical version of The Wizard of Oz at London’s Southbank Centre. Joining other popular screen-to-stage adaptations, such as the Lion King, Dirty Dancing and Billy Elliot, the classic musical is playing in the city for the first time in 20 years. For the duration of the run, the Royal Festival Hall will be transformed into a 21st-century Emerald City, bathed by night in magical green light.
» Fly Sterling to London
23 July – 31 August. Tickets £10–£50 (€12.50–€62.50). The Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1. Book online at www.southbankcentre.co.uk
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