Monza.

Monza & Milan (September 2024).

The third stop on our two-week road trip, after Zandvoort and Heidelberg and before Dijon. Me and Anita, based in Sesto San Giovanni, a short hop from both Milan and the circuit.

Milan.

The Duomo is enormous and better than the photos. Next door, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is all glass roof and mosaic floor. Then away from the crowds into the side streets for saffron risotto and a long lunch.

Monza.

The Italian Grand Prix at the Temple of Speed. An old royal park, trees right up to the fences, and a crowd that is mostly red. It's the race with the most history, and you feel it.

Milan for the culture, Monza for the noise.

Getting there.

We drove, as part of the road trip: LeShuttle to Calais, then Zandvoort, Heidelberg and down to Milan.

Other options: fly to Linate (BA and ITA from Heathrow and London City, easyJet from Gatwick), Malpensa (easyJet, BA, Wizz and Ryanair from the London airports) or Bergamo (Ryanair from Stansted), all around two hours. Bergamo is handy for Monza. Or take Eurostar to Paris and the direct train to Milan, about seven hours from Paris. On race weekend, trains from Milano Centrale, Porta Garibaldi or Sesto San Giovanni reach Monza in 20 to 30 minutes, and a combined ticket of about €10 covers the shuttle bus too. Taxis back are scarce.

Where to stay.

We had four nights in an Airbnb flat in Sesto San Giovanni, by the Sesto Rondò metro stop, with parking outside.

Budget: Ostello Bello by Milano Centrale, a well-known social hostel. Mid-range: Hotel de la Ville in Monza, opposite the Villa Reale and walkable to the park, from around £165 outside race week. Fancy: Park Hyatt Milano, by the Galleria, around £1,100. Book early for race weekend, when prices climb.

Worth doing.

The Duomo, the Galleria and a long risotto lunch. For the race we had three-day general admission.

With more time: The Last Supper at Santa Maria delle Grazie (book well ahead), aperitivo along the Navigli, the Duomo rooftop, and the Villa Reale in Monza.