SURVIVAL GUIDE Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium 2018 Welcome to the Survival Guide to GPtents in Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium. We are really glad that we can host during the Formula 1 race. Do not hesitate to ask us for any extra information if there is something that is not clear to you. This Survival Guide should serve you all the information you need, so don’t forget it at home! Content We are looking forward to you! We wish you a very pleasant stay in Spa-Francorchamps. GPtents Accommodation · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 3 Belgium · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 5 The town of Spa · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·· 5 Transport · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 6 By plane · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 6 By car · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 6 By train and bus · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 7 How To Get to the Circuit · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 8 Circuit · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 9 Formula 1 program · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 10 Practical Information · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 11 Weather · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 11 Time · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 11 Electricity · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 11 Credit cards · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 11 Currency · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 12 Approximate prices · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 12 Small English–German Dictionary · · · · · · · · · · 13 Important Telephone Numbers · · · · · · · · · · · 14 Contact · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 14 2 GPtents Accommodation WHAT IS GPTENTS? LOCATION: GPtents is a tent hotel that solves accom- GPtents is located on Camping Auberge modation problem. Each year, thousands Francopole, which is one of the biggest of destinations all around Europe have and closest campings to the Circuit de sold out their accommodation capacity Spa-Francorchamps. The camping is ser- during big events, such as MotoGP or For- viced with clean toilets and hot showers, mula 1. restaurant and electricity. You can park your car or motorcycle directly next to the GPtents solve this problem by simply tents and walk to the circuit. If you prefer, providing accommodation in pre-erect- you can drive to the circuit on your own or ed tents. We offer hundreds of spacious take a direct shuttle bus for a small fee. tents, forming an organized tent village. You can enjoy comfortability similar to We are open from Thursday to Monday. usual hotel – tents are pre‐built, ready for your arrival. They are equipped with com- fortable mattresses, pillows, blankets, Route du Cronchamps 390, towels, soap and tent locks with keys. Stavelot 4970, Belgium GPtents team of young devoted people GPS: 50.458400, 5.987785 takes care of everything. Last season Last year, we started GPtents project in Spielberg on the Red Bull Ring for three big events - Formula 1, MotoGP and The Rolling Stones concert. References We accommodated more than 500 people and received 9,6 stars for customer ser- vice. We will make sure that you will fully enjoy your racing weekend. 3 Breakfast and snacks Every morning, you will start your day with great cup of coffee or tea and wonderful breakfast (from 7 until 9 o`clock) – free of charge. We will have a big communal tent at your disposal during the whole day. You can eat your own meal there or buy some refreshments at the reception, such as beer, water, coffee, tea, toasts and other little snacks. Wi-fi and electricity Depending on the availibility, you can have the electricity directly in your tent, just ask for it at the reception. There should be a wifi available for the guests, but the signal might not be very strong if used by many people. How to get to the circuit It is easy and quick – you will just follow the forest path and after approximately 2 kilometres of lovely walk, you will reach the circuit. Check-in and check-out If you need anything during your Check-in from 9 am untill 9 pm, check-out stay just ask any gptents staff. until 10 am. If you are coming later for the In order to check out, stop by again at the check-in, please inform the booking man- reception. A member of GPtents staff will ager as soon as you can, we will try to come with you to check the tent and col- meet your needs. lect the keys. After entering the Camping Auberge Fran- copole, stop by the reception. You will need your booking reference number in order to check in. You will fill in the accom- modation form, make the payment in cash (credit cards are not accepted) and receive GPtents bracelets and keys from your tent. 4 The town of Spa Known as the ‘Pearl of the Ardennes’, the the town baths, here you can sit with a cof- Belgian town of Spa is a destination in it- fee and a book, partake in some mini golf self. Henry VIII of England allegedly raved or peruse its Sunday morning flea market about the town’s healing waters and by if you can fit it in before lights out at Fran- the 1700s Spa was a fashionable pocket corchamps. Check out the pavilion and its of Northern Europe, hosting visiting royals lakes and fountains. and politicians, writers, intellectuals and artists who hailed this chic town the ‘café Located at Stavelot Abbey some ten kilo- of Europe.’ Make sure you book out some metres from the circuit, the Musee De time to explore the area and its surround- Circuit De Spa Francorchamps is a must- ings if at all possible. We’ve put together see exhibition is found in the Abbey’s war- Belgium a handful of must-see attractions to fit in ren-like vaults. Charting the history of the around your trip to the Belgian Grand Prix circuit as well as the origins of Le Mans A low-lying country in the Benelux, Bel- country. The landscape will surprise you at Spa. 24h, this is a real gem and packed full of gium sits at the crossroads of Western with flat coastal plains in northwest, cen- motor racing vehicles as well as an origi- Europe. It marries both the historical land- tral rolling hills, wooded hills and valleys of You couldn’t visit Europe’s original health nal 1912 taxi! marks for which the continent is famous Ardennes Forest in southeast. resort and not experience its hot springs with spectacular modern architecture and and mineral water first hand. A visit to the rural idylls, whilst its capital, Brussels, is ‘original’ spa is the perfect antidote to a home to the headquarters of the European Find more information on: weekend of high octane hedonism, or a Union. www.en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Belgium great way to unwind before the weekend Belgium is the heir of several former Me- www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-guides/ kicks off. Book specific treatments or just dieval powers, and you will see traces of belgium/ spend some time drifting between cloudy these everywhere during your trip in this saunas, outdoor baths and hammams. Back in the eighteenth century, Parc de Septheures of Spa was the place to see and be seen. Lying conveniently close to 5 BY CAR Spa Francorchamps is close to the E42 motorway, which connects to a network of other major roads and big cities in the region. Make sure you have GPS or navi- gation on your smart phone. The small country roads near the circuit are well Transport signposted and local police control the circuit access roads over the weekend. BY PLANE Remember that traffic gets progressively worse as the weekend progresses so take Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL) · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 143 km, ca. 90 min* it easy and try not to drive at peak times. Brussels Airport (BRU) · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 146 km, ca. 90 min* Maastricht Aachen Airport (MST) · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 82 km, ca. 55 min* Köln/Bonn Airport (CGN) · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 147 km, ca. 90 min* Frankfurt-Hahn Airport (HHN) · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 144 km, ca . 110 min* Luxembourg Airport (LUX) · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 112 km, ca.95 min* *Travel time 6 Connections To Francorchamps (daily service) BY TRAIN AND BUS Brussels - Francorchamps Train : Brussels-Nord - Leuven - Liège Guillemins - Verviers Central If you choose to stay in one of the larger Sample train travel times (not including (Travel time from 1h16 to 2h02) regional cities (Aachen, Brussels, etc) and 40-45 minute shuttle bus): Bus : Verviers Central - Francorchamps (bus n° 294 ou 395) take the train to the circuit each day, you’ll Liege (BE) to Verviers : 20-30 mins (Travel time ± 0h45) need to buy a ticket for Verviers Central Brussels (BE) to Verviers: 75-120 mins station, the closest major train station to Charleroi (BE) to Verviers: 100-160 mins Liege - Francorchamps Spa Francorchamps. Shuttle buses from Maastricht (NL) to Verviers: 70-75 mins Train : Liège Guillemins - Verviers Central Verviers to Spa (bus 294 or 395) run regu- Cologne (DE) to Verviers: 80-105 mins (Travel time from 0h20 to 0h32) larly on race weekend with a journey time Luxembourg (LU) to Trois-Ponts: 90 mins. Bus : Verviers Central - Francorchamps (bus n° 294 ou 395) of 45 minutes. Trains from Luxembourg (Travel time ± 0h45) stop at the Trois Ponts station, from where More information: you can take the 294 bus to the circuit (40 www.b-rail.be Charleroi - Francorchamps minutes travel time). www.infotec.be Train : Charleroi-Sud - Liège Guillemins - Verviers Central (Travel time from 1h56 to 2h40) Bus : Verviers Central - Francorchamps (bus n° 294 ou 395) (Travel time ± 0h45) Maastricht (NL) - Francorchamps Train : Maastricht - Liège Guillemins - Verviers Central (Travel time from 1h11 to 1h16) Bus : Verviers Central - Francorchamps (bus n° 294 ou 395) (Travel time ± 0h45) Köln (D) - Francorchamps Train : Köln Hbf - Aachen - Welkenraedt - Verviers Central (Travel time from 1h19 to 1h45) Bus : Verviers Central - Francorchamps (bus n° 294 ou 395) (Travel time ± 0h45) Luxemburg (L) - Francorchamps Train : Luxembourg - Trois-Ponts (Travel time ± 1h32) Bus : Trois-Ponts - Francorchamps (bus n° 294) (Travel time ± 0h38) 7 How To Get to the Circuit Hints Hints The early bird catches the worm: blast around the Red Bull Rin, we recom- Please note that you should expect ex- mend filling every seat in your car.