Formula one holidays for petrol-heads

The 2008 formula one racing season is almost upon us, with the very first race roaring into life on March 16th in Melbourne, Australia. With exciting venues around the world, the F1 season is a great opportunity for petrol-heads to combine holidays with high-speed action.

Melbourne is one of Australia's most vibrant cities and the race venue is central Albert Park.

Get your bearings by touring the city on the historic circular tramcar route and after heady days of F1 thunder enjoy some of the best Italian food outside Italy in Lygon Street.

Don't limit yourself to the city, take a day trip out to Phillip Island and make sure you stay until sunset to catch the parade of adorable Little Penguins as they cross Summerland beach to return to their burrows in the sand dunes.

The next stop is ultra-glamorous Monte Carlo in the tiny principality of Monaco. This year the big race is on May 25th and the famous street circuit has to be the glitziest setting for the world's best drivers to battle for supremacy.

As well as the modern event, Monaco will this year host a biennial historic grand prix two weeks previously on May 11th, which features beautiful pre-1940s cars from the golden age of racing.

The European sophistication continues with the French grand prix in the beautiful region of Burgundy. Magny Cours has been hosting formula one since 1991.

Enjoy touring the world famous vineyards, including a few of the 150 charming chateaux and of course the top-class food.

When summer rolls around the action moves to the World Heritage site city of Budapest on August 3rd. After the race stroll along the embankments of the River Danube and tour the castle district.

Treat yourself to some relaxation after all the motor-sport excitement with a visit to one of the city's spas. Indulge in some pampering treatments at one of the many natural thermal baths, including the 16th century Turkish baths.

Singapore is very excited about hosting its first grand prix event this year and on September 28th the cars will be roaring around a 5.067km street circuit in the Marina Bay area.

This one will be interesting as it is the first approved F1 night race in history and it will also be one of only three races in the 2008 F1 calendar to run anticlockwise.

Singapore itself is a fascinating Asian city with its rich cultural and ethnic mix. Hit the markets for delicious food in Chinatown and Little India, or Orchard Road for cut-price designer clothes and electronic gadgetry.

The action remains in Asia in autumn with closely-fought races in Japan on October 12th and in China on October 19th.

The Fuji Speedway in Oyama, Shizuoka will host the action this year. The 40-year-old circuit is set in the foothills of Mt Fuji and has great views on a fine day.

Shanghai will see the penultimate race for the year on October 19th. After the excitement of the Beijing Olympics has died down this is a great opportunity to tour China's cultural highlights.

Climb to the summit of China's holiest mountain, Tai Shan (1,525m), wander in the enchanting gardens of Suzhou, see Beijing's Forbidden City and visit the Great Wall of China.

And the climax to all this excitement will be the Grande Premio do Brasil on November 2nd in the heart of Sao Paolo.

The Interlagos circuit has seen some of the most memorable races in recent formula one history and is regarded as one of the most challenging circuits on the calendar.

Sao Paolo is the world's fifth largest city and the business hub of Latin America. Its architecture and multitude of skyscrapers have to be seen to be believed.

Whether you choose Melbourne, Monaco or Brazil, or combine a number of race destinations for a formula one dream holiday, you can be sure it will be all action.