Monaco Grand Prix
May 24–27: We recommend securing a seat at Portier, the circuit’s best vantage point, where drivers attain passing speed before cramming through the course’s sole tunnel. Later, eat and be seen at Hôtel de Paris, then head to Jimmy’z for late-night dancing. Plenty of yacht parking is available at the cove.
Throughout Monaco. Fly into Aéroport Nice Côte d’Azur,
then heli over to Monaco. yourmonaco.com/grand_prix
Figawi Race Weekend
May 25–28: New England’s summer kicks off with this boating competition, a staple in these parts since the ’70s. Expert tactician or not, there’s always room for crew as more than 240 mono-hull cruising and racing craft (over 24 feet long) compete for the Figawi title. The masses first gather at Friday’s Skipper party at the Hyannis Yacht Club on Cape Cod; those in the know gain access to the famed tent party on ACK’s Swain’s Wharf on Saturday. Hyannis Yacht Club. Hyannis and Swain’s Wharf, Nantucket. Fly into Barnstable Municipal Airport. figawi.com
U.S. Open, Oakmont
June 11–17: The heavy hitters come to swing at one of Pennsylvania’s oldest clubs. The most thrilling spectating takes place behind the “church pews” sand trap (left), where the bunkering is beautiful but perilous — a place where even Tiger Woods is content to bogey. Oakmont Country Club. Fly into the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport or Allegheny County Airport. usopen.com
Aspen Food and Wine Festival
June 15–17: A culinary extravaganza. This year, $2,500 will secure first-timers entrée to Saturday night’s “Best New Chefs” dinner, where you’ll meet foodie heavies like Bobby Flay and Private Air contributor Anthony Giglio.
At selected locations in Aspen, Colorado. Fly into Aspen/Pitkin County Airport. foodandwine.com
Royal Ascot 2007
June 19–23: A huge social event masquerading as a horse race. Deluxe packages are loaded with chances to drink unlimited champagne and cruise the Bessborough restaurant for models (fashion shows occur there daily). Plus, for the first time, £1,400 allows non-sponsored participants to dine at the Parade Ring and share air with the “royal enclosure,” or royal family to us Yanks (the queen attends every day). The reservations list was already half-filled at press time, so book soon. Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire, England. Fly into Fairoaks, Chobham. ascot.co.uk
International Air Rally of Malta
June 30–July 4: Join fellow aviators at Malta’s only remaining airport where light-aircraft pilots come to compete over the coveted bronze Maltese Falcon. If you miss your chance to win in the overall competition, there’s still room to show off your aviation skills in the Longest Distance Flown and Spot Landing events. Luqa Airfield, Malta. geocities.com/maltarally
