The Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo brings a carnival atmosphere to an already frenetic city. This is one of the biggest annual events in the South America travel calendar; the streets leading to Interlagos are thronged with motor sport fans, international supporters from across the globe and hundreds of flag waving Brazilians.

The Interlagos circuit at Sao Paulo, Brazil

Interlagos sits within a natural amphitheatre which offers spectators a clear view of the entire circuit, becoming a cauldron of noise and frantic activity during the build up to the race itself.

The track is considered unique for a number of reasons. Originally built in the 1930s on unstable land, the track soon acquired its characteristic bumps and inclines which put intense pressure on the precision engineered Formula 1 cars and their highly trained drivers.

The circuit is also one of the few in the world to follow an anticlockwise direction, putting even further demands on the drivers who are intensively trained to cope with strong centrifugal and gravitational forces pulling in the opposite direction.

As a result of the race’s special atmosphere, the physical and technical demands on racing teams and Brazil’s glorious weather, the Brazilian Grand Prix is unique in the Formula 1 season, guaranteeing to offer a constant barrage of entertainment.

The track is home to a number of challenging features, including the Senna “S,” a series of tight bends that were named in honor of Brazil’s own racing hero, Ayrton Senna after his tragic death behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car at the San Marino Grand Prix.

Also on the circuit is a long, flat straight known as Reta Oposta, a dangerous and thrilling stretch on which the cars frequently top 180 miles per hour.

The buzzing city of Sao Paulo, Brazil, at night

It is this combination of features that makes the race at Interlagos such a thrilling experience, and which has given the Brazilian Grand Prix legendary status among drivers and fans alike.

But for those visiting on Grand Prix Packages, Brazil vacations offer much more than three days of motor sport excitement. The city of Sao Paulo is perhaps the most cosmopolitan spot on the entire continent, with many of the world’s communities and cultures represented in its population of 15 million people.

For a snapshot of what else the city has to offer, take a look at this short guide to spending 48 Hours in Sao Paulo.

Brazil Grand Prix, Sao Paulo, Brazil

The new tours allow vacationers to experience the thrill of the world famous Interlagos circuit during their Brazil vacations. Vacationers are able to take the tour as a standalone package, or integrate it into a customized itinerary covering any other Brazil and South America travel destinations.

The race, running from 16 to 18 October 2009, is South America’s only Formula 1 event and draws tens of thousands of Grand Prix fans to Sao Paulo, the continent’s largest city.

As a result of the race’s popularity, many Sao Paulo hotels are fully booked months in advance, as are flights and other transport options. Brazil For Less’ Grand Prix packages allow vacationers to focus their attention on the highlights of a Brazil vacation, while a team of travel advisors take care of the details.

The packages include four nights in a centrally-located Sao Paulo hotel, Grand Prix tickets for the sector G grandstand and all ground transfers, including to and from the hotel and the Interlagos circuit.

Clients are free to upgrade their packages with a number of additional options, including extra days in Sao Paulo, seat upgrades to different sectors and a personal guided tour of the city.

Diego Garcia, Brazil For Less’ locally-based travel advisor, said: “This is a great package, not just for Formula 1 fans but for anyone who enjoys the thrill of a major international event in a buzzing city like Sao Paulo.

“We can literally take care of everything while our guests take their time to enjoy the city, the food, the nightlife, and of course, the most talked about Grand Prix in the entire season.”