The Ultimate Isle of Man TT Tour
Published by Nicholas Searles on June 25, 2023
We’ve finally come back down from the 2-week adrenaline rush that is the Isle of Man TT, so thought we would share a quick rundown of our 2023 experience.
Having been leading tours on the Isle of Man for over 10 years now, we were excited to grow our footprint on the Isle for the first time, with half of our guests staying at the Palace Hotel in Douglas and the other half at Ramsey Park Hotel in Ramsey. From these two bases, our Sportsnet holidayers enjoyed everything from 3-day ticket and accommodation packages to fully escorted 10-day tours.
From VIP hospitality to exclusive functions and rider meet-and-greets, below is one of the 10-day tour itineraries to help paint the picture of our week in another world.
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10 Night Ultimate TT Escorted Tour
DAY 1 – ARRIVAL DAY
With most guests flying into Manchester, we gathered the crew at the airport and coached to Liverpool to board the famous Isle of Man Steam Packet ferry to our home for the next 10 days – the magical Isle of Man.
DAY 2 – LAP OF THE TT COURSE / TT PADDOCK CLUB
The perfect introduction to a massive week of racing, our tour guests took a lap of the course commentated by TT legends Cameron Donald, Davo Johnson, Davey Todd and James Hillier.
Aside from getting gear-by-gear commentary from people who have ridden the course at unfathomable speeds, the natural bumps and rolls of the coach actually accentuated all of the terrifying twists and challenges of the Mountain Course. It helped that one of our coach drivers was former TT podium-winning rider Roger Hurst!
After our hot lap, we headed to the TT Paddock Club to enjoy some premium dining and entertainment as the final qualifying sessions took place just outside the VIP marquee.
We even had the opportunity to walk through the TT Paddock! For motorsport fans, there’s no other place on earth you can literally brush shoulders with the biggest names in the game as they come on and off the course, after setting unofficial lap records and all.
DAY 3 – CREG NY BAA HOSPITALITY
One of the most iconic locations on the 37.7-mile course, Sportsnet had the famous Creg Ny Baa pub all to ourselves for the full day of racing. This is the spot that everyone wants to be. From the balcony of the Creg we could see bikes for about 1 kilometer coming toward the pub, before laying down the bike for a 90-degree right-hander, and flying off for about 1 kilometer in the other direction. Out of sight, but not earshot.
The staff at the Creg put on an amazing lunch and drinks for our crew, who were also free to join the crowds wandering up and down the roadside to experience the bikes fly past just feet away from your hedge-side perch. A highlight of the tour for many!
DAY 4 – ROADSIDE LOCATION / SPORTSNET FUNCTION
After spending the day in one of the most iconic pubs on the course yesterday, today our tour guests were free to roam the island and enjoy the race its raw, awe-inspiring best; from the side of the road.
Some people went to Bray Hill to feel the vibrations in their bones as Michael Dunlop flew past leaving just centimetres between his bike and the stone walls lining the narrow suburban streets. Others went to the top of the mountain to watch the riders crest the peak from The Bungalow, and pay their respects to the bronze statue of Uncle Joey.
Tonight, we all headed to Douglas for the Sportsnet TT Rider’s Panel. Hosted by Cam Donald and featuring entertaining interviews with Aussie cult figure Davo Johnson, Dakar-dominating James Hillier, crowd-favourite Davey Todd and the well-spoken Josh Brookes – plus a special appearance from world champion sidecar sensations, the Birchall brothers.
Over a 2-course meal, we were treated to stories and insights from these masters the mountain who regularly risk their lives for glory around the Isle of Man TT course. A truly incredible and unforgettable experience for all of us.
DAY 5 – REST DAY / RAMSEY SPRINT DAY
No racing today. In between a few runs back and forth from the laundromat, many of our tour guests soaked up the atmosphere of the Fan Park, a short walk from our Douglas hotel location. Others went to Ramsey to watch the Ramsey Sprint bikes make some noise up and down the esplanade, right in front of the Ramsey Park Hotel.
DAY 6 – NOBLES PARK GRANDSTAND
Located right beside the Fan Park, today we enjoyed the action from reserved seats at the Nobles Park Grandstand, where we had the unique perspective of the bikes coming toward you from the start line. The highlight was getting to watch the winning riders turn around right in front of the grandstand and giving us a victory salute before heading up to the podium celebrations.
DAY 7 – GINGER HALL VIP MARQUEE
Today we were off to another iconic Isle of Man pub on the course, where we had our own VIP marquee and grandstand set up beside the Ginger Hall Hotel.
Situated just after the bikes came through Sulby Straight, the drinks were flowing and the food was plentiful in our VIP marquee location, expertly hosted by racing legend Steve Parrish. We left not knowing what was more entertaining, the bikes or Steve’s stories… and that is saying something!
DAY 8 – REST DAY / EXPLORING PEEL
No racing today, but our coach drivers were still on hand to shuttle people to the historic coastal town of Peel. From here, we were free to explore the 11th-century Peel Castle, the TT Motorcycle Show, the Leece Motorcycle Museum (located within an old courthouse) and the quaint little streets of this former fisherman’s village.
DAY 9 – TT GRANDSTAND
Today we headed back to the Fan Park to enjoy unrivalled views of the start, finish, pit lane and podium from our reserved seats at the historic TT Grandstand. Between races some of our guests opted to walk into Douglas to explore – a few even stumbling into a tattoo parlour (evidence below).
DAY 10 – THE BLACK DUB GRANDSTAND / FAREWELL DRINKS
For the final day of racing, we were lucky enough to head to one of the best grandstand set-ups on the course – the Black Dub Hotel Grandstand. With our own private marquee area, food and drink stall and grandstand access, the sun was shining down again for a perfect day to round off a perfect week-and-a-bit on the Isle of Man.
The farewell drinks kept flowing back at the hotel where Aussie TT legends Cam Donald, Davo Johnson and Josh Brookes were kind enough to swing by to say goodbye to our guests.
DAY 11 – DEPARTURE DAY
After 10 days of fun in the sun, exclusive meet-and-greets, incredible vantage points, VIP hospitality, access to some of the most exciting racing on the planet and some equally-impressive sightseeing… it was time to head home. Thank you to all of the riders, suppliers, staff and guests who made our 2023 Isle of Man TT tour so special.
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You can lock in your visit to the 2024 Isle of Man TT races today, including escorted tours like the one described above as well as unescorted ticket and accommodation options.
Please note: Our 2024 Isle of Man TT tour itineraries are not identical to the itinerary referenced above, but similar and just as (if not more!) fun. Browse the itineraries online today!