I was in Biarritz last weekend and I can vouch that it's a cracking place. Lovely city with the airport only 10 minutes drive away. Nice beaches/coastline scenery, clean city and friendly people. However it will be a lot colder when we visit but the buzz should still be there

windsorroberts wrote:
What we tend to do is to arrange a trip to a Cidrerie (a cider farm? - where it's made)

Sold!

We like Irishmen. The Connacht people seem to be modest. You are not a big team, as Munster, Ulster, Leinster but are humble and friendly.
We love this spirit.
There is 90 % of probability that the match Biarritz-Connacht will take place in Biarritz (Aguilera)
We don't play in Spain (San Sebastian)for pool matches.

Windsor, that all sounds great, and extremely helpful.

Really hope the game in Biarritz is December or January now. Cant make it in October, and it looks like ye throw a great welcoming party to any away fans

Thanks everyone (particularly ConnachtCows and Sea_Point)!

I have a quote from a Dublin bus company but will definitely get in touch with Farrell Travel and see how they compare however at this stage without knowing dates and times I would be amazed if we had enough take up to hire a charter but you can never tell! We recently took a decent crowd to Saracens and the Amlin Cup Final but I suspect London is a lot cheaper than getting to Galway. I feel a flight into Dublin is the best option then getting a bus straight down in time for a few Guinness and an early night

Jakes will be able to provide help with hotels and bars etc but please ask if there is anything you are unsure about when the dates are announced. AUPA BO also have a couple of friendly hotels so should be able to secure a decent deal ...

Diom - a contact at the club committee directly may be a good idea as we would love to be hosted by them but also would like to arrange something from our end too.

What we tend to do is to arrange a trip to a Cidrerie (a cider farm? - where it's made) the day before or morning of our match if it's an evening kick off. This will either be in France or Northern Spain and we hire a coach to take us all. It's great fun and the cider definitely get's everyone in the mood! There are also a couple of bars in the centre of Biarritz who are staunch supporters of BOPB and we often lay on a reception (drinks and tapas) for opposing supporters whilst watching any other games that might be happening over the weekend.

As someone who travels back and forwards from London frequently I would suggest you look at the possibility of flights into Bordeaux and Bilbao (only two hours and one and a half hours away respectively) but Dublin / London often are the easiest options.

I was out last night at the Casetas in Biarritz and bumped into Yach and Imanol (two of our hobbling wounded) but don't worry they will both be on top form by mid October! Looking forward to a great weekend!

Thanks again everyone and we'll be in touch very soon. Does anyone know when the fixtures will be confirmed?

Windsor

Ok thank you !

Jakes

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windsorroberts wrote: Hi all

Merci Jakes ... Fred Gravé, the President of AUPA BO, has been asked me to touch base with your Supporters Club in order to look at putting a trip together for AUPA BO.

Any suggestions as to best routes into Galway (or would it be easier flying to Dublin or somewhere else and hire a bus), bus companies (this depends on where we fly into), hotels etc etc ...

There isn't a huge amount we can do until the fixtures are announced but I'm happy to help in whatever way possible for the return match.

Looking forward to the craic!

Windsor
windsor@godirectmarketing.co.uk
+ 33 6 19 40 13 88

Effectively Fred Gravé is the president of Aupa BO.
I am also member of this association.
Fred Gravé organizes all the travels of supporters.
Personally I manage the forum(new forum). I can help you to find hotels with moderate price and for someone with discount to the supporters of rugby.
Biarritz have a city population of 25,000 people and is rather expensive (except beer... :lol: )
Tell me if you want adresses.
I think that Fred Gravé will also give them to you.
I am sorry not to have answered faster but I do not receive notification by e-mail. Does that seem right to you?
I am very happy, you are very friendly and helpful !
That would hurt me to win at Galway!
Good night!

Well maybe let SP put himself forward for that! It is a bit of work.

Windsor, let me know if you want to contact the club committee directly. We would love to host the Biarritz fans that do travel over. Some sandwiches and the like ... Once the fixtures are announced and we have rough figures of how many you intend to bring with you we will start to organise the details.

In terms of buses, we do a lot of business with Farrell Travel and I'm sure we could work out a deal if you would prefer a private bus to a commercial one (there are very good commercial operators on the Dublin-Galway route though).

i agree, sea-point is a well travelled girl (or guy) and from past comments i think he has in that corner of france before,
im 90% sure ill be going, fingers crossed, and i want to get there with least money spend.
last year i heard from good few prople who went there own way and got it a few hundred cheaper the with the chartered flight.
i will take any advice from anyone even if its to book hotel etc outside biarritz in dax or bayoone.

also seen from mark mccrea pints are €7 so i think if we could plan a meet up match day somewhere for few drinks

Guys

Can we nominate Sea_Point as the official contact point (no pun intended) for the Biarritz visit.

Oherwise we will have a load's of different suggestions going back to Windsor.

ConnachtCows wrote: Damn you Sea_Point

Making my post irrelevant

De rien mon ami.... :whistle:

Damn you Sea_Point

Making my post irrelevant

windsorroberts wrote: Hi all

Merci Jakes ... Fred Gravé, the President of AUPA BO, has been asked me to touch base with your Supporters Club in order to look at putting a trip together for AUPA BO.

Any suggestions as to best routes into Galway (or would it be easier flying to Dublin or somewhere else and hire a bus), bus companies (this depends on where we fly into), hotels etc etc ...

There isn't a huge amount we can do until the fixtures are announced but I'm happy to help in whatever way possible for the return match.

Looking forward to the craic!

Windsor
windsor@godirectmarketing.co.uk
+ 33 6 19 40 13 88

Hi Windsor

The key will be whether AUPA BO travel via Chartered or Scheduled plane, the former widens the options as direct from Biarritz and nearby airports (Bilbao/Pau) there are limited options to Ireland (and none depending on time of year). Coaches transfers can be arranged via our Coach Travel partners www.farrelltravel.ie/ . If you arrange a charter then Shannon or Knock are our nearest Airports, they are pretty much equidistant from Galway.

So in all you have three options with respect to Airports servicing Galway, they are:

Dublin: (the only Airport with Scheduled services from Biarritz) which is two hours via Motorway from Galway. (N.B. There are trains to Galway from the city centre also, but transit from Airport to Station would make group travel very messy so actually quickest to arrange pickup by coach from Airport and avoid Dublin city altogether.)

Knock - Ireland West Airport: is the smallest of the two Airports and is a distance to Galway City of 53.3 Miles (85.8KM) and by car takes about 1hr 10mins.

For Individuals:
There are Car rental facilities at the airport, which if there are a few travelling in smaller groups would be the best option. There is a Bus option to Galway also, details - www.irelandwestairport.com/toandfromairport/by_bus.aspx

N.B:

Knock Airport is near to the town of Knock which is a place of pilgrimage (One and a half million pilgrims visit Knock Shrine annually) which depending on the age of your group might be of interest as a detour on the way from/to the airport.

Car rental will also give you the freedom to explore the beautiful area to the West of Galway city (Connemara - www.connemaranationalpark.ie )if you choose to. It's not a bad way to spend the day after the game, if you want to clear your head (sort of like a not so warm, more rugged Brittany).

.

Shannon Airport: Galway is a distance of 56.0 Miles (90KM) and travel by Car time is 1 hr 15 min.

For Individuals:
There are extensive rental facilities at the Airport, (book before you travel especially during warm weather periods or major holidays as Shannon feeds a lot of the more popular tourist areas in West & South-West Ireland).

However if there's a small group and no drivers (it does occasionally happen on rugby weekends) then a cab journey will cost about 1.9 euro per mile (about £68 each way) which is quite economical when divided between a group. Via Coach there are two service providers, Bus Eireann and Citylink the journey with Citylink is direct and therefore quicker (1.5 hours)

N.B.

If you choose Shannon a nice detour en-route to/from Galway is to take the coast road via the stunning Cliffs of Moher - www.cliffsofmoher.ie/ or head up via The Burren (hard to describe, but it is beautiful - www.burrennationalpark.ie ).

Feel free to post any other queries on here or contact the Clan committee who can help you with your information needs...

windsorroberts wrote: Hi all

Merci Jakes ... Fred Gravé, the President of AUPA BO, has been asked me to touch base with your Supporters Club in order to look at putting a trip together for AUPA BO.

Any suggestions as to best routes into Galway (or would it be easier flying to Dublin or somewhere else and hire a bus), bus companies (this depends on where we fly into), hotels etc etc ...

There isn't a huge amount we can do until the fixtures are announced but I'm happy to help in whatever way possible for the return match.

Looking forward to the craic!

Windsor
windsor@godirectmarketing.co.uk
+ 33 6 19 40 13 88

Hi Windsor,

Flying to Dublin, and commuting to Galway is very easy. You could also look into flying into Shannon airport.

To get from Dublin airport to Galway takes a little over 2.5hrs. Its all motorway until you hit Galway
Shannon Airport is about an hour away. The flights arent as regular though.

When you get to Galway, you should be looking for accomodation near, or in the city centre.
The Sportsground is within walking distance from the city center. Approx. 5 minutes walk.

Lots of pubs and restuarants then in the city center.

If you come up with a few different potential itinarys, throw them up here, and we can try to advise you on the best one

Should be mighty craic travelling to Biarritz, I'll be bringing 4 or 5 from London and one from Toulouse, whenever it is announced. Biarritz fans are great craic and always make a lot of noise.