Connacht take on Zebre in Parma in December, so here is some information to help you plan.

Date and Time

Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma. Saturday December 2nd

Flights

Ryanair have flights to Bologna, but they go on Saturday and Tuesday, so they are of limited use.

Otherwise the closest airport is Milan Linate with Aer Lingus, though the flights depart very early (7am). They also return at 1120, which might make for an early start if you're enjoying the Parma hospitality the night before.

Ryanair to Bergamo is also an option. They fly twice a day. It's awkward enough to get to, but if you have some time it is worth stopping over in Brescia on the way.

The flights from London Stansted to Parma are no longer running.

Transfers

The best way is by train from Milan or Bologna.

From Bergamo you can go direct with Flixbus but the times are not convenient. You can also get a bus from the airport to Brescia, stay overnight and continue by train in the morning.

The train station in Parma is on the north side of the city, walking distance to the centre, and on the same side as the stadium and the Villa Ducale (about a half hour walk, or take a taxi or bus). 

Accommodation

The most popular hotel on previous trips was Hotel Villa Ducale . The Hotel is right beside the Stadium on the northern outskirts of the city, a half hour walk from the centre if you're a speedster, or a quick spin in a taxi for the front row forwards amongst us. The opposition players have been known to make an appearance on match day.

However, for most people, proximity to the city centre will be a higher priority, especially as taxis can be hard to come by in Parma. So if you plan to be out late, somewhere in town is definitely a better idea.

Some might also consider basing themselves in Bologna or Milan, depending on how match and flight schedules work out. Bologna can be reached in 50 minutes by train and Milan is not much further. Trains to Bologna run until 23.30 and start again at 4am so it needn't interfere with your social schedule.

Hospitality

The Highlander Pub on Via la Spezia was famously visited on a previous trip.
Dubh Linn is also a popular Irish Pub and is usually the main base.

There are also several lively establishments on the streets around Strada Farini near Piazza Garibaldi that should be buzzing on Saturday night.

Tickets

Match tickets will probably be  available from ticketone.it but should also be available at the gate. Food and beverages are available at the stadium.

Getting Around Parma

Around the City Centre, you can walk to most places. If flying from Parma Airport, bus number 6 connects it to the train station and city centre every 30 minutes.

For Villa Ducale and the Stadium, Bus 15 leaves from just opposite the hotel every 30 minutes. This bus doesn't run on Sundays.

There are more frequest buses (No 2 and 13) to and from the Centro Torri  shopping centre at the other end of Via Popolo, the short street on which the stadium is located.

All these buses continue on towards the City Centre and stop at Via Mazzini near Piazza Garibaldi.

Bus tickets are €1.20 if you buy them in advance from ticket agents. They can also in theory be bought on the bus for €2 but bus drivers do not generally seem happy about selling them to you. On previous trips a number of people got around this problem by just shrugging their shoulders and taking a seat. There were no reports of arrests.

If you want to walk from the centre to the Highlander, go down the pedestrianised Via Farini from Piazza Garibaldi (this is worth a look anyway as it is where the beautiful people go). After the pedestrian area ends continue on 50m and take the next right. This should take you to Ponte Caprazucca, across the dry river. Take the third left on to Strada Nino Bixio and on past a piazza and a roundabout onto Via La Spezia, where you should find the pub somewhere on the right.

Things to see (apart from the match and the inside of the pub)

Some fantastic architecture, including the fine Romanesque Duomo and the 16th century Palazzo della Pilotta

More information

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