I know it's probably been raised before but any suggestions where to go regarding booking for this years match as my wife and I are considering going this year.

Top right of this page, one of the site sponsors "Catalan Sports Tours" are always worth a first port of call if you want someone to organise everything for you at reasonable prices.

or if you want to organise it yourself, there are an almost infinite number of ways to do so.
I like the idea of flying into Barcelona, spending a few days there, then taking a hire car to Perpignan for a few days, before driving back to Girona to drop off the car and fly home.

Did that a couple of years ago - had a fantastic time and with cheap flights from LBA not too expensive either.

I went with the club last year. Expensive but awesome.

Particularly memorable for when Sinnie came on the mic on the plane and said... "Hello... this is your Captain speaking!" to the groans of the players.

Was a great experience, definitely doing it again this year if they offer it. Although not sure what's happening with the Jet2.com sponsorship? They seem to have disappeared from the website & kit without a mention!

Hopefully going to the game and then on to Carcassone for a day or two and then to a friends B/B in the Pyrenees for a weeks walking/running/cycling if I can work out the logistics of it all

We've done it several ways over the last 5 years.

It depends on what type of trip you want and we're you're prepared to fly from/to. With it being July there'll be plenty of deals for breaks to the coast, travelling to Perpignan on match day (you'll probably spend as much in Lloret de Mar in a week than you would in Perpignan in 2 days)

This year we're going from Manchester to Perpignan (BMI baby) & 2 nights in the Kyriad.

We did that last year too. Expensive but I wasn't paying so didn't mind! It was an excellent trip and we're hoping to do it again. We got a form through after last years trip to express interest in this years so I assume they'll be running it again.

Yep, I got that too. I'm sure they will. If they run it at that price again the travelling fans must come close to paying for the whole trip! Worth it IMO, there and back for the game is fine for me. 2 days was long enough. I'm not interested in turning it into a week long trip at all.

Just as an FYI, I believe that Ryanair have replaced the Leeds - Girona route with a route direct into Barcelona El Prat.

Because of when it is I fancy making it part of a driving holiday from the UK.
I want to go over that fantastic bridge near Clermont Ferrand.
I know some guys on here have driven this route in the past & wondered if there were any recommendations for overnight stays on the way down.
Previously when I've travelled like this in France I've used the Logis de France & the Michelin guide as a start point.

Oh dear.



Bet that one really brought the house down.

Quote ="Old Feller"Because of when it is I fancy making it part of a driving holiday from the UK. I want to go over that fantastic bridge near Clermont Ferrand. I know some guys on here have driven this route in the past & wondered if there were any recommendations for overnight stays on the way down. Previously when I've travelled like this in France I've used the Logis de France & the Michelin guide as a start point.'" From someone who does a lot of driving holidays - a suitable route : www.dpollard.co.uk/?page_id=11

Quote ="Old Feller"Because of when it is I fancy making it part of a driving holiday from the UK. I want to go over that fantastic bridge near Clermont Ferrand. I know some guys on here have driven this route in the past & wondered if there were any recommendations for overnight stays on the way down. Previously when I've travelled like this in France I've used the Logis de France & the Michelin guide as a start point.'" From someone who does a lot of driving holidays - a suitable route : www.dpollard.co.uk/?page_id=11

Cheers ED, I'll give Paris a miss though, been there a fair few times.
Ditto Cannes but the rest looks interesting if a little tortuous.

Just how do you fancy getting there ?

Over the years, I reckon I have done just about every permutation to get there and back ...

Last year's trip featured the overnight train from Paris to Carcassone and the very early morning train back to Paris after the game.

In terms of Girona, even if Ryanair have knocked off a direct Leeds flight, it is still one of O'Reilly's hubs in Spain and there's usually scores of flights from various UK airports to there. One of the reasons I've not sussed a flight yet is that Ryanair haven't even published their Summer 2011 schedule yet.

It's looking likely that this year will be an extended trip, staying in N Spain and incorporating some diving in with the trip.

Chances are I will fly (not keen on planes, that's why I'm an Admiral ...) but there's always the very outside chance of the sleeper from Paris to Northern Spain too.

What's "Oh Dear" about going with the club?? Does it make me one of the "uncool" kids?

We have also done a few different routes/modes of transport over the past few years. Last year we played quins the week before so where well on the way, day after we did a 14 hour oversight ferry (with a cabin) from Portsmouth to St Marlo (takes you to west coast of france) then stop over in Bordeux before down to Perpgnan and Canet. Not as woeful as people make out. You could then stay on Clermont Farrand on the way back and over 'the bridge' which is awesome!!!!

That really was a slow non-tortuous route.

First time we played there, I drove it in one - Finished work in Leeds Friday night - there for the Saturday morning - sight seeing, game, sleep and back on the road home. Was back in Leeds for dinner on Sunday.

Yes, I remember you posting about that.
At my age & with my car & the boss navigating I have in mind a more leisurely trip.
Via various fine dining (mais non trop cher) establishments.
I've also gone via St Malo, Santander & Roscoff in the past but never by car through the chunnel.

I always fancied doing the trip from Santander, still would.

Doesn't help not having a car at the moment though.

we have seats blocked off for Man - Perpy direct , hotel Mecure town centre 3 star, all transfers , tixcket, trip to Colioure and at half the price of the club . www.catalansporttours.com or call Andy on 01925 589 008 cheers Dave

we have seats blocked off for Man - Perpy direct , hotel Mecure town centre 3 star, all transfers , tixcket, trip to Colioure and at half the price of the club . www.catalansporttours.com or call Andy on 01925 589 008 cheers Dave

Just checked the train times etc - approx 7 hours from St Pancras to Perpignan and as cheap as £65 each way - July fares not yet available.

Last time we arranged our own flights into Girona and after a couple of days used Catalan Sports Tours to pick us up and take us to Perpignan for a couple of nights.

Sunday's are dead in Perp so take a trip out - say to Banjuls and go winetasting or on the Little Yellow Train up into the Pyrenees - the solar power research station is a real James Bond style installation

You try getting a £65 fare off Eurostar the time you want to go .... IITC, Eurostar takes bookings around 120 days before travel and the European rail network takes bookings 90 days before departure. Like the UK, advanced fares can be a lot cheaper than the walk-up equivalent.

If you are looking at doing it by train, there is always the stuff that comes down from Northern France or even the more longer distance stuff. Whislt many people think the logical place to change is Paris, there's a lot of stuff that goes south that avoids the French capital and a change at Lille is often a good bet too.

Another option, like what I did last year is the overnight train from Paris Austerlitz, direct to Perpignan (although I got off in Carcasonne, for a visit to the old town at a time when no-one else was awake) and leaves Paris at something like 9.30pm, getting to Perp around 7.30am the following morning.

Le Petit Train Jaune is about one of the only things in the area I've still not had chance to visit yet and given the change of fixture date, might be an excuse to get to Perp for the Saturday and do it.

The other problem might be that Ryanair seem to have changed a lot of their routes and might not be flying in and out of Girona half as often as they used to ... However, I am still considering the rail option, perhaps for the return leg, as if I am diving in Spain it actually makes as much sense to get the train rather than fly because of the limitations on being out of the water to altitude.

Anyone with a spare grand wana pay for me and a mate to go with the club? Its only a mere £535pp for the weekend.

Remarkable_Rhinos is the only one dumb enough.