Organising a trip to a foreign club game - any suggestions?

[The Large One]

Richie, regarding Madrid, the Bernabu(sp) is worth a visit, but Madrid as a city is nothing that special.

Also if you do go to Madrid, do not get the cheap tickets as they will be in the fifth tier, it is a long way up...

But the most expensive ones are only about £12. Actually, I thought Madrid was rather nice. Still prefer Barcelona though.

When I said Turin's not that nice, I meant in comparison to Milan or Paris. It's OK. Seriously Richie, give Feyenoord a wide berth - Rotterdam is horrible.

 

[Brighton Breezy]

My old man was at Spurs vs Feyenord back in the day and he said their fans created a decent atmosphere but I had heard it was a dump. As a couple of the lads coming are from Hull we thought Holland would be handy for a ferry as I hate flying...

 

[Uncle Buck]

But the most expensive ones are only about £12. Actually, I thought Madrid was rather nice. Still prefer Barcelona though.

When I said Turin's not that nice, I meant in comparison to Milan or Paris. It's OK. Seriously Richie, give Feyenoord a wide berth - Rotterdam is horrible.

I had a good enough time in Madrid. The main issue was the 3 turnstiles for 4500 England fans and then the riot police wading in...

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

Richie, regarding Madrid, the Bernabu(sp) is worth a visit, but Madrid as a city is nothing that special.

Also if you do go to Madrid, do not get the cheap tickets as they will be in the fifth tier, it is a long way up...

I heard the Plaza Mayor, Royal Palace and El Rastro Flea Market are well worth a look among other things.

Madrid is on my list of places to visit - albeit about midway.

 

[Uncle Buck]

I heard the Plaza Mayor, Royal Palace and El Rastro Flea Market are well worth a look among other things.

Madrid is on my list of places to visit - albeit about midway.

This was my take on the visit in 2004;

http://www.northstandchat.biz/showthread.php?t=39688&highlight=madrid+truncheons

 

[The Large One]

I heard the Plaza Mayor, Royal Palace and El Rastro Flea Market are well worth a look among other things.

Madrid is on my list of places to visit - albeit about midway.

You've also got the Retiro Park, the Thijssen and the Prado art galleries (no, really), Los Asturias district for the tapas bars, the Bernabeu, the foxy chicks. Just watch out for pickpockets - they're no so much aggressive as f***ing sneaky.

 

[Wozza]

Surely the bigger issue is whether these guys know about Richie's reputation for organising things?!

"Return travel? I thought we could sort that out when we're out there"

"Oh, sorry, it turns out both AC *and* Inter are playing away this weekend"

"What do you mean there are two Barcelonas in Europe?!"

"Hey lads, I thought I put together a commemorative fanzine for the weekend. Well, it's half a fanzine really..."

 

[Shegull]

I usually just email the club and they book them for me. I collect them at the ticket office in the club shop when I arrive although the last time they did say if I could'nt make it in time I could collect them at Withdean.

easy peasy no problem

 

[turienzo's lovechild]

barcelona is a MUST for me, i adore the city, been to the stadium, which is immense, but am yet to see a game

i'd also like to see a game at the san siro

apart from those two, my only other "want" is to see MARSEILLE play

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

You've also got the Retiro Park, the Thijssen and the Prado art galleries (no, really), Los Asturias district for the tapas bars, the Bernabeu, the foxy chicks. Just watch out for pickpockets - they're no so much aggressive as f***ing sneaky.

From what I have read about the city it does seem rather laid back and chilled, a sort of place where you can laze a day away just walking around and taking in the sights while stopping for the odd coffee and perv.

Pickpockets are nothing once you have been attacked by 7 year olds with pens for 2 weeks solid everytime you ventured out in Cusco, Little ****s

 

[Man of Harveys]

What about Munich? Football, even if it's watching Munich 1860, at one of the most beautiful, breathtaking stadiums in the world, then an evening getting trolleyed on some of the best beer in the world and eating pork and dumplings at the Hofbrauhaus. Perfect.

Although someone fairly well-travelled said that during the last world cup, visiting Dortmund was the best football experience they'd ever enjoyed - they regularly 81,000+ for league games at the "opera house of German football"; I'm definitely going over to the Duisburg game there next year.

 

[Lethargic]

Munich - fantastic city and stadium. Is it just a football trip or a full weekend break, if so avoid Rotterdam its a pit, for Holland go Ajax or Eindhoven. I would always go to the San Siro over the Olympic stadium in Rome.
Back in the 80's I lived in Germany and it was no problem getting tickets we used to turn up on match day and get in - Monchengladbach was my favourite but they taken a dive since then.

wooo spooky!

 

[The Large One]

From what I have read about the city it does seem rather laid back and chilled, a sort of place where you can laze a day away just walking around and taking in the sights while stopping for the odd coffee and perv.

Yeah, I'd go along with that.

 

[Uncle Buck]

What about Munich? Football, even if it's watching Munich 1860, at one of the most beautiful, breathtaking stadiums in the world, then an evening getting trolleyed on some of the best beer in the world and eating pork and dumplings at the Hofbrauhaus. Perfect.

Although someone fairly well-travelled said that during the last world cup, visiting Dortmund was the best football experience they'd ever enjoyed - they regularly 81,000+ for league games at the "opera house of German football"; I'm definitely going over to the Duisburg game there next year.

Munich is not a bad shout.

Or do Frankfurt or Stuggart and base yourselves in Heidleberg.

 

[Dr. Notthenineo'clocknews]

Barca - take no notice if you are told sold out. queue up and get a better seat than off a tout for same money 9/10

Lazio - cracking atmosphe ( this was 10 years ago) italian ganes never sell out always official tickets available 9/10

Real Mallorca - expensive but sunny 8/10

Ajax - Spotless stadium very colourful- got tickets from a bar 8/10

Sparta Prague - Millwall style ground with some Millwall style fans on one side
half time beer £3 (for a tray of 12!) tickets at the ground 8/10

Feyenoord - Sat with me knees on me chin, cant remember where I got tickets from, Unusual stadium though 7/10

Inter - cant give a fair oponion because it was about minus 5, don't go in the winter! tickets from FNAC (huge department store, also sells theatre, gigs etc at face value) 7/10

Espanyol - use stadium for England v Andorra, not much going for it top of Hill loads of empty seats 6/10

PSG - (Parc De Princes)10 years ago, bit crumbly like old Wembley done the job though, bought tickets at stadium day before match 5/10

Ferencevaros - If you like county league football played at Withdean, you'll love it.
2000 lunatics behind the goal make a good spectacle though. Beware the pints of golden brown liquid being drunk by everyone is iced TEA.....doh. Budapest, lovely though.4/10

All the above have been booked using budget airlines, direct hotels etc all at a fraction of the price. The only time i've had trouble getting tickets was for a Champions League 1/4 Final between Real Madrid & Milan, what was I thinking!

 

[Dr. Notthenineo'clocknews]

What about Munich? Football, even if it's watching Munich 1860, at one of the most beautiful, breathtaking stadiums in the world, then an evening getting trolleyed on some of the best beer in the world and eating pork and dumplings at the Hofbrauhaus. Perfect.

Although someone fairly well-travelled said that during the last world cup, visiting Dortmund was the best football experience they'd ever enjoyed - they regularly 81,000+ for league games at the "opera house of German football"; I'm definitely going over to the Duisburg game there next year.

PS. think i've just decided on me next trip!

 

[Brighton Breezy]

Sparta Prague sounds good. Any other decent Eastern European visits?

 

[coventrygull]

I have been to see Lazio twice. I think it all depends if you have any feeling for the club you are going to watch. Rome is OK in itself if you don't mind the graffit. The stadio Olympico is difficult to get too but a ride in a Rome taxi is a worthwhile experience

 

[Stinky Kat]

I liked stadio olypmico despite being kept in for 3 hours after the game and then having a car crash with a drunken roman at 2.00am.

San Siro is great but Milan is a bit too birminghamy for me.

Sienna is a nice ground in beautiful Tuscanny.

I always get tickets for italian games from the banks, as someone said they rerely sell out.

 

[Dr. Notthenineo'clocknews]

Barca - take no notice if you are told sold out. queue up and get a better seat than off a tout for same money 9/10

Lazio - cracking atmosphe ( this was 10 years ago) italian ganes never sell out always official tickets available 9/10

Real Mallorca - expensive but sunny 8/10

Ajax - Spotless stadium very colourful- got tickets from a bar 8/10

Sparta Prague - Millwall style ground with some Millwall style fans on one side
half time beer £3 (for a tray of 12!) tickets at the ground 8/10

Feyenoord - Sat with me knees on me chin, cant remember where I got tickets from, Unusual stadium though 7/10

Inter - cant give a fair oponion because it was about minus 5, don't go in the winter! tickets from FNAC (huge department store, also sells theatre, gigs etc at face value) 7/10

Espanyol - use stadium for England v Andorra, not much going for it top of Hill loads of empty seats 6/10

PSG - (Parc De Princes)10 years ago, bit crumbly like old Wembley done the job though, bought tickets at stadium day before match 5/10

Ferencevaros - If you like county league football played at Withdean, you'll love it.
2000 lunatics behind the goal make a good spectacle though. Beware the pints of golden brown liquid being drunk by everyone is iced TEA.....doh. Budapest, lovely though.4/10

All the above have been booked using budget airlines, direct hotels etc all at a fraction of the price. The only time i've had trouble getting tickets was for a Champions League 1/4 Final between Real Madrid & Milan, what was I thinking!

not forgetting...

LeHarvre - Beer cold - Sun hot - 1000 Albion fans 11 out of 10