Italy Away - 1st April 2009

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By Daniel McDonnell

Wednesday October 15 2008

It's understood that Italy's capital city is about to be announced as the venue for the April 1 qualifier which will see Giovanni Trapattoni up against his own country on his own soil.

Reports in Italy last week suggested that the Stadio Olimpico -- where Ireland lost out in the World Cup quarter-final in 1990 -- is set to host what is certain to be a large travelling contingent given the significance of the occasion.

The FAI have yet to confirm the fixture, wisely enough choosing not to do so until it is completely set in stone. Nevertheless, Abbotstown sources have indicated that Rome is the 'likely' destination.

It seems a few airlines have cottoned onto the fact as well, given that prices are not looking that generous at this stage. Probably a good thing, as we don't want to be blamed if the Italian FA pulls a rabbit out of the hat at the last minute.

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http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...d-1499006.html

I guy I trust 100% and hasn't bluffed me before told me last night it is already agreed its in Rome. So DMcD's article seems like he's in the know.

Finally bit the bullet and booked Dublin to Bologna out on the Tuesday and back on the Friday. Should be covered now if its in Milan or if its in Rome. I don't mind either and the prices for Rome are massive from Dublin.

I booked Belfast to Milan myself. My thoughts are its 70% chance Rome, 20% chance Milan, and 10% other.

The prices of flights to Rome were astronomical. I dont mind travelling from Milan down on the day before the game, and back the day after.

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Originally Posted by NeilMcD

Finally bit the bullet and booked Dublin to Bologna out on the Tuesday and back on the Friday. Should be covered now if its in Milan or if its in Rome. I don't mind either and the prices for Rome are massive from Dublin.

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Got these for 125 a few weeks back.Great time out of Dublin (11am).Trains every 25mins to Rome or Milan, 28 euro each way.....happy days.Would still prefer Milan though.Olimpico not a patch on San Siro for atmosphere:)

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Originally Posted by NeilMcD

I don't mind either and the prices for Rome are massive from Dublin.

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€213 return with Ryanair if you stay til the Saturday. Not bad.

Booked hotel in Rome 2 nights (Hotel Raffaello) - can always cancel if its not Rome although people in the know have booked. will probablly wait until definetly confirmed before booking flights, enough options to get there in 2 flights.

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Originally Posted by Newryrep

Booked hotel in Rome 2 nights (Hotel Raffaello) - can always cancel if its not Rome although people in the know have booked. will probablly wait until definetly confirmed before booking flights, enough options to get there in 2 flights.

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3* Hotel Newry?.......not up to your usual standards!:D

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Originally Posted by Sligo Hornet

3* Hotel Newry?.......not up to your usual standards!:D

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Have you seen the prices in Rome ? (Raefollo is £218 for 2 nights) anyway it 22 out of 1200 on Trip-Advisor. Also I dont want Mrs Newryrep getting used to 4* or 5* hotels or she will expect it all the time :)

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Originally Posted by Newryrep

Have you seen the prices in Rome ? (Raefollo is £218 for 2 nights) anyway it 22 out of 1200 on Trip-Advisor. Also I dont want Mrs Newryrep getting used to 4* or 5* hotels or she will expect it all the time :)

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Christ:eek:........might have to re-think my own "minimum star" standard

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Originally Posted by Newryrep

Booked hotel in Rome 2 nights (Hotel Raffaello) - can always cancel if its not Rome although people in the know have booked. will probablly wait until definetly confirmed before booking flights, enough options to get there in 2 flights.

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Just booked this. My dad stayed here for a wedding a few years ago and said its a great place to stay. Right in the centre of the historical part of the city and train station close by and Irish pub down the road.

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Originally Posted by viagogo

Just booked this. My dad stayed here for a wedding a few years ago and said its a great place to stay. Right in the centre of the historical part of the city and train station close by and Irish pub down the road.

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Sounds good, wasnt sure what area to book and Rome like Paris/London has thouands of hotels, Trip Advisor hasnt let me down yet. Glad its that handy, cant be bothered communting if we are only there for a few days.

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Originally Posted by viagogo

Just booked this. My dad stayed here for a wedding a few years ago and said its a great place to stay. Right in the centre of the historical part of the city and train station close by and Irish pub down the road.

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Thanks for the reccommendation 3 of us just booked this hotel for 6 nights sunday - saturday all the reviews on tripadviser are all very favourable.

3 of us just booked 4star Hotel Rex on the Active Hotels web site. Great reviews on tripadvisor. Only cost us 90 euro each for the 2 nights with free cancellation. If match is in milan would recommend Ritter Hotel. When will they tell us.

Just book flights from Stanstead to Rome. 60 pounds. Worth the risk at that price. Cork to Rome return is €315.

Are people agreed on taking gambles and booking flights and hotels?

Thanks to Newryrep im going to go for Hotel Raffaello, sounds like theres a few irish staying there.

Viagogo, im flying from stanstead aswel, 31st - 2nd. Probably going to get the early and late flights.

just hope I get tickets sorted, ive only been to four or five home games and this will be my 1st away! Im sure you guys will sort me out anyway! ;)

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Originally Posted by mrtndvn

Are people agreed on taking gambles and booking flights and hotels?

Thanks to Newryrep im going to go for Hotel Raffaello, sounds like theres a few irish staying there.

Viagogo, im flying from stanstead aswel, 31st - 2nd. Probably going to get the early and late flights.

just hope I get tickets sorted, ive only been to four or five home games and this will be my 1st away! Im sure you guys will sort me out anyway! ;)

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Newry always buys the beer at the Hotel bar........so fill yer boots lads!:D

Good stuff ill look out for the guy with the northern accent so.

So we defo think that the match will be in Rome? Terrible that it hasnt been announced yet

Booked up and all now, just hoping for Rome.

Hope tickets will be all right!

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Originally Posted by mrtndvn

Booked up and all now, just hoping for Rome.

Hope tickets will be all right!

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Mrtndvn, the general consesus seems that it will be Rome and a fair few people have booked Rome but after the Tblisi/Karlsruhe/Mainz uncertainity a fair few are holding back untill its officially confirmed. Hotel rooms can be cancelled at no cost but you are generally screwed if you cancel flights.

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Originally Posted by Sligo Hornet

Newry always buys the beer at the Hotel bar........so fill yer boots lads!:D

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:eek:

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Originally Posted by Newryrep

Mrtndvn, the general consesus seems that it will be Rome and a fair few people have booked Rome but after the Tblisi/Karlsruhe/Mainz uncertainity a fair few are holding back untill its officially confirmed. Hotel rooms can be cancelled at no cost but you are generally screwed if you cancel flights.

:eek:

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Not bothered about flights if your getting the beers in! ;)

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Originally Posted by mrtndvn

Not bothered about flights if your getting the beers in! ;)

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:eek: If you can find a bar (mini bar not included ) in Hotel Raefello I will gladly buy you one.:)

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Originally Posted by Newryrep

:eek: If you can find a bar (mini bar not included ) in Hotel Raefello I will gladly buy you one.:)

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Please tell me i didnt book a hotel with no bar?

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Originally Posted by mrtndvn

Please tell me i didnt book a hotel with no bar?

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I am sure there are some watering holes nearby.

booked flights. out on the sunday before the game direct to rome. back on the day after the game via stansted. about €157. now for accomodation.

Booked flights myself via stansted from shannon (Out Tues, back Thurs). Its going to be my first away trip.
Helps that a mate lives in Rome so free acommodation.

Any one else staying in the Hotel Rex

Given the venue's not been confirmed yet, I'd say hotels aren't booked yet somehow.

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Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Given the venue's not been confirmed yet, I'd say hotels aren't booked yet somehow.

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Hotels are being booked for sure, with some already booked out. You can cancell most hotels with no charge. We have hotels booked in Romr Milan and Bari all with no cancellation fee.

So I took the plunge so to say :cool:
I am out of Dublin on Air Lingus to Heathrow then on to Rome with Alitalia .
Out on the Monday back on the Friday which worse case happens and the game is elsewhere gives me time to get to the venue .The bottom line is 278Euro which is not the cheapest but but great connections as someone said above the Shannon to stanstead was way cheaper but a six hour wait on the way back .
Also just to let you know all Alitalia flights out of London to Rome are on sale at 125 Sterling return .:ball::)

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Originally Posted by Claret Murph

So I took the plunge so to say
I am out of Dublin on Air Lingus to Heathrow then on to Rome with Alitalia .
Out on the Monday back on the Friday which worse case happens and the game is elsewhere gives me time to get to the venue .The bottom line is 278Euro which is not the cheapest but but great connections as someone said above the Shannon to stanstead was way cheaper but a six hour wait on the way back .
Also just to let you know all Alitalia flights out of London to Rome are on sale at 125 Sterling return .:ball::)

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Good on yer Murph! I will be going the BA Heathrow route, slightly more expensive at £146, but at least BA are still likely to be in business!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/feedarticle/7981718 :eek:

Are you sure.

http://www.rte.ie/business/2008/1107/ba.html

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Originally Posted by Claret Murph

So I took the plunge so to say :cool:
I am out of Dublin on Air Lingus to Heathrow then on to Rome with Alitalia .

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Alitalia will be gone bust by then ;)

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Originally Posted by NeilMcD

Are you sure.

http://www.rte.ie/business/2008/1107/ba.html

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Profit may well have dropped over 90%:eek:.....but STILL making a profit!...also the collapse in price of oil will help greatly.

That said..........how long would it take to walk to Rome?

Well it takes me about 20 minutes to walk to the jacks at the moment so if I set off now I would miss the match.

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Originally Posted by NeilMcD

Well it takes me about 20 minutes to walk to the jacks at the moment so if I set off now I would miss the match.

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Unless it's in Milan......you might catch the second half!:D

Don't worry lads as I have all bases covered as I got a tip off late last night that I could buy a very cheap yacht as it's for sale as it'd no longer needed , I just have to go down to Cork to pick it up .

Like everything in life if you have no risk you get no gain .:rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Claret Murph

Don't worry lads as I have all bases covered as I got a tip off late last night that I could buy a very cheap yacht as it's for sale as it'd no longer needed , I just have to go down to Cork to pick it up .

Like everything in life if you have no risk you get no gain .:rolleyes:

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......said Nick Leeson;)

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Originally Posted by Claret Murph

So I took the plunge so to say :cool:
I am out of Dublin on Air Lingus to Heathrow then on to Rome with Alitalia .
Out on the Monday back on the Friday which worse case happens and the game is elsewhere gives me time to get to the venue .The bottom line is 278Euro which is not the cheapest but but great connections as someone said above the Shannon to stanstead was way cheaper but a six hour wait on the way back .
Also just to let you know all Alitalia flights out of London to Rome are on sale at 125 Sterling return .:ball::)

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Booked London Stanstead to Rome for 78 euro return last week with Ryanair.

Got accommodation sorted for Rome, i booked a triple room in the Hotel Romae for €150. It seems quite central and has good reviews on the trip advisor site...plus it has a bar !