Wallabies v Italy Nov 20th, Florence

[Nusadan]

Seriously thinking about going there as Ryanair return fare from Edinburgh to Bologna (nearest available airport) is only $65 return!

Any advice as to securing tickets for the match and/or accomodation? Have been to Florence eons ago, and well worth the revisit...but more importantly, an opportunity to mingle with the local rugby fans!

 

[Scotty]

Love Florence, probably my favourite Italian city. Unfortunately I can't help you much on accomodation etc, but I can probably dig out a few recommendations on restaurant from a friend who is head chef at a lead Italian restaurant in melbourne, and has done a trip sampling some of the best italian restaurants in Florence, Rome and Venice.

I also highly recommend spending some time in Bologna if you get the chance. It is a cool city as well.

 

[Nusadan]

Thanks Scotty for the tip about Bologna...same with me re Florence being a favourite city, a week there with two of my best mates who both spoke Italian was one of the highlights of my 7 month backpacking tour of Europe in mid '80s...

Tickets for expats via Oz rugby website are offering tickets to Category C area for only $40 each...

 

[Jnor]

Bologna's great, visit the Ducati factory for me while you're there. In the same area are Siena and Ferrara, Siena was one of my favourite Italian cities of all.

If you can, hire a car and drive around Tuscany. Montereggione and the other villages and wineries are great and the whole place is so damn picturesque you should probably just quit your job and spend 6 months there. I'll be in Edinburgh over New Years, so I'll be more than happy to look after your place while you're gone 8)

 

[Thomond78]

Last time I stayed in Florence, I stayed here: http://www.hotelglobus.com/

On the Viale Sant'Antonino, 50m from the Mercato Centrale, and just up from the Piazza San Lorenzo. There's a very good trattoria nearby doing proper Tuscan food, and stunning bistecce - http://www.trattoriazaza.it/index.h...apagina.asp?idLingua=1&PrimaPagina=X&idSito=1

For hotels in Italy, try www.venere.com/italy/ - I've always found it excellent.

Italian trains area also, in my experience, a good way to get around - www.italiarail.com

Pisa's nearer than Bologna, btw; have you tried Easyjet?

Edit; BTW, I forgot; there's a half-decent Irish bar on the South Side of the Piazza del Duomo, opposite the Battistero. If you want to see any of the other matches, they'd be your lads.

 

[Jethro Tah]

I second Thomo's suggestion of EasyJet to Pisa as a cheap and relatively hassle free way to get to Florence. My travel tip - beware of city centre residents only roads as I received a hefty fine in the post via the local cop shop some 10 months after visiting.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I'm envious. Florence is one of my favourite places I've visited. I'm sure the game will be very good socially, before, during and after.

 

[Thin Thighs]

Half your luck Nusadan. Hope it all lines up for you. Sounds like you will have an awesome couple of days.

Any idea who the referee is and will the Wobs be getting a personal visit from Paddy O'B after the game as part of the referee debrief process?

 

[Joe Mac]

Nusadan, I would just go on TripAdvisor and type in florence. I used it about a year ago when I went to Florence and found a sweet hotel right in the main square. I just went through my emails to find its name to no avail. I must have booked it all through my old work email sorry mate

 

[Nusadan]

Nusadan, I would just go on TripAdvisor and type in florence. I used it about a year ago when I went to Florence and found a sweet hotel right in the main square. I just went through my emails to find its name to no avail. I must have booked it all through my old work email sorry mate

No worries, I do use trip advisor myself, J Mac...thanks though...

Just had a look at the Fanatics website...they are charging 145 pounds for a ticket plus one night's stay at a hostel...that's all...for the Italy game...and yet it's sold out! I sincerely doubt that price included a category A seat which is listed at $140 each in the rugby.com.au website...

 

[Nusadan]

Last time I stayed in Florence, I stayed here: http://www.hotelglobus.com/

On the Viale Sant'Antonino, 50m from the Mercato Centrale, and just up from the Piazza San Lorenzo. There's a very good trattoria nearby doing proper Tuscan food, and stunning bistecce - http://www.trattoriazaza.it/index.h...apagina.asp?idLingua=1&PrimaPagina=X&idSito=1

For hotels in Italy, try www.venere.com/italy/ - I've always found it excellent.

Italian trains area also, in my experience, a good way to get around - www.italiarail.com

Pisa's nearer than Bologna, btw; have you tried Easyjet?

Edit; BTW, I forgot; there's a half-decent Irish bar on the South Side of the Piazza del Duomo, opposite the Battistero. If you want to see any of the other matches, they'd be your lads.

Golly I almost missed this...thanks T78...I'll certainly use that info...

Had already checked out Easyjet, they stop flying to Pisa after Oct 31st unfortunately...but Ryanair is pretty reasonable...flew with them to Bordeaux earlier this year...

Thanks also to Jnor for his tips, unfortunately we have only three days to do the trip...the soon to be my better half has her b&b to look after...perhaps another time...am sure she will draw the line at the Ducati factory!

 

[Thomond78]

Here you go, Nusadan, even found you an Aussie pub in Florence. http://tuscany.travel/en/leisure/bars-cafes/pubs-in-florence/

 

[Nusadan]

Here you go, Nusadan, even found you an Aussie pub in Florence. http://tuscany.travel/en/leisure/bars-cafes/pubs-in-florence/

Ha, 'grilled ostrich meat' is not quite Aussie innit? Wonder what would PB has to say about that!