The Lions Tour is nearly upon us as the best of the British and Irish talent travel to Australia. Want to know how you could too?
The Lions Tour is one of the great traditions that has survived the professional era. The 2009 edition in South Africa saw record numbers travel to follow the boys in red, but here is what you need to know if you are considering travelling to Australia this summer.
JOE caught up with travel experts Thomas Cook to get the lowdown on the tour itself, travel and the costs involved for the once in a life-time rugby trip.
How do we book?
TC: For more information you can visit www.thomascooksport.ie and to book, or call 01 514 0406
The Lions tour promises to be a brilliant rugby event, are you looking forward to the summer?
Thomas Cook: Absolutely. It’s an amazing trip for rugby fans as not only do you have some really great rugby to watch but the fact that it is being hosted in Australia is fantastic as it such an incredible country to visit. You have loads of unique sightseeing opportunities, from exploring the Great Barrier Reef or Ayers Rock to climbing Sydney Harbour Bridge. Australians are very passionate about rugby and are keen to welcome you to their great country so it’s a great trip for sports fans.
So how does it work?
TC: Well there are three test matches being held in Australia – the Brisbane test, the Melbourne test, and the Sydney test. So if you wanted to book tickets to just one of the test matches you can or if you’d prefer to go along for the whole thing and follow the lions tour across Australia you have the option to do that too.
The tour promises to be a spectacular sporting occasion
When does it all take place?
TC: The first match between Australia and the Lions takes place in the Suncorp stadium in Brisbane on the 22th June, they meet again a week later in Melbourne at the Ethiad stadium on the 29th June and they finish up in the ANZ stadium in Sydney on the 6th July for the third test match.
How much are we talking?
TC: Prices start at just €999 per person for the first test match and this package includes
· 3 nights’ Accommodation with Breakfast
· Official match ticket(s)
· Service of a Thomas Cook Sport representative
· 24 Hour Duty Office
· Optional sightseeing and excursions programme(additional cost).
Not included:
· Return International Flights
· Internal Flights in Australia
· Match day transfers
· Airport transfers
The same package is available for the second test match in Melbourne and costs €1195 and the third test match in Sydney for €1139.
Is there a full package that covers all three of the test matches for the sports fanatics out there?
TC: There is a full 16 Day tour package available from €6500 per person which is a very good price when you consider that it includes the following:
· Return economy International flights
· Internal economy flights – Brisbane to Melbourne, Melbourne to Sydney
· Return Airport Transfers (when following the standard tour Itinerary. Please see important information)
· Accommodation with Breakfast
· Official match ticket(s)
· Match day transfers (First Test Match – Brisbane and Third Test Match – Sydney)
· Drinks get-togethers
· Australia pocket guide book (minimum 1 per booking)
· Service of a Thomas Cook Sport representative
· 24 Hour Duty Office
What is the breakdown for the 1st Test tour?
TC: 1 test Tour – 3rd test Sydney
29 June 7 Nights – Kangaroo
Includes:
· Return economy International flights
· Return Airport Transfers (when following the standard tour Itinerary. Please see important information)*
· Accommodation with Breakfast
· Official match ticket
· Match day transfers (Third Test Match – Sydney)
· Drinks get-together
· Australia pocket guide book (minimum 1 per booking)
· Service of a Thomas Cook Sport Representative
· 24 Hour Duty Office
Malaysian via LHR and KUL: €3,125.00
Etihad via AUH: €3,585.00 + 1 night
What is the package for the 2nd Test tour?
TC: 2 Test Tour – 2nd & 3rd tests
26 June 10 Nights – Emu D + 1 night
Includes:
· Return economy International flights
· Internal economy flights – Melbourne to Sydney
· Return Airport Transfers (when following the standard tour Itinerary. Please see important information)
· Accommodation with Breakfast
· Official match ticket(s)
· Drinks get-together
· Match day transfers (Third Test Match – Sydney)
· Australia pocket guide book (minimum 1 per booking)
· Service of a Thomas Cook Sport representative
· 24 Hour Duty Office
· Optional sightseeing and excursions programme(additional cost) at a later date.
Not included:
· Match day transfers (Second Test Match – Melbourne)
Malaysian via LHR and KUL: €5,240
Emu E + 1 night – unnamed accommodation €4,135.00
What is the 3rd Test tour package?
TC: 3 Test Tour
19 June 16 Nights
Includes:
· Return economy International flights
· Internal economy flights – Brisbane to Melbourne, Melbourne to Sydney
· Return Airport Transfers (when following the standard tour Itinerary. Please see important information)
· Accommodation with Breakfast
· Official match ticket(s)
· Match day transfers (First Test Match – Brisbane and Third Test Match – Sydney)
· Drinks get-togethers
· Australia pocket guide book (minimum 1 per booking)
· Service of a Thomas Cook Sport representative
· 24 Hour Duty Office
· Optional sightseeing and excursions programme(additional cost) at a later date.
Not included:
· Match day transfers (The Melbourne Rebels and Second Test Match – Melbourne)
Malaysian via LHR and KUL: €5,558.00
Ticket and 3 Nights
BNE €569.00
MEL €797.00
SYD €854.00
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