Any fellow posters planning on going to either/both of these games? If so have you looked at travel arrangements? I'm normally more organised than this but I haven't even looked into it yet. Heard a rumour that Ryanair fly to an Italian city close to a Port where you can get the ferry accross to Albania (but I haven't looked in to it any further). Any info would be appreciated. Jnr
I know nothing about either country but was toying with the idea of going to the Albania match. It will probably come a bit early in the year for me to be able to make it down there though. By the way Ryanair do fly from London to an Italian city on the east coast. I have no idea about ferry crossings to Albania. Could make for an interesting booze cruise though!
I will go to watch the match from here, Japan by myself! I know some Japanese people used a train or a bus when they went to Albania. I suppose I will fly to Istanbul, Turkey first, then move to these countries by air. From Japan, it's far away enough... We need a tourist visa for Georgia, but not for Albania. I don't know if you need it or not. I hope I will see many Irish supporters there again...!!
Respect to you maiko, that's one hell of a trip. Can't make this one myself due to circumstances beyond my control, and indeed other circumstances that I really should have controlled better when in Moscow. I hope you have a great & safe trip and get to see a result that will get us all back in a positive frame of mind. Supermacs never realised that their greatest marketing tool in now back home in Japan. Take care.
some tips Albania... http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/europe/albania/get.htm Georgia... http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/europe/georgia/get.htm I hope it will help you all. >Len Brennan Thank you for your message! When I saw the website above, I felt a little bit dangerous... But I don't care! Because I believe I will see many "Paddy Lads" and it will make me ease. Maybe I will bring "Abbey Hotel" jersey with "Supermacs"...!
Albania At the moment you can fly Stanstead - Pescara (italy) from approx E 40 return. Bari port from where you can get a ferry to durres (Alb) is a couple of hours away. Had checked this out a couple of months ago when i'd planned going but i think i'lll keep my powder dry for a possible do or die decider in Switz. and the play offs. Maiko - Saw you in Moscow at the game! You're soimething else.
getting to Albania If you want to fly to Pescara in Italy (where I believe you can catch a ferry to Albania ) you can book that today for GBP37 from Stansted . Can't make it myself but will see you all at the Scotland game ....anywayone going ? I broke my leg ice skating at the weekend so I could not get to the Spurs Everton game for which I had tickets .. I watched it ppv and saw an awsome performance from Robbie . Who syay we can't qualify for Portugal? Barna Bee
I have been to both countries. I have never been able to pin down the schedule for ferries from Italy to Albania. You can get a boat from the Greek Island of Corfu to Sarande in Albania, and take a bus or taxi from there to Tirana, the capital of Albania. We paid 18 dollars for this boat. Locals paid 1 dollar, and it took about 30 minutes. You could also fly to Athens and take a bus to Kakavia, on the border. We did this too, and it took about 7 hours. Very cheap. You walk across the border into Albania and you can take a taxi from there (30 minutes to Girokaster). Albania is a fascinating place but don't count on creature comforts. None of our hotels had heat or hot water. I think British Airways flies three times a week from London to Tbilisi, capital of Georgia. Flights from Moscow are plentiful and cheap. The border with Armenia is closed. The border with Azerbaijian is open but the border guards seem to want bribes to let you in or out of the country. I think the boat from Turkey to Sukhumi is still running but the Sukhumi-Tbilisi route is a bit dicey due to Abkhazian freedom fighters and road crime. Georgia is a lovely country but has lots of corruption and crime. I think you can safely travel to both countries and watch a football match, but it will be rough at times. Be careful of the street crime!
I booked my flights! Today I went to a travel agency and finally I booked the flight from Japan to Tbilisi/Tirana! I will use Turkish Airlines via Istanbul. I will arrive in Tbilisi at 3:05am...on 29th, March! And then move back to Istanbul and go to Tirana on 1st, April. Now I'm looking for the bus survice to go to Istanbul from Tbilisi, but if it take me a long time, I will choose to fly to Istanbul/Tirana. I suppose that we all need a visa to enter Georgia. Futher information, click here; http://www.mfa.gov.ge/consular.html And tips... http://members.tripod.com/ggdavid/georgia/index.htm It's quite cool site. Every weekend, I'm watching Premiership by satelite TV. On Wednesday, I will watch Rovers v.s Man UTD Worthington Cup game!(it will be nearly 5:00am here on Thurthday, though.)
I second that. In fact I'd extend the nomination to World Football Fan of the Year - supporting a team form another continent, and doing it better than most of the natives! Mightily impressive
Found this Albanian Airline that fly from Bari (ITL) and Athens to Tirana for about €170 return. Unfortunately the cheap flights to Italy and Athens from Engalnd don't quite work out, but I thought it might be worth a look for those travelling from Ireland or mainland europe. www.adaair.com