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Lions Tour

  • 18-08-2020 3:15pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,728 ✭✭✭ec18


    Hi,

    Just wondering has anyone ever gone on a lions tour with a package company?
    or can recommend one?

    Ec


«13456782

Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 11,790 ✭✭✭✭Burkie1203




  • Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 6,542 Mod ✭✭✭✭Sheep Shagger


    ec18 wrote: »
    Hi,

    Just wondering has anyone ever gone on a lions tour with a package company?
    or can recommend one?

    Ec

    Did the 2009 SA ourselves DIY....ironic they announce tickets go on sale 3 Sept today then say it may not happen.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,738 ✭✭✭Heres Johnny


    ec18 wrote: »
    Hi,

    Just wondering has anyone ever gone on a lions tour with a package company?
    or can recommend one?

    Ec

    South Africa is dirt cheap to do on your own. Lions tour packages are mental money. Although I will say SA is a dangerous spot, we did 2009 on our own but we had some south Africans that were with our club help us out down there.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,728 ✭✭✭ec18


    That's what I was wondering, if it was NZ or Aus probably would try do it myself or even if I was going on my own, but it's a present for the old man so convenience is king for him as well. As well as SA being dangerours


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,862 ✭✭✭un5byh7sqpd2x0


    Having been to SA, it’s incredibly cheap and also incredibly dangerous. We were recommended by airport staff in Johannesburg to hire an armed escort to go with us in to the city of a long layover for example.

    As for tour companies, I can recommend Rugby Travel Ireland - I believe their packages are going on sale in the next 2-3 weeks.


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  • Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 6,542 Mod ✭✭✭✭Sheep Shagger


    Having been to SA, it’s incredibly cheap and also incredibly dangerous. We were recommended by airport staff in Johannesburg to hire an armed escort to go with us in to the city of a long layover for example.

    As for tour companies, I can recommend Rugby Travel Ireland - I believe their packages are going on sale in the next 2-3 weeks.

    They are a rip off.....big money for dinner with some retired player.

    Beware, Rugby Travel Ireland are only now sorting people out who paid to go to SA for the 2 Leinster PRO14 games earlier tbis year.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    What's the general opinion of Cape Town? I've read so much nightmare stories about Johannesburg.

    The warmup games are usually ****e but the first three games take in Cape Town, PE and Durban.


  • Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 6,542 Mod ✭✭✭✭Sheep Shagger


    What's the general opinion of Cape Town? I've read so much nightmare stories about Johannesburg.

    The warmup games are usually ****e but the first three games takes in Cape Town, PE and Durban.

    Was my favourite spot and felt the safest there. If I was to return I'd definitely go back to CT.

    Liked Durban, as for J'Burg.....the opposite

    While it is not the safest place it is possible to DIY, at this late stage hotels could be an issue. We stayed at guest houses. Boughg season tickets for local clubs out there for peanuts to get the right to buy Lions test tickets :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 490 ✭✭Scottmactom


    Cancel it now.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,855 ✭✭✭Jacovs


    South Africa's borders arent open for international tourism at the moment, and might not be until the new year. Any international arrivals have to spend 2 weeks in a government appointed quarantine facility.
    Look into that first before booking anything.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    I'm not booking anything until 2021 at the earliest. If it's cancelled before then so be it.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,862 ✭✭✭un5byh7sqpd2x0


    They are a rip off.....big money for dinner with some retired player.

    Which is optional ? So you neither have to go to it, nor pay for it.
    Beware, Rugby Travel Ireland are only now sorting people out who paid to go to SA for the 2 Leinster PRO14 games earlier tbis year.

    That was as a result of a Shane Ross decree, no? And a lack of clarity about what was happening with the rest of the season? https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/1ae3d-refund-credit-note/


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    They are a rip off.....big money for dinner with some retired player.

    Beware, Rugby Travel Ireland are only now sorting people out who paid to go to SA for the 2 Leinster PRO14 games earlier tbis year.

    I was in Japan on a package, albeit not with RTI, it was fantastic and in my opinion, good value. I was planning to go to SA with son, but with everything going on I’m going to hold off until after Xmas to make a decision.


  • Registered Users Posts: 453 ✭✭Former Coach


    Having been to SA, it’s incredibly cheap and also incredibly dangerous. We were recommended by airport staff in Johannesburg to hire an armed escort to go with us in to the city of a long layover for example.

    As for tour companies, I can recommend Rugby Travel Ireland - I believe their packages are going on sale in the next 2-3 weeks.

    I travelled to S.A. in 2016 for Ireland’s 3-match series. Couldn’t recommend them highly enough!


  • Registered Users Posts: 453 ✭✭Former Coach


    What's the general opinion of Cape Town? I've read so much nightmare stories about Johannesburg.

    The warmup games are usually ****e but the first three games take in Cape Town, PE and Durban.

    Cape Town and P.E. Are great cities. I would consider them safe- but you need to make sensible decisions about where you go and how you behave. Don’t go around after dark on your own!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,015 ✭✭✭✭Mc Love


    ec18 wrote: »
    Hi,

    Just wondering has anyone ever gone on a lions tour with a package company?
    or can recommend one?

    Ec

    Been on the 2013 tour with Gullivers and was not disappointed one bit bar the minority Irish people on it but met some good fans and a great time.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,862 ✭✭✭un5byh7sqpd2x0


    RTI tours are out. All I can say is Jesus fučk. 8.5k to 14k !!!


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    RTI tours are out. All I can say is Jesus fučk. 8.5k to 14k !!!

    Ya, just had a look at it, I’m going to wait until after Xmas and look again at British tour operator packs.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,728 ✭✭✭ec18


    Club travel have ones as well that are a lot cheaper - 4-8k I can attach the brochures if anyone's interested


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,938 ✭✭✭C0N0R


    ec18 wrote: »
    Club travel have ones as well that are a lot cheaper - 4-8k I can attach the brochures if anyone's interested

    Yes please


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,738 ✭✭✭Heres Johnny


    As far as I recall I paid the following in 09 on a DIY lions tour for 2nd and 3rd tests

    Flights to Johannesburg from Dublin (return) 600 euro
    Flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town return
    Can't remember price but not much
    Car hire can't remember but not much for 2 weeks there were 6 of us and we hired 2 land rover freelanders
    Stayed out in safaris and lovely bed and breakfasts and a couple of hotels
    Never paid more than 30 euro a night for accommodation
    Did it all, safari, shark diving and even went to sun city casino resort (don't go to sun city its no use)
    Eat and drank as much as we could but could not spend anywhere close to 100 a day even with an activity in there. Maybe an activity such as safari, all our food and drink and accommodation for the night was 100 euro.
    Tickets for 2 test matches were 100 each
    Overall the 2 weeks there for us, including getting there, car hire, internal flights, vineyard, safaris, shark diving, eating and drinking like pigs, accommodation, match tickets, if it cost me 2500 to 3000 I'd be surprised.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,728 ✭✭✭ec18


    C0N0R wrote: »
    Yes please

    There you go


  • Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 6,542 Mod ✭✭✭✭Sheep Shagger


    As far as I recall I paid the following in 09 on a DIY lions tour for 2nd and 3rd tests

    Flights to Johannesburg from Dublin (return) 600 euro
    Flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town return
    Can't remember price but not much
    Car hire can't remember but not much for 2 weeks there were 6 of us and we hired 2 land rover freelanders
    Stayed out in safaris and lovely bed and breakfasts and a couple of hotels
    Never paid more than 30 euro a night for accommodation
    Did it all, safari, shark diving and even went to sun city casino resort (don't go to sun city its no use)
    Eat and drank as much as we could but could not spend anywhere close to 100 a day even with an activity in there. Maybe an activity such as safari, all our food and drink and accommodation for the night was 100 euro.
    Tickets for 2 test matches were 100 each
    Overall the 2 weeks there for us, including getting there, car hire, internal flights, vineyard, safaris, shark diving, eating and drinking like pigs, accommodation, match tickets, if it cost me 2500 to 3000 I'd be surprised.

    This was pretty much our experience too.

    RTI are daylight robbers, their biggest drawcard will be some has been player being on the tour for the 'craic'

    Just gate crash one of their dinners if that's Important to you.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    Unsurprisingly the official packages are money grabs.

    Take this 3 nights in Cape Town for example: https://www.lionstour.com/package/provincial-tour-bq

    - 3 nights in a hotel where a quick Google says you can get for 200 odd right now
    - Match tickets. Match tickets for the provincial games are peanuts.

    That's it!


  • Registered Users Posts: 958 ✭✭✭ArmchairQB


    Will it go ahead?? Will supporters/spectators be allowed?


  • Registered Users Posts: 831 ✭✭✭hahashake


    Seems like a remarkable gamble to assume it will be. The question is, if crowds aren't allowed do they delay or go ahead with no spectators?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,244 ✭✭✭Boscoirl


    we are booked.going for 2 1/2 weeks, out for the Bulls game, and the 1st and 2nd tests. have booked our own flights, will do our own thing for the first 6 nights, then join up with RTI for the Tests.


  • Registered Users Posts: 11,790 ✭✭✭✭Burkie1203


    If this is the case then the tour is in danger

    https://twitter.com/Steffan_Thomas1/status/1340649208894898177?s=19


  • Registered Users Posts: 831 ✭✭✭hahashake


    Don't think this should be a surprise to anyone.


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  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    I doubt there will be much enthusiasm amongst the players to head off on tour, there appears to have been significant problems reported with the English cricket team, both physical and mental whilst on tour. I was looking forward to travelling to SA if circumstances were right, definitely not going now, even if I was vaccinated.


  • Registered Users Posts: 11,790 ✭✭✭✭Burkie1203


    Dav010 wrote: »
    I doubt there will be much enthusiasm amongst the players to head off on tour, there appears to have been significant problems reported with the English cricket team, both physical and mental whilst on tour. I was looking forward to travelling to SA if circumstances were right, definitely not going now, even if I was vaccinated.

    Yeah players were confined to hotel 24/7 more or less. Single rooms no sharing, team room was pretty much a no go etc. England cricket team spent the guts of 3 months in a bubble over summer too to fulfil 2 test and one day series as well as games v Ireland. Its hard going over several months.

    Lions tour would be the same and its 2 months at the end of a long season.


  • Registered Users Posts: 11,790 ✭✭✭✭Burkie1203




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,223 ✭✭✭Former Former Former




  • Registered Users Posts: 1,641 ✭✭✭Dog Botherer


    least surprising news i’ve seen in weeks


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Must also put SA teams joining Pro 14 in 2021 in doubt.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,545 ✭✭✭✭AbusesToilets


    what odds on them looking to another country to fulfill the tour, versus outright cancelling it?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,967 ✭✭✭✭The Lost Sheep


    what odds on them looking to another country to fulfill the tour, versus outright cancelling it?
    what country?
    If SA doesnt happen the tour doesnt happen.


  • Registered Users Posts: 831 ✭✭✭hahashake


    Hilarious username post/like combination.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,545 ✭✭✭✭AbusesToilets


    what country?
    If SA doesnt happen the tour doesnt happen.

    One of the other SAANZAR countries presumably.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,967 ✭✭✭✭The Lost Sheep


    One of the other SAANZAR countries presumably.
    Never could/would happen. its less than 6 months away. if SA doesnt happen there isnt going to be a tour at all


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  • Registered Users Posts: 11,790 ✭✭✭✭Burkie1203




  • Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 6,542 Mod ✭✭✭✭Sheep Shagger


    Was never going to happen....

    The commercial aspect of announcing sponsors and the jersey all has to happen as part of the massive gravey train that the tour has become.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 590 ✭✭✭Louis Friend


    It’s very hard to see the Tour going ahead.

    So what are the options?

    - The Tests go ahead in the UK & Ireland

    - The Tour gets pushed back to 2022

    - The Tests go ahead in another country (e.g. USA, Dubai, France, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand)

    - The whole thing is abandoned

    The revenue is badly needed, so I think there’s a decent chance that the Tests will be played in the UK & Ireland this summer. But the most likely outcome is a 2022 Lions Tour, subject to South Africa’s existing commitments for the Summer of 2022 being moveable.


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    It’s very hard to see the Tour going ahead.

    So what are the options?

    - The Tests go ahead in the UK & Ireland

    - The Tour gets pushed back to 2022

    - The Tests go ahead in another country (e.g. USA, Dubai, France, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand)

    - The whole thing is abandoned

    For commercial reasons the tour will happen at some stage. Given how much WR tried to push the 2023 world cup to south africa there is clearly an ongoing need for finances within the game there and I'd imagine a Lions tour would be a huge part of that.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,986 ✭✭✭Buddy Bubs


    We dropped our plans to go on this a few months back. Even if it does I'm not going to south Africa amid restrictions and isolating when I come home.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,978 ✭✭✭✭irishbucsfan


    I could see the tour being pushed back to 2022 but I'd imagine if that happens there will be tests hastily organised to replace it this summer and South Africa may get a tour of Europe out of it to keep them going.

    They're not going to be out of the woods for a long time down there unfortunately


  • Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 6,542 Mod ✭✭✭✭Sheep Shagger


    It’s very hard to see the Tour going ahead.

    So what are the options?

    - The Tests go ahead in the UK & Ireland

    - The Tour gets pushed back to 2022

    - The Tests go ahead in another country (e.g. USA, Dubai, France, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand)

    - The whole thing is abandoned

    Moving to 2022 or abandonment seems the most likely.

    Getting a tour up and running in another country would be a logistical nightmare. No country wants big crowds at this stage either.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 590 ✭✭✭Louis Friend


    I’m booked to go but everything is moveable/cancellable. Very disappointing but it’s a first world problem.


  • Registered Users Posts: 831 ✭✭✭hahashake


    Another wrinkle is Gatland is only contracted for 2021, however I'm sure an agreement could be made.

    Seen a few people on twitter mentioning 6N being pushed to summer and Lions till 2022.


  • Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 6,542 Mod ✭✭✭✭Sheep Shagger


    Buddy Bubs wrote: »
    We dropped our plans to go on this a few months back. Even if it does I'm not going to south Africa amid restrictions and isolating when I come home.

    I really don't know why anyone would want to travel to SA for this or anything else while covid is around.


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