With over 150 bookings already secured, and a number of confirmations imminent, the Ospreys are delighted with the response they've had after putting together a comprehensive travel package with an array of exclusive perks.
With two 737 jets already secured, there ARE still places available, but supporters are urged to make up their minds soon if they want to be sure of a place on the trip!
Since the initial announcement for the charter package, a number of perks have now been confirmed as part of the trip, which has been a massive bonus for those who signed up early (before such perks were confirmed), and an added incentive to those who'd yet to make up their minds.
For just £445, here's an outline of what the trip will involve:
• Charter Flight from Cardiff to Biarritz (10:30am Friday 9th April, with return departure at 10pm on Saturday 10th April)
• Squad members hosting both flights, along with a number of other Ospreys personnel
• All coach transfers, including a complimentary shuttle service from the Liberty Stadium if required (with free overnight parking)
• 4 star overnight B&B accommodation in San Sebastian
• Access to squad training on Friday afternoon (venue & time tbc)
• Exclusive Q&A session with Ospreys Player(s) & Coaching staff on Friday evening
• Premium 55 Euro tickets included
With Barton-Knott Travel (ATOL 5262) handling all the ground arrangements, and Ospreys staff & players present throughout the trip, the Ospreys are eagerly anticipating a trip not to forget.
We've included below portions of two testimonials of guests who flew out on the charter flight to Clermont Auvergne in January:
Testimonial One:
"...Off the top of my head, positives for me were:
• Paul [Thorburn's] performance as the ultimate tour guide – excellent organisation and leadership skills, as befits a former Welsh International captain! Next time I think he should wear a red shirt, white trousers, espadrilles and a silk scarf, and carry a clipboard with OspreyzTourz written on it.
• Ashley [Donlan’s] performance as entertainments manager/court jester – enough said, but my wife Jane hasn’t laughed so much for ages (that’s probably my fault)
• The welcome extended to us from the whole team. While we didn’t want to intrude on the players’ preparation for such a big game, we found that everyone in the party found time to have a chat with us. Particular mention to Sean Holley, Garin Jenkins and Ryan Jones for their warmth and friendliness. Also Geoff Atherton’s performance in getting us into hospitality after the game was brilliant.
• The timing and convenience of the charter flights, particularly the flight home. It’s great to wake up in your own bed the morning after the game.
• Watching a training session – how often would we get a chance to do that?
• Singing at Café Pascal – led by Paul’s friend Patrick. Having our own tame Frenchman on board was great – we’d never have stumbled upon the Puy de la Lune restaurant on our own. Also great to see Roger Blyth and co. at Café Pascal, interacting with travelling fans.
All this stuff comes from a trip of only one night – no wonder I had to sleep on Sunday afternoon..."
Testimonial Two:
"Hope the following testimonial is of use.
Being extremely selfish and hopefully to ensure a place on any future trips, we were tempted to play down the success of the Clermont experience. However, to do so would be a complete travesty of justice.
Those of us who travelled were made to feel totally welcome from the outset. Paul [Thorburn] was obviously wasted as a rugby player having missed his vocation as a tour guide. He was of course ably assisted (we use the term loosely) by his mad antipodean friend Ashley [Donlan], whose antics at La Puy de La Lune restaurant not only quizzing the locals regarding their meals, but tasting them as well, was way beyond the call of duty. Whether this was down to his desire to ensure we all knew what to order, or the result of too many Belgian beers, we'll never know.
The friendliness of the players, backroom staff, directors, media guys and sponsors only added to the experience, and we always felt that we were an integral part of the group. This was epitomised by the efforts of Geoff Atherton when he secured our entry into the post match reception. Even on the 'Barry Island' roller coaster flight home we were entertained by the anecdotes of Garin Jenkins and Hugh Llewellyn-Davies.
Last year we travelled to Munster for the European Quarter Final, and thought from an enjoyment point of view the trip would be hard to match. However, 36 hours in Clermont (we still can't believe it was only 36 hours) raised the bar even higher.
Finally we would just like to wish all, especially the players every success as the only true 'Welsh Region'.
PS: We are still hoping for a Quarter final trip and for a long weekend in Paris in the Spring."
(Just in case anyone’s wondering, Paul & Ashley will be on this trip to Biarritz as well!)
If you'd like to secure your place on this once-in-a-lifetime trip, call Richard Crane now on 01792 616514 or 07817 264485, or email him at richard.crane@ospreysrugby.com
We look forward to seeing you there in April!