ST ALBAN’S COLLEGE

UK & FRANCE RUGBY & HOCKEY TOUR

SEPTEMBER 2023

Monday 04 September – Departure Day / Buenos Aires

13.45 hrs Check in at Buenos Aires Ezeiza Airport for your flight LH511 to Frankfurt.
16.45 hrs Flight LH511 departs.

Tuesday 05 September – Arrival Day – London / Edinburgh

11.00 hrs Arrival at Frankfurt’s Airport. The group will connect with flight LH964,
departing at 1620 hrs to Edinburgh.

17.15 hrs Flight LH964 arrives Edinburgh Airport.

After clearing customs and immigration, proceed to the Arrivals Hall where
you will be met by your Venatour Representatives Andrea and Kate who will
hand over your information pack, sim cards, oyster cards and escort you to
your coaches and travel with you to the hostel.

Once all on board, transfer to the A&O Edinburgh City Hostel and check-in
for a three-night stay on a half board basis.

A&O EDINBURGH CITY HOSTEL

50 Blackfriars Street
Edinburgh EH1 1NE Tel: +44 (0) 131 524 1989

20.00 hrs Enjoy dinner this evening at the hostel.

Wednesday 06 September – Edinburgh

0.800 hrs Breakfast.

09.00 hrs This morning, break into four groups and meet your tour guides outside the
hostel for a walking tour of Edinburgh. Your guides are: -
Elspeth McLean 07753 123 499
Debbie Stevenson 07762 893 905
Ruth Bartram - 07754 163 950
Pedro Gajardo - Spanish speaking 07720 830 422

WALKING TOUR OF EDINBURGH

Proceed to Edinburgh Castle with your guides for a tour of this magnificent
Castle. Tickets to be collected at the ticket collection area located at the
bottom of the Castle Esplanade on the left. (Name: Owen -
Order: 20230719-192353128 and Order: 20230719-192353311).
11.00 hrs EDINBURGH CASTLE WITH GUIDES.

Girls afternoon at leisure.

Return to hostel to freshen up before dinner.
08.00 hrs Dinner at the hostel for 26 girls and two staff.

16.00 hrs Boys meet back at the hostel and gather your kit for your first match.
16.15 hrs Board the coach for Howe of Fife RFU in Cupar.

17.30 hrs Arrive and warm up, clubhouse will be open for any refreshments. Matches
will be played side by side.

18.30 hrs HOWE OF FIFE RFC U18 v ST ALBAN’S COLLEGE – RUGBY

18.30 hrs HOWE OF FIFE RFC U16 v ST ALBAN’S COLLEGE – RUGBY

20.00 hrs Enjoy a hot meal with your hosts and exchange memorabilia.
21.30 hrs Return to Edinburgh.

Thursday 07 September – Edinburgh

08.00 hrs Breakfast and collect your packed lunches.

This morning, make your way to Edinburgh Dungeon; the underground

journey through Edinburgh’s darkest history, using live actors. The group can
enter in 15 minute intervals (suggest the girls go first so they have plenty of
time to get back to the hostel for their match) Order Number 570799513.

11.00 hrs EDINBURGH DUNGEON

1100 hrs,1115 hrs, 1130 hrs,11.45 hrs
Lunch at leisure (packed lunch provided).

Boys afternoon at leisure.

Return to the hostel to join the girls for dinner.

14.45 hrs Girls meet back at the hostel and get your kit ready transfer to the Mary
Erskine School for your first set of fixtures.

15.00 hrs Board the coach for your short journey to The Mary Erskine School.
15.20 hrs Arrive and warm up.

15.40 hrs THE MARY ERSKINE SCHOOL v ST ALBAN’S COLLEGE - HOCKEY

16.40 hrs THE MARY ERSKINE SCHOOL v ST ALBAN’S COLLEGE – HOCKEY

Following the games refreshments will be provided by your hosts and time to
exchange memorabilia.

18.30 hrs Board coaches and transfer back to the hostel.

18.50 hrs Arrive back to Hostel.
20.00 hrs Dinner

Friday 08 September – Edinburgh / York

08.00 hrs Breakfast and check out.

09.15 hrs Board your 2 Knights Charter Coaches to take you to the Murrayfield Stadium
the home of Scottish Rugby. Enjoy your tour around the 67,144 seater
stadium. the largest in Scotland. Your private tours will set off in groups, tour
lasts approx. 90 minutes. Please arrive 15 mins prior to the start of your tour.

09.45 hrs Arrive and make your way to the Scottish Rugby Macron Shop and make
yourself known to a member of staff. This is where your tour will commence.
Please note access to the BT Murrayfield Stadium will be via the Gatehouse.

10.00 hrs TOUR OF MURRAYFIELD – GROUP 1 (30)

10.20 hrs TOUR OF MURRAYFIELD – GROUP 2 (30)
1.040 hrs TOUR OF MURRAYFIELD – GROUP 3 (20)

12.30 hrs Hop back on the coaches to continue your journey to York via
Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

15.30 hrs Arrive at Newcastle upon Tyne to give the drivers a break and perhaps take a
walk over The Tyne Bridge or up to the Castle or maybe discover the historic
quayside.

17.30 hrs Back on the coach for your final transfer to York.

19.00 hrs On arrival in York, check-in to the Safestay for a two-night stay on a half
board basis. Pleased remember the hostel requires a security deposit of £10
per person upon check-in and the House Rules document signed and handed
in at reception.

SAFESTAY
90 Micklegate
York Y01 6JX Tel: +44 (0) 1904 627720

20.00 hrs Dinner – Group 1.

20.45 hrs Dinner – Group 2.

Saturday 09 September – York

08.00 hrs Breakfast.

Free day at leisure to explore and enjoy York.

20.00 hrs Dinner – Group 1.

20.45 hrs Dinner – Group 2.
Sunday 10 September – York / Liverpool

08.00 hrs Breakfast and check-out.

09.00hrs Board your coach for the journey to Liverpool.

Arrive and head to Salford Quay, Albert Docks where you can get some lunch
before meeting your tour guides who will join you on board the coaches for
an historic 2 hour tour of the Beatles. Your Tour guides for each bus are:-
Debbie Kenyon (07784 282597)
Tony Curley (07920 268768)

14.00 hrs BEATLES TOUR

Once the tour has finished, transfer to the YHA Liverpool and check-in for an
overnight stay on a half-board basis.

YHA LIVERPOOL CENTRAL

Kansas Building
Matthew Street
Liverpool L2 6RE Tel +44 (0) 151 908 0098

Rest of the afternoon at leisure.

19.00 hrs Enjoy dinner at the hostel this evening.

Monday 11 September – Liverpool / Cheshunt

08.00 hrs Breakfast and check-out.

BOYS

Board your coach and transfer to Chester for a few hours sightseeing.
Continue to Sandbach and stop off for the rugby matches.

12.00 hrs Arrive at Sandbach School and warm up.

13.00 hrs SANDBACH SCHOOL v ST ALBAN’S COLLEGE – RUGBY

13.00 hrs SANDBACH SCHOOL v ST ALBAN’S COLLEGE – RUGBY

Enjoy some refreshments with your hosts and exchange memorabilia.

15.00 hrs Continue on your journey to the YHA London Lee Valley.

GIRLS

Board your coach and transfer to Chester for a few hours sightseeing.

Continue to Solihull, just south of Birmingham and stop off for the hockey
matches. Stop for an early lunch enroute. Please see enclosed map for coach
access to Solihull School.
13.15 hrs Arrive at Solihull School and warm up for the games.

14.00 hrs SOLIHULL SCHOOL U15 A v ST ALBAN’S COLLEGE A – HOCKEY

15.00 hrs SOLIHULL SCHOOL U15 B v ST ALBAN’S COLLEGE B – HOCKEY

There will a hot meal provided by your hosts after the matches during the
presentations.

17.15 hrs Say goodbye and continue your journey onto the YHA London Lee Valley.

19.30 hrs Check-in for a two-night stay on a half-board basis. Go straight to dining hall.

YHA LONDON LEE VALLEY

Windmill Lane, Cheshunt
Waltham Cross EN8 9AJ

19.45 hrs The hostel has agreed to give you a late service for dinner at 1945 hrs but the
kitchen will close after this so please be on time.

Monday 11 September – Luton Airport / Cheshunt – Juan Perez Colasanto

20.35 hrs Flight FR3470 from Bologna departs.

21.55 hrs Flight arrives at Luton Airport

Self-arranged transfer from Luton Airport to YHA Lee Valley (approx. 45 min.)

23.45 hrs Arrive at YHA Lee Valley.

Tuesday 12 September – Cheshunt

08.00 hrs Breakfast.

Day at leisure for local touring – perhaps Cambridge?

19.30 hrs Enjoy dinner at the hostel this evening.

Wednesday 13 September – Cheshunt / Salisbury

08.00 hrs Breakfast and check out.

Board your coaches and transfer to St Albans School.

11.00hrs Morning school exchange, tour with the archivist and Spanish teachers
finishing up with a trip to the school shop.

12.30 hrs Lunch at leisure in town.

14.00 hrs Meet at Woollams.

Boys transfer to the fields for the next fixtures, remember to return the
trophy from last year.
15.00 hrs ST ALBANS SCHOOL v ST ALBAN’S COLLEGE A – RUGBY
17.00 hrs ST ALBANS SCHOOL v ST ALBAN’S COLLEGE B – RUGBY

18.30 hrs After the fixtures enjoy a hot meal for the whole group kindly provided by the
school before boarding the coach to Sailsbury.

19.30 hrs Continue your journey to Salisbury.

21.30 hrs Check into the Stonehenge YHA for your exclusive two-night stay on a bed
and breakfast basis – with dinner included on the second night.

STONEHENGE HOSTEL
Amesbury Road
Cholderton
Wiltshire SP4 0EW

The Hostel cannot accommodate all guests so 3 x staff and 8 x boys have
been booked into Gray Manor Hotel - a five-minute drive away. The coach
drivers will also be staying here and can park in the hotel car park.

GRAY MANOR HOTEL

Parkhouse Cross Cholderton,
Salisbury SP4 0EG Tel +44(0) 1980 629542

Thursday 14 September – Salisbury

08.00 hrs Breakfast at hostel or hotel

09.00 hrs Board your coaches and transfer to Southampton for sightseeing.

Lunch under your own plans.

13.15 hrs Return to the hostel and gather your kit for your afternoon fixture.

13.30 hrs In the afternoon, transfer to King Edward VI School’s playing fields,
Wellington Sports ground, SO50 9HT (opposite Eastleigh Football Club), for
your hockey fixtures. (Don’t go to the school!)

14.30 hrs Arrive and warm up.

15.00 hrs KING EDWARD VI SCHOOL U15A v ST ALBAN’S COLLEGE B – HOCKEY

16.30 hrs KING EDWARD VI SCHOOL 1st XI v ST ALBAN’S COLLEGE A – HOCKEY

Match teas will be provided following the games and time to exchange
memorabilia with your hosts.

18.30 hrs Board the coaches and transfer back to the hostel.

20.30 hrs Enjoy dinner all together at the Stonehenge Hostel .The coach drivers have
also been catered for this evening and can then drive the small group back to
the hotel.
Friday 15 September – Sailsbury / Bath

08.00 hrs Breakfast at hostel or hotel and check out.

09.00 hrs Board the coaches and transfer to Bath.

11.00 hrs On arrival enjoy the day sightseeing in Bath.

Lunch at leisure.

Rooms will be available from 1600 hrs – when you can check-in to the Bath
YMCA for a two-night stay on a half board basis. Please note there are no
ensuites at this venue.

BATH YMCA
International House
Broad Street Place
Bath BA1 5HL

Enjoy dinner at the hostel this evening. You will be eating in two sittings.

20.00 hrs Dinner – Group 1.

20.30 hrs Dinner – Group 2.

Saturday 16 September – Bath/Cardiff

08.30 hrs Breakfast – Group 1

09.00 hrs Breakfast – Group 2

09.30 hrs Board the coach and transfer over the famous Severn Bridge for a day
sightseeing in Cardiff.

11.15 hrs Arrive and for a full day at leisure to explore and enjoy Cardiff.
Meet back at the coach and return to Bath.
Dinner will be once again split over two sittings.

19.00 hrs Dinner – Group 1.

19.30 hrs Dinner – Group 2.

Sunday 17 September – Bath / Warwick Castle

08.30 hrs Breakfast – Group 1

09.00 hrs Breakfast – Group 2

09.30 hrs Check out and board your coaches and transfer to Warwick.

12.00 hrs Arrive at Warwick Castle through the main entrance and speak to the parking
attendants who will direct you to the best entrance. Your tickets will be ready
 for collection at the entrance. Spend the afternoon in the castle having left
your bags on the bus.

WARWICK CASTLE

Late afternoon, meet back at the coaches to collect your bags.

Check-in to your lodges at the Knights Village for a one-night stay on a half
board basis.

Map of the village is in your tour pack.

KNIGHTS VILLAGE
Stratford Road
Warwick CV34 6AH Tel: +44 (0) 1926 830820

Settle in and change for dinner.

19.00 hrs Dinner served on site. Buffet service.

Monday 18 September – Warwick Castle/London

07.30 hrs Breakfast and check-out.

09.00 hrs Board your coaches and commence your journey to London stopping off at
the beautiful Stratford-upon-Avon.

09.30 hrs Arrive in Stratford-upon-Avon, take a walk around this market town with
more than 800 years of history including the birthplace of Shakespeare.

11.15 hrs Hop back on the coach for your journey into London.

On arrival in London, stop off outside the V&A Museum, Cromwell Road,
SW7 2RL to stretch your legs and to give the driver a break before your tour.

15.00 hrs Meet your Blue Badge guides outside the V&A for a three-hour panoramic
tour of London. Your guides are:
Pablo Basombrio Mobile +44 (0) 7986 877 974
Carmen Triana Abbott Mobile +44 (0) 7912 213 222

PANORAMIC TOUR OF LONDON

18.00 hrs The tour will end at the St. Giles Hotel where you will check-in for a three-
night stay on a bed and breakfast basis.

ST. GILES HOTEL

38-51 Bedford Way
London, WC1H 0DG Tel: +44 (0) 20 7637 2488

Charter coaches will leave today so say goodbye to your drivers and please
make sure you have all your bags and belongings!
 Walk through the hotel reception directly to your restaurant.

20.00 hrs VQ RESTAURANT

111a Great Russell Street
Bloomsbury
London WC1B 3NQ
Please contact 020 8289 9595 if you are running late.

Tuesday 19 September – London

08.00 hrs Breakfast.

09.30 hrs Make your way to your meeting point at Westminster Pier on Victoria
Embankment for your river cruise along the Thames to Greenwich (1hr
20mins) Make sure you arrive in good time for your booking.
Booking Reference : HLGB847178

10.25 hrs Board your Cruise

10.40 hrs CITY CRUISE

12.00 hrs On arrival in Greenwich, get off the boat and have some time to sightsee.

12.50 hrs Meet at the restaurant for lunch.

13.00 hrs CAFE ROUGE GREENWICH

30 Stockwell St
London SE10 9JN

A 2-course meal. (Water on the tables).

Please contact 020 8289 9595 if you are running late.

14.30 hrs Return on the underground or use the Thames Link and get back to Tower
Bridge and then walk along the Southbank. Stop off at The Globe for great
pictures of the bridge and then on past the Golden Hind.

19.20 hrs Arrive for dinner at Las Iguanas close to the London Eye on the Southbank.

19.30 hrs LAS IGUANAS

Festival Terrace
Southbank Centre
Belvedere Road
London SE1 8XX

After dinner head over the river and back to your hotel, via the West End.
Wednesday 20 September – London

08.00 hrs Breakfast.

Spend a full day at leisure to continue your exploration of London.

Early dinner at Bella Italia for an early pre-theatre supper.

16.30 hrs BELLA ITALIA

65 The Strand
London WC2N 5LR

Enjoy a walk around Covent Garden.

19.00hrs Make your way to the Lyceum theatre to take your seats ready for the
evening show.

19.30 hrs THE LION KING

Lyceum Theatre
21 Wellington St
London WC2E 7RQ

Thursday 21 September – London / Lyon

SPLINTER GROUP – 8 Students and 2 Staff

08.00 hrs Breakfast and check out of rooms at a suitable time. Rooms must be vacated
by 1000 hrs and luggage can be stored on the ground floor of the main
reception.

12.00 hrs Board the Parkers 16 seater minibus for the transfer out to Heathrow for
your Lufthansa flight LH911 bound for Frankfurt.

13.30 hrs Check in for your flight LHRFRA.

16.30 hrs Flight departs for Frankfurt. Terminal 2

19.05 hrs Arrive Frankfurt Airport - Terminal 1

21.40 hrs Flight departs for Buenos Aires. LH510 from Terminal 1

Friday 22 September - Arrive to Bs. As. – Argentina 06.25 hrs

TOUR ARRANGEMENTS TERMINATE

MAIN GROUP – 66 Students and 5 Staff (71 pax + 2 Supporters)

05.30 hrs Collect your boxed breakfasts, check out and meet in reception.

06.00 hrs Board your PJ Ellis coaches and transfer to London Heathrow, Terminal 5.
(Fuks x 2 will make their own way to the St Giles and join the school on the
busses for the transfer to Heathrow.)

07.00 hrs Arrive Terminal 5 and check in to flight BA728, bound for Geneva.

09.15 hrs Flight departs.

12.00 hrs Arrive Geneva Airport.

13.00 hrs After clearing customs and immigration on arrival, proceed to the Arrivals
Hall where you will be met by a Venatour Representative who will escort you
to your coach.

13.15 hrs Once all aboard, transfer to the Lyon Region.

16.30 hrs Check-in to the East Lodge Lyon Est Eurexpo Hotel for a two-night stay on a
bed and breakfast basis.

EAST LODGE LYON EST EUREXPO

17 Rue de la Cordiere
69800 SAINT-PRIEST Tel: + 33 (0) 4 72 38 17 30

TBC 3 BREWERS SAINT-PRIEST

Boulevard Andre Bouloche
69800 Saint-Priest Tel: +33 (0) 4 72 37 92 00

Friday 22 September – Lyon

Breakfast.
Morning at leisure.
Lunch at own expense.

14.00 hrs This afternoon, meet back at the hotel for the transfer to St Etienne for the
World Cup match.

Coach departs.

15.30 hrs Arrive at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne and soak up the pre-
match atmosphere. Eat at the ground or in St Etienne under your own steam.
You have 72 match tickets.

17.45 hrs ARGENTINA v SAMOA

20.30 hrs Meet back at the coach at a pre arranged place and return to your hotel.
Saturday 23 September – Lyon / Paris

Breakfast and check out.

09.00 hrs Board your coach and transfer to Paris.

12.00 hrs Stop for lunch and a break for the driver.

16.00 hrs On arrival check-in to the Generator Hostel for a two-night stay on a bed and
breakfast basis. Girls will be in 3 dorms and the boys in 5 dorms – all ensuite!

GENERATOR HOSTEL
9-11 Pl. du Colonel Fabien,
75010 Paris Tel: +33 (0) 1 70 98 84 00

Rest of evening at leisure to explore Paris.

Perhaps find a place to watch South Africa v Ireland on Television tonight.

DINNER - TBC

Sunday 24 September – Paris

Breakfast.

Full day at leisure for sightseeing with a visit to the 2nd floor of Eiffel Tower.

EIFFEL TOWER

Afternoon at leisure.

DINNER
The big game today is Wales vs Australia, which you might like to watch on
TV, Kick off is 2100 hrs local time.

Monday 25 September – Paris / In Flight

Breakfast and check-out of your rooms and store your bags.

The morning is free to sightsee at leisure.

14.15 hrs Meet back at the hostel, gather your bags and load the coaches.
14.30 hrs Board your coach and transfer to Charles de Gaulle Airport for your
homeward flight.

15.15 hrs Check in for flight Lufthansa flight 1041 bound for Frankfurt Airport.

18.15 hrs Flight LH1041 departs.

19.30 hrs Flight arrives Frankfurt’s Airport where you will connect with your onward
flight to Buenos Aires (flight LH510).

21.40 hrs LH510 departs Frankfurt’s Airport.

Tuesday 26 September – Arrival Day – Buenos Aires

0625 hrs Flight LH510 arrives at Ezeiza international Airport.

Clear immigration, collect luggage and clear Customs.

TOUR ARRANGEMENTS TERMINATES