By Ponty Webmaster
October 5 2002

Ponty take on Rome next weekend and undoubtably some supporters will be making the trip. Some Sale Sharks supporters have provided us with some information which traveling fans may find helpful. Read on for more info.

GOING TO ROME?

If you are going to Rome for Pontypridds first Parker Pen match of this season then below we have provided you with some information on Rome thanks to Sale Sharks supporters who made the trip last season.

FLIGHTS

   If your organising your own flight over then it is best to book through an independent travel agent. Be careful about the flight you book as some of the flights change at Amsterdam or Brussels which can add a few hours to your journey.

ARRIVAL

    Fiumicino airport is approximately 15 miles south west of Rome. To get to the main station catch a shuttle train and once in Rome it is advised that you get a trolley for luggage etc. as you arrive at the far end of a two mile long platform. 

TRAVELING FROM THE STATION INTO ROME

    There are numerous ways of getting into Rome from the train station including buses, taxis and a metro service.

FOOD AND DRINK

    It is advised that you look around before selecting somewhere to eat. Some places are reasonable but others can be very expensive. If your looking for somewhere lively then try the Irish Pubs although they can be a little bit on the expensive side.

FURTHER GENERAL INFORMATION

More on the stadium: It is a long way out of town. It is NOT the Olympic stadium where football matches are played, but part of a small complex including tennis courts and outdoor roller-skating. Look for the Via delle Tre Fontaine or the Sheraton Hotel, south of the city. Take the Metro to get there (http://www.md-consulenza.it/metropolitana-roma-a-b.htm) - the Blue line south to EUR Magliana - turn left out of the station and follow the road for 1/4 mile. Entrance to the ground was only a couple of Euros, but we blagged our way in free anyway.

There is a small public park with a cafe which sells beer across the main road, but otherwise there is pretty much nothing else around the area. If you are lucky, Enrico, the club business manager, will lay on a spread for players (his wife's Lasagne was magnifico) and you could blag your way in. The free bottles of Frascati weren't bad either. Enrico speaks no English but is a great chap. There is normally no hospitality laid on for other clubs, but Roma experienced the British way when they came to Sale last year. Feed them up well on Saturday and they may return the compliment.

When in Rome ... Ask in your hotel for the restaurant they would recommend. We ended up in a small backstreet place full of locals, with a great atmosphere and fantastic cheap Shiraz (Romans don't drink Boddingtons). The Pizzas and Pastas were great - just like home...

Sightseeing - If you have time, take a bus tour. It was pleasant even in January, and you can check out the places you want to get off at 2nd time around - be warned, Rome has more archeology than the whole of the UK, and the architecture is stunning. If you like this sort of thing, allow a whole day and even then pick a handful of sites to visit - you'll never do the lot. St Peter's is THE place - a huge square (circular actually) and a vast Basilica. If you stop off at midday on Sunday, the Pope will speak to you from his balcony. (Along with a million others - and the balcony is very high up and he looks very small.....)

Beware of Roses. At every tourist spot, hawkers wiill try to give any ladies Roses, then find you to charge you a fortune. They also sell tons of tacky rubbish and are very persistant. Also, unless you fancy a knocked-off leather jacket, ignore cars stopping by you to ask directions to Paris ! It's a common scam - they say they need to offload some leathers they haven't sold and offer to give you some - and then take money off you to pay for their trip back to France (yeah, really). Hold your nerve and you can get a bargain.

    All information has been provided from Sale Sharks supporters who made the trip. If you have any other questions then post them on the Unofficial Ponty message board and they will be passed on to them.

    TEAM NEWS AND A MATCH PREVIEW WILL BE POSTED LATER IN THE WEEK