The 5 best football breaks in Europe
Looking for a stag-do that takes in some amazing football? Martin Johnston casts his eye over some premier league football stag-breaks.
1. Milan
The Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Milan (or ‘Meelan’ if you want to get all James Richardson about it) is a European must-visit for any football fan. Currently one and two in Serie A, Inter and AC make a mockery of the idea that two top teams can’t share a ground. Surely it’s called the San Siro? I hear you cry. No, that’s just the name of the district.
After the match head for uber-club, Maggazini Generali on Via Pietrasanta, but make time for a gelato at Grom, Via A. da Giussano, and grab a pizza al trancio (a take away slice to you and me) from Spontini in Corso Buenos Aries.
Despite lying sixth in Serie A this season, Juventus are always the team everyone wants to see and www.footballbreak.co.uk currently have availability for both visits to Milan:
Inter Milan v Juventus, Sun April 18, 2 nights, match tickets, 3 star hotel, return flight for £369.00
AC Milan v Juventus, Sun May 16, 2 nights, match tickets, 3 star hotel, return flight for £549.00
2. Barcelona
Clubs and stadiums don’t come any bigger than Barcelona and the Camp Nou. Home to Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, this gigantic Catalan cathedral holds over 98,000. The current Champions League holders are, at the time of writing, five points clear of Real Madrid and can claim to be the best team in Europe.
Stroll down Las Ramblas before and after the match. Visit Bar Lobo, famous for it’s mojitos and Sinatra’s, a ‘modern’ Irish bar. Both can be found behind Hotel 1898 at 109 La Rambla or try Bar Marsalla on Carrer Sant Pau, for absinthe and flamenco.
www.footballbreak.co.uk ‘Barca’ packages:
Barcelona v Athletico Bilbao, Sun April 4, 2 nights, match tickets, 3 star hotel, return flight for £279.00
Barcelona v Real Valladolid, Sun May 16, 2 nights, match tickets, 3 star hotel, return flight for £319.00
3. Amsterdam
As if there wasn’t enough in Amsterdam to attract stags, in 1996 they added the Amsterdam ArenA. One of FIFA’s 5 star rated stadiums, it’s famous for great views of the match.
Currently third in the Dutch top flight, Ajax will always be synonymous with Johan Cruyff and can induce men of a certain age into witless reverie just thinking about their kit.
After the game try Nomads at 133 Rozengracht for some Bedouin chic. Then get hip at Diep, 256 Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal, and finish at the Supper Club, 21 Jonge Roelensteeg.
Ajax still have two massive home games left this season, top of the table PSV on March 14 and Heracles on April 18.
www.citybreaks-direct.co.uk offer stag party specials to Amsterdam from £173 flying from Manchester, East Midlands and Birmingham.
The best way to guarantee tickets is via a hospitality package from the club, click here for info: http://english.ajax.nl/Tickets-Travel.htm
4. Glasgow
What’s not to like? A choice of two huge teams: Celtic and Rangers (or if you want something different, there’s always Partick Thistle). World-class pubs, deep-fried confectionery and girls who dress the same in summer as they do in winter.
Celtic or Rangers are always worth a visit to see true footballing fervour close up. Both have huge stadiums and the fans to fill them.
Finish the night at King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, one of the best music venues in the UK. Before that a pint at the Clutha Vaults on Stockwell Street or the Goose on Union Street will give you a taste of the real Glasgow.
Easy to get to by plane, train or automobile, Glasgow also boasts top hotels. Lastminute.com has great deals for the Malmasion or try the Alexander Thomson for better value: http://www.rmghotels.com/
For match tickets, again, try the clubs’ official hospitality services.
Celtic: http://www.celticfc.net/hospitality/default.aspx
5. Sheffield
That’s right Sheffield. For a good value and unique footballing weekend Sheffield could be just for you. Why? Because Sheffield FC (not United and not Wednesday) are the oldest football club in the world. They wrote the first set of rules in 1857 and still play in the Northern Premier League.
Become a member at www.sheffieldfc.com and join a list which includes Sepp Blatter, Sven Goran Erikkson and Def Leppard. As the motto says “It’s not about which team you support, it’s about football”.
After the match, Sheffield has lots to offer the modern stag and his entourage. Leopold Square has a posh hotel http://www.leopoldhotel.co.uk/ built on the site of the old grammar school. Your ‘Sunday-after’ roast is probably best taken at the Crosspool Tavern on Manchester Road, which has a near-legendary carvery.
Match tickets and fixture list are easy to come by at www.sheffieldfc.com
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