FSF Cymru - Issue 36 (Andorra)
Transcription
FSF Cymru - Issue 36 (Andorra)
Football Supporters’ Federation Wales FSF Cymru fans’ embassy ,Issue 36 European Championship Qualifier Andorra v Wales Kick off: 20:45 Tuesday 9th September, 2014 National Stadium, Andorra La Vella, Information for the fans by the fans. FSF Help line number is +447905 861 848 Welcome to Issue 36 of the FSF Cymru information booklet for Welsh fans. We are expecting good numbers to be in Andorra for the game , but many will have stayed at nearby resorts in France and Spain in the days leading up to the game. Over 500 fans have decided to use Barcelona as their base and with that in mind we have included information about the City. This is the start of the Euro France 2016 campaign and we are all optimistic that our country can qualify for the finals HELP LINE +44 7905 861848 FSF Cymru representatives will be on duty throughout the trip in both Andorra and Spain, we will be around and about the Barcelona city based at the Hard Rock café and at a variety of the local bars and cafes in the capital of Andorra, Andorra la Vella. Please feel free to contact us at any time. Vince Alm will be in Andorra and Neil Dymock and Paul Corky will be based in Barcelona Important Telephone numbers British Consulate office (+34 902 109 356 (in Spain) British Consulate office (+34) 917 146 300 (if outside Spain) FAW ticketing manager (Lucy Mason ) + 447827 157874 FSF Cymru Helpline +44 7905 861848 Andorra Police You will find 7 police stations covering the parishes. Call 110 from Andorra for fast access to the service. Barcelona Police Emergency 112 Local police 091 FSF CYMRU - by Wales fans, for Wales fans - an independent organisation, committed to helping Wales supporters. FSF Cymru are proud members of FSE (Football Supporters Europe) MISSION STATEMENT To help and support Wales fans who travel away. Our role is to provide accurate and objective information, including a Risk Assessment: we convey what other agencies, such as police forces, government departments, and football authorities are recommending: we publish a comprehensive guide which is distributed free of charge to all travelling supporters: we operate and publicise a 24 hour Hotline for fans in difficulties: we arrange a Football embassy operation, at venues abroad, where we can offer advice, guidance and support as necessary. To work with the Football Association of Wales in all aspects affecting the fans, to ensure that the supporters voice is heard. A continuous, running dialogue is held with Mr Mark Evans, Head, International Affairs, we take supporters complaints, views to the FAW for discussion “To take every possible action to eradicate any inter club rivalry when fans are following the Welsh national team” Before you travel anywhere in the world outside of the United Kingdom please visit the Know before you go website http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/ Foreign and Commonwealth office New national Stadium, Andorra la Villa The Andorra National team will finally have a new stadium to host international matches and Wales will be one of the first to play on it. It replaces the Comunal d'Andorra la Vella which held matches since 1996 This stadium had a capacity of 1,800. Andorra are currently ranked 199 in the FIFA rankings .They have one win in competitive matches, a 1–0 win against Macedonia in the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying competition. During the 2014 Brazil qualifying campaign they failed to score a gaol or gain a point as they finished bottom of the table conceding 30 goals. Their Head coach is Koldo Alvarez, their captain and most capped player(97) is Oscar Sonejee’ The new stadium has a capacity of 4,000 and the majority of the 1,200 Welsh fans will be housed in the away end behind the goals (pictured bottom left) Also pictured is one of the new walkways into the stadium. The game will be played on a 3G pitch Getting to the stadium is quite straight forward and it is located close to the old national stadium. It is in very close walking distance from the centre of town and you will take less than fifteen minutes to reach there from most areas of Andorra la Villa. Below we see the view from the away end and the newly constructed toilet block. Andorra The landlocked Principality of Andorra is one of the smallest states in Europe, nestled high in the Pyrenees between the French and Spanish borders. For 715 years, from 1278 to 1993, Andorrans lived under a unique co-principality, ruled by French and Spanish leaders. A new constitution was adopted in 1993 and this still stipulates that the President of France and the Bishop of Urgell will be joint heads of state for Andorra Andorra has become a popular tourist destination visited by approximately ten million people each year drawn by the winter sports, summer climate, and duty-free shopping. Although not a member of the European Union (EU), Andorra enjoys a special relationship with the EU and uses the Euro as its national currency. Andorra has a population of 78,350 and its capital city is Andorra la Vella and this small city and surrounding village’s accounts for almost 40,000 people. Unless you trek across the mountains the only way to reach Andorra is by road from neighbouring Spain or France, If you’re driving, top up your tank when you get there; fuel in Andorra is about 20% cheaper than in Spain and a good 30% cheaper than in France. Six bus routes run by Cooperativa Interurbana (806 555) radiate out from Andorra la Vella along the three main roads. Tourist offices carry a free leaflet with timetables. The speed limit is 40km/h in populated areas and 90km/h elsewhere. Beware the recklessness of local drivers Restaurants and bars in Andorra la Vella Andorra la Vella has some of the safest streets in the world giving locals and tourists the ease in nightclubbing and bar hopping. Women get with free entrance and since this is a tax haven country, you can definitely make sure that liquor charges are way cheaper than anywhere else in Europe. Cocktails and mixes are definitely available for less. Many bars are part of hotels or hostels but a recommended bar that has been suggested is Cervesería l'Albadia bar which is found on the Cap del Carrer 2 Historic Quarter, It is a great pub if you like a good variety of beers,its in a good location and is a popular bar. The Buda bar is also worth a visit As you wander around you will come across a great variety of of places to call in for a pint or two but it can be quiet at times and is nowhere near as busy as other capital cities. For a small City Andorra la Vella has a good selection of restaurants for you to chose from and it’s a question of individual taste really. We have a couple of suggestions for you if you fancy something formal firstly the El Bon Raco bar This restaurant has capacity for 150 people and is dedicated to Spanish cuisine. It has a prestigious selection of wines, cava's and champagnes. It offers a daily menu for under 20 euro and à la carte for 20-40 euro and you can pay by credit card. The staff in the establishment can attend you in several languages: Catalan, Spanish, French and English. It opens from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Av. de Salou 86, Andorra la Vella, Andorra The Restaurant 120 Is recommended for those that love a nice steak but it also serves an excellent range of Pizzas and salads. But we have been recommended to try the chicken and chipsThe place is in the middle of the main shopping street, it has two floors (that we noticed).And a very nice atmosphere. the prices were surprisingly reasonable given the excellent location of the restaurant Av. Meritxell, 120 AD500 ANDORRA LA VELLA Everything you need to know about Andorra…The Pyrenees country Population: 78,000 inhabitants | Annual visitors: 8.000.000 | Hotel establishments: 315 | Hotel places: more than 39,000 | Ski slopes: 300 km of marked slopes | Shops and trades: more than 1,000 shops and 7 large shopping centres | Andorra has a high mountain climate: with cold temperatures in the winter and mild in the summer. The atmosphere is dry. Next to the Mediterranean, so most days of the year are sunny. Andorra’s official language is Catalan. However, Spanish, French and Portuguese are commonly used. English is also spoken in all establishments related to tourism. The official currency in Andorra is the euro (€). Andorra will mint Euros for the first time in 2014. Andorra is a lay state. The Constitution supports freedom of religion and cult. However, most of the population is Catholic. September 8th is a public holiday and day of rest, many establishments will be closed Information for the fans by the fans. FSF Help line number is +447905 861 848 British Embassy information for the Andorra region Please contact us at the FSF if possible before seeking Embassy assistance, we will be able to guide you through the process. The address of the British embassy is Avda. Diagonal 477 – 13 08036 Barcelona FSF Cymru help line number is +447905 861848 What to do if your British Passport is lost or stolen whilst in Western Europe It is vital you report a lost or stolen passport as soon as possible to the local police and to the British Embassy ,even if you don't want to replace your passport immediately. This will reduce the risk of someone using your passport or your identity. When you report the loss or theft to the Embassy, they will give you a Lost or Stolen (LS01) Notification form to fill in and sign. They will record the loss or theft of your passport and forward the information to Identity and Passport Service. The IPS will then cancel your passport to reduce the risk of someone else using your identity. You need to use form LS01 to report any loss or theft of your passport whether applying for a replacement passport or not. Once you report your passport as lost or stolen, it is electronically cancelled. If you find it, you will not be able to use it as a proof of identity, nationality, or for any other legal purpose. You must not use it as a means of identification as this may be detected as a potentially fraudulent act. You will also not be able to use it for travel. Doing so may cause the passport to be impounded by the Borders and Immigration Authority at UK ports or airports. If travelling overseas, you could face deportation or arrest. If your passport is lost or stolen the British Consulate in Barcelona can issue an emergency travel document that will get you home at a cost of approximately £95 An emergency travel document allows you to leave the country you’re in and travel to your destination via a maximum of 5 countries. The emergency travel document can also cover a return journey if you’re resident in the country you’re applying from. An emergency travel document doesn’t guarantee entry to every country. You may also need a visa. Check with the embassy or consulate of the country or countries you’re intending to travel to or through. 2 identical recent photographs of yourself - make sure they meet the rules for passport photo or your application will be delayed details of your intended travel plans - where and when you intend to travel (including countries you will travel through) a completed application form a police report if your passport has been lost or stolen You will have to pay a fee, equivalent to £95. Embassy or consulate staff will tell how much this is in local currency when you apply. Getting your emergency travel document The embassy or consulate staff will check that you’re eligible for an emergency travel document. If you’re not, they will tell you why. Please contact FSF Cymru we will try to assist with this process You may get the document on the day you apply if your circumstances are straightforward. If your circumstances are more complex, it can take longer. You may need to change your travel plans. Using your emergency travel document The emergency travel document will only be valid for the journey that you specified when you applied and for a specific period of time. This will be shown on the document. Your existing British passport will be cancelled in most cases. Immigration authorities may keep your emergency travel document when you arrive at your destination. You will need to get a replacement passport when back in the UK if you intend doing anymore travelling and pay the full costs, any fees that you paid for an emergency travel document will not be taken into account Additional Information directly from the Consulate office Barcelona British Consulate-General Avenida Diagonal, 477 (13th floor) 08036 BARCELONA Tel: 902 109 356 https://www.gov.uk/government/ world/spain WHAT TO DO IF YOUR BRITISH PASSPORT IS LOST OR STOLEN You will need an Emergency Travel Document (ETD) to be allowed to board your flight and travel. The address of the nearest British Consulate is above and our opening hours are: 08.30am – 13.30pm Monday to Friday. If you wish to visit a different British Consulate, please call 902 109 356 for more information. Before arriving at the consulate, consider the following: 1. Report the loss or theft to the police and obtain a copy of the police report. We must see your police report if your passport has been stolen and you will need it if you have travel insurance 2. You may need to rearrange your travel plans. This will depend on the day and time your passport was lost or stolen and how far away you are from the consulate – please leave sufficient time for the ETD to be issued and to get back to the airport 3. You will have to pay a fee in EUROS, equivalent to £95 (the price fluctuates every month) Call us on 902 109 356 (or +34 913 342 194) if you would like further advice, you are unable to get to the consulate during our opening hours or are due to travel before we reopen The Andorran police were asked about the necessity of fans carrying their passport on them at all times. The police have confirmed that this is a requirement by law and they are unable to be flexible with this. Our advice to travellers would be to keep their passports safe and be wary of pickpockets. - Drinking in the streets is not allowed in Spain or Andorra and respect for the authorities is very important. Fans should be aware that any disrespect towards the police could lead to arrest Passports and visas British nationals don’t need a visa to travel to Spain or Andorra. Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. No additional period of validity beyond this is required. You must provide ID (your passport) if requested by a Police Officer. The Police have the right to hold you at a police station until your identity is confirmed. Always take care of your passport, as obtaining a replacement is costly and time-consuming. Remember your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) but also take out travel insurance, even if you’re only going for one night - it could save you a lot of money if you get into difficulties. Tips As in any other city beware of pickpockets and bag snatchers at airports, railway stations, around the town centre and when using public transport. Only carry what you need and leave spare cash and valuables in hotel safety deposits Ticket information ,Gol and Supporters football team news Lucy Mason, FAW Ticketing Manager, will be based at the Holiday Inn, Prat De La Creu 88 Andorra La Vella From 11 am -6pm Match day only. There will be no match day sales. You can collect tickets here if you have arranged this in advance. Lucy +44 (0) 7827 157874 The Wales supporters football team above played their Dutch counterparts prior to our friendly with the Netherlands in June. The team were displaying the “Wear red for Wales” banner in support of the FAW/FSF Cymru campaign and are all wearing their “Show Racism the red card” T shirts. The lads are still managed by Neil Dymock and he is always on the look out for new recruits. There will not be a match against Andorra but there will definitely be a game against Belgium in Brussels in November. Information for the fans by the fans. FSF Help line number is +447905 861 848 Airport information There are no airports in Andorra, the nearest airports are: Perpignan (France) 128 km to the east, no coach connections but you can take a Yellow train to La tour de Carol and further to l'Hospitalet. Very expensive transfers by taxi or private car but there is a bus available that will cost approx. £48 one way. It will take nearly 7 hours from the airport and will comprise of a trip to Perpignan City, then Girona and finally onto Andorra. Service run by bus Novatel Toulouse Blagnac (France) 196 km to the north. You can pre book a coach or a taxi from Toulouse Airport to all the resorts in Andorra with Andorra Airport Transfers. Travel time by car is approx.2hours 40 minutes. By bus the fare is 36 Euro each way with buses leaving at 11.00.15.30 and 20.00. From Andorra to Toulouse Toulouse airport buses leave Andorra la Vella at 05.00,10.00 and 15.00 Barcelona Airport 202 km to the south of Andorra Travellers will appreciate the frequent connections to Andorra from Barcelona airport. (From airports to Andorra by car: 3 hours) Bus leaves the airport 5 times a day to Andorra starting at 10.30, the last bus is 20.00 the cost of a return ticket is approx. £40 It is very easy to get into Barcelona from the airport. There are regular buses and trains and plenty of taxis available , with the train being the quickest option to travel the 14 KM to the city centre. The RENFE train will take you from Barcelona airport to the city centre where you can change for the metro system at either Barcelona Sants (Sants Estacio) or Passeig de Gràcia stations. Tickets €3.80 . Journey time is about 25 minutes. The Train station is based at T2 in-between T2A and T2B There are two Terminals. T1, built in 2009 is the main Terminal, and T2 is mainly unused, except for some low cost carriers. Barcelona airport was the 32th busiest airport in the world in 2012 handling 35 Million passengers. Is expected to rise in the future, as it has a capacity of 55Million passengers Barcelona Things to do and see in Barcelona Where to start? This is one of the most beautiful cities of Europe and there is something here for everyone. Barcelona is the capital city of the autonomous community of Catalonia in Spain and the country's 2nd largest city, with a population of 1.6 million within its administrative limits For those fans who like a bit of culture on their trips then you need to walk around admiring the city's modernist architecture, and the works of Antoni Gaudi in particular, Barcelona is a big city, but it's the perfect size to discover on foot The Sagrada Família (below) is the most famous landmark and is still being built. Construction started in 1882 and it is estimated that it will be completed in 2028 An estimated five million tourists visit the Sagrada Família each year, with more than half of them paying the entrance fee. (A combination of ticket revenues and charitable donations funds the continuing construction work, on which spending currently runs to about €1 million a month.) A ticket allows you to wander through the interior of the church, Admission costs 14.80 Euros (queuing ) and Main entrance + towers (Queuing): €19.30 Opening times are 9am-8pm daily. How to get there: Metro: L2 and L5 stop Sagrada Família.| Bus: 19, 33, 34, 50, 51, H10 and V21.| Disabled Access: Yes Barcelona pubs, night clubs and general night life Like any large city, prices can run from the very affordable to the exorbitantly expensive. Charming little traditional establishments, where a glass of beer and a couple of light tapas can be very cheap, sit alongside new and brashly fashionable upstarts. If the Barri Gòtic has a number of top places to drink it also charges more and is a little snootier than some other parts of town. While Calle Ferran and the Plaza Reial can be a little on the touristy side, they are still good places to go for a lively atmosphere To the south of la Rambla, the many bars that dot the streets around Calle de Sant Pau in El Raval have a bohemian feel. To the north of the city, in the district of Gràcia, there’s a lively atmosphere on and around Calle Maria Cubi and Plaza del Sol. Back towards the centre of town, L’Eixample is home to one of the most thriving gay scenes in Europe. Off the elegant Paseo de Gràcia, meanwhile, the area surrounding Calle Consell de Cent boasts a couple great cafes and bars. All across the city, high profile international DJs share the bill alongside serious home grown talent with a vast variety of music catering to all forms of clubber. Clubs generally kick-off proceedings at around 1am, and offer little let up until dawn! Things to see and do Barcelona The Barcelona football museum is a must see. It has wall to wall trophies, pictures and statues of the greats. When you buy your ticket you have 2 options. You can buy a ticket for the museum and to see the stadium or you can buy a dual ticket where you get to see the museum and behind the scenes at the club e.g. changing rooms, VIP lounge, press conference areas etc. Metro: Collblanc station (Blue Line, L5) Opening hours: 10:00 - 20:00 .Admission charges Adults: €23.00 Child: €17.00 Disabled access YES Las Ramblas - Barcelona's most famous Street. Las Ramblas is approximately 1.2 kilometres long with Port Vell (near the cruise port terminal) at the Southern most end and Plaça Catalunya at the northern most end. If you have your back to Port Vell and you are looking up towards Catalunya along the Ramblas on your left hand side is the Raval area and on your right-hand side is the Barri Gòtic (or Gothic Quarter). Las Ramblas can also be roughly divided into seedy and non-seedy areas. This distinction between seedy and nonseedy becomes a lot clearer during the night time when the Southern most end of the Ramblas becomes something of a red light district and is frequented by night women (prostitutes). The Ramblas is serviced by three Metro stops along its length making it a superb transport point to see the rest of the city. At the Southern most end of La Rambla, near to Christopher Columbus memorial, you have the Drassanes Metro stop. (Green Line, L3) Midway along the Barcelona Las Ramblas, just outside the Liceu Theatre, you have the Metro stop Liceu. (Green Line, L3) At the northern most tip of the Barcelona Ramblas you have metro stop Catalunya which is serviced by the Metro on both the (Green Line, L3) and (Red Line, L1). Catalunya is also the point Barcelona FC tour Las Ramblas The city is famous for its Museums, Cathedrals, Theatres and churches, it is also a mecca for shoppers. There is so much to do here that you will never have time to take it all in. Any visitor to Barcelona will have noticed the iconic Port cable car that cuts across the city's skyline to Montjuïc ,However before you make your final decision be warned, the Transbordador cable journey is not for the faint hearted! The ride begins with a lift ride to the top of the cable car tower, which, in itself, requires a certain amount of courage. After an initial heart-in-the-mouth moment as the car sets off, you will be rewarded for your bravery with some stunning views of Barcelona. Take in the bird's eye views of the port and harbour as you glide along. The cable car provides an opportunity to see the whole city clearly, so it's a chance to view Barcelona's great monuments such as the Sagrada Familia and the Torre Agbar, from above You may choose to make your way back down Montjuïc mountain. Alternatively you can hop on the funicular, using a standard underground metro ticket, at Estació Funicular. You will be transported to Paral.lel metro station where you can then take the metro to any part of the city centre. Barcelona has a little over four kilometres of beaches where you can spread out your towel, stab your umbrella into the sand, smear yourself with sun cream and find a very safe place for your rucksack. From the beach of Sant Sebastià, passing through Barceloneta, to the beaches of Nova Icària or Mar Bella - and each has its own selection of chiringuitos where you can get a refreshing respite from the sun (most also have a bit of nightlife later). Barcelona Transport Barcelona travel cards you can purchase the Barcelona Card from the Tourist information offices in Barcelona city centre when you visit. They cost 34 Euros for a two day pass and 44 Euros for a three day pass. Save money on entrance fees for many major attractions. You can also enter for free to some attractions with the card. We have not listed which ones here because the offers change frequently. You will be informed which ones when you are presented with the card. Free transport costs: No need to buy metro, tram or bus tickets. The area covered for free travel is zone 1 which covers the entire city centre and all the main tourist attraction areas in Barcelona. Free Airport train or bus (TMB) You can also travel for free on the RENFE train and the TMB bus (but not the Aerobus) from the airport to the city centre. Discount Souvenirs: You are also entitled to special discounts in the official Barcelona Turisme souvenir shop which you will find in Plaça Catalunya square tourist information office. Free Barcelona map and Barcelona guide provided with the Barcelona Card A cheaper and good way to get around Barcelona is to purchase a T 10 Transport ticket which you can purchase at the entrance to any metro station. Unlike the Barcelona Transport Card a T10 ticket will only entitle you to 10 journeys on the metro, FGC (FGC run train lines similar to the metro around the city centre) buses, tram and RENFE all Zone 1 areas. The main city centre areas are all in Zone 1. A T10 costs only €10.30 and will save you the trouble of buying individual tickets for each journey as well as saving you money. A normal single journey ticket costs you €2.15 so with a T10 you save €11.20 for 10 journeys! T10 is valid indefinitely within a calendar year (however the card will expire one month after the new tariffs are released in January each year) and can be shared with other members of your group. Note to use the T10 for each person you have to put the card in the machine and then pull it out completely from the ticket validation machine - this will release the turnstile to allow you through. Leave the card on the machine for the next member of your group to use the T10. Each time someone in your group uses the T10 it counts as a separate journey A little known point about the T10 ticket. The T10 ticket can be used on more than one means of transport and all be counted as a single journey provided that your journey is less than 1 hour and 15 minutes. This means for example, you can make changes at metro stops (provided you don't leave the metro), then leave the metro and jump on a bus to finish your journey or vice versa as long as the total length of the journey is less than 1 hour and 15 minutes. NOTE you cannot re-enter the metro once you have left it - this would count as another journey. Once you've purchased your T10 ticket and want to use the metro you have to put the ticket into a ticket validation machine at the metro entrance. The machine checks the ticket and then marks it on the back with a printed day and time stamp. You then have to pull the ticket out of the machine slot and in that instant the turnstile lock is released and you can pass through Welsh fans booked on organised transport Barcelona to Andorra Over 500 Welsh fans have decided to make Barcelona their base for the game with Andorra. The FSF has assisted with arranging transport with all the hard work being done by Leigh James and Neil Dymock. Over 440 fans have decided to use this transport and they will be picked up from the Hard Rock café at 11 am on match day. We will be at the Café at 9 am to distribute tickets to the fans that have booked to travel on the coaches. These coaches are FULL and only fans who have a valid ticket will be allowed to travel on them. Unfortunately there are no toilet facilities on the coach but we will be stopping half way through the three hour journey for a comfort break on both legs of the journey. A lot of planning and hard work has gone into organising this transport and we request that you respect the coaches and drivers and try to keep them clean and tidy, rubbish bags will be provided. There will also be a raffle on each coach to support the work of the Welsh football fans’ charity “Gol” There is no smoking allowed on the coaches The Hard Rock Café in Barcelona is located right in the city centre of the emblematic Plaça de Catalunya, a huge pedestrian square next to Las Ramblas, the city's best-known shopping area and tourist attraction. It can be an expensive place to eat but you know what to expect in these franchises and the food is usually good. Plaça de Catalunya, 21, 08002 Barcelona, Spain +34 932 70 23 05 Metro: Green (L3) and Red (L1) lines stop in front of Hard Rock Cafe (Plaça Catalunya stop) Hard rock café Andorra La Vella bus station Supporters based in Barcelona who have not booked transport for after the match should note that none of the organised coaches are permitted to take extra passengers, they are all full and no standing is allowed. Best advise is to use public transport to Andorra, cheaper to buy a return ticket, book one night in an Andorra hotel and return the following day. The first transport back to Barcelona leaves at 5 am and then every two hours the cost is 33 Euros . Buses leave from Andorra la Vella - Estación de Autobuses (main bus station) Barcelona Metro Map Before you travel anywhere in the world outside of the United Kingdom please visit the Know before you go website http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/ Foreign and Commonwealth office