The Big Six and Triple Decker tours launched for 2013 Lions Tour as Gatland named head coach

Sept. 4, 2012 - PRLog -- As the British & Irish Lions announce Warren Gatland as the head coach to lead the 2013 Tour to Hong Kong and Australia, the official travel company, Lions Rugby Travel, has introduced two new travel options for supporters called ‘The Big Six’ and ‘Triple Decker’.

The Lions – a combination of the best players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales – will make their first pilgrimage to Australia for 12 years next year and it is anticipated they will be followed by more than 50,000 fans to Hong Kong and Australia. The 2013 Tour also coincides with the 125th anniversary of the concept of The Lions as a touring side.

The Big Six – 23 night Tour for the Ultimate Rugby Fan from £3,599 per person

This 23 night trip departs 12th June 2013 and involves six incredible matches combined with Australia’s finest destinations. Start the trip in Sydney with a clash against the HSBC Waratahs, followed by an epic battle against ACT Brumbies in Canberra. And then it is on to the main event - three back-to-back weekends which will make or break The Lions Test dreams including the Tests in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, as well as the match against the Melbourne Rebels. After the second Test, there is four nights to recover and re-charge in Cairns before heading back to Sydney for the final Test Match of The Lions Tour.

The ‘Escorted’ option is priced from £7,839 and includes all international and internal flights, accommodation including breakfast based on double/twin share as well as match tickets, access to the official British & Irish Lions Supporter Villages in Melbourne and Sydney, exclusive invites to Special Events on the eve of the big games in the Test Match series. The ‘Explorer Tour’ option is priced from £3,599 and is more independent, including international flights, match tickets and access to the official Supporter Villages and Special Events on the eves of the Test Matches.

http://www.lionstour.com/the_big_six.aspx

Triple Decker – an 11 night tour and the tail of Australia’s two greatest cities from £5,309 per person

Departing on the 22nd June 2013 this escorted 11 night trip takes in the last three matches of the Tour starting in Melbourne with the game against the Melbourne Rebels before the Test Match against Australia, still in Melbourne on the 29th June, and then onto what could be the deciding Test Match in Sydney on the 6th July 2013. Priced from £5,309 per person which includes all international and internal flights, accommodation with breakfast based on double/twin share as well as match tickets, access to the official British & Irish Lions Supporter Villages in Melbourne and Sydney and access to special events on the eve of the big games in the Test Match series.

http://www.lionstour.com/triple_decker_package.aspx

Regarded as one of sport’s ultimate supporter experiences, The Lions are expected to attract an army of fans, the most popular travel option expected to incorporate the three international Test Matches against Australia in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, an 18-night adventure from 18 June to 8 July 2013 that will also include the chance to explore the Whitsunday Islands, Hunter Valley and Uluru, starting from £6,499 per person.

The range of official supporter travel packages include a host of exclusive benefits from access to official supporter villages on matchday, team training (in selected packages), on-Tour special events, through to a complimentary Australian visa application service.

Lions Rugby Travel has more than 60 package variations available (see below for details and prices of example packages) – from the complete Tour, a fully escorted 40-night trip that includes the opening match against the Barbarians in Hong Kong, all three international matches against the Wallabies and six other provincial games, a three or two Test Tour over 18 nights, or international flight and ticket ‘Explorer’ package.

For more information and booking information visit www.lionstour.com or call 0844 788 4070.

ENDS

For further information please contact Alastair Downey at Lions Rugby Travel on 01452 888646 or email alastair.downey@lionstour.com

Notes to editors:

Other travel options from Lions Rugby Travel

1: Explorer Five Provincial games Tour – From £2,199 per person (16 nights, from 1 June to 18 June, see the Lions play Western Force in Perth, Queensland Reds in Brisbane, Combined Country in Newcastle, New South Wales Waratahs in Sydney and ACT Brumbies in Canberra).

See the Lions build up to the Test series and beyond with a five provincial game ‘Explorer’ package. With the security of official match tickets and flights, this tour provides an authentic and truly memorable Australian experience with some top class rugby against the finest sides in Australia.


2: Escorted Full Tour (including Hong Kong) – From £13,999 per person (40 nights, 28 May to 8 July, including all three Test matches and six provincial games).

The complete Lions experience. From the moment the team touches down in Hong Kong to the sound of the final whistle after the third Test in Sydney, you will be with them every step of the way. A 40-night extravaganza that will take in seven cities, 10 matches that include all three Test Matches and six against Australia’s Super XV teams and a host of other great Australian hotspots that include the wine region Hunter Valley, the Gold Coast, Uluru, Canberra and Cairns on the ultimate Lions Tour of a lifetime.

3: Explorer Three Test Tour – From £3,399 per person (18 nights, 18 June to 8 July 2013, see the Lions take on Australia in Brisbane on Saturday 22 June, in Melbourne on Saturday 29 June and Sydney on Saturday 6 July).

An ‘Explorer’ package is a great way to be part of the Lions experience that creates the flexibility to stay with family or friends. This package provides the security of official match tickets and international flights but also combines the freedom to explore Australia in the way that best suits your chosen style of Tour.

All escorted ticket, travel and accommodation packages include the following:
•   Return international economy class flights from London Heathrow to Australia (or Hong Kong)
•   Return transfers from the airport to the hotel
•   Accommodation on a twin/double share basis including breakfast (single room supplements apply)
•   Internal travel between destinations
•   Exclusive British & Irish Lions Official Merchandise Pack including official replica Lions Shirt
•   Exclusive invite to the eve of Test match special events (Test Match packages only)
•   Official match tickets for the relevant games within the package
•   Experienced representatives will be based in Australia supporting clients throughout the Tour
•   Exclusive Access to the Lions Supporter Village (Test Match venues only)
•   Access to team training (Full Tour packages and All Five Provincial)

All Explorer Package options include:
•   Return international economy class flights from London Heathrow to Australia
•   Exclusive British & Irish Lions Official Merchandise Pack including official replica Lions Shirt
•   Exclusive Access to the Lions Supporter Village (Test Match venues only)
•   Official match tickets for the relevant games within the package
The British & Irish Lions

The British & Irish Lions have been touring to the Southern Hemisphere since 1888; the forthcoming tour to Australia in 2013 therefore coincides with the 125th Anniversary of The Lions concept. The key fixtures of the 2013 Tour are:

•   Saturday 1 June: Barbarians v British & Irish Lions, Hong Kong
•   Saturday 22 June: 1st Test Australia v British & Irish Lions, Brisbane
•   Saturday 29 June: 2nd Test Australia v British & Irish Lions, Melbourne
•   Saturday 6 July: 3rd Test Australia v British & Irish Lions, Sydney