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Post by superunknown on Dec 9, 2020 8:23:51 GMT
If you've got any questions, tips, travel plans etc, put them in here.
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5pike
the carls
Posts: 85 
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Post by 5pike on Dec 9, 2020 10:08:49 GMT
Looking at walesawayfans twitter likely small away allocation for this one.
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Post by CrackityJones on Dec 9, 2020 14:01:31 GMT
Hopefully we can negotiate 2000 for this one, which should cover demand.
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Post by adecolley on Dec 9, 2020 16:27:16 GMT
Could be one of the best trips in eons. Minsk is the cleanest city in the world. Drop any litter and you might get nicked. You'll certainly cause a stir. Only place I've been to where I've seen a tractor drive down the most important road in the capital. Twinned with Bristol, obviously. Went out for 36 hours for the 2000 fiasco when Bellamy got sent off and we lost 2-1. And then spent Christmas 2007 there with Famous Alex Zyl and his butties - one of them put me up on his sofa for about ten days. I drank a lot of tea and read Brothers Karamazov by Dostoeyevsky, which became my favourite book. It's a cracking place. V clean, v well-planned. Modern in many ways - the high-rise blocks are better built than anything we throw up - and antiquated too: the trams were tubercular and ugly. Many locals could only travel abroad to Russia or Ukraine and were discouraged from doing the latter. There may be a question mark over the game, who knows? If you follow the news civil unrest is rife in Belarus and there may be a change of regime by the time we play there. The police have had plenty of practice beating people up, so always do what you are told. Last time I checked (2018) you could fly in without a visa to Minsk. In Vilnius, Lithuania, two years ago I discovered that there were cheap buses to Minsk (11 euro) but it looks like you need a visa to go that route. The locals are friendly, unless they are part of the gangsterocracy who run the place, or the police. Famous Alex Zyl's pals included a KGB official - only he was in the computer dept not the fingernail-pulling corps. They took the piss out of him by calling him 'KGBperson'. It is not wise to take pix of the KGB office - they still called it the KGB in 2007 - which is in the main street. I was only the second westerner they had met. The first was Mr Prickett, Newport skinhead, who had been out a couple of years earlier and mightily impressed the Dinamo Minsk hooligans with his tales of, er, derring-do. After meeting Alex's pals (no hooligans), they concluded of me: 'He's not like Prickett at all. He reads books!' Food was good and it pays to eat in the posher restaurants which are cheap for us but not for the locals. Don't recall a lot of sights. The central library is dubbed the Death Star because it actually looks the Star Wars version. Nightclubs and bars were good. Match in 2000 was sparsely attended and we were accompanied at all times by hordes of coppers. The picture shows a lid on the stadium, which was very well looked after. In fact, for me the lid spoils it though obviously offers cover, as the Minsk stadium is one of my favourites Plug for this lot @bfreetheatre who have performed in the Sherman Theatre, Cardiff. Exiled actors who do shows based on the police/thug intimidation of the general populace. Worth reading Nobel laureate Svetlana Alexievich - who generally writes about Soviet times. She is Belarussian. And the Famous Alex Zyl is here www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-36599847I'm expecting him to post on this very thread at some point. We could go round to see his mum. |
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Post by cymrucg on Dec 9, 2020 17:22:24 GMT
Well, I've taken a chance with this and have booked my trip. But I am a travel consultant, so have access to great deals you won't find online. Happy to help anyone else that wants to book this, too.
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Post by jimbo82 on Dec 10, 2020 14:00:47 GMT
Well, I've taken a chance with this and have booked my trip. But I am a travel consultant, so have access to great deals you won't find online. Happy to help anyone else that wants to book this, too. Out of curiosity, what route are you planning to take? I'm assuming there are no direct flights to Minsk from the UK, or am I mistaken? I've been to Belarus before, but actually went by car via Lithuania that time. |
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Post by gwernybwch on Dec 10, 2020 14:26:40 GMT
Well, I've taken a chance with this and have booked my trip. But I am a travel consultant, so have access to great deals you won't find online. Happy to help anyone else that wants to book this, too. Out of curiosity, what route are you planning to take? I'm assuming there are no direct flights to Minsk from the UK, or am I mistaken? I've been to Belarus before, but actually went by car via Lithuania that time. There are direct flights from LGW with Belavia. Although not cheap. |
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Post by adecolley on Dec 10, 2020 14:59:28 GMT
Wed-Mon with Belavia is £230; Fri-Mon, about £260. In 2000 I think I paid £380.
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Post by cymrucg on Dec 10, 2020 19:55:55 GMT
I'm going from Cardiff to Amsterdam (KLM) and then Amsterdam to Minsk (Belavia). Yes, there's a direct route from Gatwick, but I'd prefer to change in Amsterdam than travel to Gatwick. Cost around £320 return for the flights element.
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Post by sleepy on Dec 10, 2020 21:07:50 GMT
I'm going from Cardiff to Amsterdam (KLM) and then Amsterdam to Minsk (Belavia). Yes, there's a direct route from Gatwick, but I'd prefer to change in Amsterdam than travel to Gatwick. Cost around £320 return for the flights element. Seen that one. Looks a good deal, despite the early start on the way out. |
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Post by cymrucg on Dec 10, 2020 23:05:24 GMT
I'd sooner have an early start flying from my local airport than a few hours travel to Gatwick. Also, there's no direct flight out on the 4th, so why would you travel all that way for a non-direct flight? The return from Minsk and travelling from Gatwick home, I'll be home sooner going via Amsterdam. Makes no sense for South Wales fans to take the Gatwick route for a two night trip.
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Post by steveh on Dec 11, 2020 21:46:11 GMT
Well, I've taken a chance with this and have booked my trip. But I am a travel consultant, so have access to great deals you won't find online. Happy to help anyone else that wants to book this, too. Do you know if any other airlines normally fly direct, pre corona virus? |
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Post by cymrucg on Dec 12, 2020 12:19:18 GMT
Belavia is the only airline that has had a direct flight for as long as I can remember.
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Post by manulike on Dec 12, 2020 16:55:20 GMT
Was out there for two weeks in July 2019. Will sit and write a large info-sheet in a couple of weeks ;-)
VISA (if not flying into Minsk airport):
If you have an EU passport, it is only €35.
Even with a UK passports it is €60 - which could still justify flights via Vilnius or Kaunas.
Ryan Air fly BRISTOL to KAUNAS (a much prettier place than Vilnius) for €40 each way... Ryan Air also fly LIVERPOOL and LEEDS/BRADFORD to VILNIUS for £25 each way.
Lonely planet Thorn-tree online recommended Trinity Hostel last year and one poster said that this hostel will only charge you in advance for one night (USD 10) and they will give you a receipt for 30 nights that you can show border immigration.
TRAIN Vilnius to Minsk (2 daily) is 3hr30min and €16. There are hourly buses, but you need to get off at the border and walk with luggage etc.
Kaunas to Vilnius - an hour and €5 - although, last year there was a train+bus due to extensive work on line.
OPTION FROM WARSAW There is no direct train from Warsaw to Minsk. However, there are services departing from Warszawa Centralna and arriving at Minsk Pas via Terespol and Brest C. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 7h 29m - cost €26 in Warsaw. Seat61 talks of an overnight sleeper option as well (which I couldn't find). The overnight luxury bus 10pm-10am costs 140 zloty (about £30).
OPTION FROM KIEV / KYIV I flew last year really cheaply (€24) from Kyiv to Vilnius (both Ryan Air or Wizz). If you are using Ryan Air from Borispal, they are at the new Terminal which needs a special (free but hourly) shuttle - allow plenty time! IEV Zhuliany airport (for the Wizz flights) is a DELIGHT!
There is a sleeper train Kiev to Minsk that cost around €30-€50 +/- 12hrs and you can find full details here.
Food and ice cream are superb. Ballet and opera are superb. State circus is spectacular. Really recommend seven to ten days
YOU MUST BUY THIS STUFF - THE GOD'S NECTAR
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Post by wonkysheep on Dec 23, 2020 21:25:19 GMT
Belarus from Cardiff3 days, 2 nights Full trip or flight only options £100 per person deposit to book until 3rd January when it reverts to the usual £200pp wonkysheep.co.uk/wales
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Post by cymroircarn on Dec 24, 2020 19:59:38 GMT
Belarus from Cardiff3 days, 2 nights Full trip or flight only options £100 per person deposit to book until 3rd January when it reverts to the usual £200pp wonkysheep.co.uk/wales I would fancy this but waiting to see allocations first. Even if we are allowed to travel there may be reduced allocation due to covid |
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Post by Shaker69 on Jan 26, 2021 14:16:08 GMT
This trip can be done easily for under £300 with a decent hotel.
Heathrow Lufthansa indirect flight with a 2 hour stop over both ways £180.
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Post by londonexile on May 10, 2021 7:59:50 GMT
Belavia have cancelled our London to Minsk flights... And the return leaving us with hotels but no flights!Darn it.
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Post by eppingblue1 on May 10, 2021 9:02:08 GMT
Belavia have cancelled our London to Minsk flights... And the return leaving us with hotels but no flights!Darn it. I don't think I'll be booking anything for the autumn until travel restrictions are eased. It appears that tests and additional insurances are probably adding £ 400 + bill to the Azerbaijan trip. I've no confidence that it'll be any better come September. |
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Post by londonexile on May 10, 2021 10:25:58 GMT
Totally understandable. We booked when the matches were initially announced and got a pretty decent deal, hoping the situation would have improved by the autumn. Knowingly took the risk. Wait and see what our game plan will be after the euros.
Yes, Azer... We are booked on wonkys flight from Cardiff. Fingers crossed but its already a logistical nightmare. Ymlaen!
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Post by manulike on May 10, 2021 20:21:35 GMT
Courtesy of dragonsoccer Wales UEFA fixture venue update 5 Sep 21 (Sunday) : Belarus v Wales : Kick off 15:00 : National Olympic Stadium Dinamo, Minsk #SeeYouThere |
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Post by cogancoronation31 on May 11, 2021 13:33:16 GMT
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Post by gwernybwch on May 12, 2021 21:06:46 GMT
Belavia have cancelled our London to Minsk flights... And the return leaving us with hotels but no flights!Darn it. I don't think I'll be booking anything for the autumn until travel restrictions are eased. It appears that tests and additional insurances are probably adding £ 400 + bill to the Azerbaijan trip. I've no confidence that it'll be any better come September. Out of interest what exactly are the additional costs? And how much are they costing you? |
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Post by eppingblue1 on May 13, 2021 6:42:49 GMT
I don't think I'll be booking anything for the autumn until travel restrictions are eased. It appears that tests and additional insurances are probably adding £ 400 + bill to the Azerbaijan trip. I've no confidence that it'll be any better come September. Out of interest what exactly are the additional costs? And how much are they costing you? Tests on return at 2 and 8 days with a possible test to release on day 5 which is optional but I'll probably need. £ 60 each. Th initial test to fly / enter Azer seems to vary hugely partly depending on jhow far in advance they want you to take it. It seems likely to cost over £ 100 possibly £ 150. You need similar to fly back but its possibly cheaper at that end. Then there's specific insurance to cover Covid which again is a requirement. No idea how much that costs and hope it can be dealt with as an extension of cover and your normal insurance will cover the rest. Hoping it all costs a bit less by the time we actually get round to needing it. On the plus side, 7 day infections rates are falling fast in Azerbaijan, down from 62/100k to 42 since last Friday. Of the host countries only the uk and Russia are lower. Unfortunately vaccination rates are low so there's virtually no hope of it slipping into the green zone. Fingers crossed there'll be a little relaxation somewhere, maybe allowing travel and entry on a vaccine " passport" will at least get rid of the initial test to fly tests. |
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Post by cymrucg on May 16, 2021 21:35:15 GMT
Anyone requiring Covid cover with their travel insurance, please feel free to get in touch and I'll happily sort you out: callumgigg.notjusttravel.com/travel-insurance-covid-cover-now-includedAlso, I can arrange for you to have the required Covid tests: Pricing & Options Option 1 – Postal Testing £45pp Plus Postage Fee (around £5) Option 2 – Test Centre £55pp Results 24-48 hours Option 3 – Same Day Testing Book online £140pp Results same day |
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Post by Gary Williams on May 24, 2021 4:24:05 GMT
Was looking forward to this trip with Manulike but highly unlikely to be green now following ryanair diversion and they may not be any easy way to get there either if we are even playing them at all
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Post by erasedcitizen on May 24, 2021 14:01:27 GMT
No chance this is happening now for fans, shame.
Something like this could even put the game itself in jeopardy. Suspect they'd just move it to a neutral country though?
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Post by jbt95 on May 24, 2021 18:30:26 GMT
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Post by manulike on May 24, 2021 18:44:31 GMT
What has happened? Not having a telly does have its drawbacks ... Have I missed something?
EDIT Oh. Just been briefed ;-^/
Even by Lukashenko standards, that sounds really incredible!
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Post by gwernybwch on May 24, 2021 21:24:26 GMT
No chance this is happening now for fans, shame. Something like this could even put the game itself in jeopardy. Suspect they'd just move it to a neutral country though? As things stand it is just direct flights from the UK to the Belarus that have been banned, we can still enter the country or go via another country? I suppose it depends on how much UK and the EU want to 'look hard' to Russia's little brother. If it all gets a bit tempestuous, I guess that playing in a neutral country is an option. |
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