Travelling to Ribex 2008

[Shark]

Hi,
i'm italian. We are plannig with some friends to come to ribex 2008 (unfortunately without our ribs )

I've seen that from Italy is possible to arrive with a lowcost flight to:
London Luton (LTN)
London Stansted (STN)
London Gatwick (LGW)

What is the best airport, the more convenient place to stay and the better way to arrive to ribex in a weekend?

I've seen that is possible to use the hovercraft link for Isle Of Wight http://www.hovertravel.co.uk/ . What about that?

Thank you to all

[Andy Moore]

Whichever airport you fly into, you are best then making your way to Southampton. Then it is a 25min high-speed ferry ride to Cowes and you arrive right outside RIBeX.

I can advise you of a few places to stay the night if you need to.

[Andy Moore]

Originally Posted by Shark

I've seen that from Italy is possible to arrive with a lowcost flight to:
London Luton (LTN)
London Stansted (STN)
London Gatwick (LGW)

What is the best airport, the more convenient place to stay and the better way to arrive to ribex in a weekend?

London Gatwick is the most convenient airport for RIBeX.

[Shark]

Originally Posted by Andy Moore

London Gatwick is the most convenient airport for RIBeX.

Perfect. We'll choose London Gatwick.
Then, is it ok national rail from London to Southampton?
In the end, we thought about hovercarft 'cause we never try it, but if is better high-speed ferry we'll opt for ferry.
I would be grateful for your advice about places to stay the night.
Thanks a lot!

[Andy Moore]

Originally Posted by Shark

Perfect. We'll choose London Gatwick.
Then, is it ok national rail from London to Southampton?
In the end, we thought about hovercarft 'cause we never try it, but if is better high-speed ferry we'll opt for ferry.
I would be grateful for your advice about places to stay the night.
Thanks a lot!

I am not sure the cheapest way to get from Gatwick to Southampton. I know folk who, when going on holiday, use a pre-booked taxi with a set fare:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...e_England.html

For very convienirt, resonable value places to stay try here:

http://www.fountaininn-cowes.com/

-or-

http://www.theanchorcowes.com/en/home.htm

-or-

http://www.rawlings-hotel-cowes.co.uk/

[tim griffin]

I have a big list of places to stay www.griffmarineservices.co.uk/accommodation.html
All have close location to the event.
Cheers Tim

[John Kennett]

Originally Posted by Shark

What is the best airport, the more convenient place to stay and the better way to arrive to ribex in a weekend?

As the others have said, Gatwick's the most convenient airport.

You can then get a train direct from Gatwick to Southampton. They are hourly at 9 minutes past and take just under 2 hours. At Southampton I'd take a taxi from the station to Town Quay and take the Red Jet fast ferry to Cowes.

If you want to experience the hovercraft then take the train from Gatwick to Portsmouth & Southsea (direct train, hourly at 40 minutes past the hour) and get a taxi to the hovercraft. This will take you to Ryde where you can get a number 4 bus to East Cowes (they go every half hour during the daytime); you can then get the "chain ferry" across the river to West Cowes and Ribex. It will take you longer, but is a good sightseeing opportunity. You could even spend a while in Portsmouth and go to the Naval Dockyard Museum if you have time.

Train times www.nationalrail.co.uk
Red Jet www.redfunnel.co.uk
Hovercraft www.hovertravel.co.uk
Isle of Wight buses www.islandbuses.info
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard www.historicdockyard.co.uk

Hope that helps!

John

[Tom]

If you call the RIB Exhibitions office on 01884 266100 they will advise you on places to stay as they had a database with ideal hotels and B&Bs...

[ashbypower]

Depending where in Italy you are flying from, you can of course fly straight to Southampton.

[LURCHER]

DEpending on when and where you arrive on the coast I am sure you will get a ride with a fellow Ribnet member , we will be going but not sure which day yet could pick you up in Portsmouth .