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

[thomas]

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 .

[Shark]

Thanks a lot to everybody!!
We have seen that minivan taxi for 8 persons costs about 200, less then 8 rail-tickets; we'll take it from Gatwick airport to Southampton!
Little by little we make up the trip!!

We look forward to see your English ribs, your ocean with his long waves, your different sail way... we are very happy to see everything!!

[Shark]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

If you want to experience the hovercraft [cut] It will take you longer, but is a good sightseeing opportunity.

Probably we'll try the hovercraft when we are going back to the airport, 'cause we have more time.

Originally Posted by John Kennett

You could even spend a while in Portsmouth and go to the Naval Dockyard Museum if you have time.

If we'll have some time, we are intrested to see this.

Thanks!

[RAD]

The dockyard is great, even if you just take the ride on the boat or to see the Mary Rose (if I am right) all good to see.

There is also shopping in Southampton or Portsmouth - Gunwarf Quays. Depending on how long your staying/what you want to fit in.

[Shark]

We have booked the flight to Gatwick. Now we're searching for the hotel.
How big is ribex? How many time is needed to view it (half day, full day or more than one day) ?
We will arrive on saturday, and we stay until monday.
We are without a car so we are thinking about to stay the first night in Southampton or directly two night on the Isle... what do you think is better?
There are the possibility to take a little tour on rib on the Isle? How much it cost, where is better to do it and what personal equipment is needed?

On the ribex site i've read "Visitors can enjoy getting out on the water with the ever popular ‘Public RIB Rides’. Hugely popular in 2007, the chaps will be back
again this year with the ‘Powerboat RIB Experience’ where members of the public can experience the thrill of a ride in a top class
race RIB and take home a certificate to prove it!". What it means?

We are six members an italian RIB club. We are very happy to come to come to RIBEX
Many thanks to all

[Andy Moore]

Originally Posted by Shark

We have booked the flight to Gatwick. Now we're searching for the hotel.
How big is ribex? How many time is needed to view it (half day, full day or more than one day) ?
We will arrive on saturday, and we stay until monday.
We are without a car so we are thinking about to stay the first night in Southampton or directly two night on the Isle... what do you think is better?
There are the possibility to take a little tour on rib on the Isle? How much it cost, where is better to do it and what personal equipment is needed?

On the ribex site i've read "Visitors can enjoy getting out on the water with the ever popular ‘Public RIB Rides’. Hugely popular in 2007, the chaps will be back
again this year with the ‘Powerboat RIB Experience’ where members of the public can experience the thrill of a ride in a top class
race RIB and take home a certificate to prove it!". What it means?

We are six members an italian RIB club. We are very happy to come to come to RIBEX
Many thanks to all

1. RIBeX is not very big. I breezed round it easily in less than half a day, but I live locally and I didn't take up the offer of any free rides etc. One day would be plenty of time;

2. I recommend you stay 2 nights on the Island. Southampton is a boring city with little to recommend it.

[C2 RIBS]

If you have the chance then Portsmouth harbour has a lot to offer and see, from the old naval docks to present day warships, the old town and new shopping at Gunwharf with the Spinnaker Tower (views of 30 miles on a good day) Portsmouth is the next large town/city East from Southampton and quite a few boats do runs to the harbour

[Andre]

Originally Posted by Shark

We have booked the flight to Gatwick. Now we're searching for the hotel.
How big is ribex? How many time is needed to view it (half day, full day or more than one day) ?
We will arrive on saturday, and we stay until monday.
We are without a car so we are thinking about to stay the first night in Southampton or directly two night on the Isle... what do you think is better?
There are the possibility to take a little tour on rib on the Isle? How much it cost, where is better to do it and what personal equipment is needed?

On the ribex site i've read "Visitors can enjoy getting out on the water with the ever popular ‘Public RIB Rides’. Hugely popular in 2007, the chaps will be back
again this year with the ‘Powerboat RIB Experience’ where members of the public can experience the thrill of a ride in a top class
race RIB and take home a certificate to prove it!". What it means?

We are six members an italian RIB club. We are very happy to come to come to RIBEX
Many thanks to all

Make yourself known to us at Ribex and NautiBouy and I promise you a ride you will not forget

[havener]

Originally Posted by Cutlass

If you have the chance then Portsmouth harbour has a lot to offer and see, from the old naval docks to present day warships, the old town and new shopping at Gunwharf with the Spinnaker Tower (views of 30 miles on a good day) Portsmouth is the next large town/city East from Southampton and quite a few boats do runs to the harbour

I'd second that about the tower.

The good news is the views of the Solent are amazing.
The bad news is they haven't blacked out the windows that contain views of Portsmouth

[springtide66]

2. I recommend you stay 2 nights on the Island. Southampton is a boring city with little to recommend it. [/QUOTE]

Pillock!

[springtide66]

Originally Posted by havener

I'd second that about the tower.

The good news is the views of the Solent are amazing.
The bad news is they haven't blacked out the windows that contain views of Portsmouth