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Verona is undoubtedly one of Italy’s most striking cities. Often overshadowed by the heavyweights of Milan and Venice to its west and east, Verona is a gem of a city.
Traditionally, the area is on the outskirts of the Italian rugby heartlands. However, the rise & rise of the cities club, Rugby Verona, has firmly put it on the radar. Their imposing home at The Payanini Centre is without a doubt, one of the most impressive purpose built Rugby facilities there is, anywhere.
The labour of love of a local Marble Tycoon, Payanini will be the base for your tour, whether it be on a traditional format, or particularly if you want to focus the tour on training and preparation. The centre features immaculate grass pitches, a performance S&C gym, on-site accommodation & a phenomenal Bistrot-Restaurant, making it Italy's premier Rugby facility & the venue of choice for a growing number of Pro and International teams.
Lake Garda is close by too. You can kayak, gorge walk, wine taste or visit one of the excellent theme parks as part of your itinerary.
Flight to Milan, Venice or Verona itself
Transfer to Verona
Arrive & Check-in to your Accommodation
Transfer to the Payanini Centre
Pitch Training Session and access to the Performance Gym
Dinner at the on-site Benvenuto Restaurant
Evening at leisure sightseeing in Verona
Continental Breakfast
Transfer to a local Rugby Club
TOUR MATCH ONE
Enjoy an infamous Italian 'Terzo Tempo,' or Third Half, the term given to after-match hospitality
Transfer to nearby Lake Garda
Choose between Rafting, Canyoning or for Adult Groups, Wine Tasting in Valpolicella
Return to Verona
Team Dinner at the Osteria Vecchia Rama overlooking the Valpolicella Vineyards
Evening at leisure
Continental Breakfast
Transfer to a local Rugby Club
TOUR MATCH TWO
Terzo Tempo
Continue to a top-level Rugby Club & watch a Serie A Elite match
Return to Verona
End of Tour Dinner at San Matteo Church
Evening at leisure sightseeing in Verona
Continental Breakfast
Morning at leisure
Check-Out & Transfer to Milan, Venice or Verona Airport
Flight Home
Based between the traditional rugby hotbeds in Veneto & Lombardy, Verona once was an outpost. However, the emergence of Rugby Verona as one of Italy's most dynamic clubs as well as great clubs at nearby Valpolicella, Vicenza & Brescia gives much in terms of competition. As with anywhere in Italy, the bigger clubs boast two teams at each age group - competing on both a regional and national level - so with time, fixtures are readily available.
For those who wish to turbocharge their training on tour, Verona is a great venue. With the choice of outdoor grass pitches and a stunning 3G pitch under cover, the Payanini Center is setup to function during all weather and elements. This also allows groups to mix up the training between surfaces to ready the team for any challenges ahead. With 3 Grass Pitches, 1 Outdoor 3G Pitch and a small indoor 3G Pitch to work on set plays, there is plenty of variety and availability for your needs
It wouldn't be an Italian Tour without great food. The Benvenuto Restaurant at Rugby Verona provides great food, ideal for a heavy training load or post match. In the city, the San Matteo Restaurant is a Pizzeria located in an old Church & Ristorante Greppia serves some beautiful traditional classics. Outside of town, Osteria Vecchia Rama sits in the Valpolicella winelands and serves some great chicken and steak dishes which are always a hit.
In Verona, we work with he brilliant Hotel Kona, a 3* Hotel located between Verona, the winelands of Valpolicella & Lake Garda. Recently refurbished, the Hotel is well-versed in hosting rugby groups given its partnership with Rugby Verona. Excellent dining facilities and a seasonal Swimming Pool make this a great base for youth teams in particular.
Closer to the city, the Hotel Montresor Palace is the venue of choice for groups who want to focus their free time on exploring the city of Verona. It has everything you expect from a 4* City Hotel & is a brisk 20 minute walk to the Arena and other city highlights.
There is limited accommodation at Rugby Verona for groups travelling in pre-Season. This consists of 9 quad bedded apartments and 1 twin bedded apartment for group leaders and coaching staff. All facilities are en-suite and private. The accommodation area also has a social area with satellite TV and Games Area for relaxation as well as an area for studying and private lockers to store valuable.
All Strength & Conditioning training will take place in the state-of-the-art Fifteen Fitness Club which is build into the main grandstand at Rugby Verona. The facility itself is home to all the modern kit and equipment that any professional setup will have. With 5 Squat Stations/Olympic Lifting Platforms, Dumbbells and Barbells ranging through all weights, cardiovascular machines ranging from treadmills to bikes, the facility has it all.
The Gym itself is also complete with a free weights section for leisure time and a plyometrics section to work on more explosive movements and rehabilitation. Ice Baths & Medical suites available.
For recovery, choose between an Olympic Sized Pool in Verona itself, or why not spend a morning on the beaches of Lake Garda.
Flights to Milan or Venice are accessible throughout the UK. Verona is just over an hours transfer from both.
