Totts on Tour

Totts have a long, proud & enjoyable history of touring. In the early years this was confined to England & Wales however, with the advent of cheap air travel, a peruse of the map below will show that since 2003 we've been visiting some of the lesser known, but fantastically enthusiastic, rugby outposts of Europe. Without doubt, Tour is most certainly an experience like no other and one not to be missed.

Continuing the Balearic theme of the previous year we made a welcome return to Majorca where we locked horns with El Toro once again

IBIZA 2022

After a first home tour in many years in 2019, it was time to head back in search of some sun & sand in May 2020. Unfortunately CoVid19 put paid to that so we postponed it for a year, sadly that to fell victim to the continuing global crisis.

The Ibiza Beach Rugby Tournament therefore finally hosted our 60 eager tourists in May 2022 for what was most certainly be a very wild weekend

Newcastle 2019

The European Finals in Newcastle was the destination for Tour 2019 and a fantastic time was had by all. Great rugby, cracking nightlife and a very understanding city centre hotel. The Toon did us proud

https://photos.app.goo.gl/sXpf8qUWChWXJZdE7

Malta 2018

After a sabbatical in 2017, an emptiness was widely felt amongst the players which could only be filled with experiencing Tour once more, therefore a return to Malta was required.

A hardy group of 43 signed up with the main party of 35 flying from Bournemouth early on the morning of Thursday 17th May, returning on the Sunday afternoon, with a further 8 going from Gatwick.

We stayed at the Hotel Santa Maria in St Paul's and played in the Malta International Senior Tournament

https://photos.app.goo.gl/J8LIUK3Sp4g1krYg2

Lyon 2017

There was no Totts tour at the end of the 2016/17 season as a spate of stag weekends occupied the majority of our players. At the end of April a few of us old farts headed to Lyon, reputedly the gastronomic capital of France, to take in their Top 14 clash with mighty Clermont Auverne while availing ourselves of everything the city has to offer. It didn't disappoint and a cracking time was had by all

Athens 2016

A superb season gracing the heady heights of London One South has been topped off by our first visit to Greece, where the ancient city of Athens provided a stunning backdrop to the proceedings. We were based at The Attalos Hotel, complete with its Acropolis view from the rooftop bar and spitting distance from everything the city had to offer

Saturday was Rugby Day so it was all aboard the tram to Glyfada for an entertaining match against Spartans RFC. After taking an early lead our hosts hit back with four tries to shake up our jaded sided and when the expected response did come it was oft-repelled with ferocious defence before we finally brought the win home in the last quarter. With the stupid stuff out of the way it was on to Lemoni Grill House for the aftermatch revelries. A slight problem then arose which made for a tricky journey back as, due to the Easter celebrations, there weren't any trams running. Thankfully we stumbled upon a bar to mull it over the next four hours before booking a rake of taxis, problem solved!

After a slow start, Sunday creaked into life and everybody eventually migrated to the same bar where a wonderful afternoon developed. From there it was off to the obligatory Irish Bar before feasting on Easter Lamb, traditional celebratory fayre in Greece.

The journey home was a somewhat quieter affair as many took the opportunity to catch up on much-needed sleep during the four hour flight. The coach journey home went swiftly, without delay. Another successful tour to the back of beyond.

https://plus.google.com/photos/108865604584945337385/albums/6280502008983788721

Antwerp 2015

Antwerp threw up the opportunity of returning to a bygone age, touring by coach!

With an ample supply of bars & restaurants in the vicinity, The Leonardo Hotel was an ideal base for the weekend. Within spitting distance was Kelly's Bar, which provided food, drink & revelries until the early hours.

A last minute change of plans saw us visiting RC Laakdal for a mini-tournament which also included Supermarine RFC from Swindon. A stroke of luck as it turned out as they laid on a superb day which, judging by the smiling faces, everyone really enjoyed.

In amongst all the fun was a period of reflection as we visited the Schoonselhof Commonwealth War Graves on Sunday morning. The significance of their sacrifice resonated with everyone present.

A final evening of fun in the, aptly named, T'Bolleke Bar, rounded off a thoroughly enjoyable weekend