Hi guys, thinking about this trip this year for the first time, so I am after some good options for two or three days!!

I.e. Is best to fly to Barcelona , and drive over ? Or are there some good places closer, I am planning to hire a car so not opposed to a bit of driving.

Thanks in advance.

Catalans Sport Tours ran by Foti with the Goti are meant to be really good

It's cheaper to do it yourself. Fly direct to Perpignan from Birmingham or Stansted. Take a bus into town - not a taxi. Book a 4*hotel right in the centre of town - quite a few to choose from. Take a bus to the ground from outside the store that has the Dragons club shop (Rue Clemenceau opposite the castle) for a few Euros. Job done - cheaper than going with the organised tour by a hundred quid or so. (Helps if you can speak a little French).

Stayed in Perpignan last year & got the train to Montpellier for the game which worked great. I'd driven down & spent 2 weeks wandering round the area (hiking & exploring the mountains).
A couple of things to make comment on: (1) Perpignan is a great little town but not a destination for a holiday except as a base for exploring (and only a handful of decent restaurants). (2) Hotels in the aren't cheap but the Hotel de France (next to the Castillet) was excellent value, (3) parking is a nightmare - only the (usually underground) multi-story car parks are reliably safe & working out the cheapest took a few days (the one on Boulevard Wilson just round the corner from the hotel was surprisingly one of the cheapest & convenient) - also they're designed for older quite narrow French cars, so if you're driving a tank don't bother.

That is helpful stuff.

This will be my first Wigan at Catalan trip and the reason I am finally going is at the ripe old age of 44 the missus has finally told me we are getting hitched, therefore the stag do is the Wigan vs Catalan weekend.

I should at this point forewarn you all that although I am a hardened Wigan fan, my mates are not, and to make it even worse as you can tell by my user name the 'mates' are softy southerners as well.

So if your there and see a bunch or drunkard 40+ year old guys (about 16 of them) talking in an accent more commonly used for telling the national news, be kind cos they will have no idea what on earth is going on.

Further to that if you are standing near us during the game, I can only apologise if a few of the Union boys break into 'heave' or 'form a ruck' or 'line out!'.

well at least they wont spill their beer trying to clap as our fullback wont kick the ball into touch on the first tackle

I wouldnt worry, they are like most Union fans anyway, only know the first 2 lines then sort of mumble on after that.

They'll be too drunk to sign anyway....hopefully

Just booked flights from Birmingham to Perpignan and a hotel that was recommended on trip advisor by a Wigan fan all for £540 (5 nights for two). I've wanted to do Catalans away for years and seeing as we can't stretch to the WCC Catalans has been shoved into the must do column.

It looks like there are cheaper options for those who want to drive or travel a bit further from Perpignan.

I did this a few years ago and it was a great weekend.

Fly to Gerona and stay about 25mins away in Playa Djaro. Fantastic little seaside town , sandy beaches , cracking cafes etc.

We then drove up over the border to Perpignan. Also did the same across the foothills of the Pyrennees when they played Limoux.

On way back stop at the hyper market just over the border, Even the French drive over to it.

Get some really good not expensive wines.

If you are coming across to France for the match against the Dragons why not spend a few days in St Cyprien, which is just down the coast from Canet and only 25 minutes from the stadium.

St Cyprien is the official seaside resort of the Dragons and has a long history of rugby league. Your players are probably staying at the Golf Club in St Cyprien as this is where visiting teams normally stay.

If you PM me I can give you information on properties available to rent and details of transport to and from the stadium. The properties are especially suitable for couples or families.

Our local Dragons supporters group will make any visiting supporters very welcome.

I have always wanted to do tgis fixture, but for 1 reason or another have been unable to, but this year we are taking the plunge. Flying to Carcasonne ( Ryan air, cant stand the shark of a man) Having a day there, always wanted to look at the walled city. Train to Perpignan, match , night there. Then return night in Carcasonne, early flight back.

Would have gone to Sydney, but for the fact the flights are a bit more expensive