Soccer Fans Pitch Tents At World Cup
Auto worker Dean Doc and six friends pooled their money to rent an RV — kitchen included — for eight days in order to follow England at the World Cup. "It's a good price," the 41-year-old from Birmingham said as his crew readied to drive to Nuremberg for England's game Thursday against Trinidad & Tobago. "The seats exchange into beds and it comfortably sleeps seven." For a total of about $1,800 for a week, plus gas and food, they figure they're spending around $400 each to experience the World Cup without sacrificing the satisfaction of a comfortable bed and hot food. They're not alone. Thousands of fans from England to Poland are making like members of the NASCAR nation, loading up rental vans, recreational vehicles or camping trailers to follow their teams during the monthlong tournament. Most said it was a strategy to save money. After all, in Frankfurt, two nights in a hotel can cost more than $1,000. Fans can find cheaper digs, but they'll have to travel nearly 30 miles outside the city where a two-night stay at the Tryp Frankfurt Langenselbod will set them back about $80. "It's too expensive," said Johnny Maloney of Portsmouth, another World Cup camper. "We just set up a tent anywhere we go." In Germany, RV parks and camp grounds are plentiful, and it's common to see them filled on weekends. Reservations are mandatory during major events such as the World Cup, though tents still get set up just outside the grounds at no cost. "The facilities are fantastic," said Kevin Neale, a Londoner experiencing budget travel with three friends after going the high-class route for last month's Cannes Film Festival. "I've stayed in the best hotels in Cannes but I was dubious about coming to Germany and camping." His outlook brightened when he saw the availability of showers, easy access to trains and the campsite camaraderie. The cost helped, too. "We've all pitched in and helped out and created our own community," said Neale, who watches the games at nearby bars where the beer is inexpensive. His group will travel to Munich on Tuesday, and then to Nuremberg in time for England's game on Thursday. "We're camping out there, too," he said. For Doc and his six traveling companions, it was just a matter of renting the RV and taking the ferry to France. From there they drove through the Netherlands and into Germany. Maloney began researching the cost of hotels and quickly decided on a more economical route. So he packed up an old Vauxhall Cavalier, painted on the St. George cross and threw in tents for the journey. "We've tented outside and the people are the best that I've ever met," he said. There is at least one other advantage. "The beer is cheaper outside of the city limits," said Maloney, who also bellies up to the bar when he wants to watch the games. "It can cost up to $31 a round (in the city) and that's a lot of money when you're drinking 16 hours a day!" |
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