The website of this tournament is :
http://portomannu.caissa.it/en
You can register and pay for the tournament on this website.
To get to this island, there is two options - by flight or by ferry.
Getting there by ferry
From Rome, take a train to Civitavecchia port. Train costs 4.60 or 5 € per person - each way. There are two or three local trains each hour between Rome and Civitavecchia. These trains leave from Termini and also stop at Tuscolana, Ostiense, Trastevere, and San Pietro stations (of course, in reverse order going from Civitavecchia to Rome). The cost is 4.60 € each way per adult from/to any station in Rome except Termini (5 € just for this station), and the journey takes just over an hour.
Upon reaching Civitavecchia train station, there are buses waiting in front of this small train station, that can bring you directly to the port, and costs only 2€. Alternatively you can walk to the port, which is about 20 minutes walk. On the way, there are a few restaurants which you can dine, and supermarket which you can buy some drinks or food to be brought to ferry.
Note, if you flying in to Rome, it is nice to stay near these train stations : Tuscolana, Ostiense, Trastevere, and San Pietro stations. It costs 8 euros direct train from Rome FCO airport to this train stations. And on the next day, you can take the train from the same station to Civitavecchia train station. Trastevere has less tourists, gives a local feel, and boasts many high rated restaurants nearby.
Photos of Civitavecchia town and ports
Ferry from Civitavecchia to Olbia
There are two ferry companies operating from Civitavecchia to Olbia: Moby Lines / Tirrenia (www.moby.it) and Grimaldi Lines (www.grimaldi-lines.com). Both companies offers a reservation service on their websites.
The ferry ride takes about 8 to 9 hours. If you buy the ticket for 10.30pm ferry, you can board the ferry earliest at 8pm, and latest at 10pm, 30 minutes before departure.
It is advisable to take your dinner before boarding, as the proper dinner course on board is below average of an Italian meal. If you don't mind simple croissant or panini / sandwich / slice of pizza for dinner, then these can be bought on board at the bar.
It is not recommended to buy the so called value meals with discounted price when you book ticket. I bought it, and it was a bad deal. The food tasted less than satisfactory, and you cannot change main course (secondo) to first course (prima) or the appertiser (antipasti). They also gave you the worst option of salad (just lettuce, no carrots/corns etc). Boxed drinks instead of fresh juice for breakfast. Anything other than stated in the pre-booked voucher required additional payment.
My advise is, if you have no time for dinner, buy the food when you are there, from the restaurant or the bar, after you see the food and decide which one is appetizing to you. You can also bring your own food.
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| Tirrenia |
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| Bar inside Tirrenia ferry |
The ferry ride takes about 8 to 9 hours. If you buy the ticket for 10.30pm ferry, you can board the ferry earliest at 8pm, and latest at 10pm, 30 minutes before departure.
It is advisable to take your dinner before boarding, as the proper dinner course on board is below average of an Italian meal. If you don't mind simple croissant or panini / sandwich / slice of pizza for dinner, then these can be bought on board at the bar.
It is not recommended to buy the so called value meals with discounted price when you book ticket. I bought it, and it was a bad deal. The food tasted less than satisfactory, and you cannot change main course (secondo) to first course (prima) or the appertiser (antipasti). They also gave you the worst option of salad (just lettuce, no carrots/corns etc). Boxed drinks instead of fresh juice for breakfast. Anything other than stated in the pre-booked voucher required additional payment.
My advise is, if you have no time for dinner, buy the food when you are there, from the restaurant or the bar, after you see the food and decide which one is appetizing to you. You can also bring your own food.
Getting from Olbia to Porto Mannu
Upon reaching Olbia, you can take either the bus or taxi to Porto Mannu Residence.
By taxi
The hotel can book a taxi from the port to Porto Mannu for 65 euros, pay directly to the driver. It is advisable not to take a taxi on your own, because this could cost you 80 to 100 euro.
By Bus
The cheaper option is to take the ARST bus to Palau town, that costs 3.10 euros per person. You can board the bus right in front of the ferry terminal complex. Upon reaching Palau town (near the ferry port), you can take a taxi to Porto Mannu Residence, which costs 17 euros (for normal car fitting up to 4 persons)
Porto Mannu Residence
Chess players get special discounted full board package if they choose to stay at Porto Mannu Residence. in 2018, the package for twin sharing is 63 euros per person, inclusive of 3 meals a day, plus 1 bedroom apartment.
The nearest town, Palau, is 5km away, and takes an hour to walk from Palau to Porto Mannu. There is no nearby hotels or Airbnb accommodation available. So, unless you have a car, to drive from Palau to Porto Mannu, the only choice is to stay at the hotel.
Tournament Venue
