ITALY BLOG: PART I Posted on: Mon 25 Jul 2011 We'll be bringing you regular blog updates on www.qpr.co.uk from the R's pre-season training camp in Italy over the course the next eight days ... Today, Press Manager, Ian Taylor, brings you the latest news from Milano Marittima. After an early start, the QPR media team arrived at Bologna Airport just after 2.00pm local time. Following a short transfer we were soon at our base for the next eight days - the luxurious Palace Hotel. Article continues Advertisement I was lucky enough to make the very same trip last season, but the wow factor of this hotel was still the same when we rocked up 12 months on. It really is a sight to behold, with marble floors and stunning chandeliers dazzling you on arrival. With the squad not arriving for another few hours, myself and New Media Manager, Paul Morrissey, got to work on setting up our room - or the 'media hub' as it will be known for the duration of our stay. Flanked with two lap tops, an iPad, a video camera, a tripod, a digital camera and two dictaphones, we're certainly leaving no stone unturned this week, in a bid to provide the QPR supporters with access-all-areas coverage ahead of the big Barclays Premier League kick-off in just 19 days. Soon after, a brief catch-up Neil Warnock - who travelled out here on Sunday - confirms the news that we hoped we'd reveal today, as Danny Gabbidon puts pen to paper on a one year deal, having impressed the gaffer whilst on trial in recent weeks. Gabbidon is joined on the trip to Italy by fellow new signings Jay Bothroyd and Kieron Dyer, as well as a few trialists, including ex-Pompey front-man Danny Webber. After a busy afternoon, we were joined at the hotel by the squad at around 8.00pm, with the banter already flowing as the lads made their way to their rooms ahead of an evening meal. Rest and relaxation was the order of the day before bedtime, ahead of the R's first training session of the tour tomorrow (Tuesday) morning. Arrivederci!
