$3,745
Join your trip host Bob Morse and other basketball enthusiasts for a week of Italian tournament basketball in the beautiful Northern Italy city of Turin. This will be a fascinating and in-depth adventure into Italian basketball! You will enjoy the Cup of Italy competition, a single elimination tournament among the top eight Italian League teams. In addition to attending seven games, the group will also meet with coaches, journalists, and other basketball people for a behind-the-scenes view of the sport as it is organized, played, and viewed with Italian passion. Your trip also includes visits in and near Turin, where you will discover this important city, once the seat of the Savoy kingdom and home to many fascinating museums.
**Sign-up Deadline: November 12, 2023**
Passcode: 31q1B&KM
Bob currently teaches advanced Italian courses at the Scuola Italiana di Portland, Oregon. He taught Italian language, culture, and literature full-time at Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana, for nine years, after earning his master’s degree in Italian from the University of Virginia. A true Italophile, his connections to Italy began fifty years ago when played professional basketball, first in Varese, then in Reggio Emilia. Later he lived in Rome where he had his own sports event management company. Bob is known as a “legend” of Italian and European basketball. He considers Varese his Italian “hometown”, where the City Council voted to make him an Honorary Citizen in recognition of his contributions on and off the court. After working, living, studying, and traveling extensively in Italy for 15 years, Bob has returned about once a year to see old friends and visit new places in this fascinating country. This tour will be his fifth in collaboration with Customized Journeys.
Check out these beautiful photos from Bob’s previous trips!
*Please click on each day to view daily itinerary.
Fly from the USA to Turin, Italy
Upon arrival in Turin, a private driver will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in the city center. You will have time to rest and relax before meeting your group for a welcome drink and dinner this evening. Overnight in Turin
Today you will have time to start exploring the cosmopolitan city of Turin from your city center hotel or enjoy the hotel’s deluxe spa facilities (access included). Home to the Italian Royal family for centuries, Turin attracted the international spotlight thanks to the 2006 Winter Olympic Games. Around mid-day, the group will meet to walk to lunch at another delicious local restaurant. The afternoon and evening are free to continue exploring. Overnight in Turin
Today the group will enjoy a private guided tour of the city to learn more about the it’s fascinating sites, such as Mole Antonelliana, the symbol of the city, the Royal Palace, which now hosts a beautiful painting museum. You will also enjoy a sensational chocolate tasting where you will learn to recognize the secrets of what makes the best chocolates, followed by another delicious lunch. Tonight, the group will be transported to and from the first two quarterfinal games at the Pala Alpitour Arena. Overnight in Turin
This morning, the group will have a guided tour of the Egyptian Museum, walking distance from your city center hotel. It is considered the second-best Egyptian museum in the world - after the one in Cairo. In addition to viewing its amazing artifacts, you will learn the history of how this collection was started in Turin. Afterwards the group will enjoy lunch together, and later tonight will transfer back to the arena for two quarterfinal games this evening Overnight in Turin
With a break in the tournament schedule, we will use this day to explore the picturesque Piedmont countryside and wineries outside of Turn. Some of the best wine in Italy is produced here, where vintners have been working for many years at developing the sustainable farming practices for vineyards. We will start our outing with a visit to a winery where we’ll learn about the two full-bodied reds that are produced from the local Nebbiolo grape: Barolo and Barbaresco. We’ll also enjoy a cheese tasting at a small-scale organic creamery followed by lunch before returning to Turin in the late afternoon. Overnight in Turin
Today you will continue to discover Piedmont’s rich culinary traditions with a food tour including tastings and lunch in Turin. Your local guide will introduce you to the traditional dishes and savory local delicacies at hidden gems throughout the city followed by some sweet treats and an introduction to bicerin, the famous and renowned coffee, chocolate and cream drink loved by locals. This evening we will continue our enjoyment of the Cup of Italy tournament with two semifinal games. Overnight in Turin
On our last full day in the city, we will enjoy a guided tour of another one of the city’s fantastic museums. Bob will let the group know which museum based on the group’s interests. After a farewell group lunch, we will transfer to the arena this evening to watch the finals of the Cup of Italy Overnight in Turin
Today you will be transferred to Turin International Airport for your return flight to the US.
Trip Details:
7 nights in Turin
Total: 7 nights / 8 days
Price:
$3,745 USD per person (double occupancy)
Single Supplement: $450 USD
6 travelers minimum
*$100 per person discount if 10+ travelers join the group*
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Looking foward to seeing you on an upcoming or future trip!!
The Customized Journeys Team