7 Days to Lift Off….

I can't believe it is just one week away before the Gustie women's basketball team jets off to begin their 10 day journey to Italy and Switzerland.  We have all been talking about what to pack, what to bring, looking at pictures, and anticipating a fabulous trip together.  Here is a look at what we have planned:

Duomo-Milan

Day 1: We will depart from the Minneapolis airport and will connect on our flight to Milan in Atlanta.  We will leave the USA at 5:30pm EST and arrive in Milan the next day at 9:05am.  It is an 8.5 hour flight so we are hoping to watch some movies and catch some zzzzz's.

Day 2: After passing through customs and receiving our first stamp in the passport, we will meet Carolina, our English speaking guide and board our coach bus.  We will head to downtown Milan, and see the  "Fashion Capital of the World."  We will see the Duomo, which is the largest Gothic cathedral in Italy.  We will see Teatro Alla Scala, the famous Opera House built in 1776. We will also tour the Castello Sforzesco, a 15th century castle.  I am guessing there will also be some shopping done here too.  After a very long day, and very little sleep, we will board our bus bound for Lake Como then check into our hotel for a nice dinner and some sleep.

Lake Como

Day 3: Experience Lake Como.  We are all hoping to run into George Clooney while we are there, but if not, we will check out his Italian home that sits on the lake.  We will take a walk through the "Old Town" with its beautiful Cathedral and several piazzas (small squares). The team will walk along the lakefront and take a boat ride up to the Bellagio for shopping and lunch.  We will experience the cafes and local specialties and see the colorful villas that are nestled along the shore.  Tonight, we will sit down to an early dinner and then depart for Arosio where we will play our first basketball game against the ASD Basketball Costa Women's team.

Day 4: Switzerland Bound!  After receiving our next stamp in our passports, we will spend the day in Lugano, Switzerland.  It is a beautiful resort town along the lakeside with a beautiful church that overlooks the region.  They also have a famous casino in Lugano which may let some of us get "lucky".  We will explore the tiny streets and traditional shops, as well as a visit to the local marketplace.  We will return to Como later that afternoon and prepare to depart for our next game against the Usmate Club team.

Day 5: Venice!! A day filled will sightseeing and capped off with a team Gondola ride.  With 118islands and 150 canals there will be lots to see and experience. We will view St. Mark's Square and explore th Basilica, and then continue on to the nearby Bridge of Sighs that connects the Plazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace) with the prison.  We will visit the famous Rialot Bridge which spans the Grand Canal. Known for its world famous Murano Glass and hand-made laces I am sure we will hit the shops too for gifts to bring home. We will depart Venice and  head for our hotel in Florence.

Day 6: Florence and the Tuscany Region is said to be one of the most amazing places on earth. We will take a private walking tour of this famous Renaissance city and see the majestic Brunelleschi's Duomo, the Baptistery, Giotto's Belltower, Signoria Square, the Santa Croce area with its famous market, and the Ponte Vecchio, which is the "Old Bridge" that dates back to the 10th century.  Known for its Italian leather there will be shopping sprees here too.  We will conclude our day by heading to Montecatini for dinner and a walk downtown to enjoy the outdoor cafes and music.

Day 7: We will begin our day with an orientation walk through Montecatini, a famous Italian spa resort noted for its thermal springs and healing waters, located in the heart of Tuscany.  We will then head to the hills of Lucca for a wine, cheese, and olive oil tasting at a local Tuscan farm.  Lucca is a quaint town that features one of Europe's best preserved Renaissance walls that surrounds the city with three gates that remain intact.  We will finish off the day with a stop in Pisa to one of Italy's masterpieces.  We will climb the steps of the Leaning Tower and visit the famous Campo die Miracoli (Field of Dreams) and the Piazza dei Cavalieri.  We will return to Monecatini for dinner and a good night sleep as we will depart for Rome the next morning.

Trevi Fountain

Roman Colosseum

Day 8: After a scenic drive from the Tuscany Region we will arrive in Rome.  We will see the city on a guided panoramic tour of the major sights which will include the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Vittorio Emanuelle II Monument, Castel Sant Angelo, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, the Piazza Navona and much more!  We will enjoy some free time to "roam" the city        before settling in the hotel for a nice dinner. So much to see, we just can't wait to experience them all together as a team.

Day 9: We may have saved the best for last.  We will continue or sightseeing of Rome by heading to Vatican City for an orientation tour. We will visit St. Peter's Basilica and the surrounding area. We will visit the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel.  I have been told you can spend the whole day here and not see everything.  This is our final day before our departure so we will have some time to explore more of Rome before settling in for dinner and preparing for our return to the USA.

Day 10: After an early breakfast we will head to the International Airport in Rome to return to St. Peter, MN.  After a long flight home, we will land at 6:30pm in Minneapolis.  I believe our team will be changed after this trip of a lifetime.  We hope you will follow us on our blog and experience this trip with us.