USA College Basketball Tour – Italy 2026  

This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity brings together top men’s and women’s college players from across the country to represent the USA on an unforgettable basketball and cultural tour of Italy!

You'll compete against top Italian club teams, testing your skills on an international stage while soaking in the breathtaking sights, history, and flavors of one of the world’s most iconic destinations. From the ancient streets of Rome to the canals of Venice, and the stunning coastline of Cinque Terre, this tour blends elite competition with an unparalleled travel experience.

If you’re ready to ball out, make lifelong memories, and explore Italy like never before, this is your chance. Join us in Summer 2026!  

Group Flight Option with AIST

AIST offers a group flight option for passengers who prefer to fly together. Flight details will be provided once we secure the best schedules and routes.  

Benefits of Booking Your Flight with AIST:

• Team Connection: Fly with your teammates and fellow group members.
• Warm Welcome: Enjoy a meet-and-greet with AIST staff upon arrival.
• Seamless Coordination: Easily connect with tour managers who will be ready to assist you.
• Hassle-Free Transfers: Receive help with loading baggage onto the bus and navigating the airport.
• Convenient Bus Transfers: Enjoy included bus transfers to and from the airport.
• Price Security: Lock in your fare with no risk of price increases.

Important Note:
To include airfare in your tour package, you must select the "Complete Package (With Airfare)" option. Seats are limited at the quoted price, and if additional seats are needed, the cost may increase. Book early to secure your spot.

Please follow these steps to complete your registration and deposit:  

1.Select your tour package - Complete with airfare from our gateway city or Ground only if you plan to book your own flights and meet the team at your own expense.

2. Complete the deposit and registration - If you have a valid passport, please enter it at time of your registration.  If not, please start the process of getting your passport immediately and provide those details once you receive it. 

3.  If you have friends and family interested in travel, you can add them to your booking or they can create their own account separately.  Here is a link on how to add passengers to your booking: Add Additional People to my Booking
 

Notes Regarding Rooms:

We will using 3 star superior and 4 star hotels with double and triple beds.  The players will be booked in double and triple rooms with their own beds.  If a passenger requires a single room they will need to pay a supplement select the option to add-on a single room booking.  Players will room with teammates, we will do our best to take requests and room you with any teammates you might be traveling with but room sizes and arrangements are always subject to availability. 

Availability & Booking

✔ Space is limited – We have a set number of airline seats and hotel rooms available.
✔✔ We can accommodate additional passengers until space runs out— reserve your spot early!

Friends & Family Pricing

✔ Same tour package cost as players (when staying in a double or triple room)
✔ Single room add-on available for an additional cost
✔ All standard inclusions apply, except for the team uniform

Early Registration Discount - For Friends and Family!

✅ Register & deposit by November 1, 2025, to receive a $250 discount per person
✅ All payments are fully refundable until November 1, 2025
✅ After November 1, 2025, cancellation fees will apply

How to Register

✔ Option 1: Set up a separate account for each non-player participant or family as you prefer.
✔ Option 2: Add additional passengers to the player’s account.

Secure your spot early and experience this unforgettable journey together!

This tour is a multisport tour program.  You could be traveling with other AIST select teams.  We will be recruiting for Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer and Field Hockey teams.  

The itinerary will be subject to changes due to final game schedules and locations.   The final itinerary will not be available until 2-3 weeks prior to departure as we work with available teams to finalize game schedules.  

Payment Schedule & Deposit

• Deposit Required: A $500 deposit per person is required upon registration.
• Fully Refundable Until November 1, 2025.
• Payment schedule is subject to change based on registration date.

Payment Breakdown:

• At checkout, you will see a detailed breakdown of payment amounts and due dates.
• Payments will be automatically deducted on scheduled dates. Please ensure your account has sufficient funds prior to payment deadlines.
• If you need to adjust your payment schedule, contact info@aist.us, and we will accommodate as much as we can.
• General Payment Guidelines:
  • 50% of the total balance is due 4-5 months before departure.
  • All balances must be paid in full 2 months before departure.
  • WeTravel payment processing fees are non-refundable the tour be cancelled for any reason - You are encouraged to pay by check. 

Cancellation Policy

• All payments are fully refundable until November 1, 2025
• Cancellations after November 1, will be subject to a $500 cancellation fee.
• All cancellations must be confirmed via email to AIST at info@aist.us.
• AIST will work to minimize cancellation fees when possible, but this depends on supplier policies and the timing of your cancellation.
• Airline cancellation fees are not included in the cancellation fees below. If airline tickets have been purchased, additional penalties may apply.

Cancellation Fee Structure:

• Until November 1 (year prior to departure): Fully refundable.
• After November 1 (year prior to departure): $500 cancellation fee.
• 130 - 101 days before departure: Cancellation fee equal to 50% of total trip cost (land and airfare).
• 100- 61 days before departure: Cancellation fee equal to 75% of total trip cost (land and airfare).
• Within 60 days of departure: No refunds will be issued.
• WeTravel processing fees are non-refundable.

• Depart from your international airport to Milan, Italy
• Due to the time difference, arrival in Italy the following day

• Guided tour of Como, free time to explore
• Lunch on your own
• Afternoon: Transfer to hotel, check-in (approx. 4 PM)
• Evening: Pizza or pasta-making experience with dinner included
• Overnight in the Como area (3 nights)

• Breakfast at hotel
• Transfer to Milan for a guided city tour
• Free time for exploration (Optional visit to the Duomo)
• Lunch on your own
• Evening: Game 1 vs. Local Club
• Return to hotel for overnight

• Breakfast at hotel
• Scenic boat cruise from Como to Bellagio with a local tour guide
• Lunch on your own
• Evening: Game 2 vs. Local Club (Milan area)
• Dinner on your own
• Overnight at hotel

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• Breakfast at hotel & check-out
• Departure to Venice, the romantic lagoon city
• Private boat transfer to St. Mark’s Square
• Lunch on your own & free time to explore
• Evening: Transfer to Mestre or Padua (near Venice)
• Dinner on your own & overnight at hotel

• Breakfast at hotel
• Transfer to Florence (approx. 45 min)
• Walking tour of Florence with a bilingual guide
• Lunch on your own & free time to explore
• Evening: Game 3 vs. Local Club
• Dinner on your own
• Return to Montecatini Terme for overnight

• Breakfast at hotel
• Departure to Cinque Terre, Italy’s stunning coastal gem
• Train ride from La Spezia to Levanto (train ticket included)
• Stop to explore two of the beautiful Cinque Terre villages
• Lunch on your own
• Relax on the beach or go hiking between Vernazza and Monterosso
• Dinner on your own & overnight in Montecatini Terme

• Breakfast at hotel
• Transfer to Rome, the Eternal City
• Guided city tour of Rome’s highlights (Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, etc.)
• Lunch on your own
• Afternoon: Transfer to hotel & check-in
• Dinner included & overnight in Rome (2 nights)

• Breakfast at hotel
• Optional Excursions (One of these options will be included, pre-booking required): Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica or the Colosseum 
• Lunch on your own
• Afternoon: Free time for personal exploration
• Farewell dinner included
• Overnight in Rome

• Boxed or regular breakfast at hotel
• Transfer to Rome FCO Airport for return flight
• Arrivederci, Italy! Thanks for the memories!