July 22, 2013
The Vanderbilt men’s basketball team will take a once-in-a-lifetime trip this August when they travel to Greece and to Italy for a 10-day foreign tour to play four games against teams in both countries. The trip will be the third of the Stallings’ era, with the team last traveling overseas in 2009 to Australia.
The itinerary is packed with sightseeing at very famous stops like the Parthenon, the Acropolis, and the Vatican. We thought we’d share the full schedule so you could follow the Commodores throughout the trip.
Vanderbilt guard Kyle Fuller is excited for the trip and sees this as trip that could bring the team together, both on and off the court.
“This is going to be my first trip to Europe,” said Fuller. “First, and foremost, I want to go over there and win. On top of that, I want to sightsee and see things that I’d never get to see. This sport brings you so many places that you’ve never been before. This is like the preseason for us, where we’ll get to know each other better and spend some quality time together. I’m really looking forward to this once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Athens, Greece – August 11-13
The Commodores arrive in Athens, Greece, at 9 am and will spend three days there sightseeing and playing two games against the Athens All Stars, a team composed of professional and pro-am players from the Athens region. Some highlights of the stay:
- Sightseeing tour of the Acropolis and the Parthenon, as well as a trip to the Acropolis Museum.
- Games against Athens All Stars on the 12th and 13th.
Delphi, Greece – August 14
The Commodores depart Athens on the 14th and head to Delphi, where they will vista the Delphi archaeological site and museum.
Olympia, Greece, Overnight Cruise to Italy – August 15
The team departs their hotel in Nafpaktos and heads to Olympia, where they will visit ancient Olympia. After a tour in the afternoon, the Commodores will travel to Patra, Greece, where they will depart on an overnight cruise to Italy.
Bari, Pompeii, Sorrento – August 16
After arrival in Bari, Italy, on the morning of August 16, the Commodores travel to Pompeii and the ancient ruins there, and then retire to Sorrento, Italy, for the night.
Vatican City, Sistine Chapel, St. Peters Basilica, Game against Perugia Basket – August 17
The Commodores will play their third game of the tour on the evening of August 17, but not before going on a guided tour of Vatican City, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peters Basilica.
The Coliseum, Roman Forum, and Game Two against Perugia Basket – August 18
The team visits the Coliseum and the Roman Forum in the afternoon, and then plays its second game against Perugia Basket and its fourth and final game of the tour later in the evening.
Rome City Center – August 19
The final full day of the tour is a sightseeing day in Rome, visiting the city center and Plazza Navona, Pantheon, Spanish Steps, and the Trevi Fountain.
Head Home – August 20
Trip ends and the team returns back to United States.
