Experience the History & Beauty of Italy!!
Caio Baby! Get used to it because you'll hear it a lot in friendly, historic and scrumptious Italy.
The Roman Empire dates back hundreds of years before Christ and
represents one of our oldest civilized cultures. Italy is full of
history and the origin of much of our current thinking and way of
life. Throughout the entire country you can see the remains
of Roman Engineering in their cities, water systems, buildings,
roadways, churches and much more.
Italy is a large country and diverse country with many different climates and
landscapes. Known as the "Boot", Italy offers the Alps, lakes and
the planes in the north, the seaports of the Mediterranean and Adriatic
Oceans, the rolling hills of Tuscany, the beautiful Amalfi Coast in the
south, and the industrial and fashion centers of Rome and Milan.
Italy is famous for it's beautiful architecture, climate, famous
inventors, scientists, fashion, and of course food. Eating doesn't
get much better than in Italy.
Italy has been playing baseball since around WWII. They have
professional leagues equivalent to A or AA level in the USA and there
are many Americans that play baseball in Italy. Italians love
their sports. Though soccer is number one, they do have a great
passion for baseball and have amateur and youth leagues. Most
of the baseball is played in the north of the country and that is where
we will focus our trip.
Italy
has much to offer and would be
impossible to experience in a week. This trip is a week long
adventure designed to experience the northern and central parts of Italy
highlighting the major sites and cities while playing baseball.
Our trip to the north will include Milan, Verona, Venice, Bologna, Florence, Arezzo and Rome. Since
Italy is a long way for all of us to travel, I encourage you to try
and make it at least a 2 week trip. Once we've played baseball for a week,
you'll have your chance to become accustom to the country and should
have confidence enough to get around to other parts of the country on
your own. You can rent a car or take trains as Europe has very
good rail systems and the AutoStrada. You can spend a week playing baseball in the
north and
then travel south to see other parts of Italy like, Anzio, Naples,
Pompeii, Pisa, Siena, Sorrento and any number of other
places.
The people are very
friendly and welcome tourists with open arms. We'll be visiting
historic cities, beautiful beaches, and lots of great
restaurants. We'll have opportunities for shopping, night life,
more eating and of course, playing baseball.
We'll have 9 days and 8 nights
in
this fascinating country playing baseball with a variety of tours and
activities each day.
There will be time on your own in each
area to relax, shop or see the sites on your own. Between
baseball, tours,
shopping and some free time on your own, we'll have a full time agenda
to keep you busy every day.
This
trip has been
designed to give you an opportunity
to play baseball, visit and explore some of the most interesting
locations of northern and central Italy. There are plenty of group activities to keep us all
occupied
and a variety of events that will surely delight everyone. This
is
a unique opportunity for you to
combine
both baseball and travel for an experience you'll never
forget.
This
trip is in
the planning phase at this time. Final dates, costs
and
itinerary are coming soon but the program below is pretty close. If you are interested in
joining this trip, please let me know. Just
forward an email indicating your intents to join this trip. I'll
put you on the list and when the trip costs and itinerary are
completed, we'll begin collecting deposits and applications to find out who is serious about going.
|
Piazza de San Marcos, Venice
Live Web Cam of Sorrento
|
 |
Information
The Original In-Door Shopping Mall
The Galeria
Milan
La Scala Opera House
Milan
|
This
is a
custom
designed trip for baseball players.
It's the only one of it's
kind to provide a baseball vacation to northern and central Italy with these type of
activities. Baseball
is one of many mediums between our cultures. We'll eat at
some
great restaurants, stay at nice hotels, be entertained by a full time agenda, see some great
sights while we Play Baseball, Italian style.
Bear in mind that your trip to Italy
will be an adventure.
Whether you're shopping in the city or exploring an historic city,
there's a lot to see and do. We won't be able to see it all but
this trip will take you to some of the most interesting parts of the
country and allow you to experience many of the must do activities of northern Italy .
|
Trip
is open
to any adult person who plays baseball.
The average age of
our
teams is usually in the mid 40's to 50's with players ranging in their 20's
through their 60's. The trip is scheduled in early summer to
allow for kids to get out of school, before the weather gets too hot
and before the heavy tourist seasons of July and August. Players, wives, girl
friends, family
members, kids and tourists
are all welcome to tag along. We'll need all the fans and support we can get.
|
| This
is a unique opportunity that we have for local Italian baseball
associations to sponsor
us and give us use of their fields, teams and parks. Italy is
part of the EU and like most of western Europe, a fairly expensive country to visit. We'll be
going at a
reasonable cost that includes first
class
treatment in every step of the way. The trip will include
all
lodging, ground transportation to scheduled events, all baseball, all tours, lots of
sightseeing,
shopping sprees, and all breakfasts. Some dinners will also be provided. |
Most
every day
we'll tour a different area, see the local attractions and play a local
baseball team. Most evenings will have group outings or
dinners.
Occasionally there may be joint meals with the local teams that
will
allow the Italian and USA players to get together, swap lies and
make
new friends. You'll find baseball enthusiasts of a variety of age
groups and levels.
They are always eager to meet and play ball with you.
Don't
be just
a tourist, be an International Baseball Ambassador, get to know
the people not just the postcards.
|
Baseball
Baseball
has been a major activity in Italy for many decades. You
recently saw them in the MLB Baseball World Classic and through the
years, there have been many professional players from Italy and with
Italian decent. Mike Piazza and the DiMaggio's to name a
few. If there are some professional games going on while we
are there, time permitting, we may also attend some of their professional
games.
They do have adult and youth teams
and baseball is one of the most popular activities in Italy.
We'll
be having games with teams from Milan, Verona, Arezzo, and
Rome. The teams will be local amateur teams of similar
ability. Our
team
will
be made up of US players from various leagues and organizations from
all over the country and will be probably be wood bat.
We'll be limiting ourselves to a maximum of 14
players.
We will need 4-5 good pitchers, a catcher or two and some good
position
players. The baseball activities are being organized and sponsored by Arezzo Baseball and Softball Club who provides a number of tournaments and play for youths in the Tuscany area. This will be our chance to experience baseball Italian style!
Transportation
You will need to make your own flight arrangements to Malpensa Airport (MXP) Milan, Italy and return from Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport (FCO), Rome, Italy.
Once there,
you'll need to make your own way to the hotel which will be our rondevu
point. Within the cities and country side, we'll have our own
luxury bus to transport us around to scheduled events. Other
improptu trips will be by local taxis. We'll have a full time
guide/driver with us for scheduled outings
and tours. Most evenings
we'll be on our own after the games with some occasional group
dinners. If you leave on the scheduled date of departure,
you'll
be transported to the airport and assisted by our tour guides for your
departure. If you decide to stay longer or come early, you will
be responsible for your own transportation during those times.
|
 |
Food
It doesn't get any better than Italy. Breakfasts
are generally included with the rooms at the hotels. Mostly they
will be
continental or buffet breakfasts. European breakfasts are
generally fruits, cheeses, cereals, pastries and sliced cold cuts.
Lunches
are on your own. Dinner will be included on the day you arrive
at the hotel and for the farewell dinner. Some dinners will be included with the local teams. We'll
select some of great restaurants so that each day we
will explore a different place for lunch and dinner. What I
may have listed are suggested places but may vary once we get
there.
This trip should
be another Epicurean Delight as Italy is famous for their food and
there are plenty of excellent restaurants from which to choose.
Don't plan on losing weight. Restaurants are often in our hotels and many others within easy walking
distance or a short taxi ride.
Food
in Italy is excellent. Traditional foods are meats, pastas,
vegetables and breads. You'll learn to like artichokes, mushrooms,
olives, tomatos and of course pasta. There is lots of seafood and all
the basic food places you are used to in the USA such as McDonalds
and a variety of other USA fast food delights. They are also
famous for wine which I am sure we'll be sampling often. Espressos and Gelatos are mandatory every day.
Americans tend to associate bologna (mortadella) and spaghetti bolognese with
Bologna, and correctly so. Bologna, and the greater northern Italy region,
is also responsible for giving the world lasagna, tagliatelle, tortellini,
crescentina, and various
cheeses (Parmesan Cheese) and cured meats (most famous being prosciutto and coppa). Thus, when
in Italy, eat as the Italians do!
Don't forget Milanese Food.
When was the last time you had bad Italian food?
|
Entertainment
While
in the various cities,
you'll find lots of night time
entertainment including discos, night clubs, movies, theater and
lots
more. Italians often stop work about 1 pm, go home to rest, and
return to work late afternoon or early evening after sucking down
imence amounts of espresso. Meals are generally late in the
evening. One
of the most entertaining activities is people watching at one of the
many outdoor eateries and in some of their many squares and piazzas. You'll
be overwhelmed by all the choices and activities. We'll have an
agenda that will
occupy you every day and some evenings. We'll also have some time
for you to explore on your own in most cities.
The
locations and hotels have
all been selected to provide you with easy access to these local restaurants,
bars, discos, night clubs and other activities in all cities.
There will be
more to do than you will have time for. Italy is a
destination
country for tourists from around the world.
With the baseball, tours and your own outings, you'll be exhausted by
the end of the trip. Sleep when you get back to work.
|
Sightseeing
Sightseeing
is a big part of all these trips. Part of the idea of playing in different countries is to experience new
sites, history and culture and there is plenty of it in Italy. After
our
first
day of arrival, we'll be playing baseball and doing extensive
sight
seeing everyday before or after the games. We'll
visit some of the most attractive and interesting places of this
interesting country. These trips are a lot more than just baseball.
Milan is
one of the modern cultural, design and fashion centers of the world. It's
home of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, Il Duomo, La Scala, the Piazza della Scala, and Di Vincies "Last Supper". See the next thing first in this home of glossy consumption.
Verona, the enchanting town of Romeo and Juliet is the city of romance and beauty. The riches of Verona -- its colorful history, elegant shops, vibrant
markets and lively atmosphere make it one of the under-discovered gems
of Italy.
In Venice, we'll cruise through the Grand Canal and walk the narrow streets and Stradas to
marvel in the beauty of this incredible city of canals. You'll have a chance to visit the Piazza and Basilica of
San Marco, the Doge’s Palace, the Bridge of Sighs and a glass blowing factory on the Isle of Murano. The Doges' Place is the home of paintings by Tintoretto, Veronese, and Bosch.
Although all roads might lead to Rome, they almost certainly pass
through Bologna. Bologna has always been a strategic city and famous for many nicknames. Bologna la dotta
(the learned) is the home of free thinking in Italy and home to the first university as well as Marconi. Bologna became the birthplace and home
of the Italian political Left. Already dubbed la rossa (the red) for its famed red buildings, Bologna's second nickname gained a more figurative meaning.
Today Bologna is the capital of Emilia-Romagna, a region of fertile
plains, beautiful mountain scenery and a stretch of coastline that has
long been a mecca for clubbers and sun worshippers. It is also known
for the cultural and material affluence of its other historic cities
such as Modena, Parma, Ferrara and Ravenna and the many favorite
Italian things they have become synonymous with: from the famous
Parmesan cheese and Parma ham to the favorite industries of fast cars
and fashion, Ferrari and Furla among those reinforcing the stereotypes
of Italian boys and girls.
Bologna is a place for strolling and
talking, if only to walk off one of the city's famous meals. The city
is without doubt "the stomach", if not the taste buds, of Italy.
The Bolognese have always taken the cultivation, preparation and
consumption of their food very seriously, providing a very palatable
edge to their socialism and earning the city its final affectionate
appellation, Bologna la grassa (the fat). We'll only be passing through this great city with a stop for dinner.
|
One day we will hae a full day excursion to visit Florence, the Renisance City of Art. We will have a chance to visit such treasures as the Duomo, Santa Maria del
Fiore, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery, Signoria Square, Ponte Vecchio, the Uffizi, the Academy of Fine Arts and Michelangelo’s David.
Enjoy free time for sightseeing or shopping in the
street markets.
Arezzo
will be our base for a few days as it is the home of our baseball hosts
and easy travel to other areas of interest. It's in the central
wine making area of Italy. We will spend some time visiting the
local sites of this area as well as a day of wine tasting. As a
bonus, we will be here during an anual jousting event, the Saracen Joust.
Rome, the Eternal City, has much to offer. Among them are the
Coliseum, the ancient Roman Forum, the Spanish Steps, Trevi’s Fountain, Pantheon, Vatican, St.Peter’s Basiclica and the
Italian Parliament to name a few. Rome is a great starting point
for optional days to the south or to the coastal cities on the
Mediterranean or north through Tuscany. We'll be spending a
couple of days here to see the sites and finish our baseball games.
Accommodations
When
you
travel a long distance to a foreign land, you want a comfortable place
to stay. We have a very busy schedule that includes sleeping in 4 different cities. We will not be spending a
lot of time at the hotels. As such, I've tried to select moderate
3 star hotels in convenient locations to local attractions and
restaurants. I suspect we would prefer to spend money on good food, entertainment, and experiencing
the country rather than 5 hours of sleep at inflated prices. The hotels are
all modernized with the necessities and amenities
you are accustomed
to. Italian hotel rooms are generally much smaller than American
rooms in terms of
size though they do have nice amenities and great plumbing
fixtures. In addition, staying in cities live Venice and Florence
is very expensive. As such, we will be staying at hotels
relativly close to these areas.
In Milan, we'll be staying at the Hotel Galles. In Verona, we
will be staying at Hotel Antares. In Arezzo, we will stay at Hotel Planet. While in Rome, we'll stay at the Hotel Albani Roma.
Requirements
This
trip is for
amateur baseball players. Most our players are members of local
amateur baseball leagues. Ages ranging in the 20's through the
60's. Average age of the teams is generally in the
mid-40's to 50's. Wives, family
members, kids or
other tourists
may also attend as this is a family friendly trip. You will need
a valid passport and be able meet visa requirements if required.
Anyone is invited who wants to play baseball in Italy, experience the
country, is easy going, has a good attitude and is ready to have the
time of your life.
|
Preliminary Schedule
and Agenda
This
trip is scheduled to take place in June of
2008. Most flights from the US will be over night flights arriving in Milan late morning or early afternoon. We'll
start the
trip when you arrive at the airport in Milan where we'll be met
at
the
airport by one of the travel agents who will help us get to the hotel
for check in. This
first day will be devoted to gathering us up, sight seeing on your own, decompression and a welcoming dinner.
All other scheduled activities will begin the next day.
If you depart on the last day of our trip, you will want to depart from
Rome. It will probably be in the mornings, this will get
you back home the same day. You are, of course,
welcome to
come earlier or
stay later on your own. If you do, you'll be responsible for your
own transportation, food and accommodations during those times. A
preliminary detailed agenda is shown
below.
All
in all, between the baseball
and the tours,
this will be a very
busy schedule that will give you a great experience and a chance to see
some of the sights of the Dominican Republic. You'll have lots of
opportunities for
evenings out after the games, tours and dinners. There may be
some nights where
we'll go out as a group or you are welcome to go out on your own.
Preliminary Outline
of Schedule for 9-days and 8 nights
Day 0
Monday
|
Depart
US
|
Day
1
Tuesday
June 17
|
Arrive at Milan-Malpensa Airport (MXP)
Transport to Hotel on your own
Afternoon Off
Welcome Dinner at Local Restaurant (incl.)
Accommodations at Hotel Galles
|
Day
2
Wednesday
June 18
|
Breakfast at Hotel
Morning tours of Milan
Lunch
Afternoon tours of Milan
Evening Baseball Game #1
Dinner at Field w/Local Team (incl.)
Accommodations at Hotel Galles
|
Day
3
Thursday
June 19
|
Breakfast at Hotel
Transfer to Verona
Morning tours of Verona
Lunch at Local Restaurant
Afternoon tours of Verona
Evening Baseball Game #2
Dinner at Field w/Local Team (incl.)
Accommodations at Hotel Antares
|
Day
4
Friday
June 20
|
Breakfast at Hotel
Transfer to Venice
Morning tour of Venice
Lunch in Venice
Afternoon tour of Venice
Transfer to Bologna
Dinner in Bologna
Transfer to Arezzo
Accommodations at Hotel Planet Arezzo
|
Day
5
Saturday
June 21
|
|
Day
6
Sunday
June 22
|
Breakfast at Hotel
Transfer to Florence
Morning tours of Florence
Lunch in Florence
Afternoon Tours of Florence
Dinner at Local Restaurant
Transfer to Arezzo
Accommodations at Hotel Planet Arezzo
|
|
Day 7
Monday
June 23
|
Breakfast at Hotel
Transfer to Rome
Lunch in Rome
Afternoon tours of Rome
Evening Baseball Game #4
Dinner at Local Restaurant
Accommodations at Hotel Albani Roma
|
Day 8
Tuesday
June 24
|
Breakfast at Hotel
Morning tours of Vatican
Lunch in Rome
Afternoon tours of Rome
Evening Baseball Game #5
Dinner at Local Restaurant on our own
Accommodations at Hotel Albani Roma
|
Day 9
Wednesday
June 25 |
Breakfast at Hotel
Transport to Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport FCO Depart Rome/Arrive USA
or travel on your own to other parts of Italy
|
|
Visit other parts of Italy on your own.
Anzio - Location of WWII Memorial
Naples -Industrial Port City
Pompeii-Historic Ruins
Sorrento-Beautifu Amalfi Coast
Isle of Capri-A short boat ride from Sorrento
Ovieto-Beautiful Feudal Towns
Siena-Mid Evil Town, home of Palalo
Tuscany-Beautiful rural countryside.
Pisa-The Leaning Tower
Stresa-Historic quaint town on beautiful lake.
Lugano-Jet set hang out for Europe
Assisi-Historic buildings and churches
Remini-Beautiful Beaches & home of Fellini
Parma-Land of Ham and Parmesan Cheese
San Marino-Monte Titano and smallest country in the world.
|
|
|
Ancient Arena in Milan
|
A day without an espresso and a Gelato
is like a day with no sunshine.
|
Cistine Chapel
|
Bologna
|
 |
|
Il Duomo
Milan
|
Vineyards of
Tuscany |
Dates
June 17-25, 2008.
You will arrive in Italy by Tuesday June 17.
You are,
of course, welcome to come earlier or
stay later on your own. I may come a few days early or stay
an extra day or so. If you do, you'll be responsible for your
own transportation and accommodations during those times.
For what it's worth, if you
are considering arriving early and staying longer, which most everyone
is so far, most people are arriving on the 15th of June and departing
on the 28th of June. I am working with the travel agents to
get group rates at the hotel in Milan with a possible day trip to the
Como Lake area. Likewise I am working with them to have 3
extended
days to include another day in Rome to see the Vatican and a couple
more days to go to Naples, Pompeii and the Isle of Capri.
If you are interested in this you might adjust your flight schedules
accordingly.
Cost
We
need at
least 12
players for this trip to happen, plus any additional non players making
a minimum of 20 people.
Preliminary costs have been determined and are listed in the table
below. Costs do not include air fare, visas or airport tax.
These
costs are per person based on staying at 3-4 star Hotels in double
occupancy. If
you want a room to yourself, add another $450. The value of
the dollar is fluctuating rapidly vs. the Euro. Prices are subject
to change based on changing currency values of 3% or more. Flight costs are
about $1400-1700
from the west coast in the USA.
Basic Trip w/out Extra Days
|
20-24 PAX
|
25-29 PAX
|
30-34 PAX
|
35+ PAX
|
Players & Non-Players
|
$2,340
|
$2,195
|
$2,100
|
$2,040
|
Single Supplement
|
$450
|
$450
|
$450
|
$450
|
Cost for extra days to be determined.
Italy is part of the European Union and uses Euros and the Lira.
Approximate value, 1 Euro = $1.45 when started to organize this trip, currently about $1.57.
Universal
Currency #1
Currency
Converter #2
Current Exchange Rates
Current Weather in Milan
Current Weather in Venice
Current Weather in Florence
Current Weather in Rome
If you
would like
more information on playing in Italy send an email to Dennis@DennisMc.com
Included is:
Hotel accommodations for 8
nights. All local transport to
scheduled activities via team bus.
Admission to scheduled tours and eventsLast Supper Viewing
Private Boat to Venice
Glass Blowing Admission
Wine Tasting
Uffizi Admission
Academy of Fine Arts AdmissionVatican Tour
Coliseum Admission
Jousting Event Admission
All Breakfasts, 1 Lunch and 2 Dinners All baseball costs, 5 Games (umpires,
fields, etc.)Departure Transfer to FCO Airport
|
|
Not
included is:
All Air fare to and from Italy
Non-scheduled
trips
(taxis, buses, trains etc.).
All Lunches and Dinners except those noted
Each
player to bring 6 leather baseballs (to be verified)
Each
player to bring
their own playing gear & uniforms.
International travel, import or other similar costsAirport taxes, visa, gratuities, entry, exit taxes or any other government travel feesInsurance of any kindArrival Transfer to Hotel
|
|
Contact
Dennis
McCroskey,
Baseball Adventures
P.O. Box 707
Mendocino, CA
95460
707-937-4478
707-937-2349
fax
email: DennisMc@mcn.org
Sign
Up
To sign up for
this
trip you need to fill
out the application form and send a $500 deposit per person. The balance
of funds will be due by April 1, 2008. If
for some
reason, the trip does not happen, all deposits held by me will be
returned in
full. Any deposits forwarded to the travel agents are subject to
their return requirements.
This trip is for amateur baseball
players.
Wives, girl friends, family members or other tourists may also
attend. You will
need a valid passport and be able to obtain a tourist visa upon entry to the country.
Roster
We
need a minimum of 10 players and 20 total participants and have several
committed already. I generally have a maximum roster of 14
players but since there are so many people interested in the trip, I
may add a couple of more players. We can take an unlimited number
of friends, wives,
relatives, girlfriends, kids and others on the trip, up to 48 as that
is all the bus will hold. Right now we can use another pitcher or
2.
When the quota for roster has been met, you can get on the waiting list.
Roster of Participants
| Player |
Status |
Positions
| Confirmed |
Dennis
McCroskey
Allan Green
Lou Patler
Larry Webb
John Angelesco
Tony Schmitz
Steve Fagin
Cobe Haskell
Mark Fess
Jason Masciorini
Ange Ford
Paul Perantinides
Player 13
Player 14
|
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
|
P,IF
OF
IF,P
C,IB,OF
OF
C,OF
IF,OF,P
1B, OF, P
IF
IF,OF,C
IF, OF
C, 2B, OF
| Confirmed
Confirmed
Confirmed
Confirmed
Confirmed
Confirmed
Confirmed
Confirmed
Confirmed
Confirmed
Confirmed
Confirmed
|
Non Players
|
Status
|
Positions
| Confirmed
|
Corey Brown
Mariana Green
Catherine Patler
Barbara Davenport
Cindy Angelesco
Julie DeTrinidad
Sherry Haskell
Donna Fess
Mrs. Perantinides
-----------------------------------
|
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
-----
|
Bat Boy
Turistica
Turistica
Turistica
Turistica
Scorekeeper
Turistica
Turistica
Turistica
----------------
| Confirmed
Confirmed
Confirmed
Confirmed
Confirmed
Confirmed
Confirmed
Confirmed
|
Waiting/Undecided
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Daily commute in Venice
Venice
Bologna
Florence
Florence Canals
Michelangelo’s David
Florence
Milanese Food
A Gelato Every Day is a Must
Planet Hotel-Arezzo
Arezzo Panorama
Arezzo
Di Vincies Last Supper in Milan
Baloney in Bologna?
Verano
Home of Romeo & Juliet
Colosieum
Rome
Trevi Fountain
Rome
Vatican
Rome
Jousting in Arezzo
|
