TUSCANY SERIES BOYS U13 & U16 JULY ITALY: MILAN (COMO), TUSCANY, ROME

Transcription

1 TUSCANY SERIES BOYS U13 & U16 JULY ITALY: MILAN (COMO), TUSCANY, ROME

2 BOYS U13 & U16 JULY 20-30, 2014 TUSCANY SERIES TOURNAMENT The USSSA Baseball Tour The USSSA Italy Baseball Tour is a specifically customized international baseball tour for the USSSA Baseball. The 11-day baseball tour to Italy will be filled with international competition with participation in the Tuscany Series Tournament, quality instruction and coaching, and sightseeing to some of Italy s most historic and famous sites. GENERAL ITINERARY Sunday, July 20 Excitement builds as USSSA Baseball departs Chicago-O Hare International Airport (ORD) on an overnight flight to Milan, Italy for an 11-day baseball tour to Milan, Tuscany, and Rome). Due to the time differences between the United States and Europe the team will arrive in Milan, Italy in the morning. Monday, July 21 Upon arrival in Milan at Malpensa International Airport (MXP) the teams will be met by their fulltime bilingual tour manager and bus driver and will transfer via private motorcoach to Como, which is located just north of Milan and the majestic Lake Como. Following check-in at the hotel the group will the afternoon free for sightseeing in Como from taking a ferry to Bellagio or a tram (funicular) to the mountain top of Brunate that overlooks Como and Lake Como or sightseeing in the medieval and historic city center of Como. Evening welcome dinner and leisure time at the hotel. (Como) Tuesday, July 22 The day will begin with training sessions for the teams at a local Milanese baseball club. Following lunch in Milan, the main city in Lombardy and the capital of the fashion world, the group will a have guided tour of Milan to such sights as the famous gothic Duomo, the world s second largest church, the Galleria, La Scala Opera House, and Sforza Castle. Late afternoon free for additional sightseeing and shopping. Dinner at the hotel and evening at leisure. (Como) Wednesday, July 23 After breakfast at the hotel the team and group will travel south to Tuscany and Florence, home to the Italian Renaissance. Upon arrival in Florence the group will have lunch followed by a guided sightseeing tour to such sights as the Gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Ponte Vecchio Bridge, and Signoria Square. In the late afternoon the group will check into their hotel in Arezzo, which is located just south of the Florence and the host city of the Tuscany Series. Dinner and team activities. (Arezzo)

3 Thursday, July 24 Participation in the Tuscany Series, one of Italy s best and well-known baseball tournaments. The 4-day tournament will draw teams from Italy and other European countries, as well as USS- SA teams. Morning and afternoon games (group games). Following dinner, Opening Ceremonies of the Tuscany Series. (Arezzo) Friday, July 25 Participation in the Tuscany Series. Morning and afternoon games (group games). Dinner and social with all participating teams and players following the games. (Arezzo) Saturday, July 26 Participation in the Tuscany Series. Morning games (group games). Afternoon sightseeing in Arezzo, one of the most important cities in Tuscany region. Arezzo was established by Etruscans and Romans. Dinner at the hotel and evening at leisure. (Arezzo) Sunday, July 27 Participation in the Tuscany Series. Morning and afternoon playoff games and finals followed by the Closing Ceremony and Awards Dinner. Evening at leisure. (Arezzo) Monday, July 28 Following breakfast the group will transfer to Rome, the Eternal City and capital of Italy. Upon arrival in Rome and following lunch the group will have a guided tour of classic Rome to such sights as the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Roman Forums, and the Coliseum. Dinner at local Roman restaurant. Evening at leisure. (Rome) Tuesday, July 29 The day will begin with a visit to Vatican City for a guided tour of the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter s Basilica. Following the tour, lunch in Rome and free time for additional sightseeing in and around Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. Farwell dinner at the hotel. (Rome) Wednesday, July 30 Following breakfast the players, staff, and family members will transfer to Rome s Leonardo Da Vinci/Fiumicino International Airport (FCO) for the return flight back to the United States with same day arrival in Miami.

4 BOYS U13 & U16 JULY 20-30, 2014 TUSCANY SERIES TOURNAMENT FLIGHT SCHEDULE The program and tour flights are based on Chicago-O Hare International Airport (ORD) as the gateway city. ABW Companies can coordinate flights from gateways across the United States to accommodate USSSA state and regional baseball teams. Please contact Steve Huizenga - steve@abwcompanies.com or (708) INCLUSIONS Round-trip international air transportation between Chicago (ORD) and Italy (Milan and Rome). Airline taxes and fuel fees are included up $ per person. Price guaranteed in US dollars at time of deposit. Hotel accommodations (3-star superior/4-star hotels) 2 nights Como (Milan) 5 nights Arezzo (Tuscany) 2 nights Rome Meal Package Breakfast and dinner throughout the tour Transportation: All transfers and sightseeing excursions via private motorcoach. Full time bilingual tour manager will provide team and group with assistance throughout the tour and at each destination. Guided sightseeing tours of Milan, Arezzo, and Rome. Guided visit to the Vatican Museums Two training sessions. Participation in the Tuscany Series all related fees. Full service from United Sports Academies including pre-trip preparations, fundraising, administration, newsletters, and pre-trip meetings. All city entry fees, parking costs, and taxes. EXCLUSIONS Airline taxes/fuel surcharges that exceed $ per dinner Lunches and drinks at meals Health Insurance Items of personal nature Passport

5 COSTS Based on 70 full-paying players, staff, and boosters: $3, per person (triple occupancy) BOOSTER PROGRAM The Booster Program is for parents and family members interested in participating on the tour. The program and itinerary is the same as it for the team and players. Accommodations for parents and family members are based on either triple, double, or single occupancy. Tour costs per persons: Triple occupancy: $3, Double occupancy: $3, Single occupancy: $3, FUNDRAISING In conjunction with our fundraising partner, Reaching Our Goal ( will provide players with a fundraising program that can raise a large percentage of the tour costs. Interested players and families should contact Jon Goldman at Reaching Our Goal at or via at jon@reachingourgoal.org. PAYMENT SCHEDULE & TIME LINES Payment Schedule/Plan: October 4, 2013: $ deposit, per participant February 1, 2014: $1, payment, per person May 1, 2014: Balance due per participant Please note we can arrange for monthly payments (September through May) as a payment option. Newsletters: Monthly newsletters will start in March 2014 featuring tour highlights, updates, city highlights, training tips, etc. Tour Meeting: A tour meeting with all players, parents, and coaches will be scheduled for Spring 2014 to review the tour itinerary and answer any questions regarding the upcoming Italy Baseball Tour.

6 BOYS U13 & U16 JULY 20-30, 2014 TUSCANY SERIES TOURNAMENT TERMS AND CONDITIONS Registration and Payment Terms: The registration will be considered binding upon receipt of the Registration Form and a $ deposit per person. In accepting registration and group booking ABW Companies and United Sports Academies agrees agrees to carry out obligations listed in the USSSA Baseball Tour itinerary to ensure for a well-coordinated, professionally managed soccer tour and experience. Account Balance: Each participant must be paid in full prior to tour departure. Guaranteed Tour Price: The tour price has been computed with all current tariffs, taxes, and exchange rates taken into account and is guaranteed in US dollars until the deposit due date in the Registration Conditions. If your deposit is received by this date, this is the price that you will pay based on the tour and tour inclusions/exclusions. If your deposit is not received by the deposit due date, ABW Companies and United Sports Academies reserves the right to re-compute your tour costing based upon current tariffs, taxes, and exchange rates in effect on that day which may result in a different price. Passports and Visas: Please note the difference between a passport and a visa. A passport is issued by the government of citizen s nationality and must be shown upon request to airlines and immigration officials while out of the country of residence. A visa is issued by a government for temporary travel of a foreign national into that country. All travelers must possess a passport with at least six months validity after the scheduled return for travel to Italy. US citizens do not need a visa for travel to Italy. For additional information please refer to the US Government website on passports and visas at for further information. Contracted Airfares: Any deviation from the confirmed dates and flights for the USSSA Baseball Tour could result in a different airfare. Those traveling on different days or flights from the group may be subject to individual contract airfares which might have different fares or different rules than the group. After the tickets are issued, name changes at least 48 hours prior to departure can be done for a fee of $ per change. Airline tickets are non-refundable once issued. Changes will be subject to a $ change fee plus any fare difference. Additional restrictions may apply.

7 A Note on Pricing and Airline Taxes/Fuel: The airline negotiated base fare is guaranteed. Taxes and any airline-related fees such as fuel surcharges are included in the tour price up to $ per person. If airline taxes and other fees such as fuel surcharges exceed $ per person the group will be invoiced for the difference. Once the airline tickets are issued (ticketed) if there is a difference between the calculated amount at the time of the Final Invoice and the actual amount on the date of issue, a Supplemental Invoice will be issued. Additionally, the re-calculation of airline ticket taxes due to international exchange rates (since all foreign taxes are subject to this even if the actual tax amount in the foreign currency doesn t change), might result in an additional cost after Final Payment. The total amount of any changes will be reflected in a Supplemental Invoice. Group Size: The tour cost is based upon a minimum of 45 full-paying participants which must be met in order to maintain the guaranteed price. Falling below this minimum number could alter the tour price. Boosters are parents, siblings, family members or friends that are participating on tour with the group. Boosters are made mentioned in group itinerary. A registration form along with a $ deposit and signed condition form will be needed for each participating booster. Travel Insurance: United Sports Academies offers travel insurance through TravelGuard. Travel insurance needs to be booked at or around the time of deposit. Individual and group policies available. TravelGuard covers trip cancellation or interruption, cancellation due to terrorism, travel delay, baggage and travel document loss, baggage delay, medical expense, emergency medical transportation, and accidental death and dismemberment. For more details or to book travel insurance contact Cathy Degnan at United Sports Academies at or info@ unitedsportsacademies.com. Cancellation Policy: Please be aware costs are incurred long before players and teams depart on tour. Deposits and payments are paid to suppliers (airlines, hotels, motor coach companies, and tournaments/soccer clubs) throughout the process and all suppliers are paid in full within 45-days of the trip departure. Therefore, we have strict guidelines regarding cancellation based on our suppliers overseas. Please note that notification of cancellation must be in writing or by and received by the dates mentioned below. Please note the deposit is non-refundable after two weeks of receipt. The cancellation penalties outlined below are in addition to the $ non-refundable deposit. There are no exceptions to the terms and conditions regardless of reason including injuries and medical issues. Travel insurance is highly recommended. From date of enrollment to 90-days prior to departure: Full refund less a $ cancellation fee (per person). From 89-days to 46-days prior to departure: Full refund less a $ cancellation fee (per person). With 45-days to departure: All funds paid into the traveler s

8 TUSCANY SERIES TOURNAMENT USSSA BASEBALL TOURS HEADQUARTERS ABW Sports 9960 W. 191st St Suite A Mokena, IL Phone: (708) Fax: (708) steve@abwcompanies.com