Squash and Beyond – 2009 Italy Squash Tour - June 18- July 1

June 18- NYC-ROME-RICCIONE. We landed in Rome!  After changing some money and refueling with some Gatorade and a quick snack in the airport, we packed into our rental cars and drove across Italy to Riccione.  Our drive took us across the Apennines, where we experienced some amazing scenic views of snow capped mountains, pastures and vineyards.  We arrived in Riccione jetlagged, but in ok shape for a quick hit at the Olympic Center and a pizza dinner, followed by a walk up and down the oceanfront to stretch our legs!

June 19- RICCIONE. The Italian Junior Open got underway and after our first round matches, we played a couple games of soccer then walked the beach in Riccione, got our first taste of Italian gelato and enjoyed views of the Adriatic Sea.

June 20- RICCIONE. The Italian Junior Open, day 2, followed by a night out on the town with other American juniors and coaches from the Italian Junior Open.

June 21- RICCIONE-PADOVA. The Italian Junior Open Day 3 (Results online).  After the Open and a few games of soccer, we headed to the beach to play paddle tennis on the beach, a very popular sport on the Riccione seaside. Then we got back in the cars and began our drive to Padova.  When we arrived in Padova, the locals were celebrating a huge win of their local soccer team.  The streets were filled with cheering fans wearing soccer jerseys and lighting bonfires. 

June 22- PADOVA. After breakfast at the hotel, the group met the staff at the Padova Squash Center. Following squash, we toured around Padova, visiting Saint Anthony’s tomb, we were welcomed by Sonia’s Italian friends for a family style dinner in a local restaurant.

June 23- VENICE DAY TRIP. Day off from squash! We traveled to Venice by train and walked around Venice the entire afternoon. After crossing many bridges and canals, and stopping at almost every soccer shop in Venice, we had a wonderful traditional dinner in a small Italian eatery. 

June 24- PADOVA. After a good squash workout and quick basketball game with local kids at the Sports Club, we said goodbye to Padova and began our drive to Milan, arriving just in time for a quick hit and an authentic pizza dinner.

June 25- MILAN. Olivia did laundry for the boys the entire day while PoliSquash Assistant Squash Pro and former college squash standout, Sean Wilkinson (Bates ’08) led the group’s squash training session.  After squash, the group toured the Duomo and the other historical sites in Milan before being treated to another delicious family style meal in a local restaurant. The dinner consisted of traditional antipasto, gnocchi, and many other local dishes.  Gnocchi was the favorite by all!

June 26- Milan-FLORENCE. After an early morning squash session, and a quick stop at the San Siro, the home of Inter Milan and AC Milan soccer clubs, we hoped back in the cars and drove to Florence, where we arrived just in time for another authentic pizza dinner.

June 27- FLORENCE. The group woke up and hit the courts for a solid 2 hour training session, followed by a rainy walking-tour of Florence. After visiting almost every soccer shop, the boys found a quaint pizzeria for dinner and snacked on gelato before returning to the hotel.

June 28 – FLORENCE-PISA-ROME. After a quick squash workout in Florence, the group drove to Pisa for a short tour of the Duomo and Leaning Tower, before hitting the AutoStrada again for Rome, arriving just in time for another late pizza dinner.

June 29 – ROME.  The group held a morning training session in Rome then walked around one of the most historic cities in the world. Despite the oppressive heat and after many stops for Gatorade and gelato, the group continued to walk and tour the amazing sites before retiring to the hotel to watch the US National Soccer Team take on Brazil in the Confederations Cup Final. Brazil lost 3-2.

June 30 – ROME.  After returning the rental cars, the group hit the courts for one last squash session, before lunch and more touring of Rome. The group saw the Coliseum and almost every other monument in Rome on foot, and found a great restaurant in which to hold our final dinner, before returning to the hotel to pack for the trip home the next morning.

June 30 – ROME-NYC. The group reluctantly left Rome and returned home to the US, with many fond memories, pictures and a few sore muscles from their 2 weeks spent in Italy.