CARLISLE, Pa. - After a summer filled with training, fun and relaxation the Dickinson men's basketball team gathered together for a unique team activity, before the 2025-2026 academic year gets underway as they ventured to Italy for fun, team bonding and a look at a different culture.
Senior guard Isaiah Edmond and junior guard Cole Cosby documented their amazing excursion day-by-day.
Day 1: When we landed, we got to visit The Eternal City in Rome. There, we got to choose where we ate lunch in small groups. At 4:00 pm we began a guided tour of some of the main architectural highlights of The Eternal City. After the tour, we went to our hotel, the Precise House Mantegna Roma, to check in and eat dinner as a team.
Day 2: We started the morning with breakfast at our hotel before heading into the Rome city center. We had free time to explore in small groups and enjoy lunch on our own. Later that afternoon we gathered for a guided tour of Imperial Rome, visiting the Colosseum and the Roman Forum and the historic heart of Western civilization. After the tour we headed on the bus for our first game in which we were able to win against StellAzzurra Academy. Following the game, we enjoyed dinner at the sports center we played at before returning to our hotel.
Day 3: We headed to Vatican City to see if a Papal audience was taking place and visit the historic St. Peter’s Basilica. We were fortunate enough to see the Pope, which was a fastastic experience. We then had lunch in small groups before meeting for a guided tour of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. In the evening, everyone enjoyed dinner at various Italian restaurants, before returning to the hotel.
Day 4: Following breakfast we checked out of the hotel, and traveled to Florence. Once we arrived we had lunch at the historic Palazzo Borghese. Then, in the afternoon, we had a guided tour of the city and had some time to explore the markets. Later, we checked into our hotel and enjoyed team dinner.
Day 5: We traveled to La Spezia and boarded the train to explore Cinque Terre, visiting several villages along the beautiful coastline and enjoyed lunch in small groups. That night, we played our second international friendly games vs Procamp in which we were able to collect another win. After the game, we returned to the hotel for a late dinner.
Day 6: We went to Lucca for a guided bike tour around the famed walled city, followed by lunch and free time to explore. In the evening, we visited a local farmhouse for a food and wine tasting and enjoyed a traditional Tuscan dinner before returning to the hotel.
Day 7: After breakfast we checked out of our hotel, and departed for Venice-Mestre with a stop in Bologna. There, we explored the city, and had our own choice for dinner. Later, we continued north, arriving in Mestre to check into the Antony Hotel before settling in for the night.
Day 8: We took a private boat to St. Mark’s Square for a guided tour of Venice, followed by lunch and afternoon exploration. In the evening, we traveled to Bassano Del Grappa for our third international friendly, vs. Basket Bassano. We unfortunately lost the game, but we gained a lot of valuable lessons from each game that we played. After the game, we enjoyed a pizza dinner in Marostica before returning to our hotel in Mestre for the night.
Day 9/Final Day: We spent the day at the beach in Lido di Jesolo, relaxing and enjoying the Italian summer tradition. Lunch was on our own, and in the evening, we gathered for a special Tour Celebration Dinner at Alla Darsena Restaurant. Afterwards, we returned to the hotel for packing, final toasts, and reflecting on the trip.
Thoughts from our journalists:
