Over New Year's Holiday 2007-2008, BIP will host three u16 and three u18
women's teams in the 4th Annual BIP New Year's Bash. This "Tour" is actually a set
of two International Tournaments and will boast some great volleyball against
some of the top Youth and Juniors Clubs in Europe.
A detailed itinerary appears below. All teams will land in Venice, Italy and
then after spending some time in this great city, will drive 90 minutes to
participate in the Volley Festival on the Adriatic Coast in Izola, Slovenia. The
13 th Edition of the Volley Festival boasts at least 12 total teams in each
age division over 3 nights. All teams will spend New Year's Eve on the Pohorje
Mountain in Maribor, Slovenia. From there we have a separation like last year.
Three u16 and one u18 teams will again move up to the Czech Republic (via
Vienna, Austria) for match play in Prague from January 3-5 and the level of play
in the Czech Republics (and visiting teams) is excellent. We're not sure yet
if we'll have a set "Tournament" in Prague or just matches, but either way, the
level will be good.
Our top u18 teams will head (instead of to the Czech Republic) to Belgrade,
Serbia on the 2nd of January to play in the top annual tournament in former
Yugoslavia. The level is very high, so only if we have strong enough teams will
we send a delegation to this tournament. Teams that finish the tour in Belgrade
will fly home from Belgrade, Serbia on the 6th of January.
Cost of the trip this year is $1650/person + own airfare. We are limited to
three u16 and three u18 teams from the USA. This price covers all meals (except
for 6 lunches: 12/29 in Izola, 1/1 in Maribor, 1/2 in Vienna, 1/3 - 1/5 in
Prague), lodging, transportation (excluding airfare to Europe), trainings, team
sightseeing, etc. Optional skiing and ski rentals, spa treatment or massages
in Maribor, souvenirs, postcards, and phone calls are among the short list of
things not covered. There is no limit to the size of a team's delegation. There
is a $1000 non-refundable team deposit due by August 1, 2007 and teams are
urged to reserve space asap. Balance due by November 15th (due to our hotel
contracts) and 30% of the balance is non-refundable up until 14 days before
departure. Flights need to be into Venice, Italy and out of Prague, Czech Republic
(or Belgrade, Serbia). See detailed itinerary below.
Interested parties should contact Tim Kelly immediately at: bringitusa@aol.com
Day 0, December 26, 2007, Leave USA for Venice, Italy
Day 1, December 27, Arrive in Venice, Italy ( Marco Polo Airport, Airport Code: VCE)
Depending on arrival times, teams will have between 0 and 5 hours in the beautiful city of Venezia. We will get you to the city center during this free time.
Lunch will be on your own with per-diem for each participant. St. Mark’s Square, the Rialto Bridge, and Peggy Guggenheim’s Museum are just a few of the great sights on and around Venice’s Grand Canal.
Evening arrival to Izola, Slovenia. There will be mandatory training times for all teams (to combat jet lag) and perhaps an optional match or two for interested teams.
Day 2, December 28, “Volley Festival” Tournament in Izola
This tournament will feature top youth and juniors teams from Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia, and other surrounding countries. There will be at least 10 teams in the u18 division (4 American and 6 European) and at least 10 teams in the u16 division (4 American and 6 European). Exact teams and tournament format to be announced at the last minute (European style!) but last year the competition was fierce with the USA Teams losing all but a couple matches across the board.
Day 3, December 29, “Volley Festival” Tournament in Izola
Izola and Koper are two beautiful cities on the Adriatic Sea on the southwestern tip of Slovenia. Izola/Koper will share responsibility for the CEV’s European Spring Cup (European National Teams) in Summer 2008, and the Italian influence of this region (only minutes from Italy) make it a great place for a volleyball tournament.
Day 4, December 30, “Volley Festival” Tournament in Izola
After the tournament (morning matches only on the last day) we will drive approximately 3 hours to the wonderful city of Maribor, Slovenia. We will be staying near/on the Pohorje Mountain, a World Cup Ski destination and the home of our New Year’s Party.
 
Day 5, December 31, Maribor, Slovenia
Days 5 and 6 will be non-volleyball days unless teams want to have training times. Our hotel is right next door to the Habakuk Hotel Wellness Center (Pools, Saunas, Spas, etc.) and there will also be optional skiing and other winter sports. Costs for these events are not included in the tour package, but lift tickets, gondola rides, and ski rentals are a fraction of US prices in Slovenia.
For New Year’s Eve we will have a Full Delegation Dinner and Party to help ring in the New Year. The dinner and party will be at the Hotel Arena, pictured here at the actual base of Pohorje, and at the bottom of the ski stadium.
Day 6, January 1, 2008, Maribor, Slovenia
Another day of optional swimming, spas, massages, skiing, etc. Again, costs for these extra events are not covered in the tour package
Day 7, January 2, Early Departure for Prague, 7+ hours in bus
Halfway to Prague, we will stop in the “Gateway to the East”, Vienna, Austria. We will have 2 to 3 hours in the city, and lunch will be per-diem in order to maximize our time sightseeing in this European capital. This is hardly enough time to see the city, but it will give everyone a chance to taste the culture and history of Vienna. Fortunately the city center is quite small and mostly accessible by foot, so we will have the opportunity to grasp the wonders of Wien.
Day 8, January 3, Matches in Prague
We will set up individual matches with some of the the Czech Repulic's best
club teams such as Olymp Praha and Slavia Praha, two of the stronger youth and
juniors organizations in Europe. We will have top Czech u16 and u18 teams from
these clubs, as well as other clubs from Prague and the immediate
surroundings.
Day 9, January 4, Matches in Prague
The Czech Republic not only has great youth and junior volleyball, but it is one of the most popular destinations in Europe. With four nights in Prague, we will have plenty of time to visit the Old Town Square, Prague Castle, the famous Prague Clock, and also spend hours in the pedestrian zones shopping and eating in what is still a remarkably economical city.
Day 10, January 5, More Matches in Prague, or a Free Day (TBD by teams)
 
Day 11, January 6, Departure from Prague to USA
Everyone will arrive back home in the USA on the same day.
2006-2007 Bash Journal and Photo Gallery:
http://www.bringitusa.com/events/3rdNewYearsBash
2005-2006 Bash Journal and Photo Gallery:
http://www.bringitusa.com/events/2ndNewYearsBash
2004-2005 Bash Journal and Photo Gallery:
http://www.bringitusa.com/events/NewYearsBash
Bash Video Promo for 2005-2006:
http://www.bringitusa.com/media/bash.php
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