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TRAVEL LOG

Thinking about taking your volleyball team on a foreign tour? You'll definitely want to read these stories. We've got articles and video from foreign volleyball tours of some of the nation's best teams such Stanford, the University of Texas, and the University of Tennessee.

Our aim in this section is to get you to the heart of each tour destination and prepare your team for travel to the region by providing insider advice from local volleyball players and experienced guides. We want your team to return home after each tour with life-changing experiences, wonderful memories and a new global perspective on volleyball. To get the most out of your foreign tour and international playing experience, you've got to be prepared.

An experienced international volleyball player and coach is a well informed traveler, so read this section for travel tips, lessons learned, mistakes to avoid, and advice from experts on the ground in each region.

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BIP’s Ultimate Packing List for Europe

europe-packing-listIf your volleyball team is planning a tour to Europe, then this packing list is for you. First, things first. You’ll need to check the weather in the countries that you’ll be visiting. Summer in Europe is typically warm and Winter is seasonally cold, but temperatures can vary drastically so make sure you’re prepared for changing weather patterns as you travel.

We’ve created the Ultimate Packing List for Europe specifically for volleyball teams. You can print it out and check-it off, save it as a pdf on your computer or e-mail it to your team. [Read more…] about BIP’s Ultimate Packing List for Europe

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Around the World in a Week

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Guest post by Victoria Dennis, UC Irvine Class of 2016

As Fall Quarter came to an end with my collegiate athletic career at UC Irvine, I was looking for the next step in my life. Professional volleyball was most definitely an option I considered, and I am happy that I did. My personal story happened very fast. Within a week of engaging Bring It Promotions (BIP), I was on a 3-day journey around the world from California to Surabaya, Indonesia.   [Read more…] about Around the World in a Week

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Discovering Barcelona Through Volleyball

barcelonaWhen choosing a destination for volleyball travel, why compromise? As the second largest city in Spain, Barcelona not only provides an exciting source of endless adventure, but is also home to a rich history, enticingly good food, and a seemingly endless coastline to advance your beach volleyball skills.

In the year 1992, beach volleyball was thrust into the world’s spotlight thanks to the summer Olympic Games held in Barcelona. After a successful demonstration of the athleticism, grit, and excitement that that kept beach volleyball spectators on their toes throughout the tournament, men’s and women’s beach volleyball was named an official Olympic spot for the following summer games held in 1996. Fast forward to the present, where Kiraly, Walsh, and May have become household names, all thanks to the institution of beach volleyball propelled by Barcelona. [Read more…] about Discovering Barcelona Through Volleyball

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A Player’s Perspective: The 3 Life Lessons I Learned on Tour

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My senior year of high school I had the opportunity to travel to Italy with Northern Lights Volleyball Club. We spent an unforgettable ten days sight-seeing around the country from Rome to Falconara and San Marino to Venice.

Our tournament was located in Falconara where we stayed in bungalows besides the Adriatic Sea (what we lovingly nicknamed our own Olympic Village). The competition was fierce, we placed third overall, and it was the first time I gained exposure to the world of international volleyball. I could go on and on about the amazing places we visited, people we met, and sights we saw, but those are the aspects of the trip that you’d expect. I gained much more than just great pictures to post on Instagram. I can truly say that the person who boarded the flight to Italy was not the same person who landed back in the States.

Here are the three non-tangible lessons I learned abroad:

1. The art of soaking in a moment of time.

During the trip I only used my phone for taking pictures. I didn’t want to come home to furious parents who had been billed thousands of dollars for international phone usage. No phone meant no distractions. I was only going to be in Italy for ten days so I made a conscious decision to soak it all in – the sights, sounds, points of each match, and each bite of gelato (which was too many to count). I can remember the chill of the breeze when we watched the sunrise on the beach in Falconara, the tantalizing smell of authentic margherita pizza, and the beaming smiles of my teammates when we stepped on the podium to receive our medals. Even when the photographs fade and the computer crashes, these are the moments that can never be taken away from me.

2. The value of introversion…and how to put myself out there when needed.

I’ve always been a shy person – the type to be more reserved rather than overly outgoing. I’m the Rory Gilmore, not the Paris Geller. I found this to be incredibly valuably as I soaked in the sights. I’m content with simply absorbing rather than discussing. Yet, there were times when I needed to put myself out there and speak up. During my tour in Italy I was stretched beyond my confort zone and learned to be comfortable engaging with foreign strangers.

Figuring out the metro? You bet I had to ask questions. Translating a menu? I was clueless. Using dramatic hand gestures in an attempt to communicate with those who spoke very little English or none at all? Not really my forte, but it had to be done.

Throughout the trip, I became confident in myself as I learned how to respond to uncomfortable situations for introverts.

falconaratourney-13. Barriers are manmade.

One of the most memorable parts of the trip was a scrimmage with a few different Italian teams while in Rome. Despite our difficulties with communication and subtle cultural differences, I discovered that we were much more alike than we were different. I grew up hundreds of thousands of miles away from the Italian players, but we connected right away with our love of music, movies, and of course volleyball. We spent the afternoon laughing and swapping stories over pieces of pizza and cannolis. Instead of focusing on our differences, my perspective changed and I shifted my attention to the similarities that bind us together.

Years later when I reflect upon my trip, I still regard it as one of the most influential experiences I’ve ever had. The exposure to European volleyball was invaluable and the historical significance of it was imeasurable.  The volleyball tour with my Northern Lights club team molded me into the person I am today. As soon as I got off the plane in Minnesota, a countdown started in anticipation of the day that I’ll finally be able to return to Europe.

-Post Authored by Lauren Miller

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We’ve got a lot of love for Maribor, Slovenia

IMG_0013What is it about Maribor, Slovenia that keeps teams coming back year after year?  

The rolling green hills dotted with vineyards and sunflower farms greet you upon crossing the border. As the second largest city in Slovenia, Maribor is mostly known for being the heart of the Slovenian wine growing region. Its rich wine tradition is marked by the existence of the oldest vine in the world. 

At base of the famed Pohorje mountain you’ll also find an array of adrenaline options accessible by gondola.  From skiing and sledding in the winter to hiking and a mountain top obstacle course in the summer, this city has no shortage of team building activities to offer visitors. However the city’s history, tells a different type of tale. 

Maribor

Cross the Drava River into ‘old town’ and you’ll land at the City Hall which Hitler spoke from in 1941 during his attempt to convert Slovenia into a “German State”.  By the end of World War II, the tiny town of less than 100,000 people experienced more bombing by the Allies than any other major city in communist Yugoslavia. When Tito (Josip Broz) united the six Yugoslav republics to form the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the landscape of Maribor was a battleground for freedom. 

Although Tito’s death in 1980 brought about more political tension and economic crisis, Slovenia had already re-positioned itself as one of the most economically advanced former Yugoslav republics. A 10-day war in 1991 gave birth to the modern day nation of Slovenia. Since Slovenia’s succession from Yugoslavia, Maribor has been slowly transitioning into the popular destination for adventure travelers, foodies and wine lovers that we experience today.

But there’s something else happening in Maribor, that’s sparking the interest of volleyball coaches and fans worldwide.  Top US college volleyball teams like Penn State and the University of Texas are putting Maribor, Slovenia on their itinerary for their foreign volleyball tours to gain access to top level international competition, extra pre-season training and a unique cultural exchange among athletes from diverse backgrounds. 

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photo credit // Hotel Draš Maribor Flickr

Maribor is home to a dedicated international volleyball hub, also known as the Dras Center.  The sport complex offers optimal training conditions for visiting teams with multiple volleyball courts, an in-house gym, a wellness spa and delicious dining options where spectators can enjoy homemade delicacies while watching volleyball. 

Volleyball teams from Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, England, Iran, Brazil, China, and Israel, as well as the Junior National Teams from China, Russia, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia and all over Europe are coming to Maribor to gain access to elite international players and coaches.

After almost two decades of hosting volleyball tours in Europe, it’s become evident to us that Maribor is one of those magical places that always tops the list of best travel experiences for teams.  We certainly have a lot of love for it. 

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5 Reasons Prague Should be on Your Bucket List

Prague Old TownIt doesn’t take much imagination to picture life in the 14th century when wandering through the cobbled stone streets that line the Gothic and Renaissance buildings in the capital city of the Czech Republic.  Despite Hitler’s occupation, Prague was mostly spared from bombing during the tragedies of World War II. As a result the city’s ancient architecture remains true to its original form. However Prague’s iconic sightseeing is just one of the many reasons you should include a visit to Prague on your next foreign volleyball tour.  

Here’s 5 reasons Prague should be on your bucket list for volleyball travel. 

1. Epic Sightseeing

Prague was the ancient capital of Charles IV’s Bohemian Kingdom, and has played a pivotal role in the development of Central Europe since the Middle Ages.  The ‘Old Town Square’, marked by the city’s famous Astronomical Clock, has served as Prague’s main marketplace for over 1000 years. Stroll across the Charles Bridge and make a wish while laying your left hand on the golden statue of St. John of Nepomuk, or kneel for prayer inside the Gothic Saint Vitus Cathedral.  The historic relics of the 14th century reign of Charles IV and city’s run as the capital of the Holy Roman Empire are clearly visible and easily accessible.  Prague is regarded by many to be one of the world’s most beautiful cities. It’s certainly one of our favorite cities.

Olym Praha2.  Competitive Volleyball

Prague is home to Olymp Praha, a consistently competitive first division volleyball club that’s always eager for international competition. Over the past decade the club has produced several players who have gone on to compete in US colleges and European professional clubs.  The club’s history is evidenced by the victory banners and old volleyball photos that line its wall of fame inside the “Hala Volejbalu” (volleyball gym).   And since the gym is dedicated to volleyball only, it’s at our disposal for extra practices to visiting teams on off days. However if a division I professional European club seems out of your team’s league, then you might consider a friendly match-up against one of Prague’s nearby 2nd division teams – Nusle and Tatran Stresovice.

Lennon3. Eastern European Flavor

Prague operated behind the Iron Curtain under the political and military control of the Soviet Union from 1948 to 1989. Although the city has mostly modernized to capture the influx of tourism, the skeletons of communism and the relics of the Velvet Revolution are not buried too deep to find if you explore the city streets and take the time to learn about the country’s history from the locals who lived through it. Icon’s like the John Lennon Wall bring to consciousness the price for peace that this country has paid.

4. Eats and Drinks

From goulash to potato dumplings followed by chocolate mouse and gelato, you’ll get your fix of Eastern European delicacies. Post-Communist Prague has witnessed a cuisine makeover with the an influx of foreign immigrants and mass tourism raising the bar on dining options. Add to that the fact that Czech beer is acclaimed by many to be the best in the world. Dining and drinking is cheap here too. Although Euros are widely accepted, it’s Czech Crowns that are the nation’s primary currency.  With a current exchange rate of 24 CZK : 1 USD (as of 7/14/16), prices of everyday items like bread, fruit and beer are significantly less expensive than in the neighboring countries. 

Jirka5. The legendary Jirka Honzik

As always, the best part of any foreign volleyball tour is the personal connections made with local volleyball players and coaches. Prague is no exception. Jirka Honzik, BIP’s local guide, is legendary in the volleyball world. Having been born and spent the majority of his life in Prague, he’s a wealth of insider information and historic stories. Most Prague tour veterans will tell you that meeting Jirka is simply the most memorable part of their trip.  If you’re lucky, you’ll receive one of his infamous “phone calls”.