Blog

Looking to the Future in 2025 As we look to the future, we remain committed to our original vision and want to continue offering unique basketball travel experiences without the hassle and struggle of planning it yourself! Our goal is to reach more players and share our passion for the game. We believe that through basketball, we can bring people together and create lasting memories.&nbsp;Eurobasket Tours is more than just a travel agency, we are a community of professional basketball enthusiasts who love to explore and learn. We invite you to join us on our next tour and experience the magic of basketball overseas! Together, we can discover new places, meet new people, and celebrate the sport we love.<h3>2025 Portugal (Time frame May / June)</h3>Please see below the projected itinerary for the 2025 trip plan to Portugal! The Portugal trip is one of our favorites as we explore two breathtaking cities with a coastal stop on the Atlantic Ocean's Camino de Santiago! This trip plan is not set in stone as weather and other factors may move things around.&nbsp;Price: Starting at $3,750. The variation in price depends on the departing location of the tour. Flights can vary from city to city with NYC and Toronto trip plans guaranteed at $3,750.<blockquote>Price Includes: Roundtrip airfare, hotels, ground transportation, Breakfast, all Group Tourism / sightseeing / activities, and all basketball related activities.&nbsp;</blockquote>Not Included: Lunch and Dinner, Travel Insurance, Baggage, Activities and transportation outside the trip plan, souvenirs, and gifts.&nbsp;Women's 2024 May Trip to Portugal (Eurobasket Black)<figure id="figure-29emxroa4llz0omepn"><iframe id="29emxroa4llz0omepn" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZWGDeddIa8s" class="w-full bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWGDeddIa8s&amp;t=333s" data-corners="default" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZWGDeddIa8s" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure>Men's 2024 May Trip to Portugal (Eurobasket Black)<figure id="figure-ya1xzmtcdlz0oiwb8" class=""><iframe id="ya1xzmtcdlz0oiwb8" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1DYtRJuxKEs" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DYtRJuxKEs&amp;t=191s" data-corners="small" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1DYtRJuxKEs" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure><h3>Day 1:</h3>Depart the United States for Portugal. Flight plans, schedules, and airport locations will be discussed with your trip leader months in advance before the trip. Estimated flight time 10-12 hours (with layover).<h3>Day 2:&nbsp;</h3>Arrive in the capital city of Lisbon, Portugal! The hotel will be located in the Cascais Beach region of Lisbon. Travelers will set out to explore the old city of Cascais seeing their narrow streets, walking roads with shops and markets, and historic architecture with Fort Walls and Lighthouses.&nbsp;In the evening we will go to the historic Sport Lisboa Benfica Playoff Game. Benfica is the most historic team in Portugal and each May, they are making their run through the Portuguese postseason toward a LPB Championship. They have won 30 total championships and 10 out of the last 15 years.&nbsp;<figure id="figure-nrwhvxwxi6lyzcge1w"><img id="nrwhvxwxi6lyzcge1w" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/bh7bbVaPFfpgQ2KsLrXemTF5O1K7IRnHLboySlKZiN4K9USnRLcywZe4KdVjCh4B.jpg" alt="woman standing behind Eiffel Tower during daytime" title="woman standing behind Eiffel Tower during daytime" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/bh7bbVaPFfpgQ2KsLrXemTF5O1K7IRnHLboySlKZiN4K9USnRLcywZe4KdVjCh4B.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Day 3:&nbsp;</h3>We will enter the city center of Lisbon and spend a full day exploring the hills and sights. Travelers will have the freedom to explore at their own pace as the city is built on a series of hills. The city districts of Chiado, Bairro Alto, Baixa, and Rossio are some of the favorites for past travelers.Travelers looking to catch the views from Elevador de Santa Justa (Elevated walkway) or Castelo de Sao Jorge (Castle) will have assistance with tickets / entrance. Dont forget to check out Pink Street or Time Out Market, the local spot for bars, pubs, and Portuguese culinary experiences!<figure id="figure-gx00nom4nlyzci396"><img id="gx00nom4nlyzci396" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/14Zx7YImYujgv0pZuDJOgCNnzWURI4e2q3P5mQ5qFTmVVakV0OUk0uK2yN35KGlS.jpg" alt="brown wooden road sign during daytime" title="brown wooden road sign during daytime" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/14Zx7YImYujgv0pZuDJOgCNnzWURI4e2q3P5mQ5qFTmVVakV0OUk0uK2yN35KGlS.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Day 4:</h3>Travelers will head to the Historic City of Sintra! Sintra is world known for its architecture palaces, castles, and town square! Rumor has it that the water and air quality enhance creativity which attracts authors around the world to come and stay! J.K. Rowling was even a resident as she was writing the Harry Potter Series.Travelers will have tickets to enter the Pena Palace and Moorish Castle. The palace and castle date back to the 15th century of Portuguese history. The Palace is the former royal home for Portuguese leaders, while the Castle sits across the hill as the protection quarters of the palace. The views from the castle walls are priceless!Travelers will then have a chance to roam around the Sintra town square, grab a bite to eat, before venturing back to the hotel area. A short basketball practice will take place in preparation for the games to come.&nbsp;<figure id="figure-p7magsk04lyzckawy"><img id="p7magsk04lyzckawy" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/fXUMNZNd4pBPMF98ZmynW8eszJN9ENcCsH2pb2ojPFsXCtsJ385RUGXqSS4g3DsJ.jpg" alt="high-angle photography of white boat on blue ocean water near green leafed trees during daytime" title="high-angle photography of white boat on blue ocean water near green leafed trees during daytime" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/fXUMNZNd4pBPMF98ZmynW8eszJN9ENcCsH2pb2ojPFsXCtsJ385RUGXqSS4g3DsJ.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Day 5:</h3>The day will begin with transportation from Lisbon in the south to the 2nd biggest city Porto in the north. The bus will take approximately 3.5-4 hours to reach Porto where we will stay in nearby Povoa de Varzim.&nbsp;Povoa de Varzim is a beach city along the Atlantic Coast and along the Christian pilgrimage "The Camino de Santiago". The city contains a casino, 2 miles of sand beaches, and our basketball headquarters at the gym of CD Povoa. CD Povoa finished as the 7th best team in Portugal and will be our first opponent that evening.<figure id="figure-3dzkkif2w2lyzclx7v"><img id="3dzkkif2w2lyzclx7v" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/22ZaPgmwUvrdC29mS3BfNaUYOKIp6XgN69YeX1XsZvnnbI5besm2M6hc9dPJKZr0.jpg" alt="assorted hot air balloons flying at high altitude during daytime" title="assorted hot air balloons flying at high altitude during daytime" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/22ZaPgmwUvrdC29mS3BfNaUYOKIp6XgN69YeX1XsZvnnbI5besm2M6hc9dPJKZr0.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Day 6:</h3>The first half of the day will be a rest day from the action packed schedule we have had thus far. Travelers can rest and relax on the beach before heading to Porto City Center in the afternoon. Travelers will be able to freely roam the city for a couple hours before heading to play our game against Vasco da Gama.&nbsp;Vasco da Gama finished in 4th place in the Portuguese 2nd division. There gym and club is one of the oldest in Portugal located less than 10 minutes from the city center.&nbsp;<figure id="figure-otcaazdgolyzcpujy"><img id="otcaazdgolyzcpujy" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/29YqNebcjut9yvwT6nqRoToA7cjt6DRKpcY1E0qkfoofDELDdhQvherphci78T0z.jpg" alt="black framed Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses on top of book" title="black framed Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses on top of book" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/29YqNebcjut9yvwT6nqRoToA7cjt6DRKpcY1E0qkfoofDELDdhQvherphci78T0z.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Day 7:</h3>This basketball off day will feature our full tour day in the city of Porto! We will begin in the North of the city and make our way toward the river. Our first stop will be at the Livaria Lello, one of the most famous book stores in the world! The spiral staircase in the store is one of the most photographed landmarks in Portugal.As we get closer to crossing the Ponte Luis I Bridge overlooking the hills and river coast, we will see historic sites like the Porto Cathedral and the Calem Wine Sellars. Travelers will have the choice of taking the wine tasting tour of Calem or taking a river cruise along the Rio Douro.&nbsp;Following the chosen activity, travelers can stroll along the riverbend bar hopping throughout the various bars and pubs before returning back to Povoa de Varzim for the night.&nbsp;<figure id="figure-tw1wq611dilyzcrqew"><img id="tw1wq611dilyzcrqew" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/3JU9H5lL0nsoLX0N9pXz8yHyby5ikb4iASXLsD8rmyAs8mkQhCI5l7ailoiH5XtP.jpg" alt="brown wooden road sign during daytime" title="brown wooden road sign during daytime" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/3JU9H5lL0nsoLX0N9pXz8yHyby5ikb4iASXLsD8rmyAs8mkQhCI5l7ailoiH5XtP.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Day 8:</h3>Will start with a morning shootaround at the CD Povoa gymnasium in preparation for the evening game.&nbsp;The game will be against Galitos-Aveiro, a 2nd Division team located about 1.5 hours from Povoa de Varzim. We will depart in the early afternoon to allow time to explore the city of Aveiro before the game. With the game and travel this will be the only activity for the day.<figure id="figure-8o5ua7gnwdlyzct1m0"><img id="8o5ua7gnwdlyzct1m0" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2cJhPs55CQlGQVEXkdRTAYjAwCwPZQdjK3gKxJfNYogTbvbZJToeaCihvOb7HpGA.jpg" alt="man sitting on gang chair with feet on luggage looking at airplane" title="man sitting on gang chair with feet on luggage looking at airplane" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2cJhPs55CQlGQVEXkdRTAYjAwCwPZQdjK3gKxJfNYogTbvbZJToeaCihvOb7HpGA.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Day 9:</h3>Our final full day on the trip will feature a shootaround in the morning and a game against Maia Basket in the evening. Maia finished 1st in the 2nd division of the Portuguese league last season. The game is located 35 minutes away from Povoa allowing travelers a chance to choose their final day activity.The options include staying on the Beach in Povoa, go shopping at the Outlets in Vila do Conde, or returning to Porto for a short stay. Any traveler going to Porto will be on a time restriction to ensure that all parties make it back in time for the bus departure to Maia.<figure id="figure-dvt45czncrlyzcxvwa"><img id="dvt45czncrlyzcxvwa" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/300mPQD9HVM4jkfBPAJbJYxTs1n0zfjoO7zAUZoBIx38slqZCQSNmjo2MXhQVgd1.jpg" alt="black framed Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses on top of book" title="black framed Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses on top of book" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/300mPQD9HVM4jkfBPAJbJYxTs1n0zfjoO7zAUZoBIx38slqZCQSNmjo2MXhQVgd1.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Day 10:</h3>Depart Porto for the United States. The end to an incredible trip!<h3>The Chance to Play Pro:</h3> Meeting with professional teams and coaches is a part of our tours. These interactions provide a unique perspective that no one else in our industry can provide. &nbsp;Getting to interact with professional teams, players, and their staff will give our players the chance to potentially play professionally. &nbsp;This unique caveat gives our players a greater chance to be seen by professional clubs while still being able to explore different cultures and histories. &nbsp;These meetings often inspire players to pursue the professional game more thoroughly and to this day many of our fomer players are still playing overseas!

2025 Trip Plans

The History Behind the Creation of the Eurobasket ToursThe Eurobasket Tour journey began all the way back in 1997 when our initial website Eurobasket.com was founded. Since 1997, Eurobasket has become the Headquarters for online information that tracks all players, coaches, and teams throughout their collegiate and professional careers. The website currently attracts over 1 million visitors per month to view the vast network of information for professional basketball on 6 continents, 197 countries, and 421 different professional or collegiate leagues.(See example below of what a Eurobasket Player Profile looks like, and a 2020 Eurobasket Tour attendee to Armenia who has since played professionally in 4 different countries!)<figure id="figure-yxys97sgxlyzd9dlh"><img id="yxys97sgxlyzd9dlh" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/321yMA6Y6n9QXYf8aEwlKwlz2TkeqCG8IzreVmFwEXEEp6TuxfLu0UfFTb99PV4B.jpg" alt="man sitting on gang chair with feet on luggage looking at airplane" title="man sitting on gang chair with feet on luggage looking at airplane" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/321yMA6Y6n9QXYf8aEwlKwlz2TkeqCG8IzreVmFwEXEEp6TuxfLu0UfFTb99PV4B.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;"></figure> The production of this data and information has helped Eurobasket form a massive basketball network globally that would eventually lead to the success of the Eurobasket Tour program. To produce a basketball tour at the highest caliber, three things must exist.1) An ability to easily navigate a foreign country providing transportation, lodging, and other necessities for an adequate trip.2) An ability to plan fun, exciting, and culturally-rich sightseeing excursions that a traveler would not be able to experience on their own or see in their home country.3) And finally, orchestrate a schedule of competitive basketball games against current overseas professional teams that give a player an experience they could not create on their own. In addition, be able to spread word to other professional teams that potential prospects will be coming to their country to play.&nbsp;The basketball aspect is what separates the Eurobasket tours from any other competitor in the industry. Travelers can contact any travel agency to help plan a trip overseas, but only Eurobasket can plan the trip and activities while producing the highest quality of basketball options.&nbsp;The basketball network then flows into the traveler's benefit as the local coaches and team owners in each country help us navigate the ins and outs of each country. Finding the hidden gems, visiting the best view points, and exploring the unmissable landmarks that each voyage contains. Our itineraries are built for all around exposure to what each country's cultural landscape has to offer.&nbsp;As we enter the 2024/25 Academic and Athletic Calendar we have successfully orchestrated 31 different tours throughout 21 different countries. We are looking forward to another great summer of tours with our players, coaches, family, and friends!The countries include&nbsp;- Italy- Greece- Portugal- Spain- Germany- Iceland- Denmark- Czech Republic- Hungary- Slovakia- France- Morocco- England- Ireland- Croatia- Slovenia- China- Turkey- Armenia- Netherlands- Australia

The History Behind the Creation of the Eurobasket Tours

<h3><a data-mce-href="https://wcpoets.com/staff-directory/mark-jensen/45" href="https://wcpoets.com/staff-directory/mark-jensen/45">Mark Jensen</a>, Whittier College Head Coach</h3>The journey of our current setup started with a simple idea: combine a love for basketball with the adventure of travel. Our core staff of both avid basketball players and coaches, saw an opportunity to create unique experiences for like-minded enthusiasts. They wanted to offer more than just a vacation. They aimed to provide a journey where people could immerse themselves in the culture of basketball across the world.Eleven years ago, Coach Mark Jensen planned the first tour. His goal was to take a group of graduating seniors from his Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) to play against professional teams while exploring the rich history of countries around the globe. This planning phase was crucial because it ensured that every tour would offer something special and memorable for his players.The first trip went to Italy where his group of SCIAC Conference players got to explore the vast history Rome, eat all the pasta they could, and of course play games against local Italian professional basketball teams. The trip was such a big success that it continues even today as a tradition in the SCIAC Conference.&nbsp;Coach Jensen has led 11 of these trips through 16 different countries (he has visited 25 countries in total making him a very seasoned traveler!). The team always consists of 10 players from his conference and whatever family and friends that want to tag along.&nbsp;The experience is built for everyone to enjoy travel, support their basketball star, and celebrate the conclusion of the players collegiate educational and athletic career.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3><a data-mce-href="https://www.instagram.com/eurobasketsummerleague/" href="https://www.instagram.com/eurobasketsummerleague/">Dustin Simcox</a>, Director of Eurobasket</h3>Dustin, a local of Akron, OH and a former basketball player at Hawaii Pacific University that was once highly recruited by Coach Jensen to come to Whittier College. Even though Dustin and Coach Jensen were unable to pair up in the college game, they have found their partnership in these trips.&nbsp;Dustin specializes in orchestrating the basketball side of the trip scheduling the games through his vast network working for Eurobasket. Although the goal of the trip is not geared around signing a professional contract, he does spread the word on which players are entering the country that could be potential prospects. There have been 200+ players from these trips that have landed an opportunity to play professionally. The cultural activities and sightseeing that is planned comes through the recommendations of local coaches, teams, and personnel that he works with.Dustin has been the trip leader through countries such as Portugal, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Turkey, and Armenia. In addition to the trips he has led, he has also visited 55 different countries giving him the utmost experience in international travel.&nbsp;Email: dsimcox@eurobasket.com<h3>Kawika Lyons, Director of Eurobasket Tour Communication and Logistics</h3>Kawika (kah-vee-kah), a local of Honolulu, Hawaii is also a former basketball player at Hawaii Pacific University where he and Dustin first met. Kawika has been a part of the Eurobasket Tour team since 2019 as the main communicator between players and coaches on tour.Any questions that need answers regarding trip logistics such as dates, flights, payments, or any other need goes through Kawika.&nbsp;He has been the trip leader on several trips through Portugal, Spain, Armenia, and China. A experienced traveler himself, has accumulated 18 different countries spanning 4 different continents.&nbsp;Email: info@eurobaskettours.com

Blog

2025 Trip Plans

The History Behind the Creation of the Eurobasket Tours

The Eurobasket Tours Core Staff