Balkans Express Tour
Tour
Overview
This tour packs a punch with 8 days filled with Basketball, culture, and adventure. If you love Basketball, this is the tour for you, right down to the accommodations at the FIBA Certified Sports Palace. When not competing in the USA vs Albania series or enjoying the campus, your be exploring the vast history and culture of the Balkans. Don't forget about the adventure - we'll be off-roading on the Cape or rafting the Vjosa River. This is by far our most valuable tour!
Tour
Details
- WHO - Basketball (M) Ages 10-25
- WHAT - USA vs Albania Series in Durres, Albania
- WHERE - Albania
- WHEN - July 22-29, 2026 (8 days)
- HOW MUCH - $3,590 per traveler*
*If paying in full and up front for all travelers. The price is $300 more if using a payment plan or adding additional travelers to the tour after the athlete is enrolled. We have this pricing structure to absorb the costs that last minute additions cost. Otherwise, most families would just deposit for the athlete and add the guests at the last possible moment. As you can imagine, that’s difficult to plan for – so we incentivize the former.
- 2026 Departure City - Boston, MA*
Sample Tour
Itinerary
DAY 1 - DEPART THE USA
Meet your teammates and coaches at our US departure airport and fly to Tirana, Albania!
DAY 2 – ARRIVAL IN ALBANIA
Arrival at Tirana International Airport where the Tour Manager is waiting to welcome the group. Private transfer to Goga Sports Center. Free time for settling in the rooms. Meeting with the Tour Manager for a tour briefing and travel information for the upcoming days. Welcome barbecue dinner at the swimming pool area, with music and grilled food and drinks.
DAY 3 - DURRES SIGHTSEEING
2 hr guided tour in the ancient city of Durres, including the entrance in the 2000 old amphitheater. Back for lunch at Goga Sports Center. Basketball game with local team at Goga Sports Center, Dhimitraq Goga Palace of Sport, Hall A. Dinner at campus.
DAY 4 – BERAT DAY TRIP
1.5 hr drive to Berat. 2 hr guided tour to the UNESCO heritage city, recognised for its unique architecture, beautiful castle and traditional food. Traditional lunch in the city center. Back to campus in the afternoon. Basketball game with local team at Goga Sports Center, Dhimitraq Goga Palace of Sport, Hall A. Dinner at campus.
DAY 5 – MULTISPORTS DAY
The day is planned for training and playing other sport disciplines such as swimming, tennis, table tennis etc. Tennis and swimming coaching sessions will be organized during the day (the exact schedule will be determined based on the number of participants). Lunch at Goga Sports Center. Street basketball game with local team in Durres city center in the late afternoon. Dinner at campus.
DAY 6 – TIRANA, THE CAPITAL
Guided city tour in Tirana, including a visit to BunkArt, the real life bunker that is turned into a museum of communism era. Traditional lunch in Tirana. Free afternoon at Goga Sports Center. Basketball game with local team at Goga Sports Center, Dhimitraq Goga Palace of Sport, Hall A. Barbeque dinner at campus with the opponents team.
DAY 7 – RAFTING OR TREKKING
Option 1: Explore Cape of Rodon on a off-road driving experience, trekking and historical site visit (Castle of Skanderbeg). Option 2: Rafting in Vjosa River, “The last wild river of Europe” . Rafting takes place in Permet, c.3 hours from Durres. Lunch in a local restaurant. Sunset catching at Durres beach (if Option 1 is selected). Farewell dinner with music.
DAY 8 – DEPART FOR THE USA
Breakfast and check out. • Departure to Tirana Airport. • Flight Departure. • Arrive back in the USA.
NOTE: This is a sample itinerary and subject to changes. While we make every effort to keep the actual trip as close as possible to the itineraries released in advance of the trip, the nature of group and international travel requires last minute changes due to vendors, travel logistics, game and tournament schedules, weather, etc.]
Pyrenees Basket Cup
Media Center
Links to more information
Meet Tour Coordinator
Mike Spinner
Inclusions
This Tour Includes
- Round trip airfare from the team’s departure airport
- Ground transportation for all scheduled activities
- Meals: Three meals a day as outlined in itinerary
- Hotels: 3/4 star hotels, based on 2-3 guests per room
- Entertainment as outlined in the itinerary
- SaWUSA uniforms and equipment
- Sport sanctioning and tournament entrance fees
- Local tour manager with the team 24-7
- Experienced and dedicated SaWUSA coaching staff
This Tour Does Not Include
- Travel to your departure airport
- Passport / Visa fees
- Individual medical insurance (primary)
- Travel insurance (recommended)
- Customary tipping (bus drivers, etc.)
- Personal items, snacks, drinks, etc.
How to
Join the Team!
If you are a registered traveler, you can access departure airport and flight info, official itinerary, coach info, and more on the TRIPS and OTHER RESOURCES tab once you are logged in. If you have not applied you can start the application below.