University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers in Italy: Days 6-7
8/16/2018 2:56:00 PM | Women's Basketball
VENICE – The Minnesota women's basketball team's final destination in Italy was Venice, and it's safe to say few cities can match the arrival the Gophers had on Tuesday afternoon.
Gophers arrive in Venice via taxi boats
Inaccessible by bus, the team was dropped off at a port just outside the city. Then, over the course of six taxi boats, the team loaded up all of its luggage and traveled across the Venetian Lagoon and up through the Grand Canal to its hotel.
According to the tour guide, very few teams on similar trips actually stay in Venice. Rather, they usually stay in the city of Mestre on the mainland, giving the Gophers a unique experience compared to most. The players had a little time to explore on their own before the final game of the trip Tuesday night.
Much like the journey into Venice, the trip to the game also required loading all the equipment needed for the game back onto taxi boats and through the canals back to the bus on the mainland. Minnesota put an exclamation mark on its trip with a dominant win.
Glassblowing demonstration on the island of Murano
Wednesday marked the Gophers' final full day in Venice and Italy. In the morning, the team embarked on a boat tour of nearby islands, starting with Murano. While on the island, which is famous for its glass, the Gophers were treated to a glassblowing demonstration where the artist showcased his skills by making a bowl and a horse in just a matter of minutes.
Colorful houses on the island of Burano
Following Murano, the team ventured further north to Burano. This small island is notable for its colorful houses, which are each painted in bright hues that are strictly maintained by residents and local ordinances. Players were given about an hour to explore, visit gift shops and eat, if they chose.
Team dinner on the final night in Italy
Once the boat tour was done, the team arrived back in Venice. An optional tour of St. Mark's Basilica was offered upon return, otherwise there was about five hours until the farewell dinner that night. The travel contingency had a waterfront view for their final meal, which included pasta, seafood and steak.
After dinner, there was still a little time to get one last souvenir or serving of gelato. Thursday morning, the team loaded up the taxi boats one final time for a trip through the canals to the Venice airport. The Gophers departed close to 11 a.m. local time, landing back in the United States are 2:30 p.m. ET.
Gophers arrive in Venice via taxi boats
Inaccessible by bus, the team was dropped off at a port just outside the city. Then, over the course of six taxi boats, the team loaded up all of its luggage and traveled across the Venetian Lagoon and up through the Grand Canal to its hotel.
According to the tour guide, very few teams on similar trips actually stay in Venice. Rather, they usually stay in the city of Mestre on the mainland, giving the Gophers a unique experience compared to most. The players had a little time to explore on their own before the final game of the trip Tuesday night.
Much like the journey into Venice, the trip to the game also required loading all the equipment needed for the game back onto taxi boats and through the canals back to the bus on the mainland. Minnesota put an exclamation mark on its trip with a dominant win.
Glassblowing demonstration on the island of Murano
Wednesday marked the Gophers' final full day in Venice and Italy. In the morning, the team embarked on a boat tour of nearby islands, starting with Murano. While on the island, which is famous for its glass, the Gophers were treated to a glassblowing demonstration where the artist showcased his skills by making a bowl and a horse in just a matter of minutes.
Colorful houses on the island of Burano
Following Murano, the team ventured further north to Burano. This small island is notable for its colorful houses, which are each painted in bright hues that are strictly maintained by residents and local ordinances. Players were given about an hour to explore, visit gift shops and eat, if they chose.
Team dinner on the final night in Italy
Once the boat tour was done, the team arrived back in Venice. An optional tour of St. Mark's Basilica was offered upon return, otherwise there was about five hours until the farewell dinner that night. The travel contingency had a waterfront view for their final meal, which included pasta, seafood and steak.
After dinner, there was still a little time to get one last souvenir or serving of gelato. Thursday morning, the team loaded up the taxi boats one final time for a trip through the canals to the Venice airport. The Gophers departed close to 11 a.m. local time, landing back in the United States are 2:30 p.m. ET.
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