Incredible Pickleball Opportunity in Italy: Explore, Compete, and Experience!

Event Overview: Join us for an unforgettable pickleball tournament set against the stunning backdrop of Italy! This unique opportunity combines international competition with the chance to explore some of Italy's most iconic destinations. Whether you're a seasoned player or just looking to have fun, this event caters to athletes aged 19+ (Open Division) and 50+ (Senior Division). Bring your family along to enjoy sightseeing, culture, and, of course, some exciting pickleball matches!

Tournament Details:

• Brackets:

  • Women's -  Singles 19+ / Singes 50+ / Singles 3.5 / Doubles 19+ / Doubles 50+ / Doubles 3.5 

  • Men's -  Singles 19+ / Singes 50+ / Singles 3.5 / Doubles 19+ / Doubles 50+ / Doubles 3.5 

  • Mixed Doubles -  Mixed 19+ / Mixed 50+ / Mixed 60+ / Mixed 70+ / Mixed 3.5 

• Location: Games will be played in Rome, Italy with Possibility for additional pickleball in Milan area

Pickleball Clinics:

• 3 Training Session: Work with our personal Pro Coach on tour. Mike Chapin and Zac Shook from the St. Louis Area will be touring with the group providing training sessions during the tour.   

Sightseeing Highlights:

• Rome: Immerse yourself in history as you visit the Colosseum, Vatican City, and the Pantheon. Enjoy leisurely strolls through the charming streets, stopping for authentic Italian gelato and pizza. (Time limited for sightseeing as tournament scheduled is pending)

• Florence: Discover the birthplace of the Renaissance. Marvel at the breathtaking art in the Uffizi Gallery, climb to the top of the Duomo for stunning views, and indulge in Tuscan cuisine.

• Cinque Terre: Experience the breathtaking coastal villages, hike the scenic trails, and soak in the stunning views of the Mediterranean. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a perfect escape for nature lovers.

• Como: Take a boat ride, visit historic villas, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of this beautiful region.

Family Fun: Bring your loved ones along to enjoy this incredible journey! While you compete, your family can explore local attractions, partake in culinary classes, or simply relax at a café soaking in the Italian ambiance. There will be activities and sightseeing opportunities for all ages.

Why Attend? This is more than just a tournament; it’s an opportunity to blend competition with culture, fitness with family fun, and sport with stunning scenery. Experience the thrill of pickleball while creating lasting memories in one of the world’s most beautiful countries.

Join Us! Don’t miss this chance to play pickleball in Italy while exploring its breathtaking sights! Sign up today and get ready for an incredible adventure filled with sport, culture, and unforgettable experiences.

Space is limited and must be confirmed with a non-refundable deposit and registration.

All passengers are responsible for booking their own flights to arrive in Milan. There are two major airports to consider. Milan MXP (Malpensa) or Milan LIN (Linate). Book your flight to depart on June 6th, 2026. Plan to arrive in the AM. We will be confirming a transfer based on the majority of the groups arrival time. Only one transfer will be provided around 1030 or 1130 am depending on final bookings confirmed. If your flight does not time up with the group flight you will be responsible for any airport transfers. More information will be available soon regarding the AIST group transfer.

RETURN Flight - Don't forget, the tour ends in Rome. You'll need to consider your return flight to be booked from FCO on June 15th. Or if you plan to extend your stay, you can book your return from your nearest airport as you prefer.

Please follow these steps to complete your registration and deposit: 

1. Select your tour package.  Tour package costs are per person based on room size and group size.  A single room is 1 person in the room.  A double room is 2 people in the room with the option for double bed or two twin beds (European standards).  We must have a minimum of 18 passengers confirmed by Feb 15, 2027 to move forward with this tour.   If we do not reach this number we will provide a full refund.

2. Complete the deposit and registration - If you have a valid passport, please enter it at time of your registration.  If not, please start the process of getting your passport immediately and provide those details once you receive it.   

3.  Friends and Family - If you have friends and family interested in travel, you can add them to your booking or they can create their own account separately.  Here is a link on how to add passengers to your booking if they plan to join at a later time: Add Additional People to my Booking 

Notes Regarding Rooms:

We will be using 4 star hotels.  Room sizes are subject to availability.  Single room is 1 person per room.  Double room is two people per room (1 double bed or 2 twin bed options).  Upgrades may be available for additional cost.  

Friends and family are certainly encouraged to join you on this once in a lifetime experience.  We can accommodate passengers who want to join until space is gone.  We have limited airline seats and hotel rooms and you will need to confirm with AIST that space is available before making any bookings.   

Cost for Friends and Family:

Friends and Family cost is the same as the players.  You will have all the same inclusions.  If you require a single room you will need to add that option for an additional cost.

Confirm Space is available:

If you have friends and family planning to join you, they must first confirm space is available.  Once confirmed you will be able to add additional passengers to your current WeTravel profile. Email info@aist.us to confirm additional tour packages.  Please included the following in your email:  

• Number of passengers you would like to confirm
• Room size(s) preferred
• Ground package only or group airfare included

Once you have set up your account and registered you will be required to make a $500 non-refundable deposit per person.  The following is a breakdown of the payment schedule - subject to change depending on your time of registration. 

Payments Schedule:

At check-out you will see a detailed description of payments due and the due dates.  Payments will automatically be deducted on those dates.  Please make sure your account has sufficient funds at those times.  If you need to make adjustments please contact info@aist.us and we will accommodate the best we can.  In general, we must have 50% of the total due by 5 months prior to departure and all balances must be paid 2 months prior to departure. 

Cancellation Policy: 

All cancellations must be confirmed by e-mail to AIST at info@aist.us. AIST will do their best to eliminate cancellation fees when possible, however, this is dependent upon our suppliers and the timing of your cancellation of the tour.  

Airline cancellation fees are not included with the fees below.  Additional cancellation fees may apply if you have canceled your tour after airline tickets have been purchased.     

• The deposit is non-refundable after November 1, 2026

• A fee equal to 50% of the total trip cost (land and air) will be assessed for cancellations between 130-101 days prior to departure.

• A fee equal to 75% of the total trip cost (land and air) will be assessed for cancellations between 100 and 61 days prior to departure.

• Cancellations made within 60 days of departure will receive no refund. 

• WeTravel processing fees are non-refundable

AIST is the preferred USA partner of Pickleball Roma. We have officially been invited to bring players to represent the USA in this prestigious international event in 2026.  

Click Here to view the invitation letter from the tournament organizing committee.  

Meet your Coach, Mike Chapin from St. Louis.  This will be Mike's first tour with AIST.

About Mike Chapin:

As a certified Level II IPTPA professional instructor and pickleball teaching professional for over 5 years, I very much enjoy working with all levels of pickleball players.  I have taught over 2000 players everything in the game from their first time on the court, to being successful in tournaments with advanced-level techniques, shots and strategies. Additionally, I compete at the 5.0 level and I have won over 35 medals in tournament play at the 4.5+ level throughout the Midwest.

I have lived in St. Louis for 20-years and am well-respected in the St. Louis Pickleball community as being one of the best instructors and ambassadors for the sport.  I offer lessons (private, semi-private, small group), instructional play, clinics, corporate team building/training, cardio pickleball, junior pickleball, as well as consultative services on everything from court construction to running effective pickleball programming for clubs and organizations.

I am passionate about helping others and growing this terrific sport locally. I started playing pickleball back in 2014 after a varied sports career including baseball, football, college basketball, tennis, skiing, golf, etc. I am happy to connect with you.  

Click here for additional more information about Mike.

Departure from USA airport to Milan (MXP) airport. Due to the time difference, arrival in Milan, Italy the following day    

• Arrival into Milano Malpensa Intl. airport from USA and meeting with your bilingual tour manager 
• Get on board your private bus and transfer to Como downtown for free time to explore the city 
• Lunch on own 
• Early in the afternoon enjoy a 3 hours boat cruise on lake Como to Bellagio, called the pearl of Lake Como
• At the end, transfer to your selected hotel in Como area/ Saronno: check-in, dinner and overnight (2 nights)

• Breakfast at hotel 

• Transfer to Milan downtown for a light guided visit of the city with a professional local tour guide

• Leisure time for shopping and lunch on your own

• Early in the afternoon, transfer by your private motor-coach to a local sport center for a pickleball clinic with Pro-Coach

• At the end, return to your hotel for dinner and overnight

• Breakfast at hotel, check-out and departure to Cinque Terre (Five Lands), a rugged portion of coast on the West Italian Riviera. Once in La Spezia train station, you will take the train to Levanto. You can stop along the trip for visiting one or two of the most beautiful villages of the Five Lands (train ticket is included)
• Lunch on own 
• Later in the afternoon transfer by your private motor coach to a local farmhouse for a wine tasting followed by typical dinner
• Final transfer to your selected hotel in Montecatini Terme/ Lucca area: check-in, dinner and overnight (2 nights)

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Pickleball Clinic with Pro - Coach

• Transfer to Florence

• This morning walking guided visit of the city with a professional local tour guide

• Lunch on your own

• Leisure time to shop and stroll around. Optional not included: admission ticket and guided visit of the Uffizi Gallery

• Dinner on your own in Florence

• Return to your hotel and overnight

• Breakfast, hotel check-out and departure to Rome (approx. 3h.30 by bus)

• Arrival around midday and lunch on your own

• Early in the afternoon walking guided visit of the city including Colosseum (admission ticket included)

• Leisure time to shop and stroll around

• Pickleball Clinic with Coach Chapin

• Final transfer to your selected hotel: check-in, dinner and overnight (4 nights)

• Breakfast at hotel 
• Transfer to Vatican City for a guided visit of St. Peter’s Cathedral with a professional local tour guide 
• Lunch on own 
• Transfer to the official tournament center in Rome to take part into

International Championship of Pickleball Details:

• The tournament has two different level of participants: expert level 5.0 and average level 3.5
• Each level has 2 categories: open age and over 50 years old.

Games schedule: 

• Friday: Singles women and singles men
• Saturday: Doubles women and doubles men
• Sunday: Mixed doubles

• Get ready to play your first games according to the game schedule
• At the end, return to your hotel for dinner and overnight

• Breakfast at hotel 
• Transfer to the official tournament center to play doubles women and doubles men according to the game schedule
• Free day to explore for those not participating in doubles
• Lunch on your own
• Final games for doubles women and doubles men
• At the end, transfer back to your hotel and this evening enjoy a dinner in a local restaurant in Rome
• Return to your hotel and overnight‍

• Breakfast at hotel
• Transfer to the official tournament center to play mixed doubles  according to the game schedule
• Lunch on your own
• Final games for mixed doubles and prize-giving ceremonies
• Transfer back to your hotel and dinner on your own in Rome downtown
• Return to your hotel and overnight

• Box or regular breakfast at your hotel 
• Departure to Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) in time to get your flight back home. End of services. Arrivederci Italia!