When you travel with AFW, your whole family can join in the international experience with your student-athlete. Parents, siblings, grandparents, and other guests are invited to travel with the group, stay at the team hotels, and join the planned tours and activities.
Below, you’ll find answers to common questions about family participation, travel plans, accommodations, costs, passports, and what to expect during the trip.
Yes, we encourage family members to join. Many players have shared this experience with a parent, both parents, siblings, or even grandparents. Past travelers often call these tours 'a trip of a lifetime,' and say it’s even more special when shared with loved ones.
We see all kinds of groups—players traveling alone, with one or both parents, sometimes with siblings or grandparents, and sometimes even with family friends who want a reason to visit Italy, Ireland, or France. Usually, about half of our players travel with family, while the other half travel on their own (they must fly with the group and coaches).We hope to have a strong group of supporters cheering for our USA-AFW ELITE team as we play against top European teams. Everyone is welcome to join us and enjoy the amazing sights, atmosphere, and food that make Italy or Ireland special.
You can find a full list of what’s included at the start of the Traveler Information link. In general, all your main expenses are covered from when you board the plane until you return home, except for a few meals during free time. All other meals are included, but drinks at meals (other than water and provided juices) are not. The package also covers all team ground transportation, accommodations, entry to scheduled tour sites, and game tickets. Student-athletes get tour apparel, and fan apparel will be available for others before the tour.
A full-time English-speaking tour manager, who knows a lot about the history and culture of Italy or Ireland, will be with you throughout the trip. Many travelers become good friends with their tour managers during the week. You will also need some spending money for souvenirs, extra refreshments, and tips for your tour guide and bus driver.
Yes. If your family has an even number of people, you’ll be paired two to a room. If there’s an odd number, the player will share a room with another AFW ELITE teammate who is also traveling alone or in a similar situation. We try to keep double occupancy rates. Single rooms are usually available if you prefer, but there is an extra fee.
Yes.
Please check the Traveler Information link for the latest pricing details. Prices are a bit different for players and non-players. Your final cost will also depend on whether you pay by cash or credit. You can also choose a "Land Only" package and arrange your own flights (players must travel with a parent for this option). For the Italy tour, we meet in Rome and depart from Milan. Prices are based on double occupancy, and there are extra fees for single rooms.
There are several ways to help pay for your son’s spot on this international athletic tour. Check the Fundraising link for ideas. We encourage your son to use these suggestions to ask relatives, local businesses, your colleagues, and high school boosters for contributions. These donations will go directly toward his tour costs. He should also hand out sponsorship forms or direct people to the SPONSORSHIP link on the AFW website.
Parents or grandparents can pay by check or a special online link we will provide.
NCAA rules do not limit participation on this trip and in this game. The only limitations are that a player cannot receive donations that exceed his direct cost of the tour, and he cannot accept funds from a college booster.
Our tours are amazing, fun and a great way to make memories together. Most of the time, we’ll be together as one group. We’ll visit some of the world’s most famous sites, which are sure to impress everyone from young adults to seniors. The tour moves at a good pace, but it’s manageable if you’re in reasonably good health. Family members should be able to walk some distances, handle uneven ground, and climb stairs.
You are welcome to watch practices if you’d like. We will also plan at least one separate tour for parents and families during one of the practice sessions. Our tour managers can also suggest other local highlights you might want to explore while we’re at different locations.
Usually, you can get the necessary form at your local post office. You’ll need a government-issued photo ID (like a driver’s license), your birth certificate, two recent photos of yourself (2x2 inches with a white background, which you can get at places like Walgreens), and the required fee.
Usually, rooms for three are available, though some hotels have limitations. This option can save you a little per person. Please contact us for more details.
You can choose a single room for an extra fee (amount to be determined). If you’re open to sharing a double room with someone else, please contact us to see if that can be arranged.
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