ROME – We made it! Despite a major flight delay of nearly three hours leaving San Diego causing the airline to hold our international flight (thanks, American Airlines!), we're here! We landed in Rome at 8:30 am CEST – more than 19 hours after we left campus.
 
After clearing customs and grabbing our bags, we loaded up the buses and made our way into the central city, passing by the Vatican along the way. We had free time and grabbed lunch in and around Piazza Navona – an amazing plaza in Rome dating back nearly 2000 years, which is now all covered in cobblestone with three fountains. Some of us ate pizza, some had pasta, many had gelato – and everything was so delicious.
 

Next up, the teams headed to their respective hotels to check in, unpack and unwind, and relax before a welcome dinner followed by stretching in the hotel.
 
Thursday will be an exciting day filled with a Rome city tour, including the Colosseum and so much more. Check back for more sights and sounds as our adventure continues!
 
Throughout the week, we'll bring you behind-the-scenes with photos and videos both here and on our team's social media channels at @ucsdmbb and @ucsdwbb. And a reminder that if you're in the area, you are welcome to join European UC alumni for a Triton Tailgate reception prior to our games in Rome on Friday.
 
Although our journey is underway, we can still use your support! Make your gift today to the UCSD Crowdsurf site to support our travels. The link will be available through Sept. 1.
 
Note: Central European Summer Time (CEST) is nine hours ahead of Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) in San Diego

PREVIOUS TRITONS IN ITALY POSTS
We're Off to Italy! (Aug. 15)
 
About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program began a new era in 2020 as a member of The Big West in NCAA Division I. The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 84 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 38 have earned prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 91 percent, one of the highest rates among institutions at all divisions.