Destination Europe: A Day-to-Day Blog Through Women’s Basketball’s Trip to Croatia and Greece
8/9/2024 3:55:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Demon Deacons are in the midst of an 11-day preseason trip abroad where they will play three games against elite international competition.
The Wake Forest women's basketball team is overseas in preparation for the 2024-25 season. The trip includes three games in some of Europe's most historic cities including Athens, Dubrovnik and Split.
Follow along with the daily blog for up-to-date information on the Demon Deacons' trip to the Mediterranean.
Thursday, Aug. 8 and Friday Aug. 9
The Demon Deacons spent the day traveling from Winston-Salem, N.C. to Split, Croatia, the first leg of the trip.
They flew from Charlotte to Split with a connecting flight in Munich. The team arrived in Croatia just before 5:00 p.m. local time on Friday and was greeted and shuttled to the city center of Split.
The team walked to a local restaurant in the heart of the city where they shared a traditional Croatian meal while enjoying each other's company. The three-course meal included a choice of a classic fish or veal dish.
After the meal, the team was free to explore a Friday night in Split along the Mediterranean coastline as the vibrant city came alive after sunset.
The Deacs prepare for its first game of the trip which is set for midday on Saturday afternoon against the Split Select squad.
Saturday, Aug. 10
The first gameday of the trip arrived with the Deacs set to take on Split Select in the evening. Before preparing for the game, the team explored the city of Split including a walking tour of the centerpiece of the city, the Diocletian Palace.
The palace was built at the end of the third century AD as a residence for the Roman emperor Diocletian and was protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. Plenty of the palace still remains to this day including two impressive towers. Diocletian Palace was also used as one of the filming locations for the HBO show, Game of Thrones. The nearby Game of Thrones museum helped cement the roots of the show in Split and the surrounding area.
After continuing to explore the area, the team returned to the hotel to prepare for the game.
The Deacs took on Split Select with tipoff at 6:30 p.m. With the help of a balanced attack, the Demon Deacons secured the first win of the tour, defeating Split Select, 100-70.
Sunday, Aug. 11
After winning the opener of the three-game international tour, the Deacs took a Sunday trip to one of the natural beauties in Croatia. The team took an hour bus ride outside of Split to go to Krka National Park.
The tour included a walking tour throughout the park where the team learned not only about the park, but what life looked like in rural Croatia as well as traditions that dated back centuries. The walking tour concluded around the centerpiece of the park, Skradinski buk. It is the largest travertine cascade system in Europe and people from all over the continent come to visit throughout the summer months.
After visiting the national park, the team took a boat down the river to the island of Skradin for lunch and exploration of the island including Fort Turina.
After returning home to Split, there was free time to explore the city during the last night before packing up for travel to the southernmost part of Croatia.
Monday, Aug. 12
The Deacs packed up and hit the road south traveling to the second destination on the trip, Dubrovnik. Along the three hour and thirty minute bus ride the Demon Deacons stopped on the route to see the historic Wall of Ston in Ston, Croatia.
The walls were known as the "European Great Wall of China" and helped protect the city dating back to the 14th century. The city is also known for their famous Ston Oysters which the team indulged in during the lunch stop.
After lunch, the team traveled along the beautiful Dalmatian coastline with impeccable views of the mediterranean coast before arriving in Dubrovnik which lies just 30 miles from the southern Croatia border.
After settling into the hotel and checking out the local area, the Deacs went to Old Town including a Game of Thrones Tour and a trip to one of the 2023 most creative basketball court in the world. The historic downtown was a hub for the HBO show throughout its airing and is home to some of the more famous scenes in "King's Landing".
The Demon Deacons are back on the court Tuesday in Dubrovnik as they take on Dubrovnik select with tipoff scheduled for 6:30 p.m. local time.
Tuesday, Aug. 13
During the first full day in Dubrovnik, the Demon Deacons headed back to Old Town to get a unique perspective on the city. The team took a cable car to the top of the city. The 4-minute ride transports visitors 778 meters to a plateau offering Old City views and the Elaphiti Islands.
After coming back to the hotel, the team had time to explore the local area and get in the Mediterranean Sea.
The night offered the second look on the floor as the Deacs took on Dubrovnik Select. Behind a balanced scoring and 25 assists on 37 made baskets, Wake Forest cruised to an 87-43 victory. Four players finished in double figures while an additional two players had nine points.
Wednesday, Aug. 14
On the final day in Dubrovnik, the Demon Deacons took to the water to check out the amazing scenery of the city and surrounding islands. The team traveled into Old Town Dubrovnik where they launched their kayaking tour in the shadows of the castle walls.
Boating out of the city and heading along the Mediterranean coastline, the Deacs got a unique perspective on the city they have spent the last couple of days in. Halfway through the trip, there was a stop to check out one of the many caves on the coast and also an opportunity to cliff jump into the sea.
In total, the Demon Deacons paddled four miles during the morning journey and then had the rest of the day to explore the Old Town and surrounding areas of the city of Dubrovnik.
This was the final day in Croatia after landing there five days prior. Thursday will be a travel day to Athens, Greece, the final stop along the international tour.
Thursday, Aug. 15
The final morning in Dubrovnik after a great stay along the Mediterranean coastline. The Demon Deacons packed up their bags and were ready to travel to the final destination along the international tour, Athens, Greece.
The Deacs hopped on a bus and then boarded a plane from Dubrovnik to Athens. The one hour and 45 minute flight offered great views along the way of the northern part of Greece, landing the in country capital midday.
After lunch and some downtime, the team got their first look at the city with so much ancient history on a two hour bike tour. Along the way, they stopped and saw historic sites such as the Panathenaic Stadium which hosted the first modern Olympics and the Roman Agora which date back to 27 BC.
The bike tour concluded and the rest of the night was dedicated to exploring the shops and restaurants around the hotel which included the vibrant Plaka neighborhood which has plenty of history and culture in its own right.
Friday is the final on-court test for the Demon Deacons as they take on the Swiss National Team with tipoff scheduled for 11:00 a.m. local time.
Friday, Aug. 16
The Wake Forest women's basketball team looked to finish the international tour undefeated before heading back home as the morning started with pregame meal atop of the hotel which offered amazing views of the Acropolis as well surrounding Athens cityscape.
The Deacs then drove 20 minutes to another part of Athens for the game which would be the toughest test of the trip against the Swiss National Team which came into the trip ranked No. 61 in the world rankings.
Wake Forest captured a double-digit win over Switzerland, holding the Swiss to just 41 points in the game while the Deacs got offensive contributions from across the board including 12 points each from senior forward Demeara Hinds and incoming freshman guard Aurora Sorbye.
After the game, the Deacs grabbed lunch and explored the city center for a few hours before experiencing one of the highlights of the entire trip, a tour of the Acropolis and Acropolis museum. The UNESCO World Heritage Site and symbol for the entire city and country dates back to around 600 BC. The Demon Deacons received an extensive historical and cultural tour of the museum, explaining the history of the site as well as how the history is being preserved today.
Atop the hill where the Acropolis stands also offered great views of the expansive city which reaches out across the entire coastline and surrounding areas.
The Deacs then had the evening to continue to explore Athens on their own for dinner and shopping.
Saturday, Aug. 17
In the final day of the European tour, the Demon Deacons experienced Greek island life, traveling out to Aegina Island for a day in the island city as well as some time on the island beaches. The Deacs ferried to and from the island and also got to see a new part of Athens on the way to the port.
After returning to the hotel from Aegina Island, the Deacs got ready and went out for one final team dinner in the Athens city center. The Deacs had a classic Greek meal that included a number of authentic Greek appetizers and main dishes. The night was capped off by a signature Greek dessert, Baklava.
The Wake Forest women's basketball team travels home from Greece tomorrow, connecting through Munich, Germany along the way. The unforgettable trip has been jam packed with memories from the first stop in Split, Croatia to the historic city of Athens, Greece.
Be on the lookout for more information on the trip and the upcoming season on GoDeacs.com and the Wake Forest women's basketball social channels.
Follow along with the daily blog for up-to-date information on the Demon Deacons' trip to the Mediterranean.
Thursday, Aug. 8 and Friday Aug. 9
The Demon Deacons spent the day traveling from Winston-Salem, N.C. to Split, Croatia, the first leg of the trip.
They flew from Charlotte to Split with a connecting flight in Munich. The team arrived in Croatia just before 5:00 p.m. local time on Friday and was greeted and shuttled to the city center of Split.
The team walked to a local restaurant in the heart of the city where they shared a traditional Croatian meal while enjoying each other's company. The three-course meal included a choice of a classic fish or veal dish.
After the meal, the team was free to explore a Friday night in Split along the Mediterranean coastline as the vibrant city came alive after sunset.
The Deacs prepare for its first game of the trip which is set for midday on Saturday afternoon against the Split Select squad.
Saturday, Aug. 10
The first gameday of the trip arrived with the Deacs set to take on Split Select in the evening. Before preparing for the game, the team explored the city of Split including a walking tour of the centerpiece of the city, the Diocletian Palace.
The palace was built at the end of the third century AD as a residence for the Roman emperor Diocletian and was protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. Plenty of the palace still remains to this day including two impressive towers. Diocletian Palace was also used as one of the filming locations for the HBO show, Game of Thrones. The nearby Game of Thrones museum helped cement the roots of the show in Split and the surrounding area.
After continuing to explore the area, the team returned to the hotel to prepare for the game.
The Deacs took on Split Select with tipoff at 6:30 p.m. With the help of a balanced attack, the Demon Deacons secured the first win of the tour, defeating Split Select, 100-70.
Sunday, Aug. 11
After winning the opener of the three-game international tour, the Deacs took a Sunday trip to one of the natural beauties in Croatia. The team took an hour bus ride outside of Split to go to Krka National Park.
The tour included a walking tour throughout the park where the team learned not only about the park, but what life looked like in rural Croatia as well as traditions that dated back centuries. The walking tour concluded around the centerpiece of the park, Skradinski buk. It is the largest travertine cascade system in Europe and people from all over the continent come to visit throughout the summer months.
After visiting the national park, the team took a boat down the river to the island of Skradin for lunch and exploration of the island including Fort Turina.
After returning home to Split, there was free time to explore the city during the last night before packing up for travel to the southernmost part of Croatia.
Monday, Aug. 12
The Deacs packed up and hit the road south traveling to the second destination on the trip, Dubrovnik. Along the three hour and thirty minute bus ride the Demon Deacons stopped on the route to see the historic Wall of Ston in Ston, Croatia.
The walls were known as the "European Great Wall of China" and helped protect the city dating back to the 14th century. The city is also known for their famous Ston Oysters which the team indulged in during the lunch stop.
After lunch, the team traveled along the beautiful Dalmatian coastline with impeccable views of the mediterranean coast before arriving in Dubrovnik which lies just 30 miles from the southern Croatia border.
After settling into the hotel and checking out the local area, the Deacs went to Old Town including a Game of Thrones Tour and a trip to one of the 2023 most creative basketball court in the world. The historic downtown was a hub for the HBO show throughout its airing and is home to some of the more famous scenes in "King's Landing".
The Demon Deacons are back on the court Tuesday in Dubrovnik as they take on Dubrovnik select with tipoff scheduled for 6:30 p.m. local time.
Tuesday, Aug. 13
During the first full day in Dubrovnik, the Demon Deacons headed back to Old Town to get a unique perspective on the city. The team took a cable car to the top of the city. The 4-minute ride transports visitors 778 meters to a plateau offering Old City views and the Elaphiti Islands.
After coming back to the hotel, the team had time to explore the local area and get in the Mediterranean Sea.
The night offered the second look on the floor as the Deacs took on Dubrovnik Select. Behind a balanced scoring and 25 assists on 37 made baskets, Wake Forest cruised to an 87-43 victory. Four players finished in double figures while an additional two players had nine points.
Wednesday, Aug. 14
On the final day in Dubrovnik, the Demon Deacons took to the water to check out the amazing scenery of the city and surrounding islands. The team traveled into Old Town Dubrovnik where they launched their kayaking tour in the shadows of the castle walls.
Boating out of the city and heading along the Mediterranean coastline, the Deacs got a unique perspective on the city they have spent the last couple of days in. Halfway through the trip, there was a stop to check out one of the many caves on the coast and also an opportunity to cliff jump into the sea.
In total, the Demon Deacons paddled four miles during the morning journey and then had the rest of the day to explore the Old Town and surrounding areas of the city of Dubrovnik.
This was the final day in Croatia after landing there five days prior. Thursday will be a travel day to Athens, Greece, the final stop along the international tour.
Thursday, Aug. 15
The final morning in Dubrovnik after a great stay along the Mediterranean coastline. The Demon Deacons packed up their bags and were ready to travel to the final destination along the international tour, Athens, Greece.
The Deacs hopped on a bus and then boarded a plane from Dubrovnik to Athens. The one hour and 45 minute flight offered great views along the way of the northern part of Greece, landing the in country capital midday.
After lunch and some downtime, the team got their first look at the city with so much ancient history on a two hour bike tour. Along the way, they stopped and saw historic sites such as the Panathenaic Stadium which hosted the first modern Olympics and the Roman Agora which date back to 27 BC.
The bike tour concluded and the rest of the night was dedicated to exploring the shops and restaurants around the hotel which included the vibrant Plaka neighborhood which has plenty of history and culture in its own right.
Friday is the final on-court test for the Demon Deacons as they take on the Swiss National Team with tipoff scheduled for 11:00 a.m. local time.
Friday, Aug. 16
The Wake Forest women's basketball team looked to finish the international tour undefeated before heading back home as the morning started with pregame meal atop of the hotel which offered amazing views of the Acropolis as well surrounding Athens cityscape.
The Deacs then drove 20 minutes to another part of Athens for the game which would be the toughest test of the trip against the Swiss National Team which came into the trip ranked No. 61 in the world rankings.
Wake Forest captured a double-digit win over Switzerland, holding the Swiss to just 41 points in the game while the Deacs got offensive contributions from across the board including 12 points each from senior forward Demeara Hinds and incoming freshman guard Aurora Sorbye.
After the game, the Deacs grabbed lunch and explored the city center for a few hours before experiencing one of the highlights of the entire trip, a tour of the Acropolis and Acropolis museum. The UNESCO World Heritage Site and symbol for the entire city and country dates back to around 600 BC. The Demon Deacons received an extensive historical and cultural tour of the museum, explaining the history of the site as well as how the history is being preserved today.
Atop the hill where the Acropolis stands also offered great views of the expansive city which reaches out across the entire coastline and surrounding areas.
The Deacs then had the evening to continue to explore Athens on their own for dinner and shopping.
Saturday, Aug. 17
In the final day of the European tour, the Demon Deacons experienced Greek island life, traveling out to Aegina Island for a day in the island city as well as some time on the island beaches. The Deacs ferried to and from the island and also got to see a new part of Athens on the way to the port.
After returning to the hotel from Aegina Island, the Deacs got ready and went out for one final team dinner in the Athens city center. The Deacs had a classic Greek meal that included a number of authentic Greek appetizers and main dishes. The night was capped off by a signature Greek dessert, Baklava.
The Wake Forest women's basketball team travels home from Greece tomorrow, connecting through Munich, Germany along the way. The unforgettable trip has been jam packed with memories from the first stop in Split, Croatia to the historic city of Athens, Greece.
Be on the lookout for more information on the trip and the upcoming season on GoDeacs.com and the Wake Forest women's basketball social channels.
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