The Official USA End of Season Itinerary (PDF)

ITINERARY
The Official USA End of Season Tour
featuring NBA teams
This tour will be unlike any other tour of this type ever offered out of Australia.
Assistance from the team owner, AEG Ogden, guarantees this basketball fan
tour experience will feature access not available to the general public.
If basketball is your passion then this will be a sporting tour of a lifetime.
Life is too short, this type of experience is too rare, and NBA basketball is too
good to miss out.
And just when you thought it couldn't get any better...
Joining us on tour is - Kings Legend - Steve Carfino
April 3 – Fly to Los Angeles – Qantas QF11 Dep SYD 9:45am/Arrive LA 6:25am
7 am:

Meet as one at Qantas check in counters, Sydney International Airport.

8:45am:

Board and depart for Los Angeles

6:25am:

Same day. Arrive Los Angeles

Collect baggage and head to Millennium Biltmore Hotel in provided ground transport
Check in to the Millennium Biltmore Hotel, where historic grandeur meets modern luxury in
the heart of downtown LA.
Afternoon is free as you acclimatise rest or wander nearby. Downtown LA is a revitalised
area and has a variety of stores, restaurants, museums, and other attractions, all within a
short walk of the Biltmore. Some will prefer to rest and get ready for the days ahead.
Evening, group invited to dinner (restaurant details given on the day) to catch up, prepare for
the time ahead and enjoy a great meal.
Overnight, Millennium Biltmore Hotel.

April 4 – Game Day 1 - Los Angeles
The first of our ‘game days’, with the San Antonio Spurs coming to town to take on the
rebuilding but incredibly exciting Los Angeles Lakers. Two of the most storied franchises in
the NBA with a staggering 21 titles between them, this is a game between two squads going
in different directions – the home team is building for their future, and possess weapons
including Lonzo Ball, one of the NBA’s best known rookies due to the ‘reality show’ nature of
his family, Julius Randle, Brandon Ingram, the highlight act Larry Nance Jr, and Kyle Kuzma
while the Spurs retain a core of Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, LaMarcus Adridge, Australia’s
own Patty Mills, and Kawaii Leonard.
That all awaits in the evening….
The morning starts with a group breakfast - and for those that haven’t been to the States,
this is a meal that will keep you going for a while. The US does know how to put on
breakfasts! Oh, and look out for a special guest or two during breakfast.

ITINERARY
The Official USA End of Season Tour
featuring NBA teams
Afternoon for those interested will involve Steve Carfino accompanying you to West
Hollywood for a look around – a short cab ride away.
Gathering at the Biltmore at 5.30 pm, we’ll head to Staples Center early in order to take a
good look around prior to the game.
7.30 pm. Lakers host Spurs - Staples Center
Post-game meal/cool drink, look out for a guest or two that may join us.
Overnight, Millennium Biltmore Hotel.

April 5 - Los Angeles
Now fully settled in and with no game tonight, it’s time to explore LA. This day is free and
you’ll have options aplenty. Some may head to Disneyland, Universal Studios, Knotts Berry
Farm, or Six Flags Magic Mountain, via transport organised by those theme parks. Others
may want to spend the day at Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Hollywood or Beverly Hills, all a
cab ride away. This day is deliberately kept wide open for any of the above, or something
different you may have in mind.
And don’t worry, we know you won’t be able to do all of those things listed above in a day –
but there’s another day free just like this, in a couple of days. So take on what you want, but
know that you don’t have to get through it all today!
For those who are back in time for dinner, PF Chiangs (great Chinese food) at LA Live will
be a group gathering spot. But many will want to make full use of the evening at the theme
parks. Again, it’s all up to you!
On open days like today, Steve Carfino and Jeff Van Groningen will each head to areas of
interests including those listed above for those who want to stay with someone who knows
LA well.
Overnight, Millennium Biltmore Hotel.

April 6 – Game Day 2 - Los Angeles
One of the most exciting teams in the NBA visits LA and we will be right there to take it all in.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have some serious weaponry. Jimmy Butler, Andrew Wiggins,
Karl Anthony Towns and Taj Gibson are combining to see the Timberwolves be a serious
contender in the Western Conference, after years in the wilderness. It’s an amazing time for
T’wolves fans, this is a team seriously on the ‘up’. They’ll take on the Lakers so it’s another
chance to watch LA’s most popular sporting team go to work.

ITINERARY
The Official USA End of Season Tour
featuring NBA teams
Earlier in the day, a couple of special guests from the Timberwolves organisation will join the
group for a bite to eat, where you’ll hear ‘insiders’ accounts of how things work around an
NBA team. Lunch, next to Staples in the LA Live precinct is where it will all happen!
Evening – depart Biltmore Hotel at 5.30 pm to Staples Center.
7.30 pm. Lakers host Timberwolves - Staples Center
Overnight, Millennium Biltmore Hotel.

April 7 - Los Angeles
Breakfast at your own leisure.
Group to gather at noon at Biltmore Hotel. Today we head to the suburb of El Sugundo,
appox an hour from the hotel, to inspect the LA Lakers practice facility. NBA practice
facilities are private, exclusive and incredibly secure. They’re not open to the public nor do
they offer public tours – but we will have the doors opened for us. And until you see just how
professional these facilities are, its hard to believe! (transport provided)
Lakers practice facility tour – 12 noon, return to hotel approximately 3 pm.
Afternoon open, and dinner back at the Biltmore for anyone interested, Steve and Jeff to
host, with a special guest expected.
Overnight, Millennium Biltmore Hotel.

April 8 – Game Day 3 - Los Angeles
The Sydney Kings had an amazing opportunity to travel to Utah and play the Utah Jazz in
the first ever NBA vs NBL pre-season game in October. The Kings organisation were
welcomed by the Jazz front office and all of their staff, and it was a truly beneficial time as
the two franchises connected. Today, the Jazz come into LA and we will renew
acquaintances. Jeff will introduce some Jazz personnel to the group earlier in the day, over
breakfast, and you’ll hear insiders accounts on what game day preparation means in the
NBA. The game itself is an earlier tip off, being a Sunday, so we will be at Staples Center by
1.30 pm or so. Who will come out on top in this match-up – will Australian Joe Ingles, athletic
big man Rudy Gobert and Rookie Donovan Mitchell get the better of the hometown heros?
You’ll be there to find out, having spent time getting to know the Jazz franchise better earlier
that day.
Post-game – optional early dinner for anyone interested, hosted by Steve Carfino at
Wolfgang Puck restaurant, LA Live.
3pm. Lakers host Jazz - Staples Center
Overnight, Millennium Biltmore Hotel.

ITINERARY
The Official USA End of Season Tour
featuring NBA teams
April 9 - Los Angeles
Morning free.
At noon we will head to the campus of UCLA in beautiful Westwood. You’ll be guided around
key features of the campus including Pauley Pavilion, famous home of the Bruins. Producing
dozens of NBA players and still holding a record 11 NCAA Championships, UCLA’s
basketball program remains one of the best in the nation. You’ll get a first-hand look at
UCLA from a variety of angles and with special guests chipping in to fill you in on all the
facts. Following our time on the campus, we will stay in the Westwood area, it’s worth a look
and a wander. From there, the group will head to Beverly Hills and spend the afternoon
around Rodeo Drive and taking in the sights of one of the world’s best known postcodes.
Your day will be capped off by a ‘behind-closed-doors’ tour of Staples Center, hosted by an
insider who will take you to places that are simply ‘off-limits’ to the public. Locker room sneak
previews, backstage area, seeing the court area as only the players usually do – this is a
unique chance to absorb all the atmosphere within one of America’s great indoor arenas.
With a capacity of 21,000 Staples has been home to the Lakers, Clippers and the NHL’s LA
Kings since it opened in 1998. Our second home while in LA, you’ll get to know it even better
via this insiders look (transport provided).
Later evening free.
Overnight, Millennium Biltmore Hotel.

April 10 – Game Day 4 - Los Angeles
The last of our NBA game days, #4 and it’s a massive one. The Houston Rockets roll into LA
boasting one of the ‘super’ rosters in the NBA. Harden, Paul, Gordon and their running
mates play an uptempo, gunslinging style, presided over by the innovative
Mike D’Antoni. Make no mistake, when Houston comes to town, so do the crowds, the hype,
the national broadcast focus, and you’ll be there to take it all in at Staples. It doesn’t get
much bigger than this….
Your day of course starts well before the game. A group lunch will get you in the mood for
your last NBA game of the tour as a special guest joins us to preview the game!
Mid-afternoon, free.
7.30 pm. Lakers host Rockets - Staples Center
Overnight, Millennium Biltmore Hotel.

ITINERARY
The Official USA End of Season Tour
featuring NBA teams

April 11 –Lunchtime flight LA – Vegas/American Airlines
We say goodbye to LA as we head to LAX for our flight to Las Vegas, one of the world’s best
known destinations. A short flight, we will check into the magnificent Cosmopolitan of Las
Vegas and have the rest of the day free. Steve and Jeff will host an early dinner with some
suggestions as to what not to miss, and will then take anyone interested for a walk down the
main length of famous Las Vegas Boulevard, aka. ‘the Strip’. With a myriad of shows,
attractions and more to see than your eye can take in, those in the group who’ve not been to
Vegas before will enjoy the experience and those who’ve been before will be amazed at how
much changes on almost a monthly basis in this city!
Although its ‘regular’ population of 623,747 makes it only the USA’s 28th largest city, an
insane 43 million visitors come to this exciting desert magnet annually.
Enjoy your first day and night in Vegas!
Overnight, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

April 12 – Las Vegas
Your last full day and night in Las Vegas but certainly not a time to wind down!
Following breakfast the group will have the exclusive opportunity to an ‘all access’ tour of the
magnificent T-Mobile Arena (capacity 20,000). In its short history, this high-tech and vibrant
venue has already hosted some of America’s best known events, including the famed
Mayweather vs. McGregor bout (August 26, 2017) and is home to the NHL’s Las Vegas
Knights. Being led through all aspects of this venue by senior management, get your phones
out and be ready to be blown away by this spectacular venue right in the heart of Las Vegas
(a two minute walk from our hotel).
In the evening we will have our last group meal and this time it is on us. – hosted by Steve
Carfino and a couple of special guests from the Las Vegas entertainment industry. You’ll
have the chance to hear more about what makes this city tick, hear about the plans for the
NFL’s Oakland Raiders to become the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2020 NFL Season and take
in a discussion as to whether Las Vegas will be the next port of call for an NBA franchise.
Dinner at Bubba Gump Shrimp, right next to the Miracle Mile Shops, Planet Hollywood.
After dinner, for those interested you may want to take in a late show, explore the Strip (you
won’t have gotten through it all the night before, its huge!), watch NBA games at any one of
dozens of sports bars and restaurants, or relax in your room in the luxury of the
Cosmopolitan if you’re suffering from Vegas-fatigue….
Overnight, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

ITINERARY
The Official USA End of Season Tour
featuring NBA teams

April 13 – Evening Flight Vegas – LA/American Airlines
Qantas QF12 LA - Sydney Dep 10:30pm/Arrive 6:20am (15 April)
Last day in the United States. The first half of today you’ll have further time to pick up last
minute shopping to take home. Premium Outlets of Las Vegas have two locations, both
roughly the same distance from the Cosmopolitan, a short cab ride away. To the north, the
outlets are massive, outdoor and always a great place to shop, as long as the heat doesn’t
get to you (temperatures in April often push into the 30’s), while to the south you’ll be in airconditioned comfort. Both are great outlets and we strongly recommend you hold off on your
shoe/bag/jeans/tech/name brand sports gear buying, until you get to the outlets. Of course,
you may have chosen to visit the outlets well before this day as well, there will be time
previously during our Las Vegas stay.
The group will then head to McCarron International Airport in the afternoon for our flight back
to LAX.
After a short flight to LA, you’ll have a couple of hours to get organised, get to the Qantas
international check in area, and prepare for your flight back to Australia.

ITINERARY
The Official USA End of Season Tour
featuring NBA teams
* NBA trades and injuries may result in some players listed above no longer taking the court
in particular games. Nominated days and specific times & locations suggested on particular
days above are indicative only. Every endeavour is undertaken to proceed with all
nominated events, people and plans listed above, but this itinerary is, again, indicative only
with some timings/people/nominated activities subject to change.
Flights and accommodation for the 2018 Official USA End of Season Sydney Kings Tour will
be booked by Flight Centre Travel Group Limited (ABN 25 003 377 188) trading as Flight
Centre. ATAS Accreditation No. A10412 on behalf of the Sydney Kings and will be operated
in keeping with their Terms & Conditions supplied at time of booking. Flight Centre are the
travel agent for the tour.
Flight Centre will;
• Process 10% deposit to confirm booking
• Obtain all details required to book
• Finalise flight & accommodation details
• Assist with Travel Insurance and visa requirements
What's Included?
• International flight, including taxes, from Syd - LA, return.
• Domestic flight, LA - Las Vegas, return.
• Accommodation - twin share or single room - including taxes.
o 8 Nights Accommodation in Los Angeles - Millennium Biltmore (April 3 - 11)
o 2 Nights Accommodation in The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas (April 11 - 13)
• Ground transport to & from airports to hotels in the USA.
• Special 'behind the scenes' tours of NBA venues, facilities & practice areas, and NCAA
college program tours.
• Tickets to all NBA games. (Lakers v Spurs, Lakers v Jazz, Lakers v Rockets, Lakers v
Timberwolves).
• Minimum of four exclusive (not open to public) 'meet & greets' with special guest NBA
personnel.
• Kings & NBL legend Steve Carfino attending all games, behind scenes tours, meet &
greets. Steve will be able to spend time with you as part of the travel party.
• Final dinner in Las Vegas – April 12.
Personal expense
• All Meals are not included and will be a personal expense (with the exception of the last
night in Las Vegas)
• Travel insurance- personal expense, but our travel agent will offer highly competitive rate
for those interested
• Las Vegas Resort Fees - personal expense (approx. USD$30 per room per night)
• US ESTA Visa Fee - personal expense
Twin Share - $6,490 | Single $7,950

ITINERARY
The Official USA End of Season Tour
featuring NBA teams
About Steve Carfino
Steve is a former basketball player, who played for the University of Iowa in college
basketball and later in the Australian National Basketball League.
He joined the Sydney Kings in 1988 after playing two seasons and 51 games at the Hobart
Devils. In 1988 and 1989 he was named in the All-NBL second team, and continued to rank
high in the steals and assists on an annual basis. During his NBL career, Carfino amassed
3,089 points at an average of 23.4 points, as well as having 750 assists, 501 rebounds and
378 steals. His highest score in his NBL career was 52 which he achieved twice, as well as
scoring over 40 points five times more.
On October 10, 2013, Carfino was named in the Sydney Kings 25th Anniversary Team. After
retiring he became a television commentator, focusing on basketball, occasionally covering
other sports.
About Jeff Van Groningen
Jeff is the Sydney Kings Managing Director, Californian-born & previous leader of 15 NBA
tours of this nature.