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Home >
Adventures by
Disney > Destinations >
The Alps
> Travel Tips |
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 Travel Tips - What To
Know Before You Go
Start planning your Adventures
by Disney Alpine Magic family vacation with this list of travel
tips that covers what to know before you go. |
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Preparing for Your Adventure
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Required Travel Documentation |
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If you are a U.S. citizen, you will need
a valid passport to enter Italy and Switzerland and return to the
United States. U.S. passport holders traveling to Italy and
Switzerland for 90 days or less for tourism or business purposes do
not need visas.
Your passport must be valid six months beyond your intended stay and
have 1-2 blank pages remaining. Allow yourself sufficient time to
have your application processed if you are applying for a new
passport or renewing an expired passport. Refer to
www.state.gov
for further details.
In addition, Guests 17 years of age or younger may be required to
show additional documentation when traveling with a single parent.
If you are not a U.S. citizen, please check with the Italian Embassy
(www.ambwashingtondc.esteri.it/Ambasciata_Washington)
and the Swiss Embassy (www.swissemb.org
for information on documentation requirements.
Passport Services
You can apply for a passport through CIBT, Inc., a third party
travel document company servicing the travel industry (not
affiliated with the Walt Disney Company).
Click here for more information or call CIBT at
(800) 406-1523.
PLEASE NOTE: ADDITIONAL CHARGES WILL APPLY FOR TELEPHONE
CALLS made to access CIBT specialists. |
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What to Pack |
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Please limit your baggage to one piece
of luggage per person plus one carry-on. Due to frequent security
changes, we recommend that you check with your air carrier as well
as the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) web site
www.tsa.gov for
current restrictions.
Since a majority of your adventure will take place outdoors, attire
for your adventure should be casual and comfortable. No sports
jacket or cocktail dresses are required. The following is a list of
clothing and other items you may want to bring:
| Clothing |
Miscellaneous |
| • T-shirts (short and
long-sleeved) |
• Valid photo ID |
| • Collared shirts |
• Medication |
| • Jeans or long pants |
• Camera/video camera |
| • Dress/skirt (optional) |
• Sunglasses |
| • Shorts |
• Sunscreen |
| • Lightweight rain
jacket |
• Umbrella |
| • Hat |
• Extra batteries or
charger for camera |
| • Swimsuit |
• Universal power
adapter/converter |
| • Walking shoes |
| • Sandals |
• Warm sweater when
traveling
during May or September |
Hairdryers are available at all hotels. |
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Weather |
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ITALY:
Stresa is situated on the west side of Lake Maggiore on the slopes
of Mount Mottarone, looking out over the Borromeo islands. Average
temperatures in Stresa and the surrounding region range from 28°-
82°F (-2.2 to 27.5°C). Rainfall in Stresa varies from 5.5 to 20
inches per month (141 to 507 mm). Summers can be hot and humid
during the day, with temperatures rising above 86°F during August.
However, evenings tend to be on the cool side so be sure to bring a
sweater.
SWITZERLAND:
Winters are moderately cold, while summers tend to be relatively hot
and sunny. In July, temperatures typically range between 59°F (15°C)
and 86°F (30°C). The wettest time of year is from June to August.
Temperatures rarely drop below 41ºF (5ºC) in the entire country,
with the exception of the highest elevations and a few days in
January, where temperatures may dip to as low as 14°F (-10°C).
Overall, the mountainous topography makes it common to move from a
cold, cloudy and rainy landscape to a beautiful clear blue sky with
hot sun in just a few minutes. |
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En Route
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Arrival/Departure |
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ARRIVAL: You will fly into Malpensa
Airport (MXP) in Milan on your arrival day. Your flight should
arrive before 2:30 p.m.
DEPARTURE: At the end of the adventure, you will fly out of Zurich
Airport (ZRH) for your return flight home. Your flight is expected
to depart no earlier than 10:00 a.m. |
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During Your Adventure
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Currency |
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The unit of currency in Italy is the
Euro (EUR), and the Swiss Franc (CHF) is used in Switzerland. U.S.
dollars are not accepted at hotels, shops or restaurants, but ATM
machines are available in most places. Most hotels and restaurants
accept major credit cards or debit cards. Your Adventure Guide can
help you with any local currency issues that may arise. |
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Tipping |
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Adventures by Disney has pre-paid
certain tips and gratuities for all included meals and activities
such as tips for porters, housekeepers, drivers, activity providers,
local experts and dining room staff for included meals.
On Your Own Dining Gratuities: When eating at a restaurant, a
gratuity or "service charge" is usually included in the bill, but if
you are unsure, don't hesitate to ask your server. If you feel you
have received exceptional service, you may leave an additional
gratuity. Many choose to simply "round up."
Adventure Guide Gratuities: Gratuities for your Adventures
Guides are not included. If you feel that your Adventure Guides have
provided excellent service, we suggest the following discretionary
gratuity: Per Guest/Per Adventure Guide/Per Day - $5-$8 USD.
For example:
• For a 9-day adventure, the Adventure Guide gratuity per Guest,
per Adventure Guide: $45-$72 USD.
• For a family of 4 for a 9-day adventure: $180-$288 USD per
Adventure Guide. For 2 Guides, this is a total of: $360-$576 USD.
Adventure Guides accept local currency and U.S. dollars. |
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Transportation |
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While we take care of transportation to
all itinerary destinations, here are some helpful transportation
tips for time on your own.
ITALY
Accommodations have been arranged so that anything you may need
while in Stresa is situated within walking distance via pedestrian
streets, some of which are cobblestone. If additional transportation
needs arise, your Adventure Guide can provide assistance.
SWITZERLAND
When traveling in Switzerland, it's best to avoid Swiss roads and
opt for the wonderfully punctual and ultra-efficient rail system.
You can buy tickets at any of the numerous kiosks, most of which
accept cash or credit and give information in many different
languages. Helpful ticket sales people will give you a copy of your
itinerary, which includes information like transfer stations, time
of transfer and which car to enter. To get to more remote places not
on the rail-line, take a "postbus," which is integrated into the
rail system. |
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Language |
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While the primary language of Italy is
Italian and the primary language of central Switzerland is German,
most people from both countries speak some English. Your Adventure
Guide can help you with any language barriers.
The following is a list of words and phrases you may want to use
during your trip to Switzerland:
| English
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German
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Pronunciation |
| Hello |
Guten tag |
goo-ten-tahg |
| Goodbye |
Auf wiedersehen |
owf-vee-da-zane |
| Good morning |
Guten morgen |
goo-ten mor-gen |
| Goodnight |
Guten abend |
goo-ten ah-bend |
| Yes |
Ja |
Yah |
| No |
Nein |
nine |
| Adventure |
Abenteuer |
ah-ben-teh-yoor |
The following is a list of words and phrases you may want to use
during your trip to Italy:
| English
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Italian
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Pronunciation |
| Hello/Good Morning
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Ciao |
chow |
| Goodbye |
Arrivederci |
a-reev-a-der-chee
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| Good evening |
Buona Sera |
bona-sera |
| Goodnight |
Buona Notte |
bona-notteh |
| Yes |
Sí |
see |
| No |
No |
no |
| Adventure |
Aventura |
ah-ven-toor-a |
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