Essentials You Will Need

This is not intended to be a complete list of what each person should or should not bring when traveling. You may or may not find the items on this list essential. However, it can serve as a checklist to assist in your planning.

Passport and plane ticket: You will need a valid passport and citizens of Canada, Austraila, New Zealand, Japan and USA do not need a visa for entering any country in W. Europe. South Africans need a passport and a Schengen visa to travel to Italy. Make sure you passport is valid for the time of travel and leave a photocopy of this and other important documents at home with a friend who has access to a fax machine just in case yours gets lost or stolen.

Visa Requirements: There are 28 countries whose nationals do not need a visa to visit the EU for three months or less. These include Australia, Canada, Croatia, Japan, New Zealand and the United States. The list of countries whose nationals require visas to travel to the United Kingdom or Ireland differs slightly from other EU countries. If in doubt, check with the nearest consulate of any EU country.

If your visa is from a country fully applying the Schengen rules, it automatically allows you to travel to the other Schengen countries as well. Moreover, if you have a valid residence permit from one of those Schengen countries, it is equivalent to a visa. You may need a national visa to visit non-Schengen countries.

Passport/Visa Note: The borderless region known as the Schengen area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that has a multiple entry.

Clothing

• Comfortable casual slacks
• Hiking shorts
• Hat
• Swim suit (fast dry type)
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Fleece, sweatshirt or sweater for cool times
• Rain jacket and pants
• Eveningwear: dress or slacks are fine for women, with sweater or sport coat with an optional tie for men.

Incidentals

• Sunglasses
• Sun screen
• Toiletry items
• Wash cloth (not always provided in hotels)
• Camera, film/memory cards, recharger (Most rechargers are 110/220V so you can use an adapter for the end of your plug or check to see if your cord is interchangeable, if so you can buy the necessary cord for European outlets when you arrive)
• Notebook and pens
• Fanny pack—great for carrying binoculars, camera, passport, kleenex, etc.
• Address book
• Luggage: Take the type that will travel easily for both you and in transport. Nylon or soft-carry bags work best, as do soft suitcases that roll. If you have a common looking bag put something on it to help you identify it easily. Make sure you identify your bag inside and out with your name, address and phone.
• Electrical converters: The best deal on converters (allows your electrical items to work in Europe) is the AAA office. The price there is around $20 for comparison. Otherwise try travel luggage outlets or computer outlets. If your items are 110/220V then you only need the plug adapter that allows you to insert the plug into the european outlets.
• Personal items: Items taken for granted in US may be difficult to find in Europe or very expensive. Most small comfort items such as batteries, repellent, film, contact solution all can be found.
• Health Insurance: Check with your insurance agent to see if you are covered under your current policy while traveling abroad.
• For our Extreme Alp trek: Due to the extreme conditions and possible weather changes, emergency evacuation insurance is strongly recommended.
• International vaccination certificates: recommended, but not required.

Hiking Tours

• Hiking boots (must be ankle high—tennis shoes or low cut shoes are not acceptable)
• 4 pairs of light wool socks (for warm weather)
• Casual shoes for times when not hiking and regular socks
• Moleskin or molefoam for blisters (Andiamo carries this in medical kits)
• Day pack (Andiamo takes care of the heavy baggage)
• Trekking poles (Andiamo provides them, but you may prefer to use your own)
• Flash light with fresh batteries
• Water bottle (Andiamo provides one)
• Call or e-mail us for tour specific suggestions.

Biking Tours

• Your helmet (Andiamo offers helmets at no charge, but we advise bringing the one you normally wear)
• Biking shoes: a decent pair of sport shoes, or shoes for clipless pedals if bringing pedals
• T-shirts or bicycle jerseys: lightweight, brightly colored (include one long sleeve in case of excess sun)
• Lightweight biking jacket with blow-out slit
• 2 or 3 pairs of biking shorts
• Biking gloves
• Biking socks
• Call or e-mail us for tour specific suggestions.