After visiting different places around the world and experiencing different cultures, we’ve come to realise that there are a few things about visiting Italy that can be a little unclear at times!
WHAT DO YOU NEED THEN?
What should you think about before entering our beautiful country?
Here is a selection of useful information and tips that will help you when you visit.
(Mainly aimed at Non EU citizens… but they might be helpful even if you are one of our European neighbours!)
Ship to Cycle is the new door to door service to safely and efficiently send your bike wherever you want.The service is dedicated to all cycling enthusiasts: professionals, amateurs and cycle tourists.
The objective is to offer a premium service that relieves you of the stress of transporting your bike to the airport and avoids further inconvenience of the transfer to the race venue or hotel. This makes it possible to organise your trip with greater flexibility, not only for sporting purposes, but also for tourism.
Ship To Cycle relies on the best international couriers who guarantee precision and punctuality in deliveries.
You can also activate an insurance policy that covers the full value of your bike throughout its journey.
Aosta Valley Freeride (AVF) will provide the services, as confirmed by email. Please check your confirmation email carefully and report any incorrect or incomplete information to AVF immediately.
AVF will provide all logistics and mountain safety decision making.
Aosta Valley Freeride cannot take any responsibility for damage or loss to property (e.g. bikes) and / or individuals during a trip.
Down Day activities may be organised by AVF, and may include extra cost, depending on the activity. This will be confirmed prior to booking any activity.
You must be 18 years of age to make a booking. You agree to provide full, complete and accurate information to the best of your ability.
You are responsible for:
Providing your own MTB Clothing, Helmet and Protection appropriate to Alpine terrain. (No accessories will be provided by AVF, unless previously agreed).
Certified helmets must be worn at all times during your trip.
Ensuring that your bike is in full working order and fully serviced prior to your trip start date if riding your own bike.
If hiring a bike from us, it will have been fully checked prior to your arrival. Maintenance during your trip is your responsibility.
Indicating truthfully your physical and technical level.
Completing our pre-ride questionnaire and group safety information form. (you will receive it some days before your arrival).
Providing payment in full, 30 days prior to your trip.
Making a personal judgement on whether or not to ride any particular section of trail. If in doubt, get off and walk – there is no pressure to ride beyond your ability.
You are aware that biking is a dangerous activity and you understand that you, and every member of your group need appropriate insurance cover for the activity, which takes place in occasionally very remote areas. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance you purchase is adequate and appropriate for your particular needs while you are on holiday with us.
It is recommended that the policy you choose covers individual trip costs due to COVID-19 cancellations, or other unavoidable interruptions which may occur. Once we have secured the guide / shuttle and have taken the second half of the deposit we cannot provide refunds or credits as costs will no longer be recoverable.
AVF can recommend the following insurance providers on the basis of the positive experiences of other clients, but have no affiliation and take no responsibility for services provided.
If you come from Europe: Columbus
If you come from US GlobalRescue
Full payment is due prior to any AVF services being provided. A 50% deposit is due to hold a reservation. The 50% remaining balance will be due 30 days prior to the trip reservation.
All funds will be transferred to AVF’s bank account, or paid by credit card or Paypal. (This incurs a 3% fee.)
For customer cancellations, AVF will require written notice of cancellation via confirmed email. Any refunds will be subject to a 7% administration and bank fee.
If cancellation occurs within 60 days of your trip start date, you will lose your deposit, but any other moneys paid will be returned.
If cancellation occurs within 30 days of your trip start date, no refund will be provided.
You may transfer your trip to another person at no cost.
If AVF cancels your trip, you will be credited the fee we have received at the cancellation date.
This does not apply to adverse weather conditions, over which AVF have no control. We will not cancel a trip due to adverse weather, but we may adapt the planned itinerary for reasons of safety at the discretion of our expert guides.
I expressly agree and acknowledge that the terms and conditions of this Agreement are contractual in nature and that I am signing this contract, as is and without edits, of my own free will.
I expressly acknowledge that I am not under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of my signing of this document and that there are no other impediments or reasons why I would lack the capacity to enter into this contract with AVF.
The district court of Aosta is agreed as court of jurisdiction.
We ask all riders to review the “Technical and Fitness Rating System” to ensure you are confident riding on the level required for the particular rides you are interested in joining!
Please read the following guidelines carefully to ensure the ride of interest matches your technical level and fitness prior to booking your ride.
Novice
You can ride a bike and are happy riding on dirt roads with gentle climbs and descents.
Intermediate
You enjoy riding easy single track that isn’t narrow or technical and you know the basics of body position and how to brake and corner safely. You enjoy riding in the mountains as long as it’s not too exposed or steep. You’d maybe like to learn more to enable you to tackle more technical or narrower trails with roots and rocks.
Intermediate +
You are comfortable riding on narrow single track with some rocks and roots and are able to proactively ride most trails. If the corners are too tight or the trail is too technical you are happy to walk a few meters, but you’d like to work on your skills to help you ride them.
Advanced
You are comfortable riding almost any trail including steep rock sections, tight switch backs, off camber sections, roots, and narrow exposed single track in high mountain terrain. You’ve ridden in the mountains and are not intimidated by sustained, steep descents that include all of these features. You know when it’s better to get off the bike, but don’t have to often.
Pro Bro
You are a professional or sponsored mountain biker, and/or you compete regularly in national or international competitions. You can ride all terrain pro-actively and safely, in any mountain environment or weather conditions.
1
You are happy riding for a few hours and are capable of climbing up to 500 vertical meters over the course of a day.
2
You are happy riding for a several hours and are capable of climbing between 500-800 vertical meters over the course of a day. You could ride like this for 2-3 consecutive days.
3
You are capable of riding for multiple days in a row at a moderate pace for several hours each day. You can handle moderately steep climbs of up to around 1000 vertical meters in a day including some pushing or carrying your bike if required. You have ridden at altitude (2000 slm+) previously, and understand the effect it has on you.
4
You are capable of riding for multiple days for an average of 4-6 hours of pedal time each day. You can climb 1000-1500 vertical meters each day including pushing or carrying your bike over long sections (30-60mins) if required. You have ridden at altitudes of over 2000 slm+ previously and are happy doing so, although you may have to go slower and take more breaks.
5
You are capable of riding for multiple days in a row for an average of 6-8 hours each day. You can handle steep, sustained climbs of over 1,500m each day including pushing or carrying your bike over long sections (60mins+) if required. Altitude is no problem to you and you are used to riding at over 2500 slm+.
Aosta is easily accessible by road from most of Europe, we are located at one of the most important historical routes through the Alps!
Turin (117Km)
Milan (164Km)
Genoa (226Km)
You can also approach the valley from the French and Swiss sides through the Mont Blanc and Grand Saint Bernard Tunnels, taking the main SS 26 and 27 roads, respectively or during the summer (between June and October) over the Piccolo and Grand Saint Bernard passes.
The nearest airports are: Milano Malpensa or Linate, Torino Caselle Geneva (Switzerland)
In case of an emergency in Italy you call 112 for the help of the police, fire department or ambulance service. Specific numbers can be dialed in case of a very specific emergency but the 112 will transfer you to the right one in no time. In case, those numbers will be listed to you during the mtb tour briefing.
In some regions, the app: Where Are You? is fully functional. When using that, the rescue center will be able to locate you straight way. We suggest to download it, just in case!
Italy has no special health risks and vaccinations are not mandatory
Almost everywhere tap water is reliable drinking water. It often does not taste good because there is drinkable chemicals in it, especially in larger cities. Bottled water is also readily available in less populated areas. In most small town and even up in the mountains, it is likely to find fountains with drinkable water running.
The UV index and hours of sunshine can get pretty high in some times of the year. Therefore the use of sunscreen oil with a high factor is advised to prevent sunburn.
There are no deadly animals or plants in most parts of the country. There are some that might cause irritations or skin rushes.
The medicines which are freely obtainable elsewhere can be bought with or without prescription in the Italy too. Ask your doctor if your prescribed medication contain drugs and, if necessary, take a medical certificate with you.
EU citizens are provided with the EHIC (European Health Insurance Card). The EHIC, however, is not an alternative to travel insurance.
Medical treatment in Italy is expensive and hospitalisation is practically un-payable. Please check the terms and conditions of your health insurance for worldwide coverage before you go to the Italy. If not, then it is wise to have a temporary, supplemental health insurance.
We’ve been working for a long time with Global Rescue. They’ve provided our guests with some great, safe solutions for their holiday. Always wear your insurance certificate with you. Mainly when you’re out riding. In case of hospitalisation it is advised to immediately notify your insurance company, so they can take care of the payment. Be sure to have the details (which hospital, which doctor, telephone number, etc.) at hand.
* Please note, these are our own suggestions. We are not responsible for any personal choices made.
Moving from a foreign country to Italy during Covid-19 times seems harder than it actually is. There can be different motivations why you’d like to get here: tourism, work, duties, etc. but as long as you follow the rules and have the few documents needed, you’ll be good to go.
It is very important to gather information from the official sources and the italian government website is the right one.
Check this link for the official infos.
Rules change and evolve together with the unravelling of the situation. Same as most of other countries. It is vital to respect the rules in order to prevent the spread of the virus at all costs and being thoroughly updated on the state of the law is a key part of that. A 10pm-5am curfew remains in place nationwide, and all non-essential travel between regions is banned. Public transport is still running, including long-distance trains, though some routes may be suspended or operating on reduced schedules. Check with your transport provider for details before departing. The dedicated section on this page (Riding in Italy?) might help. Our country is now divided into 4 different areas (Red, Orange, Yellow and White) that take different measures depending on specific risk indicators. Some regions can decide to take particular stricter measures.
Here is what the colours stand for:
Red zone
In addition to not being allowed to travel from one municipality to another, people in red zones are not allowed to move around within their own area unless for essential reasons, by either public or private transport.
You must justify any movements, including within your own municipality, using a self-declaration form.
You can only enter or leave an orange or red zone for urgent reasons, such as for work or health.
You cannot travel to any private home other than your own.
All schools in red zones are closed. Authorities may choose to enforce additional closures in orange zones.
Shops are closed except for those deemed essential, which include supermarkets and other food shops, tabacchi (tobacconists/newsagents), and pharmacies. Childrens’ clothes shops are also open.
Hairdressers and beauticians are closed.
All team sports activities are suspended (solo exercise such as running or walking is allowed).
Travel to a second home is allowed only if you can prove you had the right to enter the property (as owner or tenant) before January 14th 2021. This means new short-term rentals are not allowed, and you can’t stay with relatives. “The house of destination must not be inhabited by people not belonging to the family unit”, according to the health ministry.
Visits to relatives and friends are not allowed, even within your own municipality. Exceptions to this rules are made for Easter in red zones. You can move within the region between 5am and 10pm to visit friends and relatives, once a day. A maximum of two people, plus children under 14, are allowed to move in this way from April 3-5, the Italian health ministry confirmed in a statement.
The health ministry notes that individual regions or provinces may set their own additional restrictions on top of these national rules, and the details can be found on your local authority’s website.
Orange zone
In orange zones, you can only travel within your municipality (town) and it is forbidden to move between municipalities unless for essential reasons.
If you leave your municipality, or travel within it during the 10pm-5am curfew, you must complete a self-declaration form justifying your movements.
Bars, cafes, restaurants, pastry shops and other food businesses are closed.
Home delivery is still allowed, and takeaway is permitted until curfew at 10pm.
Museums and art galleries are closed.
All shops can remain open.
Hairdressers and beauticians can remain open.
Visits to the homes of family and friends outside your municipality are not allowed.
You can visit a second home within your region.
Schools remain open, but local authorities can order schools to close and to move learning online.
Yellow zone
In yellow zones, bars and restaurants can stay open until 6pm, including on Sundays. Takeaway service is allowed until 10pm for restaurants and until 6pm for bars, while there are no time limits for home delivery.
Museums reopen, but only on weekdays, therefore from Monday to Friday.
High schools can return to in-person teaching for 50 to 75 percent of classes.
For middle and elementary schools, face-to-face teaching continues, with masks required for children over six years old.
You can visit friends or relatives, but the following rules apply: You can travel to another private home in your region or autonomous province once a day between the hours of 5am-10pm. No more than two adult visitors are allowed, though children under 14 (from the same family) are not counted. Travel to reach second homes outside the region is permitted, regardless of the colour of the region of origin and the region of arrival. You will need documents proving ownership or residency, and a completed self-certification form.
Travel to return home or to a place of residence is allowed, regardless of zone.
Barbers and hairdressers are open in all zones.
Outdoor ‘motor activity’ exercise is allowed (e.g. jogging and walking) in all zones.
Check the link here to have the updated situation.
We strongly suggest to have a through look at the restrictions in place for your own country when travelling back from Italy. Some governments impose quarantine to their travelling citizens, some others don’t under certain circumstances. Take this component into account when planning your trip to Italy.