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Additional RMHS Selects Tour Information
TRAVEL INFORMATION:
All players are required to travel with a guardian. Those players that do not have the option to travel with a guardian must clear this with the RMHS staff and set up arrangements to travel with the RMHS staff in and out of Denver. Players will need to set up a flight to and from their home destination to Denver to meet, and travel to and from Milan with the RMHS staff (RMHS Staff flight information will be provided). To make travel arrangements with RMHS, please contact Bryan Smith at Bryan@RMHShockey.com or toll free at 800.898.8099
LUGGAGE LIMITS:
Please pack as lightly as possible. Many people tend to over pack. Remember, you are only going for 10 days and it is summer time. Plus, you will undoubtedly buy some items over there and will need the room to bring them back. When leaving the US, all US based airlines will allow bags up to 50 lbs. This will be the same upon our return. Allowable weight limits for all bags leaving Switzerland is a max of 23 kilos, which is approximately 50 lbs. Please pack accordingly or you will be hit by a 50-100 USD charge at the airport while checking in.
FAA BAGGAGE ALLOWANCES:
All players will have to check their own sticks all the way through to Italy. Some airlines may try and charge you for a third bag fee for your sticks, however, as mentioned, this is not correct. According to FAA guidelines, checked hockey equipment equivalent to one bag includes a hockey gear bag and an exterior stick bag. If the person who is checking your bags tries to hit you with an extra charge, be sure to mention this regulation, as you should NOT be charged an extra fee for your stick bag. As a recommendation, I have found in the past that it is much easier to get a gear bag and a stick bag checked through if you do so curbside. Traditionally, I have found them to be much easier to deal with on this issue.
The brief description below is exactly how it is written in all FAA regulation manuals, hopefully it will help.
Hockey Equipment - FREE in place of one checked bag
One item includes: Two sticks taped together, equipment bag, pads and skates
TOUR ACCOMMODATIONS:
The players will be supervised 24/7 by RMHS Selects Tour Coaches and will all
stay together in the local International
Youth Hostel. Parents and siblings will stay in the Hotel
Regina Olga. While in Lugano, parents and siblings will stay in the De
la Paix Hotel.
All living arrangements are as a group, including coaching staff. All accommodations will have individual rooms that house anywhere from 2-10 players, and will be in the same section of the hostel/hotel as the coaches. Players may bunk with personnel of their choosing provided this does not cause conflicts or create havoc. However, this is not guaranteed at all locations due to changing room configurations. We will do our best to accommodate everyone’s wishes.
SIGHTSEEING - Jungfraujoch, the "Top of Europe".:
Quite honestly, this day could quite possibly be the highlight of your trip. We begin on the valley floor in Lauterbrunnen and proceed to gain well over 9,000 ft via cog-wheel train, through the world famous ski resort of Wengen, to the top of the Swiss Alps and the Jungfraujoch, the world’s highest railway station and weather station. We have learned the hard way in the past that Europeans are very high on respect. This means no feet or shoes on the seats of these trains or the conductors will throw you off!! It is as simple as that. They will not ask twice. This will be a day when the RMHS Code of Conduct and dress code are strongly enforced (we do not want to leave a player stranded in Wengen, half way up!).
This day is mandatory for all players traveling alone and is voluntary for players with parents long. The cost of the ticket for the Jungfraujoch is included for players, but is not included for parents. We have learned the hard way in the past that this is a good day for parents to grab their sons to spend a day off with them as some have either done the Jungfraujoch before, or want a day to themselves as a family. It is typically one of the only days without hockey so it is a good time for families to spend some time alone.
In addition to the Jungfrau, each team will take a boat tour of the Ligurian Coast. The boat will depart from Rapallo and travel to the legendary port city of Portofino with short stops at San Fruttuoso and Camogli for swimming, shopping, and sightseeing.
WEATHER:
The weather this time of year in Switzerland is warm during the days, high in the mid to high 80's, and cool at night, especially in the mountains.
CREDIT CARD USAGE:
It is wise to contact your credit card companies ahead of time and notify them that you will be traveling out of the country for these dates and that all charges coming from Switzerland are OK. Sometimes they will flag these charges and shut down your card until they hear from you, which, since you are already in Switzerland, does you no good.
FOOD & DRINK:
All meals are included in the cost of the trip and only one soft drink is provided per meal per player. European customs do not encourage more than one soda per meal and all players are recommended to drink water while traveling and training. Please be aware of this while having lunch on your own.
TRANSPORTATION:
All in country transportation has been arranged and is taken care of from city to city. However, if you plan to venture into town during some off time, public transportation, especially buses, are easy and convenient.
STORING HOCKEY EQUITPMENT AT ZURICH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT:
The lockers are located at the train station inside the airport, the Bahnhof Railway, 1 level below Terminal 2, over bridge, down 2 more levels.
You can use/pay for them for up to 72 hours, after that all bags will be placed IN, and can be retrieved FROM, the luggage center inside the airport.
$5 CHF / day medium size locker appropriate for most luggage bags
$7 CHF / day for a large locker appropriate for a hockey bag
DON’T FORGET YOUR PASSPORT! It is the most important thing you must remember.
In fact, it is the only thing you can not leave without!!
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