How to enroll?

When we receive your registration form, we will send you a letter (or a fax, or an email) of confirmation or an invoice (only by postal service). It is always possible to extend your stay, even if you have already arrived in Italy.

We try, as much as possible, to be flexible and to welcome you in our schools whatever the period and even though a minimum notice of registration is needed. If you book in advance, however, we will be able to better meet your needs and preferences regarding the accommodation. Moreover, do not forget that the visa procedures can take some time.

Accommodation

Your accommodation is very important. Take your time before making a decision. If you would like to speak with us, please do not hesitate to call the secretary of the school. You must book accommodation in advance. We need your credit card number to be able to do this.

You will receive the address of your accommodation, normally 10 days before the start of courses and once we have received the full payment for the chosen course/s. You will be expected to arrive on the Sunday before the start of courses. We ask you please to inform the owner (by telephone) or the school (by telephone, fax or email) of your estimated arrival time, at least 4 days before your arrival. 

You must leave your accommodation on the Saturday that follows the end of your courses, before 10.00. If you arrive a day early, or you would like to stay a day longer, please speak about this with the school's reception.

Sheets are provided, and are changed every fortnight, but you must bring your own towels. You will have your own keys, which will let you be completely independent. Students that live with a family can receive phone calls. However, apartments do not have telephones. In any case, our schools can put you in contact with companies that rent out mobile phones.

In the event that you have booked accommodation in an apartment, on the first evening you must eat out, because on Sundays all supermarkets are closed. You are asked to look after the state and cleanliness of the apartment, even if someone comes to clean the rooms once a fortnight.

Are you vegetarian? Are you allergic to pets? Do you need a transfer from the airport or station? Do you have any particular wishes or preferences? Please inform us as soon as possible so that we can do our best to meet your needs. 

More information about accommodation service offered by Scuola Leonardo da Vinci.

Transports

Travelling by train
There are many night trains to Italy, in addition to the Eurocity day train connections. People aged under 26 may be able to buy reduced price tickets. The booking of sleeping cars must be made as soon as possible. 

Travelling by car
All our school are easily accessible through the highways.
In the center of the historical cities, parking is usually not permitted, and in the other neighborhoods, parking is mostly not free. Paying parking garages are usually available in the surroundings of our schools.

Travelling by plane
You can get to our schools from the airports of Florence, Pisa, Milan and Rome.

Moreover, our schools offer a transport service from the airports and train stations. More information.

Financial support?

The first day of the course

Internet

Which are the activities for free time organized by the Schools?

• dinners, which enable teachers and students to get to know each other better
• guided visits in History of Art
• film evenings at school
• day and half-day excursions
• visit to wine cellars.

Every month our schools distribute their own calendar of cultural activities. In this way participants will always be well informed concerning exhibitions, concerts, films and other events. For the weekends we hand out special leaflets for individual trips. All students receive a written guide indicating active and passive sporting activities and the secretary’s office can also help with the organization of sporting activities.

Can you give me an example of a monthly activity calendar in Florence?

• Day excursion to Siena and San Gimignano or Pisa and Lucca etc.; every 2 weeks, normally every second Saturday (at cost price).
• Half-day excursion to the vineyards of the "Chianti" area, visit to a winery incl. "merenda" (typical Tuscan afternoon snack); every 2 weeks, every second Thursday (at cost price).
• Dinners with the school in a typical Florentine trattoria: students and teachers have a good chance to get to know each other; every first week after a course begins (at cost price).
• Free guided History of Art tours in Florence: every week.
• One or two guided museum visits in 4 weeks (at cost price).
• Not Enough? Learn more about the city of Florence, about its history and its cultural life and past with AboutFlorence.com, the travel guide about Florence. Here you'll really find all information about the city of Florence.

Can you give me an example of a monthly activity calendar in Milan?

• Day excursion to Lago Maggiore, Lago di Como, Lago d’Iseo or Lago di Garda (all of them make up the famous lake district close to Milan);  at least once every 4 weeks, normally the first Saturday after a month course begins (at cost price).
• Half day excursion to Monza, Brescia, Pavia: every two weeks (at cost price).
• Guided tours around the city: every two weeks.
• Soccer match: if enough students are interested there’s the possibility to buy tickets to see Inter or Milan soccer matches in the “S.Siro Stadium”: every week.
• Art History tour to some of the most important sights where Leonardo da Vinci worked are on show: Castello Sforzesco, Museo della Scienza e della Tecnica, Refettorio S.Maria delle Grazie, Museo d’Arte e Scienza: every two weeks (at cost price).
• Aperitivo night in “Navigli”, students will appreciate the typical after-work activity in Milan, buy a cocktail and the price includes snacks and aperitivi, at some of the most beautiful bars and cafes in town: every week.
• Dinners with the school in a typical Milanese restaurant, students and teachers have a good chance to get to know each other over a delicious “risotto alla Milanese” and a good glass of wine: every 2 weeks (at cost price)
• For the weekends we hand out special leaflets for individual trips to: Monza, Brescia, Pavia, Ligurian coast, the lake district (Lago di Garda, Lago Maggiore, Lago di Como, Lago d’Iseo), Venice and Switzerland
• If enough students are interested we organize volleyball, basketball and soccer games
• All students receive a guide indicating sporting activities, either to take part in or to watch and the office can also help with the organization of sporting activities
• Not Enough? Learn more about the city of Milan, about its history, its cultural life, events and discover what to do in Milan with AboutMilan.com, the Milan travel guide.

Can you give me an example of a monthly activity calendar in Rome?

• Tandem - language exchange with aperitivo between students and local Italians: every week.
• Half-day excursion to Tivoli, Ostia Antica, Castelli Romani, etc.
• Dinner with the school in a typical Roman pizzeria or restaurant: every week (at cost price).
• Guided History of Art tours in Rome: every week (free)
• Movie Night: every two weeks (free).
• Diction/Pronunciation lessons: every two weeks (free).
• "Vengo anch'io": our selection of weekly activities available to all students.
• Not Enough? Learn more about the city of Rome, about its ancient history, its artistic and cultural life, discover what to do and what to see in Roma with AboutRoma.com, your Rome travel guide.

Can you give me an example of a monthly activity calendar in Turin?

• One-day excursion at least once a month, usually on the third Saturday or third Sunday of the month to Milan or Genoa, Langhe, Invrea or Asti in autumn, hopefully on the occasion of special events and we pay only at cost price.
  
• Half day excursion: the Venaria Reggia, the Stupinigi Palazzina di Caccia, Rivoli ( Leumann Vllage and the Contemporary Art Museum in Rivoli Castle; the Sacra di San Michele (every fortnight, at cost price).
  
• Guided tour of the city, the first week of each month.
  
• Football matches: if enough students are interested, we can buy tickets to watch Juventus and Toro matches.
  
• Guided tour on a theme of art history: the archaeological area of Turin, the Baroque churches of Turin, the Cinema Museum, the Egyptian Museum, Royal Palace, Madama Palace, Villa della Regina, Tour of the historical cafes, Visit to a chocolate atelier, the Medieval village in the Valentino park (once a week)
  
• Apericena in the Quadrilatero, or in San Salvario or in Vanchiglia area: you will appreciate the particular atmosphere of the Turinese after work, taking a cocktail and enjoying delicious snacks in the trendiest clubs of the city.
  
• Dinner with the school in a typical piola: ideal for meeting the other students and teachers, accompanied by Piedmontese appetizers and a good glass of wine. Frequency: every fortnight at cost price.
  
• For the weekend, we distribute specific brochures dedicated to those who want to do the excursions on their own: Milan, Venice, Florence, Genoa and the Ligurian coast, the district of the Lakes (Garda Lake, Maggiore Lake, Orta Lake), Susa Valley, the Langhe, the Monferrato.
  
• If enough students are interested, we can organize volleyball, basketball and football matches.
  
• All students receive a program guide indicating the sporting activities they can take part in or attend; the secretariat can also help you organize sports activities.

Check list:

• Valid passport or identity card;
• Tickets and reservations;
• Insurance documents;
• money, traveler's cheques and credit cards;
• Personal medicine or medical prescriptions;
• EHIC-Card form (for citizens from EU countries);
• Italian address given to parents etc;
• School informed about arriving time;
• Transfer requested from school.

Climate

Although summer in Italy, from the Alps to Sicily, is quite warm, the winter in Northern and Central Italy can be quite cool; winter in the south, however, is relatively mild. The best weather in the cities is in spring and autumn.

Average summer temperatures range from 18°C to 30°C (64°F to 86°F).
the average winter temperature is around 4°C to 16°C (39°F to 61°F).

Credit Cards / traveler's Cheques

Electricity

Financial support

Insurance

During your stay in Italy, you must be personally insured against illness and accident. Citizens from European Union countries are entitled to free medical care in Italy if they hold an EHIC-Card form which can be obtained from their local health authority in their home country before departing for Italy.

Students from non-EU countries must enquire with the authorities in their countries to know if they are insured during a stay abroad; if they are not covered, they should arrange health insurance to cover their stay in Italy.

Moreover, participants are advised to insure against loss of fees due to non-arrival, absence or unexpected termination of their course. Contact your travel agent for further details or contact our school.
inviarne, vi chiederemo una quota.

Health, Medical Doctors and Pharmacies

The first-aid service in the Emergency Room of the hospital is free for anyone who is in need.

SCUOLA LOENARDO DA VINCI can provide a doctor whenever you are in need of a consultation or medical care.

In every city you will find 24-hour pharmacies. You should not forget to bring, if necessary, your own medical prescriptions.

National Holidays

More information.

Pocket money

Telephone

International telephone calls can be made from all public telephones (in the telephone offices, in bars, etc.). Also, the schools in Florence and Rome have a public telephone and a credit-card telephone.

The country code for Italy is "39".

'Land phone': The country code must always be followed by the "0" before the area code;
'Mobile phone': There will never be the "0" before the number.

Travelling by train

Travelling by car

All of our course locations are conveniently located on the national motorways.

In the old city centres parking is not allowed.

In Florence in all other districts parking is chargeable on the blue parking places during the day and free of charge form 8 pm to 8 am.

The Old town of Rome is accessible by car - without authorization - only after 6 pm. Outside the city centre are many parking garages for a fee.

In Turin central and semi-central area, during the day, the on-street parking is subject to a fee in the areas outlined with blue stripes. It is free from 7.30 pm to 8.00 am. For parking in the blue lines, the appropriate voucher must be displayed and you can buy it at a tobacconist's or newsagent's. Parking meters in which to insert coins are usually always available. It is not worth going to the center of Turin or to school by car because it is hard to find any parking (even for a fee) and it is expensive. Better to move with the public transport which works quite well.Most of the parking places in Milan are reserved for residents (marked with yellow line) or are on charge (marked with blue line). You can park on white line spaces for free (very difficult) or you can park at blue line spaces but you need to by “Sosta Milano” card which you can purchase at tobacco shop.

A very good alternative if you have to park your car for a long time are the city garages especially those near metro lines (Famagosta, Forlanini, Lodi, Lampugnano) which offer a fair price for weekly or monthly tickets. Pay attention to “Area C” which is a restricted area of the coty center. If you wish to enter this area from 07:30am to 6:30pm. you need to pay 5 Euro additional fee.
Tip: The public transportation runs perfectly in Milan, use it!

Traveling by air

Our schools in Florence can be reached from the airports in Florence, Pisa and Rome-Fiumicino.

The school in Milan can be reached from Malpensa and Linate airport, as well as from Orio al Serio Bergamo airport.

The school in Rome is easily reached from Fiumicino airport.

The airport Turin-Caselle Airport (IATA: TRN, ICAO: LIMF) has connections with the most important international airports and with that of Rome Fiumicino.

Visa

The european citizens don't need a visa and they can enter in Italy with an identity card or a passport. People who come from other countries must inquire about the laws at the Embassy or Consulate of Italy.
If you need a visa to extend your stay for more than 90 days you will have to make an application for type D (student). The Leonardo da Vinci School will provide you, after your registration and payment of the course, a certificate of registration to be attached to your file for visa application.

Accommodation in host-family

You can wash your sheets by hand and can use the ironing board without charge. Using the washing machine is not included but an agreement to do this can be organized between the owner, school and student.

Accommodation in a shared apartment

Apartments are furnished and the kitchens are supplied with basic utensils (plates, cutlery, pots).
You can prepare your meals with your housemates or separately.
Electricity, gas, water and local taxes are included in the price.

Apartments are cleaned before your arrival. During your stay you are responsible for the cleaning of your room and of the shared rooms (kitchen and bathrooms). Sheets are provided and are changed every 15 days, but you must bring your own towels.

If you have chosen this type of accommodation, a deposit of 100 euros must be paid when you pick up the keys. This deposit must be paid when you arrive and it will be returned to you on your departure, in the absence of fees for repairs.

The apartments do not have telephones.

We advise you to bring something to eat for the Sunday and Monday morning after you arrive, because food shops and supermarkets are shut on Sundays.
Italy uses the 220 Volts/AC system. The power sockets could be different to those of your country and you may need an adaptor.

Accommodation reservations

To book your accommodation we need your credit card number as a guarantee. We will send you confirmation of the address of your accommodation, together with the exact rent. We ask you please to pay the rent of your accommodation at your arrival in Italy.

Accommodation in a private apartment

Private apartments are more comfortable than shared apartments and so are more expensive. They are available for one or two people. Prices are available upon request. We ask you please to remember that private apartments must be booked in advance and that prices vary according to the city and season.
Booking of accommodation

Accommodation in a Hotel

Availability

Extra night on arrival and departure

Arrival date and time

Bed-linens / towels

Laundry

Shared apartment: In the apartment, there is no washing machine. You must use launderettes.
In a family: the use of the washing machine is not included in the rent. However, you can organize an agreement with the owner. Hand-washing and the use of the ironing board is permitted and free of charge.

Location

Meals

Payment of accommodation

Transfer

The Leonardo da Vinci school also offers a transport service from Milan, Rome, Pisa, Turin and Florence airports, as well as from the Milan, Florence, Rome, Viareggio and Turin stations. For information about our transport prices, consult our price list. If you would like the school to organize transport for you, please send us the necessary information regarding your arrival (date and time of arrival, train / flight number). If possible, this should be done upon enrollment or at least one week before your arrival date.