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As follow you can find some useful information to organize your language travel to Florence.
FIRST DAY OF LANGUAGE COURSE
Once you arrive, you should check in at the front desk by 8:30 am. If you have not completed our online test beforehand, you will undergo a short assessment to determine your level of knowledge. If you have never taken an Italian language course before, you will be placed at the beginner level. Students taking super intensive or supplementary courses will be provided with the details of their programs.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Intensive Italian Language Course:
- 9:00am - 10:30am, break, 10:45am - 12:15am or
- 10:45am - 12:15am, break, 12:30am - 2:00pm or )*
- 2:15pm - 3:45pm, break, 4:00pm - 5:30pm *) Only in certain periods of the year.
Super Intensive Italian Language Course:
- 9:00am - 10:30am, break, 10:45am - 12:15am, break, 12:30am - 2:00pm or )*
- 10:45am - 12:15am, break, 12:30am - 2:00pm, break, 2:15pm - 3:45pm
Super Intensive Plus Italian Language Course:
- Group lessons: 09:00am - 10:30am, break, 10:45am - 12:15am or )*
10:45am - 12:15am, break, 12:30am - 2:00pm - Individual lessons (one or two lessons):
12:30am - 2:00pm or
2:15pm - 3:45pm or
4:00pm - 5:30pm
LAST DAY OF COURSE: TEST AND CERTIFICATES, QUESTIONNAIRE
You will be given a test every 2 weeks to assess your progress in terms of improving your Italian language skills. At the end of your course, provided you have regularly attended classes, you will be given a Certificate of Attendance.
Students not taking the test can request the Certificate of Attendance before 9:00 am on the day of their departure (normally Friday) and can pick it up at the secretary’s office by 12:15 pm.
At the end of your stay, you will be asked to fill in a questionnaire; this will help our school to better understand students’ needs and improve the program. In the event that a student does not receive a questionnaire, he or she can request one at the secretary’s office.
LANGUAGE DIPLOMAS
Students of Scuola Leonardo da Vinci have the opportunity to take the examinations of the Accademia Italiana di Lingua® (AIL). The examinations for the Diploma «Firenze», for all CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) levels from A2 to C2, are held two times a year, usually at the end of March and June. Please ask for the AIL information brochure at reception or consult the website: www.acad.it
Students interested in taking one of the AIL «Firenze» examinations should enroll at the beginning of the examination month.
Please note: extraordinary exam dates for the Diploma «Firenze» may be requested, but enrollment requests must be made at least 30 days prior to the preferred examination date. Our school is also a recognized center for the CILS exams of the University for Foreigners of Siena. These exams can be done at our school on fixed dates indicated by the University. Attention: registration for the exam must be made at least 45 days before the chosen date. You may find more information about the CILS exams here: https://cils.unistrasi.it/
SCHOOL RULES
The main office is open from Monday to Friday, from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm. Books will be supplied by the school but we advise you to bring your own dictionary, a notebook and a pen. Smoking on the school premises is prohibited, mobile phones must be turned off during lessons, and class hours should be respected. The school is not responsible for any stolen or lost personal items.
PAYMENT FOR COURSES
Together with your request of registration, the School must receive the payment of the registration fee and a deposit amounting to 20% of the full price of each chosen course as an advance on the full fee.
The outstanding amount of the full fee for each chosen course must be paid at least 14 days before the course itself starts.
For ‘last minute' registrations, the School requires immediate payment of the total tuition fees.
For more information, please read our “General Conditions of Participation”: https://www.scuolaleonardo.com/conditions-of-participation.html (paragraph 1, “Registrations and payments”).
Please note: If you need a Visa, you must follow a different procedure (please see paragraph 5, ‘Visa’ of the aforementioned General Conditions of Participation).
If you booked through a travel agency, you should produce a voucher.
MISSED LESSONS, CHANGES IN SCHEDULES AND EXTENSIONS
Students who request course changes before the start of the course are asked to send an email prior to the first day of the course. Requests to prolong courses should be done at least one week in advance. If you wish to extend your accommodation, you should give at least a two-week notice. If you are not able to attend classes for personal reasons, the school will not be held responsible to reimburse any payment for any missed classes.
ACADEMIC CREDITS - BILDUNGSURLAUB - STUDY GRANTS
US students: if you wish to receive credits at your home University for courses taken at our school, you should request a syllabus from Scuola Leonardo da Vinci for the course you plan to take and contact the Study Abroad Office of your home University to inquire about the process for students to receive credits for courses taken abroad.
German students can apply for our ‘Bildungsurlaub’ recognized courses. Our school is recognized by most of the German Federal States regarding the ‘Bildungsurlaub’.
Swedish students can apply for study grants for our school, as it is recognized by CSN Lund - Sweden (Swedish Board of Student Finance) for study grants.
Contact us for detailed information.
INSURANCE
Our students are insured for accidents during class and during organized school activities. Students are not insured during their time outside of school. They are not insured against illness, theft, or loss of personal possessions, either by the school or by those offering accommodation. We, therefore, recommend taking out a personal insurance policy.
During a stay in Italy, students must be personally insured against illness and accident (Italian law). Citizens from European Union (EU) countries, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Iceland are entitled to free medical care in Italy if they hold a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC-Card) which can be obtained from their local health authority in their home country before departing for Italy. Students from non-EU countries must find out from the authorities in their countries whether 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 recommended to insure themselves against loss of fees due to non-arrival, absence, or unexpected termination of their course. They may contact a Travel Insurance Company or their own travel agent for further details or the secretary’s office. Our school offers the Guard.me International Insurance. For more details and prices, feel free to contact us.
RESIDENCE PERMIT / “PERMESSO DI SOGGIORNO” - VISA
Depending on your citizenship and the duration of your stay, you may need to obtain a VISA before coming to Italy. For more information, we recommend contacting the nearest Italian Consulate to inquire about eligibility and requirements and check the following link: https://vistoperitalia.esteri.it/home/en/
If you are committed to getting a visa, you must apply for a Residence Permit (Permesso di Soggiorno) within 8 days of your arrival in Italy. The necessary forms can be picked up at the Post Office. You must fill the forms in and return them to the Post Office, together with:
- a photocopy of your passport
- a photocopy of your certificate of registration at the school with the stamp of the Italian Consulate that issued your Visa
- a photocopy of your health insurance policy
The Post office is in via Pellicceria 3 (see map on page 1), open Monday through Friday, 8:20 am to 7:00 pm, and Saturday 8:20 am to 12.30 pm.
INTERNET POINT - WiFi
There is free Wi-Fi available on the premises of the school, open from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, Monday through Friday.
To connect to our WiFi Internet, select one of the following:
- private-wm1510
- private-wm1511
- private-wm1512
- private-wm5278
Please ask for the password at reception.
ARRIVAL: TRANSFER, TRAMWAY, SHUTTLE BUS, TAXI
Travel by Train: Firenze S.M.N. is the main railway station in Florence.
There are several night and Eurocity day connections with Italy. People younger than 26 years of age may receive special discounts. Reservations for sleeping cars or couchettes should be made as early as possible, as the trains to Italy are often overbooked, especially in summer. Check time schedules on: www.trenitalia.com or www.fsitaliane.it
Personal Transfer:
Upon request, Scuola Leonardo da Vinci can offer you a transfer service from the Firenze or Pisa airport or from the Firenze Main Railway Station to your accommodation. Please reserve these services directly with the school, at least one week before your arrival date, providing all necessary arrival info, such as arrival date, place and time, flight or train number and your cell phone number.
For transfer costs please consult: www.scuolaleonardo.com/Italian-language-transfer.html
If you book a transfer: Your driver will be waiting for you at the arrival gate/at the railway station's pharmacy, holding a sign SCUOLA LEONARDO DA VINCI® and the student’s name.
The tramway from Florence Airport:
There is a tramway connecting the airport to the city center (Tramway Line T2). You can buy tram tickets at the vending machines.
Transfer from Pisa Airport with Shuttle Bus:
The airport in Pisa is 80 kilometers from Florence. There is a shuttle bus service called ‘Terravision’. This service leaves the Pisa International Airport and arrives in the city center of Florence in about 70 minutes. For more information please consult: www.terravision.eu/airport_transfer/bus-pisa-airport-florencebus/
Upon request, you can also reserve a personal transfer service from Pisa directly with our school.
Transfer to Accommodation:
If you don’t reserve a personal transfer, on your arrival in Florence we recommend that you take a taxi to your accommodation. Taxis are easily found at the TAXI stand in front of the airport as well as the train station. Don’t worry if you don’t speak any Italian! It is enough just to show the address to the driver.
School Emergency Number on Arrival (works on weekends only):
In Italy: 339-690-7685 • from abroad: +39-339-690-7685
Florence Street Numbers:
There are two different kinds of street numbers in Florence: red ones for shops and blue ones for private homes. An «r» after the number indicates that the number is a red one. It is easy to find, for instance, a red street number 24 which is followed by a blue street number 8.
INNER CITY TRANSPORT «AUTOLINEE TOSCANE»
‘Autolinee Toscane’ is the company that runs a network of buses and trams in the city and in the whole region of Tuscany. Single tickets can be purchased in retail outlets displaying the ‘Autolinee Toscane’ logo, at the ‘Autolinee Toscane’ ticket offices, at automatic vending machines, via the TABNET App and with the SMS service.
If you stay in Florence for a long time, you might consider purchasing a monthly, quarterly or annual subscription. Please note that, if you wish to do this, you will need to get an Italian tax number (codice fiscale); you can ask for more details at the front desk of the school.
You may find more information here: www.at-bus.it/it/biglietti-e-abbonamenti/come_acquistare.html www.at-bus.it/it/biglietti-e-abbonamenti/come_acquistare.html (for city buses / trams / local and regional transportation.
STUDENTS BRINGING THEIR OWN CAR
or daily rates (parking spaces marked with blue paint). Alternatively, you can use a car park.
On www.fipark.com you’ll find some car parks.
Also keep in mind, that once a week many streets of Florence are cleaned. During this day you will have to park your car elsewhere or it will be towed. Upon arrival please ask your landlord/host, on which day the street cleaning ‘pulizia della strada’ takes place in the area. Never leave valuables in your car.
In the city of Firenze, parking is free only for residents (parking spaces marked with white paint). For non-residents there are parking spaces that you can use by paying hourly
CHANGING CURRENCY - BANK
The basic unit of Italian currency is the Euro (€). When exchanging large amounts of money it is usually better to wait until you arrive in Italy. However, you should also bring cash for the first few days (for purchasing small things, etc.). To change money in exchange offices and in the bank you always need to show your passport or identity card.
Credit Cards are accepted almost everywhere. You can receive money at Automatic Teller Machines (ATM), if you have an ATM card linked to an international network (Bancomat, Postomat, EC, Cirrus, Plus, Maestro, FastPay, etc.).
Mastercard and Visa (with PIN number) may be used to withdraw cash from an ATM machine. Cash withdrawn from ATMs is only available in Euros. You should not forget that daily amounts are limited.
Approximate Bank opening hours: Monday to Friday: 8:30am - 1:20pm and 2:45pm - 4:00pm. All banks are closed on weekends and public holidays. Furthermore, they are open at reduces hours the day before a national and local holiday.
CULTURAL CALENDAR
With regards to its social program, Scuola Leonardo da Vinci usually organizes 1 to 3 activities per week (usually a tour of the city for new students; visits to the most important places such as churches, palaces, gardens and squares in Florence; aperitif with teachers; movie afternoons). Such activities are either free or at cost price.
The School also displays a cultural calendar of events taking place in Florence (exhibitions, concerts, films, etc.).
Furthermore, the School collaborates with an agency which organizes tours outside Florence during the weekend (e.g. full day trip to Pisa, Siena, and San Gimignano; full day trip to Cinque Terre; afternoon trip to the Chianti area, etc.).
Keep your eyes on the Info Board and on the TV screen in front of the reception and follow us on our social media:
• Facebook: https://it-it.facebook.com/scuolaleonardoflorence/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scuolaleonardoflorence/
There you will find most of the updated events.
Besides, our staff is happy to hand out information and material such as maps, tips for excursions, sporting facilities, etc.
ACCOMMODATION
If you book accommodation with our school, approximately ten days before the beginning of the course we’ll send you the address of your accommodation in Florence and all the necessary information.
Remember that it’s your duty to inform, within Tuesday before the beginning of the course, the landlord/the host of your arrival time in order to properly arrange your check-in.
- A SMALL CHECK LIST ✔
- Valid passport or identity card + copy
- Visa documents
- Tickets and reservations
- Insurance documents
- Money, bank card and credit card
- Personal medicine
- EHIC-Card (for citizens from EU, CH, IS, LI, NO)
- Italian address given to parents/partner, etc.
- Landlord, host or school informed about arriving time
- Transfer requested from school
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
EMERGENCY NUMBERS:
- Police: 112 or 113
- Medical Emergency Service: 118
- TAXI:
- 055-4242 / APP download: www.apptaxi.it
- 055-4798 / 055-4390
MEDICAL CARE
The school can provide a doctor at any time. The Consolates have a list of doctors speaking your mother tongue. In emergency cases (also at night and on Sundays) call the Medical Emergency Service: 118
- The first-aid service (‘pronto soccorso’, usually to be found in all hospitals) is free of charge and without formalities for anyone who is in need: Hospital S. Maria Nuova (in front of the school), piazza S. Maria Nuova 1: 055-69381 (055-27581) The “24h Medical Service” is in via Roma 4: 055-475411 The “24h Medical Service”, which also cooperates with private insurers, has multi-lingual doctors who both see patients at the surgery and make house visits. Services on charge.
- Misericordia Firenze: piazza Duomo 20r/vicolo Adimari 1: 055-212221. The Misericordia is open from Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 7:30 pm / Saturday, 7:30 am to 1:00 pm. A special outpatient department (tourism service) is offered from Monday to Friday, from 2 pm to 4 pm, and is staffed by multi-lingual doctors. Services on charge.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies usually have a large selection of medicines and the pharmacists are highly qualified to give medical advice. The following pharmacies are open 24h:
- Farmacia Comunale: Main Railway Station 055-216-761
- Farmacia all’Insegna del Moro: piazza San Giovanni 20r 055-211-343
- Farmacia Molteni: via Calzaiuoli 7r 055-215-472
Pharmacy with possible discount, presenting the student card of Scuola Leonardo da Vinci:
• Farmacia Internazionale, Piazza della Repubblica 23, 055-210-713, open 08:30am - 8:30pm
Information for opening hours of pharmacies, call: 118
SHOPS
The main shopping streets in the center are: via Roma, via Tornabuoni, via Calzaiuoli and via della Vigna Nuova. Most shops in the center are open daily 10 am - 8 pm. Department Store: LA RINASCENTE, piazza della Repubblica.
Shopping Center: Centro Commerciale San Donato, Novoli.
Supermarkets:
COOP
Mon - Sat: 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sun: 8:00am - 1:30pm
- via Cimabue 48
- via Carlo del Prete 119
- via Erbosa 66b
ESSELUNGA
Mon - Sat: 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sun: closed
- viale de Amicis 89b
- via Milanesi 34
- via Masaccio 274
CONAD
Daily: 9:00am - 9:00pm
- via dei Servi 56r
- Borgo San Lorenzo 15
- via Pietrapiana 42
- via de' Bardi 45
PEGNA
Mon - Sat: 10:00am - 2:00pm + 4:00pm - 7:30pm
Sun, 11:00am - 7:00pm
- via dello Studio 8
Markets:
- Mercato Centrale: via dell’Ariento food, open daily 9am - 0:00am (midnight)
- Mercato di San Lorenzo: piazza San Lorenzo non-food, touristy, open daily 9 am - 7 pm; closed Monday
- Mercato delle Cascine: viale Abramo Lincoln non-food, low prices, open every Tuesday morning
- Mercato Sant’Ambrogio: piazza Ghiberti food, open every morning from Monday to Saturday
- Mercato delle Pulci: largo Pietro Annigoni flea market, open daily 9am - 7:30pm
LAUNDRY
Express Wash (www.expresswash.it/lavanderie-apeete/toscana/):
- Borgo San Frediano 29r
- via dei Serragli 87r
- via Nazionale 129r
- via del Sole 29r
- via dell'Agnolo 21r
- via della Scala 54r
- via Ghibellina 143r
- via San Gallo 106r
- viale Guidoni 89g
- viale Morgagni 21r
- via Sant’Egidio 15r
- via degli Alfani 2
They are usually open from 8 am to 10 pm, but opening hours may vary. Use liquid soap rather than powder, Florence water is pretty hard. You will need to work with degrees Celsius. To calculate: [Fahrenheit - 32] ÷ 1,8 = Celsius; (32° Fahrenheit = 0° Celsius; 104° F = 40° C; 140° F = 60° C; 194° F = 90° C).
HAIRDRESSER - COSMETICIAN - BEAUTY CENTER
- Giuliano Coiffeur - Hairdresser/Manicure: via delle Oche 33r 055-293-436
- Carmelo Freni - Pedicure: via Pellicceria 10 055-239-6647
- Nettare d’Uva - Cosmetician: via degli Artisti 22r 055-588-734
LEFT LUGGAGE - BAGGAGE SHIPMENT
- Caratello - Goods Storage & Baggage Shipment: via dell‘Agnolo 115r - 370-114-1612 / 055-0118470
SMALL SOUVENIRS
- Etching: Stamperia Pozzi, via dei Bentaccordi 1r
- Perfume: Officina Profumo Santa Maria Novella, via della Scala 16r L'Erbolario, via del Corso 23r
FOOD
Coffee shops (Bar): Don’t forget that in most bars and coffee shops you pay half price when consuming at the counter (al banco) in comparison to sitting down (al tavolo). In some bars and coffee shops, by showing the student card, you can sit down and pay the ‘counter’ price if you serve yourself.
The most historical coffee shops:
- Caffè Gilli: via Roma 1r open daily
- Caffè Concerto Paszkowski: piazza della Repubblica 6 open daily
- Caffè Rivoire: piazza della Signoria 5/r open daily Light Lunch near school:
- Il Fiore del Caffé: via Bufalini 19r, 055-269-9194 Sat - Sun closed
- Bar Pasticceria Zani: via Bufalini 8r 055-239-6257 Sunday closed
Restaurants / Trattorias / Pizzerias:
- Ristorante La Grotta Guelfa: via Pellicceria 5r 055-210-042 open daily
- Trattoria Zio Gigi: via Portinari 7r 055-215-584 open daily
- Trattoria Sergio Gozzi: piazza di San Lorenzo 8r 055-281-941 only lunch, Sunday closed
- Trattoria Gabriello: via della Condotta 54r 055-212-098 open daily
- Osteria Antica Mescita: via San Niccolò 60r 055-234-2836 open daily
- Il Pizzaiuolo: via dei Macci 113r 055-241-171 Sunday closed Gluten Free:
- La Gratella: via Guelfa 81r 055-211-292 Tuscan specialities, pizza
- Lorenzo de’ Medici: via del Giglio 49r 055-212-932 Tuscan specialities, pizza
- Quinoa: vicolo S.Maria Maggiore 1 055-290-876 Pizza, Hamburger
- Hostaria il Desco: via delle Terme 23r 055-294-882 Tuscan specialities
- Ciro and Sons: via del Giglio 28r 055-289-694 Tuscan specialities, pizza
Vegetarian / Vegan Lunch:
- L'OV Osteria Vegetariana: piazza del Carmine 4r 055-205-2388 Sun - Mon closed
- Nirvana Veg Restaurant: via il Prato 4/b 346-638-1015 Monday closed
- Il Vegano: via S. Gallo 75r 055-486-222 Sunday closed
- La Pépinière: Borgo San Frediano 169r 055-223-914 Monday closed
Wine Bars:
- Enoteca Alessi: via delle Oche 27r
- Cantinetta dei Verazzano: via dei Tavolini 18r
- Bevo Vino: via di San Niccolò 59r
- Coquinarius: via delle Oche 11r Extra Virgin Olive Oil Tasting:
- Pruneti: piazza del Limbo 2
Gelaterie (ice cream):
- Carabé: via Ricasoli 60r
- La Carraia: piazza Sauro 25r
- Grom: via del Campanile 2
- Perché No: via dei Tavolini 19r
- Vivoli: via Isola delle Stinche 7r
- Santa Trinita: piazza de' Frescobaldi 11/r
HOTELS
If you’re looking for a place to stay for your visitors, we suggest that you look for special offers on the Internet. You could check the following Hotels:
- Hotel Duomo*** piazza Duomo 1 055-219-922 in the center, great view
- Hotel Palazzo Benci*** piazza Madonna Aldobrandini 3 055-213-848 in the center
- Hotel Vasari Palace*** via Cennini 11 055-212-753 in the center
- Hotel Le Due Fontane*** piazza Ss.Annunziata 14 055-210-185 in the center
- Hotel Calzaiuoli**** via Calzaiuoli 6 055 212-456 in the center
- Hotel Pitti Palace**** Borgo San Jacopo 3r 055-239-8711 at Ponte Vecchio, great view
- The Student Hotel**** viale Lavagnini 70 055-062-1855
HOSTELS
- Plus Florence Hostel: via S. Caterina d’Alessandria 15 055-628-6347 https://plushostels.com/en/florence
- Casa Billi: via Faenza 12 055-295-061 www.casabilli.com
B&B
- Residenza Giotto: via Roma 6 055-214-593 www.residenzagiotto.it
- Il Salotto di Firenze: via Roma 6 055-274-1683 www.difirenze.eu
- La Casa del Ghiberti via Bufalini 1 055 284-858 www.lacasadelghiberti.it
- La Dimora degli Angeli: via Brunelleschi 4 055-288-478 www.ladimoradegliangeli.com
APARTMENTS - FLATS
- Benci House: via dei Benci 15 393-852-9081 https://bencihouse.it
- Florentine Flats: via Orcagna 75 348-045-7857 www.florentineflats.com
TOURIST INFORMATION www.firenzeturismo.it
- via Cavour 1r Mon - Fri: 9:00am - 1:00pm
- piazza della Stazione 4 Mon - Sat: 9:00am - 7:00pm; Sun: 9:00am - 2:00pm
- Borgo Santa Croce 29r Mon - Sat: 9:00am - 7:00pm; Sun: 9:00am - 2:00pm
MUSEUMS
Florence has many interesting museums to visit, but also many visitors. If you want to avoid queues, you can book tickets on:
www.aboutflorence.com/florence-museums-ticket-reservation.html
or call +39-055-294-883
or go to the office in Chiesa di Orsanmichele in via Calzaiuoli.
Special tips:
- Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, piazza del Duomo 9 http://operaduomo.firenze.it/en
- Museo Nazionale del Bargello, via del Proconsolo 4 https://www.bargellomusei.beniculturali.it/
PARKS
- Boboli Garden: piazza Pitti 1 www.uffizi.it/giardino-boboli
- Botanic Garden: via Micheli 3 www.sma.unifi.it/p244.html
- Rose Garden: via Giuseppe Poggi recommended visiting in May
- Giardino Bardini: costa San Giorgio 2 www.bardinipeyron.it
- Parco delle Cascine: via delle Cascine 1 is always open, entry free
BOX OFFICE (tickets for concerts, opera, and theater)
Via delle Vecchie Carceri 1: www.boxofficetoscana.it
BOOKS & MOVIES
Bookshop:
- • Feltrinelli: via de’ Cerretani 40r (also foreign language books)
- • Feltrinelli: Main Railway Station S.M.N.
- • RED: piazza della Repubblica 26
Dictionary:
- Devoto-Oli, Le Monnier
- Lo Zingarelli, Zanichelli
Books about Florence:
- The Food Lover’s Guide to Florence by Emily Wise Miller
- Time Out - Florence & the best of Tuscany, written by local experts
- The Rough Guide to Florence & the best of Tuscany
- Florence & Tuscany 2010 by Rick Steves
- Florence & Tuscany - Lonely Planet (travel guide)
Cinemas:
- Odeon: piazza Strozzi
- Spazio Uno: via del Sole 10
- Cinema La Compagnia: via Cavour 50
CAR SHARING
Pick up and drop off your car wherever you want. Please note that not all foreign driving licenses are accepted. Check the terms of use on the websites:
- ENJOYCAR: Fiat 500 https://enjoy.eni.com/en/firenze
- TiMove: Petrol & Electric cars https://www.timove.com/car-sharing-firenze/
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Trains:
Check timetables and prices on: www.trenitalia.com / www.italotreno.it
- Freccia Rossa, Freccia Argento / Italo: fastest and most expensive trains, reservation required
- Intercity: reservation recommended for the weekends
Train tickets can be bought at the station or at travel agencies (Agenzia Viaggi Intertravel, Via de’ Lamberti 39r) and they’re only valid if you validate them in one of the yellow boxes located at the beginning of platforms. Please note that if you buy them online you do not need to validate them.
Long-Distance Buses:
‘Autolinee Toscane’ is the only bus company in Tuscany. It takes you all over the region to Siena, Chianti, Pisa, Seaside, and so on. Long-haul buses are not expensive and more comfortable than trains.
• Ticket Office ‘AT - Autolinee Toscane’: via S. Caterina da Siena 17r • Mon - Sat: 05:45am - 8:20pm
SPORT & FITNESS
Fitness Centers:
- Klab: via de’ Conti 9 055-215-902
- Ricciardi: Borgo Pinti 75 055-247-8444
- Florence Fitness: via Dei Fossi 56 055-239-6497
- Swan: via dei Pepi 28r 055-240-802
Yoga Centers:
- Istituto Iyengar Yoga: via S. Gervasio 18 055-582-821 www.istitutoiyengaryogafirenze.it
- Yoga Garage: via dei Conti 22r 348-354-2700 www.yogagarage.it/en/
- Italia Power Yoga: via Della Chiesa 36r 349-534-0565 www.italiapoweryoga.com/
- Base Yoga ASD: Via Ulivelli 31R 368-392-4186 http://www.yoga-firenze.it/
Open Air Swimming Pools:
- Nannini - Bellariva: lungarno Aldo Moro 6
- Costoli - Campo di Marte: piazza Berlinguer 2
- Le Pavoniere - Parco delle Cascine: viale della Catena 2
PLACES OF WORSHIP
It is recommended to dress respectfully when visiting churches (knees and shoulders must be covered).
Christian catholic:
- San Lorenzo
- Santa Maria Novella
- San Marco
- Santa Croce
- Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo)
- Santo Spirito
Others:
- St. James (American Church): via Rucellai 9
- Russian Orthodox Church: via Leone X 8
- Evangelical Lutheran Church: Lungarno Torrigiani 11
- Jewish Community: via Farini 4
- Saint Mark's English (Anglican) Church: Via Maggio 16
- Muslim Community: Borgo Allegri 64
THINGS TO KNOW
- Local Time: Italy uses Central European Time (CET). London: -1; New York: -6; Los Angeles: -9; Mexico City: -7; Rio de Janeiro: -5; Beijing, Shanghai: +6; Tokyo, Seoul: +7; Sydney: +8. From the end of March to the end of October the clocks in Italy are turned ahead one hour (Central European Summer Time - CEST).
Change of summer/winter time will be made always on Sunday morning between 2 am and 3 am; pay attention to your timetable if you are traveling on this weekend: https://calendar.zoznam.sk/summer_time-it.php - Italy uses a 230 Volts/AC system. There are different sockets for appliances of low and high voltage. There is no problem with appliances with a Euro plug. For other plugs, adapters are usually necessary.
- Tap water in Florence is usually drinkable although it doesn’t have a very nice taste.
- How to dress (climate): Florence has cold winter and hot summer; spring and fall are mild. It is changeable and often unforeseeable. It is therefore advisable to come prepared for every season with a flexible and varied wardrobe. A good windbreaker that can also serve as a raincoat may prove useful even in mid-summer.
- Especially during summer, in Florence there are mosquitoes. We suggest that you buy a plug-in mosquito killer (‘Vape’/’Baygol’), available in every supermarket.
- Florence is a safe city, but nevertheless, you should take note of a few recommendations. You should always, but especially on buses, trains, and in crowded places such as markets, mind your bags and purses. When walking along the street, keep your bag on the opposite side of the road. Do not carry much money around in your handbag and take only a copy of your passport/identity card with you.
- It is unusual to leave tips. A good rule of thumb is to leave around 5% in a pizzeria or humble trattoria, slightly more in more up-market places - but never more than 10%.
- Free WIFI Hotspots: free access to up to 500 MB browsing per day for each device. You may find more information and instructions on how to connect here: https://servizi.comune.fi.it/servizi/scheda-servizio/firenze-wifi
- Folk festivals in Florence: Lo scoppio del carro (Easter, piazza del Duomo); Cricket Festival (festa del Grillo; Ascension day, Parco delle Cascine); The Feast of Saint John (Fochi di San Giovanni - 24th June, Piazzale Michelangelo), La Rificolona (7th September).
- Festivals in Florence: International Music Festival (Maggio Musicale, classic), Festival of Creativity (communication, art, and creativity), Festival dei Popoli (film festival).
- Our school is closed on the following national and local holidays: January 6th, Easter Monday, April 25th, May 1st, June 2nd, June 24th, August 15th, November 1st, December 8th, from Christmas to New Year.
- Sightseeing buses: Tickets and information are available at: www.city-sightseeing.it/en/florence/
- Are you planning a one-day trip? We suggest that you visit the following places in Florence’s surrounding area: Fiesole (Roman Theatre), Siena, San Gimignano, Arezzo, Bologna, Chianti (wine area and marvelous countryside), Lucca, Pisa (tower), Viareggio (beach), Elba Island, Cinque Terre.
