CRA-ABP Consiglio per la Ricerca e la sperimentazione in Agricoltura
Centro di ricerca per l'Agrobiologia e la Pedologia
via di Lanciola 12/a
50125 Florence Italy
10th-11th March. 8:30 courtesy shuttle service (once a time in the morning)
will depart from Porta Romana place to reach the Meeting venue.
The location of the meeting is just outside of Florence and can easily be reached by public buses
(bus n. 36 or 37 and, then, bus n. 41 in approx. 40-50mins from Central Station,
see ataf home page.
Accomodation
Some hotels in Florence which reserve rooms for the participants to the IOBC/WPRS Working Group Integrated Control of
Plant-feeding mites Meeting, 2009 March 9-12, at special prices within November-December 2008 can be found
here.
Climate
Florence lies at the feet of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, it is partially surrounded by hills, while a broad plain opens out to the west, through which
the River Arno flows.
The climate is continental, with fairly cold winters and relatively high humidity.
The average temperature in March varies between 5ºC and 15ºC.
Average annual rainfall is 830 mm.
For current weather details, visit here.
Communication
For international calls to Italy, dial the international code +39 and the correspondent's number.
Emergency number: 118 / Police: 112
Credit cards / ATM
Credit cards are widely accepted in Florence by hotels, restaurants, shops and petrol stations.
ATMs are found in most areas within Florence but not at the meeting venue.
Banks and post offices are the most reliable places to change travellers' cheques and generally
offer the best rates. Currency can be changed at banks and ATMs. Normal bank opening times are
Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 13:00 and 14:30 to 15:30.
Emergency
Phone 118 - 24 hours a day - Call free (only from within Italy)
Public transportation
Florence has a fairly comprehensive network of local bus routes
(ataf home page),
and many stop at the main railway station. Bus tickets may be purchased at most coffee-bars and tobacconists.
Two bus companies serving several cities around Florence have their terminal next to the main railway station.
Taxis
You cannot stop a taxi on the street. Taxis must be called by phone or taken at their parking lots.
You can also pre-book a day in advance. The most popular companies in Florence (offering their
services 24 hours a day) are available by phone at 055/4242 or 055/4390.
Time
April - September: Greenwich GMT+2 - October - March: Greenwich GMT +1
(Central European Time)
Arriving by air
The city has its own airport, the Amerigo Vespucci,
located about 5km from the centre of Florence.
Taxis and bus services (Volainbus every 20-25 minutes) are available to take you into town.
It is also possible to land at Pisa International Airport "Galileo Galilei" connected by shuttle
train (50 minute commute) to the Florence Central Train Station.
Arriving by train.
High-speed train connections are available from other italian major cities, including Milan, Rome and Venice.
You can check the train timetable online at
trenitalia home page. The Santa Maria Novella train station is located in the centre of Florence.
Taxis are readily available at the train station.
Arriving by car
Many travellers may decide to rent a car to explore Tuscany. A car, however, is not very useful in
Florence since most streets in the historic centre can be only used by buses and taxis.
Ask your hotel to find out ahead of time if parking is available at the hotel or nearby.
The A1 (Autostrada del Sole) is the main motorway linking Florence to northern and southern Italy.
The A11 leads west to the coast and on to Genoa and to the French border.
Both are toll motorways.