GENERAL INFORMATION |
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About Bologna |
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The capital city of Emilia-Romagna, Bologna is located at the intersection between northern and central Italy. Originally an Etruscan settlement, it fell under Gaulish rule in 400 B.C. to eventually become a Roman colony. About 1088 A.D., a university was founded within its wall the oldest in the western world. Monuments to Bolognas rich cultural heritage are scattered across the city, from the leaning towers and the church of San Petronio in the old centre to the Pinacoteca Nazionale in the university district. Its historic centre is a handsome ensemble of brick buildings and charming porticoed streets |
| How to reach Bologna | |
| By train | |
Bologna is the main Italian railway junction; therefore there are connections to all major national and international lines. Timetables can be found at the Italian Railroads Web Site |
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| By air | |
Many European airlines now fly regularly into Bolognas Guglielmo Marconi Airport . Buses and taxis provide easy connections to the city centre. The airport bus Aerobus starts at 06:00h and stops at 23.40 and leaves every 30 minutes for the city centre. Tickets can be purchased on the bus. |
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| By car | |
All motorway exits for Bologna lead to a ring road Tangenziale from which all destinations are easily reached. The exit off the Tangenziale to the Conference Centre is n. 7 ( Fiera ) (see map to reach the Hotel Royal Carlton). To enter the Tangenziale please remember that if you are coming from the North,
or from the airport,
the direction is S. Lazzaro , whilst from the South it is Borgo Panigale . |
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| Climate | |
| September is a relatively warm month. Anyway, be prepared to hot weather while walking through the city! Rain showers are also possible from occasional thunderstorms . Visit the web site. | |
| Time Zone | |
| Central European Summer time (GMT+1). | |
| Electricity | |
Electricity is supplied at 220 Volts, 50 cycles AC. Round-pin plugs only can be used in Italian sockets. Please use an adapter plug and a voltage converter if you need 110/120 volt appliances. |
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| Telephone System | |
In Italy, public phones are card ones. Cards can be purchased at tobacco shops (Tabaccheria) and newspaper stands. All hotels are equipped with phones allowing international calls.
Mobile phones are operational under the GSM standard
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| Currency & Value-Added Tax (VAT) | |
The Italian currency is Euro (1 Euro is approximately
1.18 US $
). Credit cards and traveller cheques are accepted almost everywhere. VAT (in Italian IVA) is charged on most goods except when purchased in duty-free shops. The current rate
is 20% on most items and it is included in the displayed prices. If you produce items and tax invoices, VAT may be refunded at international airports |
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| Banks | |
Banks are generally open from 8:30 to 13:20 and some of them also in the afternoon from 14:30 to 15:30 on weekdays. Banks are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Automatic teller machines are located outside major banks (24 hour service) |
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| Post Office | |
| Opening hours are 8:30 to 12:30 from Mondays to Saturdays. | |
| Shopping | |
Shops generally open from Monday through Saturday at 9:00 - 13:00. and 15:30 - 19:30. On Monday mornings and on Sundays most shops are closed. |
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| Emergency in Italy | |
| In case of emergency dial 118 for ambulance and 113 for police. | |
| Insurance | |
Please arrange your own travel and health care insurance. The organisers will not be held liable for accidents, theft and property damage, nor for delays or any modification in the program. |
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| Speed Limit | |
The speed limit on highways is 130 km/h (80 mi/h)
and 100km/h (60 mi/h) when raining. The speed limit on country roads is 90 km/h (60 mi/h), while being 50 km/h (31 mi/h) in cities and villages, unless otherwise specified. On these roads, lights must be switched on during all the day. Safety belts are compulsory. |
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