Welcome to the ABC School in Florence!

ABC School guide 2015 Useful information for your stay in Florence ABC Centro di Lingua e Cultura Italiana

Via dei Rustici, 7 - 50122 Firenze - Italia tel and fax: +39 055 212001 - mobile +39 335 1343620 - [email protected] - www.abcschool.com

Welcome! Welcome to the ABC School. In these pages you will find some useful information for your stay in Florence.

When you arrive in Florence Independent transfer From Amerigo Vespucci airport on the outskirts of Florence (FLR) it is possible to take either a taxi (the fare will be about 25/30 €) or a shuttle called “Vola in bus” (ticket 6 €) that goes to Santa Maria Novella railway station (for information and timetable go to www.fsbusitalia.it); . From Santa Maria Novella station it is about a 10 minute walk to Piazza del Duomo. From the station it is possible to get to your accommodation by bus (www.ataf.net), taxi or by walking. Please, note: You must contact your host directly with the details of your travel arrangements at least one week before you leave home. ABC School transfer If you would prefer the school to organise your transfer, we will arrange for a driver to meet you at either Amerigo Vespucci airport (FLR) on the outskirts of Florence or at Santa Maria Novella station (SMN). To allow us to do this, we ask you to advise us of all your travel details (train/flight number, origin and arrival time) at least one week before you leave home. The price for this service is 60 € (one way).

ABC Centro di Lingua e Cultura Italiana

Via dei Rustici, 7 - 50122 Firenze - Italia tel and fax: +39 055 212001 - mobile +39 335 1343620 - [email protected] - www.abcschool.com

Your first day at school On your first day we will be waiting for you at the school at 08,30. Beginners will go to their classroom and will start their first grammar lesson at 9,00. Non-beginners will have completed the ABC grammar test and returned it to us before arriving in Florence. They will take an oral test prior to their start at 9,00. A talk by a teacher about all the activities of the school as well as useful information about Florence, will take place in the afternoon. Didactic material (books and other supplies) is provided by the school but you are expected to bring your own pens, exercise book and dictionary. Timetable of lessons • Grammar: 9:00 - 10:30 • Conversation: 10:45 - 12:15 • Group lessons in the afternoon (Intensive course): 13:00 - 14:30 • Individual lessons in the afternoon (Plus 5 courses): 13:00 - 13:55 or 14:00 - 14:55 • Individual lessons in the afternoon (Plus 10 courses): 13:00 - 14:50 • 50+ Course: Grammar: 9:00 - 10:30 Conversation: 10:45 - 12:15 Activities in the afternoon. Lessons take place from Monday to Friday. The school is closed on the weekend but on Saturdays we organise activities and excursions.

ABC Centro di Lingua e Cultura Italiana

Via dei Rustici, 7 - 50122 Firenze - Italia tel and fax: +39 055 212001 - mobile +39 335 1343620 - [email protected] - www.abcschool.com

The school The ABC school is located in the heart of Florence, in the colourful nieghbourhood of Santa Croce, close to the most important monuments and museums of the city. Classrooms There are 9 bright classrooms, some of them with frescoed ceilings. From the windows you can enjoy the view of Palazzo Vecchio from one side of the building and Piazza Peruzzi from the other. Common room In the afternoon if you wish, you can stay at school to study or read in a common room provided for this purpose. Student card/Florence city map On your first day you will receive a Florence city map with some information about shops and restaurants where you can receive a discount. Cafeteria The school doesn’t have a cafeteria, however there are coffee and snack machines. Within 2 minutes walk from the school you will find many bars, restaurants and pizzerias. Program of afternoon activities and Saturday excursions The ABC School organises walking tours of Florence, guided tours to the most important museums and churches, lectures in history, Italian art and culture, Italian language, Italian films with Italian subtitles, visits to vinyards in the Chianti, dinners together in local restaurants, aperitivo-dinners together in local bars, excursions to the most famous towns in Tuscany (Siena, Pisa, Lucca, San Gimignano...). All the activities are conducted by our teachers and the musem/gallery visits by our licensed tourist guide teachers.

ABC Centro di Lingua e Cultura Italiana

Via dei Rustici, 7 - 50122 Firenze - Italia tel and fax: +39 055 212001 - mobile +39 335 1343620 - [email protected] - www.abcschool.com

Florence: local information Transport - buses Florence city centre is not too large and you can easily explore the city on foot. If you want to visit the surrounds of Florence, you can take buses or a tram (ATAF company tickets 1,20 € for up to 90 minutes travel). If you want to go to other Tuscan cities you can take a train (www.trenitalia.it) or a coach (www.acvbus.it, www.fsbusitalia.it). Banks and Post Office Banks and Post Offices are located near the school. Banks are open from 8:20 to 13:15 and from 14:50 to 16:15. The Central Post Office is open from 8:30 to 18:00. You can buy stamps for letters or postcards in tobacco shops (Tabacchi) and you can find post boxes in many streets. Markets and supermarkets There are markets and small supermarkets within walking distance of the school. Markets are open only during the morning (from 8:00 until 14:00). Supermarkets are open all day (from 9:00 until 20) Internet and telephone At the school there is a free wi-fi connection and computers are available for you to check your own e-mails. Also in the area you will find internet cafés and public telephones. If you stay in Florence for a longer time it may be convenient to buy an Italian SIM card or an international phone card. Weather The average temperature is 5°/10° C during the winter and 25°/30° C during the summer. November, December, March and April are the most rainy months.

ABC Centro di Lingua e Cultura Italiana

Via dei Rustici, 7 - 50122 Firenze - Italia tel and fax: +39 055 212001 - mobile +39 335 1343620 - [email protected] - www.abcschool.com

Homestay accommodation: rules All our selected accommodation is within a walking distance of the school, but will be in different types of homes and families: young, senior, and single parent families and couples with or without children. People may have different lifestyles or interests. Please, remember you are both a guest and a part of your host family and you are supposed to leave common rooms clean and tidy. Arrival and departure Your accommodation is arranged from the Sunday before your course starts, until the Saturday after it finishes (an extra night on arrival or on departure is also possible). It is very important that you contact the owner of your accommodation at least one week before your departure for Italy, to confirm your arrival details (except in case of a transfer organised by the school, you must inform the school instead). If you do not do so, you may not find anyone at home when you arrive. You are requested to vacate your room before 11am, on the last day of your stay. Keys The owner of your accommodation will give you the keys of the flat. You should be very careful not to lose them or you must pay for replacement of the locks and keys. On the last day of your stay you should leave the key on the table and close the door. Meals Room with use of the kitchen: if you have chosen a room with use of the kitchen, you will have your own space to keep your food, but please, remember you are not the only person in the house: as the kitchen is shared with the host family and/or other students, you are expected to leave it clean and tidy. Room with breakfast or halfboard: if you have chosen a room with either breakfast, or breakfast and dinner provided, you are not allowed to use the kitchen. Italian breakfast usually includes Italian coffee, milk or tea, biscuits, yogurt and fruit. Students usually don’t go home for lunch: very close to the school there are bars, restaurants and pizzerias. Those who have chosen a room with halfboard will have their dinner with their host family. In Italy we eat around 20,00, however remember to ask your host family at what time you are expected to be home. A typical dinner includes first and second course, vegetables and fruit. Let your host know as soon as possible, if you intend to miss a meal (in this case there will not be any refound) or if you think you might arrive late. Occasionally the family might not be there for dinner: in any case the dinner will be organized for you. Please, inform your host family if you have any allergies or intolerances. ABC Centro di Lingua e Cultura Italiana

Via dei Rustici, 7 - 50122 Firenze - Italia tel and fax: +39 055 212001 - mobile +39 335 1343620 - [email protected] - www.abcschool.com

Homestay accommodation: rules Room, bed-linen and towels Bed-linen and towels are provided and changed once a week. Rooms are cleaned prior to your arrival but you are responsible for the cleaning of the room and the common spaces (kitchen, bathroom) during your stay. You are not allowed to move the furniture in your room nor attach pictures and posters on the wall. Laundry Laundry service is not guaranteed. In some accommodation the service may have an additional cost (about 5 €). Gas and electricity Electricity, gas and water expenses are included in the price of your accommodation. In Italy these services are very expensive so you are asked to avoid any waste: if you are not in your room, you should switch off the lights. Standard voltage in Italy is 220V. If you want to be sure your plugs fit and your electrical appliances (mobile phones, laptops...) work, you must bring an adaptor with you. Heating Italian homes are generally heated at certain times of the day and only in winter (November - March). Normally heating is switched off during the night. You should not expect additional heating if you study during the night or if you remain at home all day. Telephone Normally it is not possible to use the telephone, unless othewise agreed with the host. It may be useful to buy an international card from tobacconists: it can be used from mobile phones or from landline phones (upon agreement with the host). Internet An internet connection is not guaranteed. Some accommodation may have an Internet connection available for students at an additional cost. If there is no Internet connection you can buy an internet key for 15/20 € at any phone store. Friends and visitors You are not allowed to bring friends home or invite them to stay overnight (without prior agreement with the host and the school). If you are staying out for the night you should let your host know as not to cause unnecessary concern.

ABC Centro di Lingua e Cultura Italiana

Via dei Rustici, 7 - 50122 Firenze - Italia tel and fax: +39 055 212001 - mobile +39 335 1343620 - [email protected] - www.abcschool.com

Homestay accommodation: rules Damage If you break or damage anything, please tell your host immediately: you may be asked for the cost of repair or replacement. Medical Assistance If you need to see a doctor you should speak to a receptionist at school or with your host family. Students from some countries have to pay medical insurance provided by the National Health Service. We advise you to take out a medical insurance, especially if you are from a country which is not a member of the European Community. Problems If there are any difficulties, you should first see if your host is able to help. If not - or if there are communication problems - you should speak to a receptionist. If there are problems with the accommodation it is important to speak with a receptionist during the first few days of the stay or as soon as the problem occurs, so that it can be resolved as quickly as possible.

ABC Centro di Lingua e Cultura Italiana

Via dei Rustici, 7 - 50122 Firenze - Italia tel and fax: +39 055 212001 - mobile +39 335 1343620 - [email protected] - www.abcschool.com

Emergency numbers 118 Ambulance

112 Carabinieri

113 Police

115 Fire Department

National and local Holidays 01 January 2015 New Year’s Day 06 January 2015 Epiphany 06 April 2015 Easter Monday 25 April 2015 Liberation Day (Saturday) 01 May 2015 Labor Day 02 June 2015 Italian Republic Day 24 June 2015 Saint John the Baptist Day 15 August 2015 Ferragosto (Saturday) 01 November 2015 All Saints Day (Sunday) 08 December 2015 Immaculate Conception The school will be closed from 21 December 2015 to 3 January 2016 for Christmas Holidays.

ABC Centro di Lingua e Cultura Italiana

Via dei Rustici, 7 - 50122 Firenze - Italia tel and fax: +39 055 212001 - mobile +39 335 1343620 - [email protected] - www.abcschool.com

Most important museums in Florence: opening hours and tickets GALLERIA DEGLI UFFIZI - Piazzale degli Uffizi Tueasday - Sunday, from 8:15 to 18:50. Friday from 8:15 to 21:00. CLOSED: every Monday, January 1st, May 1st, Christmas day. Ticket: € 8,00 + € 4 for reservation (recommended). Per prenotare telefonare al numero +39 055 294883. PLEASE, NOTE: In case of exhibition, entrance fee has a different cost (16,50 € reservation included). GALLERIA DELL’ACCADEMIA - Via Ricasoli Tueasday - Sunday, from 8:15 to 18:50. Friday from 8:15 to 21:00. CLOSED: every Monday, January 1st, May 1st, Christmas day. Ticket: € 8,00 + € 4 for reservation (recommended). Per prenotare telefonare al numero +39 055 294883. PLEASE, NOTE: In case of exhibition, entrance fee has a different cost (16,50 € reservation included). GALLERIA PALATINA E APPARTAMENTI REALI, GALLERIA D’ARTE MODERNA. Palazzo Pitti, Piazza Pitti Tueasday - Sunday, from 8:15 to 18:50. Friday from 8:15 to 21:00. CLOSED: every Monday, January 1st, May 1st, Christmas day. Ticket: € 8,50 - PLEASE, NOTE: In case of exhibition, entrance fee has a different cost (13 €). GIARDINO DI BOBOLI, GIARDINO BARDINI, MUSEO DELLE PORCELLANE, GALLERIA DEL COSTUME E MUSEO DEGLI ARGENTI - Palazzo Pitti From Monday to Sunday From 8:15 to 16:30 in November, December, January, February.

ABC Centro di Lingua e Cultura Italiana

Via dei Rustici, 7 - 50122 Firenze - Italia tel and fax: +39 055 212001 - mobile +39 335 1343620 - [email protected] - www.abcschool.com

From 8:15 to 17:30 in March and October. From 8:15 to 18:30 in April, May, September. From 8:15 to 19:30 in June, July, August. CLOSED: first and last Monday of the month, January 1st, May 1st and Christmas day. Ticket: € 7,00 - PLEASE, NOTE: In case of exhibition, entrance fee has a different cost. MUSEO NAZIONALE DEL BARGELLO - Via del Proconsolo Tuesday-Saturday from 8:15 to 13:50. CLOSED: 1st, 3rd, 5th Sunday, 2nd e 4th Monday each month; January 1st, May 1st, Christmas day. Ticket: € 4,00 PLEASE, NOTE: In case of exhibition, entrance fee has a different cost and the schedule could be extended. MUSEO DELLE CAPPELLE MEDICEE - Piazza Madonna degli Aldobrandini (San Lorenzo area) Monday-Sunday, from 8:15 to 13:50. CLOSED: 2nd and 4th Sunday each month; 1st, 3rd, 5th Monday; January 1st, May 1st, Christmas day. Ticket: € 6,00 - PLEASE, NOTE: In case of exhibition, entrance fee has a different cost. MUSEO DI SAN MARCO - Piazza San Marco Monday-Friday: from 8:15 to 13,:50. Saturday and Sunday: 8:15 - 16:50 CCLOSED: 1st, 3rd, 5th Sunday e il 2nd e 4th Monday each month; Christmas day, January 1st, May 1st. Ticket: € 4,00 PLEASE, NOTE: In case of exhibition, entrance fee has a different cost. MUSEO DI PALAZZO DAVANZATI - Via Porta Rossa Tuesday-Saturday, from 8:15 to 13:50. CLOSED: 2nd e 4th Sunday and 1st, 3rd, 5th Monday each month, January 1st, May 1st, Christmas day. Ticket € 2

ABC Centro di Lingua e Cultura Italiana

Via dei Rustici, 7 - 50122 Firenze - Italia tel and fax: +39 055 212001 - mobile +39 335 1343620 - [email protected] - www.abcschool.com

MUSEO DELL’OPERA DEL DUOMO - Piazza Duomo Monday-Saturday 9:00 - 19:30 - Sunday 9:00 - 13:45. CLOSED: Christmas day, January 1st, Easter Sunday, September 8th. Ticket € 10 (entrance fee included the baptistery, dome, Giotto bell tower and di Santa Reparata crypt). Please note!: the museum is CLOSED FOR RENOVATION until November 2015. PALAZZO VECCHIO - Piazza della Signoria Monday-Sunday from 9:00 to 19:00. From April to September 9:00 - 24:00. On Thursday 9:00 – 14:00. CLOSED: Thursday afternoon, Christmas day, January 1st, Easter Sunday, May 1st, April 25th. Museum ticket € 10 / Tower € 6,50 / Patrol path +Museum: € 12 / Museum+Tower € 14,00 ARNOLFO TOWER: (no access for children under 6 years). From April to September: 09:00-21:00; Thursday - 09:00-14:00. From October to March: 10:00-17:00; Thursday - 09:00-14:00. Access suspended in the event of rain. PLEASE, NOTE: In case of exhibition, entrance fee has a different cost MUSEO STEFANO BARDINI - Via dei Renai Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday 11:00 – 17:00 CLOSED from Tuesday to Thursday, January 1st, Christmas day, Easter Sunday, May 1st, August 15th. Biglietto € 6 - PLEASE, NOTE: In case of exhibition, entrance fee has a different cost. MUSEO NOVECENTO - Piazza Santa Maria Novella. From April to September: Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 10:0021:00; Thursday 10:00-14:00; Friday 10:00-23:00; From October to March: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 10:00-18:00; Thursday 10:00-14:00; Friday 10:00-21:00, Saturday and Sunday 10:00-20:00. Ticket € 8,50. Museum + exhibition € 10

ABC Centro di Lingua e Cultura Italiana

Via dei Rustici, 7 - 50122 Firenze - Italia tel and fax: +39 055 212001 - mobile +39 335 1343620 - [email protected] - www.abcschool.com

MUSEO ARCHEOLOGICO - Piazza Santissima Annunziata Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday e Friday: 8:30 - 19:00; Saturday and Sunday: 8:30 14:00. CLOSED: Monday, Christmas day, January 1st, may 1st. Ticket € 4 - PLEASE, NOTE: In case of exhibition, entrance fee has a different cost. MUSEO DELL’OPIFICIO DELLE PIETRE DURE - Via degli Alfani Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: 8:15 - 14:00; CLOSED: Sunday and public holidays. Ticket: € 4 - PLEASE, NOTE: In case of exhibition, entrance fee has a different cost. PALAZZO MEDICI RICCARDI - Via Cavour Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 9:00 - 18:00. CLOSED on Wednesday. Ticket: € 7 - PLEASE, NOTE: In case of exhibition, entrance fee has a different cost MUSEO GALILEO - Piazza Giudici Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 9:30-18:00. Tuesday 9:30-13:00. CLOSED: January 1st, January 6th, Easter, May 1st, June 24th, August 15th, December 8th, December 25th, December 26th. Ticket € 9 - PLEASE, NOTE: In case of exhibition, entrance fee has a different cost. MUSEO DI SANTA MARIA NOVELLA - Piazza Stazione 4 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9:00 - 17:30 Friday 11:00 - 17:30; Saturday 09:00 – 17:00; Sunday and public holidays 13:00 - 17:00. CLOSED: January 1st, Christmas, Easter, May 1st, August 15th. Ticket: € 5,00 CAPPELLA BRANCACCI - Piazza del Carmine Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 10:00 – 17:00; Sunday and public holidays 13:00-17:00. CLOSED: Tuesday, January 1st, Christmas day, Easter Sunday, May 1st, July 16th, August 15th, January 7th. Ticket € 6. Obligatory and free of charge reservation. MUSEO SALVATORE FERRAGAMO - Piazza Santa Trinita, Palazzo Spini Feroni From Monday to Sunday 10:00 - 19:30. CLOSED: Christmas day, January 1st, May 1st, August 15th Ticket: € 6 MUSEO GUCCI - Piazza della Signoria From Monday to Sunday 10:00-20:00 - CLOSED: Christmas, January 1st, August 15th. Ticket € 6 GIARDINO DELLA VILLA MEDICEA DI CASTELLO - Via di Castello From Monday to Sunday January, February, November, December: 8:15 – 16:30 ABC Centro di Lingua e Cultura Italiana

Via dei Rustici, 7 - 50122 Firenze - Italia tel and fax: +39 055 212001 - mobile +39 335 1343620 - [email protected] - www.abcschool.com

March and October: 8:15 – 17:30 April, May and September: 8:15 – 18:30 June, July, August: 8:15 – 19:30 CLOSED: 2nd e 3rd Monday each month, January 1st, May 1st, Christmas day. Free admission. VILLA MEDICEA DELLA PETRAIA - Via Petraia From Monday to Sunday. January, February, November, December: 8:15 – 16:30 March and October: 8:15 – 17:30 April, May and September: 8:15 – 18:30 June, July, August: 8:15 – 19:30 CLOSED: 2nd e 3rd Monday of the month, January 1st, May 1st, Christmas day. Free admission. CENACOLO DI OGNISSANTI - Borgo Ognissanti Monday, Tuesday and Saturday: 9:00 -12:00. CLOSED: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday and public holidays, August, January 1st, December 25th, May 1st. Free admission. CENACOLO DI ANDREA DEL SARTO - Via Andrea del Sarto From Tuesday to Sunday: 8:15 – 13:50. CLOSED: every Monday and public holidays. Free admission. CENACOLO DI FULIGNO - Via Faenza Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday: 9 - 12. CLOSED: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday and public holidays. Free admission. CENACOLO DI SANT’APOLLONIA - Via XXVII Aprile From Monday to Sunday: 8:15 - 13:50. CLOSED: 2nd and 4th Monday each month; 1st, 3rd, 5th Sunday each month and public holidays. Free admission. CHIOSTRO DELLO SCALZO - Via Cavour Monday, Tuesday, Saturday: 8:15 - 13:50. CLOSED: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday and public holidays. Free admission.

ABC Centro di Lingua e Cultura Italiana

Via dei Rustici, 7 - 50122 Firenze - Italia tel and fax: +39 055 212001 - mobile +39 335 1343620 - [email protected] - www.abcschool.com

ABC School

Via dei Rustici 7 - 50122 Firenze phone and fax +39 055 212001 Skype: Centro-ABC [email protected] For more information: www.abcschool.com www.facebook.com/abcschoolfirenze The ABC school is - officially authorised by the MIUR, Italian Ministry of Education (Document n. 1052/C20) - recognised by CSN - recognised for “Bildungsurlaub” - authorised exam center of AIL (The Italian Language Academy) - authorised exam center of CILS (University for foreigners in Siena)

Please, always carry these numbers with you! ABC +39 055 212001 Emergency number (MONICA) +39 347 7835483 Ambulance 118 Police 113 / Carabinieri 112 Fire Department 115

ABC Centro di Lingua e Cultura Italiana

Via dei Rustici, 7 - 50122 Firenze - Italia tel and fax: +39 055 212001 - mobile +39 335 1343620 - [email protected] - www.abcschool.com