Language
The Official language in Italy is Italian. English is widely used in hotels, restaurants and shops. English is understood and spoken by ordinary people to a large extent. Spanish, French and German are also spoken and understood in many hotels, restaurants and shops.
Currency Information
The Euro is the currency used in Italy. Money exchanges can be made at any bank branch offices. The branches are open to the public from Monday to Friday from 08.30 to 13.30 and from 15.00 to 16.30. Many currency exchange shops are also present in Firenze downtown and at the airport, usually open 7/7 days. For currency conversion rates look at www.xe.com.
Credit Cards
Visa, MasterCard and American Express are most commonly used in Italy. Cards are used almost everywhere in hotels, restaurants, shops, museums…They cannot be used to finance your transportation costs.
Interest Point List
This page reports a short list of places where to eat, in the area around the conference venue, and a selection of restaurants, museums and monuments and other venues for leisure time. For each location is provided a link to Google Maps. Disclaimer: conference chairs have no connection with any of these places and this list is based on the opinions of the local chairs; use at your own risk!
Restaurants
Firenze and Tuscany have a very renowned cuisine in Italy and worldwide. At the heart of Florentine cuisine are four fundamental ingredients: bread (plain, unsalted, well-baked with a crispy crust and light and airy inside); extra-virgin olive oil ( the best even for frying and grilled meat); meat (Florentine steaks of beef, roasted or wine-braised game, fried rabbit and chicken…);wine (red wines are most famous, “Super Tuscany” wines are the top ranked ones). However, as a result of Firenze’s popularity with tourists, many restaurants offer very mediocre food. Consult the reliable Fodor’s recommendations at www.fodors.com for restaurants where to have good meals in Firenze.
Bus and Taxi Service
All buses for any locations in Firenze downtown stop at Piazza della Stazione aside Santa Maria Novella train station, within walking distance from the Conference venue. Good bus services connect the centre of Firenze to its surroundings. Bus lines in Firenze and bus travel information is available at www.ataf.net .
The main taxi station in Firenze downtown is located just at the exit of at Santa Maria Novella train station. Taxi can be requested by calling +39-055-4390 | +39-055-4499 | +39-055-4798 | +39-055-4242. Trip fare rules are exposed in the taxi cab in the principal languages. Trips from Firenze downtown to Amerigo Vespucci airport have a fixed fare of € 20,00 (plus cost for luggage).
Car sharing services
There are 3 active car sharing services in the city, with a large number of cars in their fleets:
- Enjoy (Fiat 500 – 4 seats)
- Car2go (Smart – 2 seats)
- Share’n’go (electric cars – 2 seats)
There is no Uber service.
Print services
There are several print/copy services nearby the conference venue:
- La Fotocopia – Via San Gallo, 7, Firenze, FI 50129
- Tecnicopia – 5, Via Ridolfi, Firenze, FI 50129
- Sidicopy – 29, Viale F.Lli Rosselli, Firenze, FI 50144
Electricity
Electricity is 230 Volts, 50 AC. Plugs used are:
| Type C | Type F | Type L |
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