HOW TO ARRIVE IN FERRARA

Passport - Visitors entering must be in possesion of a valid national passport (or in the case of the British, a Visitor's Passport). In case of loss or theft report to the embassy or consulate and the local Police.

Visa - Visitors who require an entry visa should apply in advance to the Italian Embassy.

By air:

BOLOGNA AIRPORT - BLQ (G. Marconi)
28 miles from FERRARA
INFORMATION BUREAU TELEPHONE (+39) 51 - 6479615
Bologna airport web site

VENICE AIRPORT - VCE (M. Polo)
56 miles from FERRARA
INFORMATION BUREAU TELEPHONE (+39) 41 - 2606111
Venice airport web site

International through arrivals from: AMSTERDAM, COPENHAGEN, BARCELLONA, BRUXELLES, FRANKFURT, LION, LISBON, (via OPORTO), LONDON, MADRID, MUNICH, NICE, OPORTO, PARIS, VIENNA. Main International Airports: MILAN MALPENSA - Intercontinental flights - Connected to BLQ MILAN LINATE - Connected to BLQ ROME FIUMICINO - Connected to BLQ

By rail - FERRARA station on the FLORENCE - BOLOGNA - VENICE line

By car - FERRARA SUD exit, on A13 motorway BOLOGNA - PADUA - VENICE. On exit from link road, at crossroad, turn left, towards FERRARA. Convention center is 2 miles from the crossroad.

MOTORING IN ITALY

Documents - National of EC countries require a valid national driving license.

Fuel - Motorists drivings a foreign-registered car may on certain conditions purchase at special rates under the Tourist Petrol Concession Scheme. These coupons are paid for in foreign currency and are issued (on presentation of car registration document and passport) in the counry of origin. The scheme also includes a fuel card (carta carburante), wich gives entitlement to the ACI breakdown service, and free motorway vouchers towards payment of tolls.

Highway Code - The minimum driving age is 18. It is compulsory for the driver and frontseat passengers to wear seat belts, and back-seat belts must be worn where they are fitted. Children under 12 must travel on the rear seats unless the front seat is fitted with a child-restraining system. In the event of brakdown a red warnig triangle is obbligatory. At crossroads vehicles coming from the right have priority. Severe penalties applicable for drunk-driving offenses.

Speed limits:

1.   50 km/h - 31 mph in built-up ares
2.   70 km/h - 43 mph or 90 km/h - 56 mph country roads
3. 130 km/h - 80 mph on motorways

Car rental - There are car rental agencies at airports, railway stations and in all large towns and resorts throughout Italy. European cars usually have manual transmission but automatic cars are available on demand. An international driving license is required for non-EC nationals.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Time - At the time of the conference clocks are advanced by one hour to give Italian Summer Time (Greenwich Mean Time + 2 hours).

Currency - The currency is the Euro €. There are no restrictions on the amuont of currency visitors can take in Italy. To facilitate the export of currency in foreign bank notes in excess of the given allocation, visitors are advised to complete a currency declaration form (Form V2) on arrival.

Banks - Banks are open Monday to Friday (except public holidays) from 8.30am to 1.30pm and generally from 3 to 4pm. Check locally as the afternoon opening time may vary. Exchange facilities are available at main railway station and airports. Some form of identification is necessary when cashing cheques in banks. Commission charges vary; hotels usually charge more than banks. Most banks have cash dispensers which accept international credit cards.

Credit Cards - American express, Visa (Barclaycard), Diners Club and Eurocard (Mastercard/Access) are widely accepted in shops, hotels and restaurants and in many petrol stations.

Post - Post Officies open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 2pm, Saturday and last day of the month 8.30am to 12 noon. Stamps are also available from tobacconists.

Telephone - Public phones use coins and phone cards which are available from post office, tobacconists and newagents. The country code for Italy is 39. To make an international call from Italy dial 00+the country code+area code+ correspondant's number.

Shopping - Shops are generally open from 9am to 12.30pm and from 4pm to 8pm