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Living in Lucca |
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Lucca and its surroundings are rich in history and, at the same time, open to the future.
Throughout the years, this medieval Tuscan city has maintained the characteristics of the small capital it has been almost up to the unification of Italy. The streets and piazzas of the historic centre, the churches and buildings, and its overall urban layout show how smooth and uninterrupted its development has been over the centuries, providing an ideal setting for a campus within which experiences can be shared and personal contact can be enhanced. The Renaissance city walls and the natural amphitheatre of the hills beyond combine in a perfect blend of nature and the work of man. Beyond the hills, the beaches of Versilia and the mountains of Garfagnana are uniquely attractive by their variety and closeness to the town. Lucca has good connections to other large towns, to cities and other university centers of the region, and it is close to both Pisa and Florence international airports. Before departureBefore traveling please check:• your passport/ID Card is valid throughout the whole period of your stay in Lucca - please note that processing the renewal of a passport may take long time and it is better to do it much in advance; • if you need a VISA to enter Italy. If you have any doubts, check out the Visa and Stay Permit section on our website, or you may also enquire the School about that. In general, you can also find information through your Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs www.esteri.it . Please take into account that obtaining a VISA in some countries may take up to 2 months; • if you need any other entry requirements. Here are some items that should be part of your carry-on luggage: • passport and other important documents • other supporting financial documents • address of your arrival • medications you use regularly, extra prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses • Italian translation for important documents (i.e Driving License) • credit card • Driving License: depending on the country issuing your license, it can be valid or must be accompanied by a translation or an international license. Please check with the School to find out specific information about that. Please note that in Italy your driving license cannot be used as a passport or an ID card. See ACI - Automobile Club d'Italia • some Euro currency for immediate expenses (taxi or meal etc.). AccommodationIMT can host short term guests in its Residence or apartments. Eligibility for these accommodations depends on several factors.By contacting the School you can find out if you are eligible for the accommodation in IMT Residence or apartments. Otherwise, you may receive support in finding a suitable accommodation at your own expenses for the period of your stay. If you are among those who need to find a short term accommodation - i.e. in case of candidates coming for a selection or else - you can find below some useful links: • http://www.tuscany.net/tourist/tour2.htm#lucca • http://www.tripadvisor.com/SmartDeals-g187898-Lucca_Tuscany-Hotel-Deals-GTEST207428.html • http://www.italy.lucca.it/ • http://www.itwg.com/city.php?language=en&sid=1b38b6b22ef2f033efcb740e51563321&CODE=PT434&CITY=114 • http://www.emmeti.it/Welcome/Toscana/Lucca/index.uk.html • http://www.casamundo.it/italia/toscana/lucca CostsThe following list provides a general idea of the cost of living in Lucca and in Italy. It can help calculate the expenses you may encounter during your stay:An average budget will include the following general expenses: • 350 Euros/month for a single bedroom in Lucca centre (+ 2 months deposit) • 450 Euros/month (+ utilities for the accommodation: 100 Euros/month) in private house - small flat • For meals in a cafeteria: about 7 Euros (for quick meals) • For one meal in a medium-priced restaurant/pizzeria: 25 Euros (wine included) • For buying food in a supermarket: 170 Euros/month • For bus transport: 26 Euros/month; 113 Euros/6 months (Jan-Jun) • For clothing: shoes 70 Euros/1 pair, jeans 80 Euros/1 pair, sweater 80 Euros • To purchase a mobile phone: 100 Euros • To use a mobile phone: on average 50 Euros/pm • To purchase a PC: 800 Euros (not a laptop) • For a drink in a bar: 3 Euros small beer, 0,80 Euros a cup of coffee (espresso), 1 Euro one croissant • For a movie ticket: 7 Euros • For a museum ticket: 4 Euros • For a theatre ticket: about 20 Euros • For a gym: 40/80 Euros/month • To rent a bicycle: 50 Euros/month • To buy a second hand bicycle: 50 Euros • For short trips by train (return): to Viareggio about 5 Euros, to Rome one person/one night 150 Euros, to Florence one person/one night 100 Euros. Important: IMT does its best to provide the most accurate information possible. Should you obtain information from friends and/or colleagues, always check its validity with the Facilities Office. ClimateIn general the climate in Lucca is mild with a gentle fresh wind. There are some differences between the coast and the valleys where the summers are hotter than in the hilly areas and where the climate is very continental and rain falls are more often. Usually the summers in Lucca are hot and without rain.Spring (April and May) and autumn (October and November) is quite rainy but there are still dry, sunny days. The winter is usually sunny even if it's cold. July is the hottest month with temperatures from 23�C up to 30�C. In the coldest month - January - there are about 7�C at the coast and about 3,5�C to 5,5�C inside the province. Of course the temperature in the mountainous areas is below. ShoppingIn Lucca there are plenty of quality shops, in particular along the Commercial Street of Via Fillungo.timetable for the shops is Monday to Saturday, from 9.00 to 13.00 and from 15.00 to 19.30 during the winter. During the summer the timetable is from Monday to Saturday from 9.00 to 13.00 and from 16.00 to 20.00. Shops are usually open on Sunday afternoon in December. Useful Addresses and NumbersHere below you can find some useful numbers:Hospital - OSPEDALE CAMPO DI MARTE Via dell'Ospedale Centralino tel. 0583 9701 To have an ambulance coming to your place: Emergency Call � PRONTO SOCCORSO 118 If you need a doctor: Reference Doctor - GUARDIA MEDICA tel. 0583 970300 from Monday to Saturday from 20.00 pm to 8.00 am Saturday and Sunday 24h For security emergency: - CARABINIERI 112 or POLIZIA DI STATO 113 QUESTURA Viale Cavour, 120 tel. 0583 4551 Fire Department - VIGILI DEL FUOCO 115 Post Office (near the School) Via Vallisneri, 2 Offices are open from Monday to Saturday, from 8.15 to 19.00 Lucca Train Station Piazzale Ricasoli, 127 FS info 89 20 21 www.trenitalia.it Taxi Piazza Santa Maria - tel. 0583 494190 Piazzale Verdi - tel. 0583 581305 Piazza Napoleone - tel. 0583 316041 Via Barbantini, 617 - tel. 0583 950623 Piazzale Ricasoli (Stazione) - tel. 0583 494989 Radiotaxi tel. 0583 955200/ 955241/ 955268 City Bus Service CLAP Ticket and information office Piazzale Verdi - tel. 0583 587897 www.clap.it Regional Bus Service LAZZI Ticket office Information and timetable available on the website Piazzale Verdi - tel. 0583 584876 www.lazzi.it Links on Lucca |
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