Local Information
Airports:
Health Insurance: Obviously, you should inquire about this before you arrive.
Emergencies: The emergency number in Italy is 112. The University of Pisa guide to medical care for international students is here.
Money: You should discuss the best way to make transactions in Italy with your bank before you arrive. You may need to pay for small purchases in cash.
Holidays: The 2’nd of June is a national holiday (Festa della Repubblica) in Italy, and hence it might be wise to make any travel arrangements for this day in advance. There are also significant official ceremonies in Rome to mark this occasion. The last day of talks in the conference is the 13’th of June because the16’th of June is a local holiday, the Luminara di San Ranieri, in Pisa. European elections are June 8-9, and Trenitalia offers discounts to people returning home to vote.
Hotels:
Driving: The use of a car in the historical center of the city is restricted.
Bus/Train: Pisa has two train stations (Centrale and San Rossore, which is closer to the Piazza dei Miracoli). Train tickets can be bought online, at the station or an automatic machine. Please be sure to stamp a paper ticket before you get on the train (and sign in if your online ticket requires this). You can buy bus tickets at the tabacchi.
Shopping: The main streets of Pisa are dominated by small shops. Typical hours are 9-13 and 15-19:30, except on Sunday when most stores are either closed or have reduced hours. The Ipermercato Carrefour on the edge of town is open late. The PAM grocery store on Borgo Stretto near Piazza Garibaldi is often open until 10pm. The Farmacia Comunale 5 near the Piazza dei Miracoli also has late hours.
Restaurants: There are many excellent restaurants in Pisa. Explore! In general, one should avoid non-Italian restaurants in Pisa or restaurants which serve dinner before 7.
Coffee Houses: There are numerous excellent places (‘bar’) to get coffee in Pisa, but they may not be used to our habit of camping out for several hours trying to prove theorems. For that, you could try the Cavelieri.
Exploring the Area:
The organizers encourage you to explore the city of Pisa and the surrounding areas in the evening, after the talks have finished. The city of the Lucca and the region of Versilia (Torre del Lago, Viareggio, Pietrasanta,…) are easily reached by train (check the train schedule coming back!). You can find information about these places in any tourist guide book or the internet. Pisa and many of the towns of Versilia have a ‘public/free beach’ – these do not provide lifeguards or facilities. The two other famous sights near Pisa are the city of Firenze and Cinque Terre. You really need a full day to even begin to experience either.