SCIENCE WITH THE NEW HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE AFTER SERVICING MISSION 4
JANUARY 29-31, 2008 - CNR CONFERENCE CENTRE, BOLOGNA, ITALY

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Local info

How to reach the CNR/INAF campus in Bologna

[by bus - by car - by train - by plane - see also: google map - full map - hotels]

The CNR Campus (Area della Ricerca) is located in via Gobetti, 101. A shuttle bus will collect the conference participants at the meeting points (see the map) in the morning and will take them back once the sessions have finished.

The shuttle schedule with the meeting points (see the map) will be displayed in the hotels where the allotment has been made. The bus shuttle timetable will be posted as soon as possible on the web. Alternatively, the public bus number 87 is available, and it connects the centre of Bologna to CNR and back. The bus timetable can be found here (pdf). Taxis are also widely available. Tariff from the city centre to CNR should be around 10 euros.

About Bologna

The capital city of Emilia-Romagna, Bologna is located at the intersection between northern and central Italy. Originally an Etruscan settlement, it fell under Gaulish rule in 400 B.C. to eventually become a Roman colony. About 1088 A.D., a university was founded within its wall; the oldest in the western world. Monuments to Bologna's rich cultural heritage are scattered across the city, from the leaning towers and the church of San Petronio in the old centre to the Pinacoteca Nazionale in the university district. Its historic centre is a handsome ensemble of brick buildings and charming porticoed streets.

Electricity

Electricity is supplied at 220 Volts, 50 cycles AC. Round-pin plugs only can be used in Italian sockets. Please use an adapter plug and a voltage converter if you need 110/120 volt appliances.

Telephone System

In Italy, public phones work only with the appropriate cards, which can be purchased at tobacco shops (Tabaccheria) and newspaper stands. All hotels are equipped with phones allowing international calls.

Currency & Value-Added Tax (VAT)

The Italian currency is Euro (1 Euro is approximately 1.4 $). Credit cards and traveller cheques are accepted almost everywhere. VAT (in Italian IVA) is charged on most goods except when purchased in duty-free shops. The current rate may range from 10% to 20% depending upon the item. If you produce items and tax invoices, VAT may be refunded at international airports

Banks

Banks are generally open from 8:30 to 13:20 and some of them also in the afternoon from 14:30 to 15:30 on weekdays. Banks are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Automatic teller machines are located outside major banks (24 hour service)

Post Office

Opening hours are 8:30 to 12:30 from Mondays to Saturdays.

Shopping

Shops generally open from Monday through Saturday at 9:00 - 13:00. and 15:30 - 19:30. On Monday mornings and on Sundays most shops are closed.

Emergency in Italy

In case of emergency dial 118 for ambulance and 113 for police.

Insurance

Please arrange your own travel and health care insurance. The organisers will not be held liable for accidents, theft and property damage, nor for delays or any modification in the program.

Speed Limit

The speed limit on highways is 130 km/h. The speed limit on country roads is 90 km/h, while being 50 km/h in cities and villages, unless otherwise specified. On these roads, lights must be switched on during all the day. Safety belts are compulsory.


how to reach the campus by bus [see detailed map]

by bus tickets for urban transport in bologna (cost 1 euro). they are available at newsstands and tobacco shops that show the bus tickets sign (an information desk of the public transportation company -- a.t.c. -- is located on the left wing of the railway station). you are entitled to travel for 60 minutes after you have stamped the ticket, (70 if stamped between 20:30 and 6:30) with as many changes as you like. if you are staying for a while, you might consider buying a city pass. it allows to travel 8 times in the urban area. it has to be stamped at the beginning of each travel. if you travel outside the municipal area, you will need to buy special tickets for outer zones.

Have a look at the Bus Map.
You can use either bus n. 87, or bus n. 11.
bus n. 87 stops just in front of the CNR Campus, while bus n. 11 stops at approximately 4 min walk from the CNR Campus.

bus n. 87 runs once every 30 min, leaving from the bus station at the minutes 29 and 59 of each hour, and at the minutes 25 and 55 of each hour from the cnr (one of the terminal stops). In the early morning, the frequency is slightly higher (7:41, 8:01, 8:19, 8:34, 8:49, 9:09 from the bus station).

87 bus stop at the railway station

    +---> x|    |
    |      |    |
bus stop   |    |  bus stop from cnr
to cnr     |via |     |
           |indi|     |
+--------+ |pen |x <--+
|  bus   | |den |
| station| |za  |
+--------+-+    +---------------------------------------------
                                  viale pietramellara
-----------+    +--------------------+            +-----------
           |    |                    |            |x <---+
           |    |                    |            |      |
      bridge over rails            +-----------------+   |  bus information
                                   | railway station |   +---  desk (atc)
                                   +-----------------+


bus n. 11 has a higher frequency and runs also in the late evening. bus n. 11 comes in two flavours: A or C. depending on the letter, you have to choose:
(11A): "Gobetti" stop (just before via Barbieri - via Gobetti junction);
or
(11C): "Arcoveggio" stop (just after via Fioravanti - via Barbieri junction).
in both cases the CNR Campus is within 3-4 minutes walk, as you can see from the detailed map.


how to reach the campus by car [see detailed map]

by carbologna is a crossroad both for rail and car transportation. it is connected to milan by freeway a1, to rome by a1, to rimini by a14, and to venice by a13.
once arrived on the bologna beltway (tangenziale), take exit 5 (lame), and follow the cnr signs. then drive through via marco polo until you cross via gagarin. turn left and drive straigh until you arrive at a round-about (rotonda). turn on the left (i.e. turn around the rotonda) and this is via gobetti. go straight and you are set!!!

how to reach the campus by train [see detailed map]

by trainbologna is the major node of the italian railway system (ferrovie dello stato - ff.ss.), and is connected to all the most important towns (see the schedule of the most important trains).

once arrived to the railway station (stazione centrale, piazzale medaglie d'oro) you have to catch the bus n. 87 to reach us (of course you could catch a taxi: our address is via gobetti 101. it will cost about 10 euro, but it is not worthy).

how to reach the campus by plane [see detailed map]

by planethe bologna airport serves domestic and most european flights. the airport is very close to the bologna municipal borders and is located in the north-west area, quite close to the campus location. you can:
  • take a taxi. travel time is about 15 min depending on traffic (expecially in the rush hours the beltway can be very trafficated). it will cost about 20 euros.
  • take the shuttle (airbus). you can buy the ticket directly from the driver, and it will cost 5 euros. the bus will bring you to the railway station. then you will have to catch the bus n. 87 to the cnr campus (note that the shuttle ticket is not valid for the city bus!).
  • rent a car. follow the signs to the beltway motorway (tangenziale nord) in direction north (venezia) and exit at lame. follow the cnr signs by driving through via marco polo, via gagarin (to the left from marco polo). at the round-about (rotonda) turn on the left (ie you have to go around the rotonda). this is via gobetti. go straight and you are in! (see also how to reach cnr by car).