INTRODUCTION Welcome to Verona! The goal of this booklet is to assist you in making your transition toItaly as smooth as possible. "Buona Fortuna" with your move.
ARRIVING TO VERONA From the Verona Porta Nuova railway station Take bus 21 or 22 toward "Borgo Roma", stop at "Borgo Roma" hospital. Then you'll to walk for some minutes up to the "Scientific and Technologic Department" (Cà Vignal 1) From the freeway (Verona Sud)
Take: Via Antonio Meucci for 300 m
turn right onto: Via Evangelista Torricelli for 100 m
continue along Viale Del Commercio for 200 m
turn right onto: Via Tolomeo for 300 m
turn left onto: Via Flavio Gioia for 200 m
continue along Via Luigi Pasteur for 0.7 km
turn left onto: SS12 for 0.5 km
turn right onto: Via Bengasi for 450 m
turn right onto: Via Bartolomeo Giuliari for 100 m
turn left onto: Via Delle Menegone for 50 m
turn right onto: Via Regina Adelaide for 90 m
turn right onto: Strada Le Grazie for 200 m From the Airport "Valerio Catullo" Take the shuttle bus (blue "Bus Navetta") from airport to "Porta Nuova" railway station (departure every 20', starting 6.10 am until 11.10 pm): Timetable and price at www.apt.vr.it. VERONA DESCRIPTIONVerona is one the most beautiful and fascinating cities in the world. It is the home of the legendary star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet. The city of Verona dates back to the pre-Roman era. It is located near the Po Valley, bread basket of Italy, and it sits at the entrance to the Brenner Pass, one of the lifelines of commerce to the rest of Europe. Located between Milan and Venice, Verona is protected by the Adige River, which flows down from the Italian Alps through the Brenner Pass. Verona is a cosmopolitan city of approximately 300,000 people. The main economies are agriculture and tourism. Marble, leather, clothing, gold, and furniture are also vibrant industries in this area. In the historic center of Verona, you will find, side-by-side Roman, Medieval, Baroque,and modern architecture, all fully in use. The city is home to many beautiful Renaissance churches and the impressive 14th century Castelvecchio (Old Castle). The crowning jewel of Verona is the 1st century A.D. Roman amphitheater, popularly known as the "Arena." Located in the heart of the city, this wonderfully preserved theater seats 25,000 spectators and hosts a world-renowned open-air opera and ballet season each July and August. In addition to the Arena, Verona also has a large "Stadio" which often hosts international music stars, as well as other attractions. Verona offers "molto" (many) leisure activities. The Italian Alps and the Pre-Alps offer hiking and some of the best downhill and cross-country skiing in the world.The beach (Adriatic Sea) is a leisurely two hour drive east while the Tirrenian Sea is about a four hour drive southwest. Twenty minutes away is Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy, which offers all water sports and many fine restaurants along its shores. You can reach Garmisch, Germany in 3 1/2 hours by car. Of course, all the beautiful cities of Italy -- Venice, Florence, Rome -- are short drives and even easier to access by train. Finally, Verona offers all sports, and its soccer and basketball teams are truly excellent. You will find the Veronese to be sophisticated and well dressed. They are used to tourists, so plan to get away from the "tourist traps" to fully appreciate their warmth and way of life. Don't worry, this is easy to do. Most importantly, don't ever forget that you are a guest in their country, so please conduct yourself accordingly. We encourage you to read more about Verona and come prepared to take advantage of the many opportunities available to you. LIVING INFORMATION This section of the booklet is critical in assuring a smooth transition. We have divided it for easy reference into the following sections: HOUSING Upon your arrival, the most important priority is to find adequate housing. Usually, we book a room at the local foresteria for the first month. You can define this initial accomodation with members of the lab who are willing to help you during your first days in Italy. NOTE: YOU CAN BRING PETS WITH YOU, HOWEVER, MANY LANDLORDS WILL NOT ACCEPT PETS OR LIMIT TO SMALL PETS ONLY. Also, few apartments have large garages. Most Italian homes do not have closets, however they do have storage areas "cantinas" in the basements of most buildings. You will find that apartment living is the norm and that separate houses (villas) are rare and expensive. Don't panic, most lab members find adequate housing within 15-30 days of arrival. According to the Verona Housing Office, apartment rentals are €500-550 for two bedroom apartments, €600-750 for three bedroom apartments, and €900 and up for four bedroom apartments and villas. Both four bedroom apartments and villasare scarce. These prices usually do not include utilities, and some apartments charge a small condominium fee for cleaning of common areas and building maintenance. Initial set-up fees can be expensive, so we recommend that you set aside two (2) month €s rent for initial deposit and approximately € 700-1,000 for utilities (including phone) and other odds and ends. PERSONNEL AND FINANCE CHECKLIST This checklist is provided to help you double-check the important documents that you will need either from your departure location or upon your arrival in Italy. SERVICEMEMBER - Personnel Records - Current ID Card - Finance Records - Stateside Drivers License - Medical Records - Immunization Record - Copies of orders/amendments - Dental Records - Education Records - International Drivers License FAMILY MEMBERS - Medical Records - Dental Records - Passports - Immunization Record - School Records - Last Report Card - Stateside Drivers License BAGGAGE/HOUSEHOLD GOODS - Hold Baggage Inventory and Government Bill of Lading. - Household Goods Inventory and Government Bill of Lading. PRIVATELY OWNED VEHICLES - Stateside Registration - Copy of authorization from - Proof of Insurance lien holder (if applicable) - Shipping document PETS - Current Health Certificate -Updated immunization records CODICE FISCALE The codice fiscale is similar to a tax number that will be assigned to you by the Italian government in order to track any financial transactions you may conduct while assigned in Verona. The electric, gas, and water companies will require the number before service to your residence can be established. Obtaining a codice fiscale is simple, fast, and free. TELEPHONE SERVICE The deposit and installation fees for telephone service range from approximately € 100-200 in the Verona area. Depending on the area you live, your wait for a telephone may be a couple of days or several weeks. HELPFUL HINTS FOR A SMOOTH TRANSITION The final part of this booklet is designed to give you helpful information you can use upon arrival in Italy. We encourage you to use it as a starting point, not an end to itself. Read other books and when you arrive talk to as many "old timers" as possible. We divided it for easy reference. SECTION 1 - Emergency/Useful Telephone Numbers SECTION 2 - Language SECTION 3 - Eating Customs SECTION 4 - Police SECTION 5 - Business Hours SECTION 6 - Stores and Markets SECTION 7 - Metric System and Clothing/Shoe Sizes SECTION 8 - Public Transportation SECTION 9 - Parking the Car SECTION 10 - Telephones (Public and Private) SECTION 11 - Italian Kindergarten SECTION 12 - Transformers SECTION 13 - Television SECTION 14 - Autostradas SECTION 15 - Helpful Hints SEC .1 - EMERGENCY/USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS These telephonenumbers are for use while in Italy. VERONA CIVILIAN HOSPITALS: Città di Verona(downtown) [045] 912-088 Centro Ospedaliero di Borgo Trento [045] 912-600 Centro Ospedaliero di Borgo Roma [045] 914-600 Ospedale Civile(Bussolengo) [045] 715-0977 AMBULANCESERVICE - VERONA: Croce Verde [045] 24-815/21-815 Croce Bianca [045] 974-055/964-833 Croce Rossa [045] 21-097/34-267 Emergency 118 POLICE: Police (Vigili Urbani) [045] 34-180 Highway Police (Polizia Stradale) [045] 500-333 Military Police (Carabinieri) [045] 809-5399 or 112 Police (National) 112 FIRE DEPARTMENT: Vigili Del Fuoco 22-222 AUTOMOBILE CLUB - ITALY: Emergency Car Service [045] 500-852/583-455 PHARMACY (FARMACIA): Verona: SS Apostoli, 14, Corso Cavour [045] 27038 Internazionale 28 Piazza Bra [045] 24255 SEC. 2 - LANGUAGE Language - Moving to a new location and setting up your home can be difficult enough without the additional handicap of a language barrier. Luckily, the Italians are polite and helpful and will do anything to try and help you communicate with them. Also, many of your future labmates are english-speaking italians so don't be reluctant to ask them for help. The chart on the next page will help a little. You are encouraged to learn to speak Italian. It's not as hard as it looks. ENGLISH ITALIAN Good morning/Good day Buon Giorno Good afternoon/Good evening Buona Sera Sir Signore Mr. Signor Mrs./Madam Signora Miss Signorina How are you? Come sta? I am well. Sto bene Come in. Avanti Please Per favore Thank you Grazie You are welcome Prego Excuse me Scusi Do you understand? Ha capito I don't understand Non capisco Yes Si No No Good-bye Arrivederci or Addio What is your name? Come si chiama? My name is Io mi chiamo Where is . . . ? Dove . . . ? . . the railway station . . la stazione . . the bus station . . la stazione dell'autobus . . a hotel . .un albergo . . the toilet . . il bagno . . a doctor . . un dottore This way Da questa parte That way Da quella parte To the left A sinistra ENGLISH ITALIAN To the right A destra To the north Alnord To the south Alsud To the east All'est To the west All'ovest Straight ahead Sempre diritto Please show me Mi indichi, per favore How far is . . . ? A che distanza e? . . . ? Kilometer(s) Chilometro (ri) SEC. 3 - EATING CUSTOMS Italians love to eat. Be prepared for three or more courses. First, there is the Antipasto, then the Primo (1st) (usually pasta or rice), followed by the Secondo (fish or meat course with vegetables and salad) and finally dessert and coffee. Of course, you aren't obliged to order all of these courses! Youmay just order one or two. Italians believe dinner time is also family time, so don't be surprised to spend 3 hours at the dinner table in a home or at a restaurant. There are three main classes of eating places. First, there is the PIZZERIA where usually only pizza is served for lunch or dinner. Within the last few years a new breed of pizzeria has sprung up "Pizza al Taglio." Taglio literally means "cut" and you can ask for a "cut" of pizza from a large rectangular pan. Talk to the "old timers" to find their favorite pizzerias. The TRATTORIA is usually a family-run operation and there might or might not be a menu. As a rule, Trattorias are usually lower priced than a RISTORANTE. Trattoria food is wholesome and "abbondante." RISTORANTES are the most expensive of the three. Prices can be expensive so check the sign posted outside for cost and the food offered. Finally, the BAR is not to be ignored as a place to eat since they will usually serve at least a "panino" which is a hard roll or bread with salami, prosciutto (ham), etc., or a "toast" which will be a grilled ham and cheese (formaggio). To save you embarrassment, when you enter a bar to order a coffee, glass of wine, coke, panino, etc., go to the cash register (CASSA) and order what you want, then take the receipt and tell the person at the counter or bar what you paid for. Thisis the way it is done 99% of the time. This is the way it is done in stations, airports, etc. Around town you order, eat, drink and then pay. It is customary that if you sit down at a table in a bar someone will come and take your order. SEC. 4 - POLICE When you arrive, you will see police in different uniforms. Briefly, here is a summary of each. The Carabinieri are a national police force with jurisdiction over both military and civilian personnel. There are over 90,000 Carabinieri and they are stationed in every community in Italy. The origins of this elite Corps date back to 1814. The Vigili Urbani are the city traffic police. The Polizia di Stato are the regular state police while the Guardia di Finanza are the Italian Customs Police whoyou will see at airports or border crossings. SEC. 5 - BUSINESS HOURS -- "RIPOSO" Riposo takes some getting used to, but after a while most people enjoy it. Riposo is approximately a three hour break (normally 12:30-15:30). During this time most stores, offices, museums, and churches are closed. Businesses reopen after 15:30 and usually close between 19:00-20:00. Some large grocery stores (Famila, Citta Mercato, PAM, IMAS) now have continuous hours until as late as 21:00 hours. The malls in the Verona area are also open all day. SEC. 6 - TYPES OF STORES AND MARKETS NOTE: A "Marca da Bollo" isan Italian stamp required for all legal transactions. ALWAYS, REGARDLESS OF WHAT YOU PURCHASE OR HOW WHAT IT COSTS, TAKE YOUR RECEIPT. Verona, like the rest of Italy, is still largely made up of small neighborhood specialty stores. Below is a list of what to look for: ALIMENTARI Coldcuts, cheese, some canned goods; almost the same as a small grocery store. BAR You will find espresso coffee and wine; the main drinks in an Italian bar. Bar's usually offer pastries with cappucino in the morning. FALEGNAME Cabinet maker, furniture repair. FARMACIA Pharmacy, drugstore. FERRAMENTA Hardware store. FIORI E PIANTE Flower and plant store. FRUTTA VERDURA Fruits, vegetables, sometimes plants. GELATERIA Ice cream. LAVANDERIA A SECCO Laundry and dry cleaners. MACELLERIA Fresh meat, salami, and sausage. PANIFICIO Breadstore. PASTICCERIA Pastries, cakes, sometimes candy and small gifts. PESCERIA Fresh seafood. POLLERIA Poultry. PROFUMERIA Perfume, cosmetics, and costume jewelry. SALUMERIA Cold cuts, cheese, salami, some canned goods; almost like a mall grocery store. TABBACCHI Cigarettes, cigars, stamps, bus tickets, salt, greeting cards, Marca da Bollo, matches, and Telecom CARDS (telephone cards). VETERINARIA AMBULATORI Animal hospital. Large supermarkets are becoming more common these days. PAM, ROSSETTO and ESSELUNGA are three that are well worth visiting. Citta Mercato a small mall outside Verona. Just past that, is La Grande Mela, which is a large mall just like in the United States complete with movie theater (Italian) and bowling alley. They are both located on SS 11 (old state highway between Verona and LakeGarda) on the west side of town. There is also an "American Style" mall called "Le Piramidi" in Vicenza. There are several department stores in the area, STANDA, UPIM, and COIN being the principal ones. SORELLE RAMONDA, on the state road to Vicenza, in the town of Montecchio, is especially good for designer clothes and fabrics. Prices in department stores are less expensive than in the neighborhood or small town clothing stores. Outdoor market places are also a good source for clothing, food, and odds and ends, fun and adventure. They are open from 08:00-12:00 once a week, the exception being Piazza delle Erbe Market Place which is open every day except Sunday. Below is some information of local markets: - Monday Torre (Lake Garda) - Tuesday Soave, Pescantina - Wednesday Grezzana (3rd Wed.), Lazise (Lake Garda), San Bonifacio, Mantova - Thursday Bussolengo - Bardolino (Lake Garda) - Friday Grezzana (1st Fri.), Garda (Lake Garda), Isola della Scala - Saturday Verona (Stadium), Parona - Sunday Zevio, San Ambrosio, Desenzano (Antiques - 1st Sun.) SEC. 7 - METRIC SYSTEM/CLOTHING AND SHOE SIZES If you come form UK or US, prepare yourself for kilometers and kilograms. An easy approximation is: 1 kilometer equals .62 miles and 1 kilogram equals 2.2 pounds. When you order meats and cheese you will have to ask for etti (100 grams).An etto is 3.5 ounces. In men's clothing, the Italians have a numbering system similar to the United States, however, there is an additional number called "drop." Drop tells you how wide or slim the article is cut; 0 being the widest and 8 being the most trim. If an item is not marked with a drop number, it is usually a drop 6, the most popular drop. Women's clothing sizes are completely different running between 38 and 50. Shoes are also different. Normal shoe sizes for men run in the 40s, 42 being approximately 8 1/2 and women's sizes run in the 30s, size 7 being 38. Shop around for shoes; prices range from $15 in market places to $300 on Via Mazzini. SEC. 8 - PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION The public transportation system in Italy is excellent. Trains are a cheap and efficient way to travel. From the Porta Nuova (Verona) train station, you can travel to any majorcity in continental Europe. Tickets are bought in the station one way (solo andata) or round-trip (andata e ritorno). All tickets must be validated at the little yellow box before getting on the train. The bus system in Italy is also excellent. Bus stops are marked by yellow signs "FERMATA" and are easy to spot. The number of the bus line, a list of the stops, and times will posted on the pole. Yellow buses are city buses and blue ones are province buses. Tickets (BIGLIETTI) are purchased at the small stand in front of the Verona Train Stationand at most tobacco stores (TABACCHI), except on Sundays (they are both closed). Enter the bus through the rear door and insert your ticket in the automatic ticket machine. Be sure to keep your ticket until you depart the bus because occasionally an inspector will enter to check tickets. You will be fined if you cannotproduce a canceled ticket. Exit the bus from the center door. If you will be riding the bus every day, you might consider purchasing an ABBONAMENTO whichis good for one month. To get full use of this you must use the bus at least 10 times a week. If you do have an ABBONAMENTO, you can enter the bus from the front and flash it to the driver and avoid the herd at the back of the bus. note: Bus drivers cannot accept money for a ticket. SEC. 9 - PARKING THE CAR On the weekends and in the evenings you can park downtown Verona in Palazzo Carli or you can usually find a space across the Castelvecchio Bridge in what is referred to as "Bambini Park." In the paid parking lots you must take the ticket from the guard and pay when you return. Also, become familiar with the DISCO ORARIO which you place on your dashboard facing out andset the time that you leave the car. You will find parking places marked with words DISCO ORARIO and the amount of time you can park there. DISCOORARIOs can normally be purchased at the AAFES Garage and AGIP gas stations. During normal working hours is almost impossible to find a parking space! Take a bus whenever possible - they are dependable and easy to catch! SEC. 10 PUBLIC TELEPHONES Some older public phones accept L100 and L200 coins, while all new phones take a plastic card which you can purchase in tobacco shops (the SIP CARDS mentioned earlier in this packet). Some hotels and bars have counter-controlled rather than coin-operated phones. A meter keeps track of the cost of your call and you pay the proprietor when you finish. While staying in a hotel, you can make calls through the person at the front desk. However, when placing a long distance call, always ask in advance what the service charge will be as it can be expensive. The best place to make long distance calls while away from home are the train station (ASST) and the SIP office behind the Arena, Via Leoncino 43, open daily 08:00-21:30. They will place the call for you and tell you the charge when you finish. SEC. 11 ITALIAN KINDERGARTEN Children ages 3-6 usually attend a nursery school called "ASILO" or "SCUOLA MATERNA." The ASILO will be the Italian school in which you might be interested if you have small children. The word asilo means refuge and it is exactly that for mothers, Italian and American alike. The cost of putting your child into this schoolis minimal. The children go to school around 08:00-09:00 and must be picked up close to 16:00. As a convenience for working mothers, the public/communeasilos are also open on Saturdays. There are two kinds of Asilos - the public/commune and the private/Catholic school. Both are highly recommended. Language is not a problem for the children after the first week, and after two months, they act as interpreters for their families. To register in a public Asilo, go to your neighborhood school. SEC. 12 TRANSFORMERS Italy operates on 220 volt electricity. Don't even think of plugging in 110 volt appliances, you'll zap them useless. SEC. 13 TELEVISION In Verona, an Italian television can pick up 20 different channels. This includes three national channels, and a channel from Monte Carlo. Depending on where you live in Verona, you can pick up American Forces Network (AFN), part of the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service broadcasting from Vicenza. If you want to purchase a satellite dish, you can rent/buy a standard decoder thatoffers the possibility of several hundred channels from around the world.There are several community members who have use satellites and can provideall the details about all the satellite systems. British channels are available on a pay per month system like cable and satellite service inthe US. SEC. 14 AUTOSTRADAS The fastest way to get to and from larger cities in Italy, i.e., Verona to Vicenza, is via autostrada, or the toll highways. The speed limit now is 130 KPH (approximately 80 MPH). One caution: Europeans often go much faster than the speed limits. Always drive with one eye on the rear view mirror. Stay out of the farleft lane except to pass. Never pass on the right! SEC. 15 HELPFUL HINTS This last section describes some information we hope will be helpful. Life in Italy canbe a wonderful experience - but you must be flexible and use patience. Italian culture is different in many ways. When invited to a Italian home for dinner, a little gift is appropriate, such as flowersor candy. Never send or give chrysanthemums -- these are a symbol of death and are only used at funerals. Yes, you can drink the water, but it is not recommended! However, when in a restaurant, it is customary to order bottled water. There are two kinds: acqua minerale naturale and acqua minerale gassata (which is slightly fizzy). The Automobile Club of Italy (ACI) is similar to AAA in the United States. For a yearly membership fee, you will receive towing discounts, maps, tour guides, reduced parking and hotel rates, and inexpensive automobile rentals. It is highly recommended on the Autostrada. In an emergency, dial 116 and someone will come totow you. ACI's main office is located in Via Valverde 34, Tel. 595353.ACI will normally tow your car to the nearest "deposito" or storage lot. You'll pay extra to have your car towed to Vicenza or Verona, but it maybe worth the additional cost! Several people like to use CENTRO BERTUCCO(Viale del Lavoro 36, telephone: 045-582444 in Verona). This garage isjust off the VERONA SUD autostrada exit, is also a Toyota dealership, andis easily spotted from the main road. Your insurance company may have a towing clause that is better than ACI's discount. For outstanding guide books and maps in Italian the Touring Club of Italy (TCI) is very good and membership gives great discounts. |
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