The conference site is:

Residenza di Ripetta

Via di Ripetta, 231, Roma Italy
www.ripetta.it

Via Ripetta is one of the streets forming the famous trident joining in Piazza del Popolo. It was laid out in 1518 by the order of pope Leo X, that wanted it to be the straight road connecting Porta del Popolo and the most populated zones of the city in direction of Vatican. The name derives from the port of Ripetta, to which the street leads, and it was its last name taken only in the 18th century, after the previous one "Via Leonina". Conference site can be easily reached by public transportation: underground line "A" station "Flaminio" is placed 300mt from via di Ripetta and many bus lines ( 95, 117, 119, 490, 491, 495, 590, ...) and the tramway line 2, stops around there. You can find more details and complete maps of Roma public transportation in the website of the public transportation company: www.atac.roma.it/mappe/.

ABOUT ROMA

Much has been written about Roma, its monuments and museums, its fountains and villas, its history and people.Many volumes would be needed to tell even a small part of its history, art and architecture, or to hint at what can be seen here, including Michelangelo's Last Judgement in the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museums, St. Peters's, the Roman Forum, the Colosseum, the Pincio, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon... Everything to be said about this city has probably been said before.However, Roma cannot be described completely; it needs to be experienced in person. It is impossible to be bored in Roma.Besides its churches, monuments,and museums, Roma has more to offer: classical music, theater and ballet, jazz, sport, pubs, and all kinds of shops and elegant boutiques.Roma is easily reachable from every part of the world, having two international airports and an international train station.

CURRENCY

The official currency in Italy is the Euro.

BANKS

Banks are open from Monday to Friday, from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm and from 3:00 to 4:00 pm. Money can also be changed at the airport, in exchange desks located across the city and at the main railway station (Termini) on Saturdays and Sundays. Most hotels, restaurants and shops accept foreign currency and major credit cards. ATMs are located throughout the city.

TIPS

Prices include service in bars and restaurants, but tips are always welcome.

ELECTRICITY

The electricity supply is 220 volts, 50 Hz. Foreign appliances may require an adapter.

VISA

Visas are not required for visitors from most of Europe, the US, Japan and South America. For all other countries, visas are issued on a reciprocal basis. However, it is advisable to contact the Italian Embassy or Consulate.

HEALTH

Free first aid and hospital services are available to all citizens of the European Union who have a special form (E111) issued by the health authority of the relevant country.Visitors from other countries are advised to take out special insurance for the duration of the trip, to avoid the cost of possible medical treatment.North American visitors may find that reimbursement of medical expenses incurred abroad is covered by their private insurance.Medicines can only be obtained from pharmacies (farmacia, marked by a green or red cross) which are usually open from 8:30 to 13:00 and from 16:30 to 20:00.At night and on public holidays only some pharmacies are open; however, you can find a list of those open on the doors of those which are closed.

TELEPHONE

Public phones are available on almost every street corner. Most only accept telephone cards or some new-type credit cards. Call charges depend on the time of day and provider. Usually, peak time is 8:00 to 18:00 on working days. The prefix for Roma is 06. The international code for Italy is 39. To make an international call from Italy start with 00 and add the complete international phone number, i.e. country code, city code, recipient local number (example: 00-33-(0)1-234567).

TIME AND DATE

Roma is located in the Middle European Time Zone, GMT+1.However during the Conference we will be in summer (or "legal") time, i.e. GMT+2.In Italy all dates are written like day, month, year (thus 5/9/01 means 5th September 2001).

HOW TO REACH ROMA

By air

"Leonardo da Vinci" intercontinental airport, located in Fiumicino, is Europe's fourth largest in terms of number of passengers and provides travellers with the most modern services and facilities.The centre of Roma can be easily reached from the airport by bus, train or taxi.

Trains from the airport:

• Leonardo da Vinci - Roma Termini (Central) Railway Station Duration: 40 minutes. Non-stop trains leave every 60 minutes and during rush hours every 30 minutes. Ticket cost: Euro 9.30
• Leonardo da Vinci - Roma Tiburtina Railway Station Duration: 40 minutes. Trains leave every 20 minutes during the weekdays and Saturdays and every 60 minutes on Sundays, making stops in different areas of the city.Ticket cost: Euro 4.65

Taxis and limousines

are available at the international arrivals area. Approximate price: Euro 38.74.

By train

Roma is at the heart of the Italian railway network.Excellent Intercity service from Termini Railway Station links Roma to every major city in Europe.

By road

Italy has 6,400 km of modern motorways, which reach all regions of the country. Roma can easily be reached by car from the "Autostrada del Sole - A1", the longest Italian motorway running along the peninsula from north to south.

TRANSPORTATION WITHIN THE CITY

Numerous bus lines connect all areas of the city, including the area of the Conference. The underground (Metro) has two lines, Linea "A" (red) and Linea "B" (blue). These intersect at Termini, so you have to pass through Termini when you need to switch line. Tickets are valid for 75 minutes of travel and can be used for one underground journey and unlimited bus travel. They can be purchased at tobacco shops ("Tabacchi"), bars, news stands and machines in stations. The driver does not sell tickets. Daily and weekly tickets are also available.

Prices:

• Ticket valid for 75 minutes: Euro 0.75
• Ticket valid for one day: Euro 3.10
• Ticket valid for one week: Euro 12.40

Public transportation in Roma (ATAC - TRAMBUS - MET.RO - COTRAL): 800 431784

CLIMATE

September is generally warm and sunny in Roma.Temperatures may reach 25°C (77°F) during the daybut are cooler in the evening.

SHOPPING

The streets of the historic centre of Roma - the famous Spanish Steps, Via Condotti, Via Frattina, Via della Croce, Via Borgognona and, of course, Via Veneto - boast the workshops of Italy's foremost and world renowned fashion creators along with glamorous shops, all bearing the unmistakable mark "Made in Italy". Via Margutta and Via del Babbuino abound with privately owned artists' studios and restoration workshops.Galleries can be found almost everywhere along the side streets, such as Via dei Coronari, one of the most picturesque streets in Roma, which also hosts numerous antique dealers.Shops are usually open from Monday to Saturday, from 9:00 to 13:00 and from 16:00 to 19:30. However, several shops in the center are open from 10:00 to 19:00. Most shops are closed on Sunday and Monday morning.

USEFUL NUMBERS

Emergency numbers

• Emergency public assistance: 113
• Carabinieri (military police): 112
• First aid: 118
• Fire brigade: 115
• Breakdown assistance (Automobile Club of Italy): 116

Airport and airlines

• Fiumicino airport (FCO): 06 65951
• Ciampino airport (CIA): 06 794 941
• Air France: 06 47181
• Alitalia: 06 65643
• Austrian Airlines: 06 85354610
• British Airways: 06 485480
• Canadian: 06 6591300
• Delta Airlines: 06 85354925
• Iberia: 1478 31055
• Japan Airlines: 06 65953840
• KLM: 06 6529286
• Lufthansa: 06 65954156
• Olympic Airways: 06 48903089
• Qantas: 06 486561
• Sabena: 06 421231
• SAS: 06 65010771
• Swissair: 06 8470518
• TWA: 06 47211
• VARIG: 06 4677210

Trains

Trenitalia information: 8488 88088

Taxi Cabs

• La Capitale: 06 49 94
• Pronto Taxi: 06 66 45
• Samarcanda: 06 55 51
• Radiotaxi3570: 06 35 70