Welcome to SMT!

Below are answers to common questions, important info, and lots of tips! Don’t forget you can always reach out to Courtney Kalbacker at courtney@summermusicintuscany.org with questions not found here!

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Travel/Flight/Train

Passport Info

What to Bring

Phones in Italy

Important Sarteano Info

TRAVEL/FLIGHTs/train

Please plan to arrive in Sarteano on July 8th, 2024 (Adult Beginners) or July 15th (Intermediate/Advanced), or at the Rome (FCO) airport before noon on July 8th OR July 15th to go with the group by train to Sarteano.

We suggest arriving to Roma Fiumicino Airport (FCO), but Florence or Bologna Airports are also popular. If coming from USA or North/South America this means you will need to book a flight that leaves the day before the arrival dates listed above. If you arrive before noon in Roma (FCO) on the 8th or 15th, a faculty member will be available to guide you to Sarteano on the train. We will all be heading to the Chiusi-Chianciano Station. The Italian train system is comfortable, reliable and an excellent way to experience the real Italy! If you prefer to travel on your own, you can consult Trainline.com to easily plan and purchase tickets for your trip by train from any of the airports. The trip takes about 2 hours from Rome, depending on the train schedule; our train guides can help the group purchase tickets online that morning once everyone arrives. Once you reach the Chiusi-Chianciano train station, our provided van shuttle will be available to bring you to Sarteano in the afternoon of your arrival date from noon-4pm OR you may take a white taxi to Sarteano outside of this window. A taxi stand is just outside the Train Station in Chiusi; the official taxis are white. It's roughly a 10-15 minute trip. The taxi from Chiusi to Sarteano is sometimes expensive (€25-€35), but very convenient. Car rentals are available in the town of Chiusi as well: http://www.aesserent.it/AesseRentsrl/default.html

PASSPORT INFORMATION

If you do not currently have a valid Passport, make appropriate steps towards obtaining appropriate documentation for your travels immediately.  If you are a citizen of the USA, visit the Department of State's Passport and International Travel page.  Processing time is generally around 10-13 weeks, or you can trim it down to 7-9 weeks if you pay for expedited processing.  

If you already have a passport, be aware that your passport must be valid for up to 6 months after your trip.  If your Passport is set to expire before the end of this time (roughly anytime in 2023), please renew your passport before traveling.  Plan accordingly!

What to bring

- Rule #1 - Pack light! I travel for 5 weeks with just a carry on and highly recommend this; luggage can easily be lost or delayed! There are clothes washers in Sarteano and lots of great shops!

- clothing for warm sunny weather (it will be in the 80s or 90s most days and about upper 60s at night)

- sturdy sandals or sneakers that can handle cobblestones, and a pair of dressier shoes for performance 

- a sun hat and sunglasses

- a bathing suit if you want to utilize the beautiful town pool

- refillable water bottle

- one or two nice (but cool!) outfits for performance (sundress or short sleeve shirt and slacks)

- Italian plug adapter Type L or C like this or like this - Info: https://www.asherfergusson.com/italy-power-adapter/

- toiletries/medication

- passport

- Paper or digital vaccine card and some masks (sometimes still necessary in medical facilities)

PHONES IN ITALY

Depending on your service provider, using your phone while in Italy can be very expensive. Check with your provider about international plans to be sure. You cannot depend on wi-fi accessibility everywhere you go. The wi-fi at La Gustea is very good, but elsewhere it can be slow or spotty elsewhere.

There are three major providers of cellular service in Italy: Vodafone, Wind and TIM. They all work, but I have found TIM to be the most reliable. Depending on what type of phone you have, you should be able to purchase a SIM card and convert your phone from your US service provider to an Italian provider. Your phone must be “unlocked” in order to be able to do this. A locked phone is carrier-specific and cannot be used with a different SIM card.

Most iPhones are unlocked when you get them. Newer iPhones (starting with series X) have an eSIM, or electronic SIM that takes the place of a physical SIM card. They also have a slot for a physical card that you can use for a different carrier. In other words, your phone can be used with two separate phone numbers.

Android phones may or may not be unlocked, and some of the newer models have eSIM capabilities. If you bought your phone through a carrier (i.e. AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile) and have paid it off, it can be unlocked. Check with your carrier. You should wait until you get to Italy before buying a card. I usually buy a TIM or Vodafone card at the airport right after I get through customs. It costs about $35 for a month of calls, text and about 20 gigs of data. Here is an article. It can take at least 30 minutes from when you install the card until you can use it. You can also get a card from a store in Chiusi, but you will need to get a shuttle ride.

SARTEANO info

  • Grocery store:  Co-op Sarteano - behind Bank - Via degli Spartitoi, 34, 53047 Sarteano SI, Italy; Hours: 8am-1pm and 4-8pm, but only 8:30-1pm on Sundays

  • There are several ATMs in Sarteano. Most prominently, an ATM is located outside of Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena. Behind parking lot on Via di Fuori. (This parking lot becomes a Farmers Market Friday morning) 

  • Don’t miss the Friday Morning Market in the center of town - clothes, fresh produce, meats and cheeses, household goods!

  • There are so many great Restaurants in town (no need to tip, but you may need to ask for the bill "il conto" to get your check at the end)

    • Casual Favorites (all located along Via di Fuori):  

      • Bar Milano (pizza, pasta, near theatre)

      • Bar Pegaso (gelato, pastries, coffee)

      • Bar I Diavoli (homemade gelato, coffee)

      • Peccati di Gola (Pastry Shop) 

        Favorites: 

      • La Gustea Ristorante (pizza, pasta, meats, salad)

      • Locanda dei Tintori (pizza, pasta, meats, salads)

      • Chiostro Cennini 

      • Santa Chiara (for residents only)

  • Respect "Risposo," the after resting time every day — no making any sound heard outside your room or apartment from 12:30-3pm. Only exception is the Sala Filarmonica and the Villa, with Courtney's permission. 

  • The Pool - Nadia at La Gustea Hotel and Restaurant (Via Adige 19, it's off of Via di Fuori - 15-20 min walk from Teatro) has discounted tickets for the Pool. It is beautiful - spring-fed cool water! Day passes are for 9am to 7pm, afternoon passes 1-7pm. You might go to La Gustea for dinner one day and pick up tickets from Nadia while there!. Please use cash for the tickets. Day pass in 2023 were 17 euro pp (20 euros on weekends); evening pm pass: 10 Euro pp (12 on weekends). Includes umbrella, chair, changing room services/showers.

  • Sarteano has an automatic laundry and full laundry services.

  • Sarteano has a copy and print shop - they only speak Italian!