General Information

The Congress Venue
Centro Didattico del Policlinico "S. Maria alle Scotte"
(Medical Teaching Centre at “Santa Maria alle Scotte”)
Università degli Studi di Siena
(University of Siena)
Strada Le Scotte, 4 - 53100 Siena (Italy)

The Didactic Centre of Policlinico is situated in Siena inside the Hospital S. Maria alle Scotte. It is
located just a few miles from the centre of the city. It can be reached by taxi or by buses (number: 8,
10, 77, 17, 3) that leave from Piazza del Sale or Piazza Gramsci. Otherwise by car by following the
signal to the Hospital “Le Scotte”.
The Didactic Centre has a car parking inside.

Opening of the on-site Registration Desk
August 31, 2005 from hrs 14.00

How to get to Siena
BY CAR

• From North (Florence, Bologna):
  highway A1 (Autostrada del Sole), exit Florence Certosa. Then take the connecting
  highway Siena-Florence.
• From South (Rome):
  highway A1 (Autostrada del Sole), direction Florence, exit Valdichiana. Then take
  the connecting highway Siena-Bettolle.

BY TRAIN
Siena may be reached by train from North Italy, through the Florence-Empoli-Siena way; from South
Italy through Rome-Chiusi-Siena or Rome-Florence-Empoli-Siena ways; from West Italy through Pisa-
Empoli-Siena way

BY PLANE
The airports in Pisa (“Galileo Galilei”) and in Florence (“Amerigo Vespucci”) serve national and
international airlines and are the closest to Siena. It is possible to reach Pisa or Florence directly with
daily flights from the main European towns or through connections with domestic flights from Rome and
Milan airports.

Language
The official language of the Congress is English. Simultaneous translation will not be provided.

Insurance
Congress organisers cannot accept liability for personal injuries or for loss of or damage to property
belonging to congress participants, either during or as a result of the congress. Please check the
validity of your own insurance.

Exhibiting and Sponsoring
An exhibition of pharmaceuticals, research and nutrition products will take place throughout the
Congress. More information on sponsor opportunities can be obtained from the Organising Secretariat.

Associate ESPR Membership
Further information about Associate ESPR Membership can be found in the web site www.espr.info where you will also find application forms.

Useful Information
Siena is a pretty town with about 55,000 inhabitants located in the centre of Italy, in the heart of the
Tuscany region.
It is a lovely hilltop place founded by the Etruscans, where old buildings and precious works of art
witness the magnificence and prosperity of Siena in the past centuries.
Siena is the seat of one of the oldest Universities in Europe, founded in 1240, and of one of the oldest
banks, the "Monte dei Paschi", founded in 1472. The city can count on an old tradition of medical care:
the hospital of Santa Maria della Scala is proba-bly one of the oldest of the world which survived until
twenty years ago; today it represents also the third artistic attraction of the City, together with the
Cathedral and the Palazzo Pubblico.

WEATHER.
Central Italy has a delightful climate. In August the sunshine is expected, with an average temperature of about 30° C. Being Siena at the top of a hill, a plea-sant breeze lets fresh all the day.

BANKS.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8:30 am - 1:20 pm; 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm.

POST OFFICES.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8:15 am - 5:30 pm

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.
Bus service operates between 7.00 am and 8:30 pm.
Taxi service is also available on 24h.

CURRENCY.
The currency for the Congress is Euro. Other currencies will be accepted
during the Congress at the official exchange rate of the time.

ELECTRICITY.
In Italy it is 220 volts 50 Hz. Foreign appliances could require an adapter.

THE PALIO.
Undoubtedly, one of the most peculiar features of Siena is the “Palio”, the horse race famous all over
the world, which takes place twice a year on July 2 and August 16. Tickets for this important event
have to be booked several months in advance, since they are sold out very quickly. You can get in
contact with the Organising Secretariat for further information or suggestions.