Cortona Sessions for New Music

Often, the scariest part of international travel is getting from the airport to your final destination. Travel to Cortona is relatively simple from the main airports in Rome and Florence. If you need any assistance in figuring out travel plans, please contact us. Below are our recommendations for getting to Cortona. Last year, several of us travelled through Milan because of lower airfare costs. Buon viaggio!



MONEY

All participants should arrive with at least €50 in cash. Some taxes at the train station must be paid with cash. Also, you will need cash for you cab ride to the hotel from the train station in Cortona. In Cortona, there are ATMs available throughout town. Visa and Mastercard are accepted most places. American Express and Discover cards are not accepted in very many places. Make sure you advise your bank and credit card companies as to your travel plans in advance.



FLIGHTS
All participants should plan to fly into either Florence Vespucci Airport (FLR), Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO), or Milan (either Malepena-MXP or Linate-LIN) with arrival on Sunday, June 28, 2015, and departure on July 12, 2015 (note that you may have to schedule your departure for Saturday, June 27th to arrive on the 28th). You may use other airports at your discresion. Anyone arriving before June 28 is responsible for their own accommodations. Please advise us of your travel plans and concerns. Once at the airport, you will make your way to the train station and travel via train to Cortona (the station is Camucia-Cortona, not Terontola!). Train tickets may be purchased online in advance (purchase is not possible until two weeks before date of departure) at the Trenitalia website (www.trenitalia.it). Tickets are valid for 24 hours and must be validated at the station. Help is available at info stands throughout the stations. Once at the station in Camucia, you will take a taxi to the Hotel Oasi Neumann. A Cortona Sessions representative will likely be at the station to help.

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Flying into Florence: There are two options for getting from the Florence airport to the Santa Maria Novella train station. The simplest and safest is to take a taxi from just outside baggage claim. The fee should be approximately €20 + €1 per bag. The other option is to take the bus from the airport to Santa Maria Novella railway station (Volainbus service is €4.50 and departs every half-hour; travel time is approximately 20 mins). Once you arrive at the train station, you can purchase a train ticket to Camucia-Cortona  (approx. €10). Travel time is approximately 1.5 hours. Participants will be met at the Camucia train station by a Cortona Sessions representative for transport to the Hotel Oasi Neumann (about 5 mins). Taxi service to the hotel is around €5/pp.



Flying into Rome:  There is an express train from the airport to Termini station in Rome (approx. €10) which departs every half-hour (travel time approximately 30 mins). From Termini Station, purchase a ticket to Camucia-Cortona (approx. €10). Travel time is about 2.5 hours. Participants will be met at the Camucia train station by a Cortona Sessions representative for transport to the Hotel Oasi Neumann (about 5 mins). Taxi service to the hotel is around €5/pp.

Other flight options:  It is also possible to fly into Milan, Pisa, or Perugia (or any other city) and arrange for train travel to the Camucia/Cortona station.

 

Flying into Milan:  From the Milan airports, you must get a direct train to Milano Centrale. From there, it is a fast train to Firenze Santa Maria Novella, and then change trains to the train to Camucia-Cortona as above. The entire ticket (airport - centrale - Firenze - Cortona) can be purchased on the Trenitalia website. 



Renting a car:  Renting a car is a great way to get around Tuscany, particularly if you plan to spend extra time in Italy following the festival. Please be aware that driving in Italy is a very “unique” experience. Participants are welcome to rent a car at the airport and drive to Cortona. Parking is available at the Hotel Oasi.

 

From continental Europe:  Train travel from major European centers is a great way to get around if you are already in Europe. Contact us if you have questions.



PASSPORTS ARE REQUIRED for travel to Italy. Please make your arrangements early to avoid last-minute problems. Visas are not required for U.S. citizens. Residents of non-U.S. countries should check with their own state departments for Visa requirements. ALSO - PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR PASSPORT IS VALID FOR AT LEAST 30 DAYS AFTER TRAVEL!!! If not, you may not be allowed to board your flight and will have to order an express passport, etc.