PARATHYROIDS 2010 - Pisa - Palazzo dei Congressi - February 11-13, 2010

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GENERAL INFORMATION

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PISA WELCOMES YOU TO PARATHYROIDS 2010

Pisa, renowned worldwide for its Leaning Tower, definitely deserves more than the usual day stop which traditionally occurs on tourist routes. Pisa has an enormously long history behind it. Starting out as an Etruscan settlement, turned into a Roman city, wealthy Middle Ages, and now a modern city with much to offer today's traveller. Located on the banks on the river Arno in beautiful Tuscany, this city boasts a number of interesting places to visit, such as the Piazza of Miracles (Campo dei Miracoli) which has a reputation as one of the world's most beautiful squares. There are huge stretches of lawn here, surrounded by buildings that represent human existence: the Cathedral (health), the Leaning Tower (reason), the Baptistery (baptism), and the Cemetery (death). For tourists, Pisa is a treasure chest full of surprises.

MAP OF PISA

TRAVEL INFORMATION


The Palazzo dei Condressi of Pisa is located in the eastern part of the city near the Arno river and the city center.
	BY CAR Take the "Pisa Nord Est" exit from the regional road that connects Florence with Pisa and Livorno (signposted as "FI-PI-LI"), or take the "Pisa Centro" exit from the Genoa to Livorno motorway (signposted as "A12 Genova-Livorno") then follow the sign "Palazzo dei Congressi". Just in front of the Palazzo there is a parking area.
	BY TRAIN Pisa is one of the major train stations on the Tyrrhenian coastal line, and is very well connected with other famous cities such as Florence (1 hour) Rome (4 hours), Genoa (2 hours). FROM THE TRAIN STATION TO THE PALAZZO DEI CONGRESSI BUS: take the pubblic yellow bus "Lam Blu" and it will stop at "Matteotti 3" 50 mt. from the Palazzo's entrance. Tickets can be purchased at any news stand, smoke shop or on the bus with a 50% extra charge. Ticket prices: " One way / 1 hour Euro 1.00 " Full day tkt Euros 3.05 " Carnet 4 tkts Euros 3.30 " Carnet 10 tkts Euros 7.95 TAXI: there is a Taxi stand just in front of the train station, the cost will be aprox. Euros 8.00/11.00.
	BY PLANE Pisa airport serves domestic and international scheduled and charter flights and is located 3 kilometres south of the city centre. FROM THE AIRPORT TO THE PALAZZO DEI CONGRESSI From the airport the easiest way to reach the Palazzo dei Congressi is by taxi. The cost will be aprox. Euros 10.00.

GENERAL INFORMATION


	OFFICIAL CARRIER Delta Airlines has been appointed as official carrier for the Parathyroids 2010 to help delegates obtain air tickets at better prices. Please contact the Organizing Secretariat by email to: parathyroids2010@aicgroup.it
	BANKS AND CURRENCY EXCHANGE In Italy the currency is the Euro. Foreign currencies can be exchanged at the airport as well as at the private exchange offices throughout the city which are open from 8:30 am to 8.00 pm. Local banks, where Traveler's cheques and Eurocheques can be cashed, serve between 8:30 am and 4.00 pm. All major credit cards (such as Visa, MasterCard) are accepted in most of the Italian restaurants, shops etc.
	CLIMATE AND CLOTHING The moderating influence of the sea and the protection given by the Alpine barrier from the cold north winds join to bless Italy with a temperate climate. Nevertheless, the weather varies considerably according to how far one is from the sea or the mountains. The winter is mild on the Tyrrhenian coast. Average temperatures vary between 2ºC - 15ºC. Make sure you have an umbrella with you, though. It might rain!
	TIME ZONES Italy is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (Central European Time).
	ELECTRICITY The electric current is 220V AC with a frequency of 50 Hertz. European standard plugs with two round pins are used.
	TUSCAN CUISINE While the language of the Etruscans may have all but disappeared, their earthy cuisine lives on in the quintessentially Italian region of Tuscany. Italy is one part of the world where the saying "eat locally" suits most folks. Each region has its own unique cuisine, and Tuscany is a good starting point for exploring the best in Italian food. A look at the Tuscan countryside reveals some of the key ingredients in local cooking: olive groves with their silvery sheen, fairytale forests of chestnut trees, hillsides blanketed in grape vines, angelic sheep lolling among ruins, fragrant rosemary and sage bushes lining gardens. Tuscan cooking is simple and seasonal, without the heavy sauces found in other regions. Eschewing butter, Tuscans use olive oil generously for cooking, dressing salad, dipping bread, and flavoring soups. Indeed, olive oil is often the star of the gastronomic show, and Tuscan oils are highly prized. In addition to olive oil, no Tuscan pantry is complete without the following staples: sage, rosemary, thyme, chestnuts, pecorino cheese, beans, prosciutto, and bread. Many dishes center on vegetables such as artichokes, asparagus, fennel, peas, and wild mushrooms, so vegetarians will feel right at home. Nonetheless, Tuscany is known for its bistecca all fiorentina, a thickly cut steak cooked over coals and flavored with only olive oil, salt, and pepper. Most of the meat dishes on a Tuscan menu contain wild game. Duck, rabbit, and wild boar are popular, as is tripe. While Tuscans enjoy many cheeses, pecorino, made from sheep's milk, is king.