STUDYING IN TUSCANY

WHY IN SAN GIOVANNI VALDARNO?

While Florence and Rome crawl with tourists and language schools, little San Giovanni offers a place where students can experience a wealth of culture not found in the souvenir shops. It is an ideal location for a program where students can learn Italian and explore the art and culture that makes Italy so rich.

A strength of Il Sillabo is its location. Tuscany is overrun with tourists, yet San Giovanni offers a 14th century town centre where one can practice Italian without the competition of demanding tour groups. The Bosi family chose San Giovanni because it is off the beaten path while still offering a setting rich with culture and history. A part of the school itself is housed in the oldest building in town, constructed for noble families in the 1300’s. It overlooks the historic town centre and main piazza. San Giovanni is also easy to reach. San Giovanni is located on the Florence – Rome line, 30 minutes from Florence, 30 minutes from Arezzo and 3 hours from Rome. Siena, Cortona, Orvieto, and other tourist cities are also close by.

Be immersed in the Italian Life Style (Dolce Vita) while being connected with the world from your wireless room in San Giovanni Valdarno.

WHERE IN ITALY (MAP)

WHERE IN TUSCANY (MAP)

WHERE IN SAN GIOVANNI (MAP)

MAP OF SAN GIOVANNI

VIRTUAL TOUR OF SAN GIOVANNI

VIRTUAL TOUR OF THE MAIN SQUARE

Il Sillabo is in San Giovanni Valdarno:

• 35Km south of Florence
• 30Km north-west of Arezzo
• 50Km north-east of Siena
• 10Km from Chianti Area

KNOW MORE ABOUT OUR AREA!

HOW TO GET HERE

[ By train | By plane | By car | By other location | Pick up Service ]

BY TRAIN

Please ask us for train schedule/price or visit the web site http://www.ferroviedellostato.it

From Florence
From Firenze S.M.N. (main station) or Firenze Campo Marte direct trains to San Giovanni Valdarno
Duration: 30-40 min.

From Arezzo
From the station direct trains to San Giovanni Valdarno
Duration: 30 min.

From Rome
From Roma Termini (main station) direct trains to San Giovanni Valdarno
Duration: 3 hrs.

From Milano
From Milano Centrale (main station) direct trains to Florence (Eurostar or Intercity) - change train in Florence to San Giovanni Valdarno
Duration: 3 hrs. + 30/40 minutes

From Siena
Siena - Arezzo, Arezzo - San Giovanni Valdarno

Siena – Firenze (by bus), Firenze - San Giovanni Valdarno

BY PLANE

Florence airport
It is the closest airport to get to San Giovanni Valdarno. It is possible to get to the main train station (Firenze S.M.N.) by bus or taxi.
Duration 1 - 2 hours
Il Sillabo is glad to offer a pick up service from the airport to the student accommodation (ask for conditions and prices)

Pisa airport
It is possible to get a train from Pisa airport to Florence main train station (Firenze S.M.N.) and then a train to San Giovanni Valdarno
Duration (Pisa airport - San Giovanni Valdarno station): 2 - 3 hours
Il Sillabo is glad to offer a pick up service from the airport to the student accommodation (ask for conditions and prices)

Rome airport
It is possible to get a train from the airport to Rome main train station (Roma Termini) and then a train to San Giovanni Valdarno.
Duration (Rome airport - San Giovanni Valdarno): 4 hrs.
Il Sillabo is glad to offer a pick up service from the airport to the student accommodation (ask for conditions and prices)

Bologna airport
It is possible to get a shuttle bus from the airport to Bologna train station and then a train to Firenze, change to San Giovanni Valdarno.
Duration (Bologna airport - San Giovanni Valdarno train station): 2 ½ - 4 hours

Milano airport
It is possible to get a shuttle bus from the airport to Milano train station and then a train to Firenze, change to San Giovanni Valdarno.
Duration (Milano airport - San Giovanni Valdarno train station): 4 - 6 hrs

BY CAR

Highway - Autostrada A1 is the best way (please see below for instructions from specific cities). When you get to Valdarno and leave the highway, turn left, go straight for about 2 km and turn left (direction San Giovanni Valdarno), pass under the highway, turn the first right, go straight until the traffic light, turn left and cross the bridge, turn right and follow directions for “centro”.

From Florence
Highway - Autostrada A1 - direction Roma - Way out Valdarno Duration: from Firenze Sud to Valdarno 25 minutes

From Arezzo
Highway - Autostrada A1 - direction Firenze - Way out Valdarno Duration: from Arezzo to Valdarno 25 minutes

From Rome
Highway - Autostrada A1 - direction Firenze - Way out Valdarno Duration: from Roma Nord to Valdarno 2 ½ hours

Siena
District road - 45 min

CONNECTIONS TO OTHER LOCATIONS IN ITALY
Seaside (Viareggio)
From San Giovanni Valdarno to get to the closest seaside location you have to change train in Florence
Duration: 2 ½ - 3 hrs.

Seaside (Castiglion della Pescaia)
In the summer a direct bus service is arranged by local companies.
Duration: 2 ½ - 3 hrs.

Closest town in the Chianti area (20 km):
by car - 20 min.
by bike - 50/60 min

Perugia, Orvieto etc.

It is possible and easy to get to Perugia, Orvieto, Cortona, Lucca by train or by car (highway) and to San Gimignano, Volterra by car. San Giovanni is on the main Roma to Firenze rail route, making it a convenient launching point to all major Italian cities and regions and it is on the A1 autostrada, Italy's most important super highway, which links the northern and southern regions of the country. That is why it is not difficult to reach anywhere in Tuscany and Italy.

PICK UP SERVICE

• Florence airport - station
• Pisa airport
• Roma airport

Ask for conditions and prices or see price section at www.sillabo.it

Students/agents are kindly requested to inform us on arrival details as soon as possible and they will receive a confirmation of pick up service. At the gate a person of our staff will be waiting for the student(s) with a board with the name of the student(s) written on and the name of the school (Il Sillabo). Emergency number for pick up is 3397219271.

Travel and Culture Programmes

Complementary Lessons

Drawing & Painting lessons - Cooking lessons - Wine lessons - History of Art lessons
Archaeology lessons - Italian Literature lessons - Ceramic decoration lessons