Florence is a city of culture: Culture of the past with its infinite examples of Renaissance splendor; culture of the present showcased in exhibitions of contemporary painting, sculpture, cinema, and fashion. The Koinè Center is headquartered in the historic center of Florence, between Piazza Santa Croce. The address is Borgo S.Croce, 17.

The road, which owes its name to the nearby Basilica of Santa Croce, was once crossed by a branch of the Arno, which, with other streams, created an island in the countryside outside the walls, where the Franciscans built their first church that would become the temple of Italy glories. The name "village" is an indication that the road was a director who came from a city gate of the ancient Roman walls.

The classes of the Koinè Centre are held in Palazzo Mori Ubaldini degli alberti.

 An Internet point with 2 PCs and WIFI is available. 

On the first day students will receive a folder containing the monthly program of activities and excursions, a small guide with useful addresses in Florence, and a list of exhibitions, concerts and other cultural events which will take place during the course.

Arrival and means of transport......

by Car:

Florence is situated centrally:

The city is linked with two highways (A 11 and A 1) and further main public streets such as in the direction of Florence-Pisa-Livorno or Florence-Siena.

Highway A 1:

Milan-Bologna-Rome-Naples

Highway A 11:

Florence-Prato-Lucca-Pisa-Livorno (highway along the shore) linking Florence with the Tyrranean coast.

Federal Highway SS 67:

Connects Florence with Pisa in the West and Forlì and Ravenna in the East.

Tollgates:

A 1 Florence South – A 1 Florence Certosa – A 1 Florence Signa

A 1 Florence North – A 1 Calenzano-Sesto Fiorentino

For further information please consult the web site www.autostrade.it

Coming from Milan:

Take highway A 1 Bologna-Florence, exit Florence North, then follow the signposts to the historic centre.

Coming from Genoa and France:

Take highway A 12 until reaching Viareggio and then highway A 11 until Florence; take exit Florence North.

 Coming from Rome:

Take highway A 1 Rome-Milan, exit Florence South, then again follow signposts to the historic centre of Florence.

by Train:

There are various train stations in Florence.

The most crucial are the following:

Firenze Santa Maria Novella (S.M.N.), Firenze Rifredi, and Firenze Campo di Marte.

Coming from Austria and Germany:

Via Brenner Pass-Verona-Bologna-Florence.

Coming from France:

Genoa-Milan-Florence

For further information please consult the website www.trenitalia.com

by Bus:

The bus lines are served by various companies. The most important is the SITA (www.sita-on-line-it), whose station is to be found in front of the train station of Santa Maria Novella. Further companies are CAP, LAZZI, and COPIT.

There are very good connections to the other towns and cities of Tuscany such as to Siena, Poggibonsi, San Gimigniano, Volterra, Arezzo, Castellina in Chianti, Pisa, Pistoia and furthermore also to the Emilia-Romagna.

Moreover, the Eurolines are departing from near the train station of Santa Maria Novella, linking Florence with other European cities.

by Airplane:

There are numerous low-priced air connections to Florence (“Amerigo Vespucci”), Pisa (“Galileo Galilei”), Bologna (“Guglielmo Marconi”), and Milan (“Malpensa” and “Linate”).

For information on flights consult your travel agency or directly visit the airlines online.

How to Move within the City of Florence:

by Bike:

The bicycle remains one of the major and best transportation means in order to enjoy the city. To rent one costs approx. 8 € a day. The scooter can be seen as a great alternative offered at approx. 20 € a day.

by Car:

In general, the historic centre remains occasionally closed to the traffic.

Urban Transport:

ATAF is the leading traffic company covering urban services, Fiesole, and surroundings. 

Read an unsolicited review of the Koinè Center Florence program, by the Boston Sunday Globe.

	Thank you all so much for the great experience I had at the Koine Center in Florence. Your kindness and hospitality made all the difference to a solo traveler assimilating the many changes of time, distance, and culture. accommodation with Alessandra Galli and your continued assistance after my classes were done. I made friendships and memories I will always treasure.
	Nancy Baker  March 2009

	My students and I have spent a wonderful week in Florence. The students were satisfied with the course, but unfortunately the time was too short. The lessons were held like I imagined and also the host families have been very nice and helpful with my students. A special thank you to Signora Walli for the guided visit to the vineyard in Chianti Rufina which my students have enjoyed to their utmost. My compliments for your good organization. I have had other experiences with schools in Florence. Again thanks a lot for your help and best regards.
	Andrea Kasper, Program Leader

	Our stay in Florence has been organized very well by your center. We were satisfied and had a lot of fun. One week is too short but we have received a lot of incentives, and will do our best to continue our studies at the next occasion.
	Wolfgang Schmid, Student from Germany