Martina Franca (Taranto)

Martina Franca is a charming, beautifully preserved ancient city on the hills of Puglia, an architectural jewel. Participants are lodged at the Park Hotel S. Michele; it is a nice Hotel, with a well kept garden and a large swimming pool.

The following are special prices reserved to CIME course participants.

This Hotel (within waking distance of the Palazzo Ducale) is served by bus from the local train station (bus terminal in front of the Station itself), a very short ride; the station is actually within waking distance from the hotel.
The Lectures will be at the Palazzo Ducale (City Hall), within short walking distance, at the Sala Arcadia. You will see signs once there.

How to reach Martina Franca.

The Hotel will organize shuttles (charge service) to pick you up at chosen locations:

Bari Airport - Martina Franca (Hotel)	30 Euro
Fasano Railway Station - Martina Franca (Hotel):	9 Euro

The locations we strongly recommend are:

1. At the Bari Airport itself. Bari has a small Airport, with only one exit; the van shuttle will come in front of the (unique) sidewalk outside the exit. The vans will carry a sign (CIME).
   
   
2. At the railways station of Fasano. Fasano is a small city on the main train line connecting Bari with the south (Brindisi and Lecce); Eurostar trains do stop at Fasano; on a Eurostar the trip Bari-Fasano takes about 30 minutes, 45 on slower trains; trains are frequent.
   For more informations on the time table, contact the web page of the ferrovie (in english as well): http://www.trenitalia.it.
   Fasano is about 15 kilometers from Martina Franca and it is not difficult for the Hotel to pick you up there.
   
   
3. There is always the possibility of reaching Martina Franca from Bari by train (Ferrovie Sud Est) (except on Sundays: on sundays there is instead a bus service, less recommended).

Please try to avoid to ask to be met at the Bari Central railways station; it is very inconvenient for the shuttle. In order to organize the shuttle service the Hotel must know in advance when and where you will be coming: please send a fax to the Hotel at the +39-080-4808895 with all the relevant informations.
We will not let you down; we will not leave you in the middle of nowhere! However: the Hotel must be informed in advance; Be so kind not to ask to be picked up late at night!
In case everything gets wrong, you can call the Hotel at 080-4807053. They will find a taxi or something for you. The Hotel personnell is clever enough (and kind enough!) not to leave with the van empty simply because your plane is late.
We try to organize several shuttles, however be prepared to wait a while before you see it, and do not worry; in case you do, call the Hotel.

Connection Bari central station - Martina Franca by Train

A small regional company "Ferrovie Sud Est" (Sud-Est Rail Company) is guaranteed from Bari Central Station to Martina Franca (1.40 hours trip).

Bari - Martina Franca - Taranto train Schedule (in italian)

If you decide to take this train (a pleasant, if not fast, ride) keep in mind that the train ticket is not sold at the Bari main ticket counter, but on the track itself where the train leaves; go to the underpassage to the different train tracks and look for a sign of "Ferrovie Sud Est". On the track itself a small counter will sell you the ticket.

Bari - Martina Franca Bus Connection - Schedules.

On Sunday there are Buses instead of trains: they leave just outside the Central station; tickets are not sold on the buses; buy them before boarding.

Sunday bus Schedule (in italian)

In Bari, bus tickets can be found at:

• Newsagents inside Bari railway station;
• Agenzia ATS estr. Capruzzi 224-228;
• Edicola Sforza (newsagent) Largo I. Ciaia;
• ESSO petrol station, via Amendola 195

Participants are required to book directly the Hotel, mentioning the CIME course, and specifying the exact dates of arrival and departure.