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Would
you like to know more about:
•
Tuition • Cultural
and Leisure Programme • Arrival
/ Housing / Transfer • Other
Useful Tips
Which
is the next starting date?
You
may start your Italian language course every 2 weeks on Mondays,
even if you are a complete beginner! Please consult our course
starting dates.
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What
should I expect to do on the first day at school?
We
will wait for you at 9 am at the school office. Students having
little or no knowledge of the Italian language will attend the
first lesson in which the oral capacity and the understanding
will be tested. All other students will take a written and oral
placement test which enables us to find the appropriate level.
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Which
is a typical course schedule?
Standard
Italian Language Course
Florence:
- 9
- 10:45 , 30-minute break, 11:15 - 13:00
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Rome:
- 8:45
- 10:15, 15-minute break, 10:30 - 12:00 or
- 12:15
- 13:45, 15-minute break, 14:00 - 15:30 or
- 15:45
- 17:15, 15-minute break, 17:30 - 19:00
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Siena:
- 9
- 10:30, 15-minute break, 10:45 - 12:15 or
- 14:15
- 15:45, 15-minute break, 16:00 - 17:30
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Intensive
Italian Language Course
Florence:
- 9
- 10:45, 30-minute break, 11:15 - 13:00, 14:00 - 15:45
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Intensive
PLUS Italian Language Course
Florence:
- group
lessons: 9 - 10:45, 30-minute break, 11:15 - 13:00
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Rome:
group
lessons:
- 8:45
- 10:15, 15-minute break, 10:30 - 12:00 or
- 12:15
- 13:45, 15-minute break, 14:00 - 15:30 or
- 15:45
- 17:15, 15-minute break, 17:30 - 19:00
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Siena:
group
lessons:
- 9
- 10:30, 20-minute break, 10:50 - 12:20 or
- 14:20
- 15:50, 10-minute break, 16:10 - 17:30
individual lessons (one or two lessons):
- 12:30
- 14:00 or 14:20 - 15:50 or 17:30 - 19:00
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For
homework and exercises you should calculate about one additional
hour per day.
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Which
books do you use in the lessons?
Our
basic text and exercise books have been developed by our school.
These books are used in conjunction with authentic teaching materials
such as newspaper and magazine articles, audiovisual materials,
and activities inside the classroom.
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Is
the teaching material included in the course price?
All
text books and other supplies are provided by the school, but
you are expected to bring your own dictionary.
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Which
teaching method do you use?
SCUOLA
LEONARDO DA VINCI teaches according to the Direct Method: from
the first day on, at all levels, only Italian will be spoken.
The spoken language is the most important part of the tuition.
Continually promoting the use of verbal communication permits
you to learn Italian 'naturally', to unite theory and practice
with no great problems and to increase your knowledge quickly
and with confidence. You are encouraged to practice your spoken
Italian in real-life situations, with your teacher, and with other
participants, in pairs and groups. In advanced courses the written
language will also be promoted.
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Which
is your teachers qualification?
All
teachers are highly qualified. Most of them have studied Italian
language and literature. All our teachers have been specially
trained in teaching Italian to foreigners.
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Which
course certificates do students receive?
SCUOLA
LEONARDO DA VINCI certificates:
•
At the end of each course, students with regular attendance receive
the certificate of attendance indicating the level of proficiency
attained.
•
At the end of 3rd ability level, students who passed a test receive
the "Certificato di Conoscenza della Lingua Italiana".
•
At the end of 5th ability level, students who passed a test receive
the "Diploma di Lingua Italiana".
Diplomas
"Firenze" of the Accademia Italiana di Lingua (AIL):
•
DELI A2 - basic level: at the end of the first ability level;
•
DILI B1 - intermediate level: at the end of the third ability level;
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DILC B1 - commercial intermediate level: at the end of the third ability level;
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DILI B2 - intermediate level: at the end of the forth ability level;
•
DALI C1 - advanced level: at the end of the sixth ability level;
•
DALC C1 - Diploma of Business language, advanced level: at the end
of the sixth ability level;
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Which
is the average age of students attending the school? I'm interested
in attending a course for older students aged 30 and above. Do
you have suitable courses for this age group?
Sixty
percent of our students are aged between 17 and 30 seeking to
improve their Italian language skills and awareness of Italian
culture.
Sixty
percent of our students are already working; about ten percent
are business managers and executives of different nationalities.
Five
percent are retired and wish to improve their Italian and familiarize
themselves with Italian culture.
Usually
students aged 30 and more feel comfortable in our classes and
enjoy to meet people from all over the world. In the Intensive
Plus and Small Group Courses the average age is higher.
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After
twelve weeks, how much Italian will I be able to speak, assuming
I am a complete beginner upon arrival, I work very hard and I
am good at languages?
SCUOLA
LEONARDO DA VINCI offers 6 different course levels from beginner
to advanced. Each course level usually consists of 20 lessons/week
over a period of 4 weeks. If you are good at languages and you
work hard, it is possible to complete Beginner, Basic and Intermediate
levels in 12 weeks.
At
the end of the Intermediate level you already possess considerable
knowledge of Italian. Your feeling for the language has become
confident and your range of expressions has developed greatly
and is more differentiated. You will be able to sit for the Leonardo
da Vinci certificate examination "Knowledge of the Italian
language" and for the "Firenze-Diploma" DILI of
the Accademia Italiana di Lingua.
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ABOUT CULTURAL AND LEISURE PROGRAMS
The
three cities and the surroundings offer a nearly unlimited variety
of leisure activities, which our students might undertake by themselves.
We offer leisure activities as well and organise on a regular
basis:
•
dinners, which enable teachers and students to get to know each
other better
•
guided visits in History of Art
•
film evenings at school
•
day and half-day excursions
•
visit to wine cellars
Every
month our schools distribute their own calendar of cultural activities.
In this way participants will always be well informed concerning
exhibitions, concerts, films and other events. For the weekends
we hand out special leaflets for individual trips. All students
receive a written guide indicating active and passive sporting
activities and the secretary’s office can also help with
the organization of sporting activities.
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Can
you give me an example of a monthly activity calendar in Florence?
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Day excursion to Siena and San Gimignano or Pisa and Lucca etc.;
every 4 weeks, normally the first Saturday after a month course
begins (at cost price).
•
Half-day excursion to the vineyards of the "Chianti"
area, visit to a winery incl. "merenda" (typical Tuscan
afternoon snack); every 4 weeks, normally the third week after
a month course begins (at cost price).
•
Dinners with the school in a typical Florentine trattoria: students
and teachers have a good chance to get to know each other; every
2 weeks, the 2nd day of the course after a 2 weeks course begins
(at cost price).
•
Free guided History of Art tours in Florence: every second and
third Saturday after a month course begins.
•
One or two guided museum visits the month (at cost price).
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Can
you give me an example of a monthly activity calendar in Rome?
•
Day excursion to the seaside at Sperlonga, to Naples and Pompei,
to Cortona etc.; every 4 weeks, normally the first Saturday after
a month course begins (at cost price).
•
Dinner with the school in a typical Roman restaurant; every 4
weeks (at cost price).
•
Free guided History of Art visits in Rome: every week.
•
Free cinema italiano: every 2 weeks.
•
Free diction lessons: every 2 weeks.
•
Free concert evenings at school: every 2 weeks.
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Can
you give me an example of a monthly activity calendar in Siena?
•
Dinner in a typical Tuscan country house: teachers and students
get a good chance to get to know each other; every 4 weeks (at
cost price).
•
Half day excursion with private bus to the surroundings of Siena,
i.e. vineyards in the "Chianti" region, Montepulciano,
San Galgano, incl. "merenda" (typical Tuscan afternoon
snack); every 2 weeks (at cost price).
•
Guided tours around the city; every 2 weeks.
•
History of Art tours to some of the most important sights in Siena,
as the Duomo, Pinacotheque (art gallery), Palazzo Pubblico etc.;
every 2 weeks.
•
The Italian cinema: a film presentation with comments and discussion;
every 2 weeks.
•
Seminar: the History of the "Palio" - historical horse
race: 4 lessons in the afternoon and visit of the museum of a
"Contrada", for beginners as well as for advanced students;
in the summer months.
•
The Italian music: an afternoon listening to the Italian music
and learning about different groups and singers; every month.
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ABOUT ARRIVAL, TRANSFER & HOUSING (A - Z)
Accommodation
in host-family
In
selecting host families, we do not look for luxury and comfort
in the material sense but for Italian families who appreciate
receiving foreign students. Additionally, the word ‘family’
should not be taken too literally, as a family can be ‘traditional’
with children, a single parent or a childless couple who take
in students because they enjoy the company.
Hand-washing
of clothes as well as the use of the ironing board is permitted
with no extra charge. The use of the washing-machine is not included,
but arrangements can be made between the landlord, the school
and the student.
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Accommodation
in a shared apartment
You
share a flat or floor of a house either with other students from
our school, with other Italian students or with the owner.
Kitchen
and bathroom are of common use.
The
apartments are furnished and the kitchens are supplied with all
essential kitchen utilities (cutlery, plates, pans etc.).
You
can prepare your meals separately or together with your flatmates
and fellow students.
Electricity,
gas water, local costs and taxes are included in the price.
The
apartments are cleaned before your arrival. During the stay, you
and your flatmates are responsible for the cleaning of your room
and of the rooms used in common (kitchen and bathroom).
Normally
there is no telephone in the apartment.
You
should bring some food for the Sunday of arrival and Monday morning,
as food stores are closed on Sundays.
Italy
uses a 220 Volts/AC system. Plugs may differ from those in your
home country and it’s possible that you need an adapter.
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Accommodation
in a private apartment
Private
apartments are more comfortable than shared apartments and therefore
more expensive. They are available for one or more persons. Prices
are available on request. Please note that the private apartments
must be reserved well in advance and the prices may vary depending
on the city and season.
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Accommodation
in a Hotel
We
work with Hotels situated close to the schools (basic offer always:
bed & breakfast, rooms with shower or bathroom). Prices are
available on request and according to the categories of hotels
and the season. Please make Hotel reservation well in advance.
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Availability
Housing
reservations run from the Sunday evening before the beginning
of the course to the Saturday morning (12:00 am) at the end of
the course. If you need to arrive a day earlier or to stay a day
longer, please contact the school for help with extra accommodation
arrangements. Different arrival or departure days must be confirmed
in writing.
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Arrival
date and time
We
need to be informed at least 4 days in advance of your arrival
day and time. Therefore, upon receiving the accommodation address,
you have to contact the landlord (by telephone) or the school
(by telephone, fax or e-mail) to communicate the date and time
of arrival in order to make the waiting time for both parts as
short as possible. If there is no communication, you will be expected
to arrive in the evening, after 6:00 pm.
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Bed-linens
/ towels
Bed-linens
are provided and changed every 2 weeks but you need to bring your
own towels.
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Laundry
Normally,
there is no washing-machine in the apartments. You may use the
many self-service laundromats.
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Location
Our
accommodations are located in the city centers as well as in the
suburbs. In any case you can easily reach the school and the center
of the cities by public transport. To get from the suburbs to
the center takes 15 - 25 minutes by public transport (Rome up
to 50 minutes). If you have been placed in the town center (if
available) it takes about 15 minutes walking to reach the school.
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Meals
If
you book host family accommodation you can choose between breakfast
and half board (breakfast and dinner). You will have your meals
together with the family but you should be aware that Italian
eating habits can be rather different from your own. Breakfast
usually only consists of coffee or tea and bread, butter, marmelade.
Dinner is a complete meal served normally at around 8:00 pm.
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Payment
of accommodation
Scuola
Leonardo da Vinci only makes the reservations for accommodation.
Payment for accommodation has to be made directly to the landlord/landlady,
to the apartment owner or to the hotel receptionist.
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Room-mating
with another student
We
recommend to book a ‘place in a double room’ only for
young people. According to our experience mature people normally
do not feel at ease in a double room as they may have to share
it with very young people who have different habits and attitudes.
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Transfer
At
arrival, we recommend that you take a taxi to your accommodation.
Taxis are:
1)
easily found at the TAXI stations, which are always in front of
the train station and the airport
2)
the best way to bring your luggage to your ‘new home’
3)
not expensive
Scuola
Leonardo da Vinci also offers a transfer service from the airports
in Rome and Florence and from the train stations in Florence,
Rome and Siena. For prices please consult our current price list
- transfer costs.
If you wish the school to arrange a transfer, please send us the
arrival information (date and time of arrival and flight or train
number) possibly with the enrollment form or at least one week
before your arrival date.
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ABOUT....USEFUL INFORMATION (A - Z)
Check
list:
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Valid passport or identity card
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Tickets and reservations
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Insurance documents
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Money, traveler’s cheques and credit cards
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Personal medicine or medical prescriptions
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E111 form (for citizens from EU countries)
-
Italian address given to parents etc.
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School informed about arriving time
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Transfer requested from school
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Climate
Although
summer in Italy, from the Alps to Sicily, is quite warm, the winter
in Northern and Central Italy can be quite cool; winter in the
south, however, is relatively mild. The best weather in the cities
is in spring and autumn.
Average
summer temperatures range from 18°C to 30°C (64°F to 86°F), the
average winter temperature is around 4°C to 16°C (39°F to 61°F).
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Credit
Cards / Euro-Cheques / Traveler's Cheques
Euro-Cheques,
Traveler's Cheques and Credit Cards are accepted almost everywhere.
You can receive money at Automatic Teller Machines (ATM), if you
have an ATM card linked to an international network (Eurocard,
Cirrus, Plus, Maestro etc.). Mastercard and Visa (with PIN number)
may be used to withdraw cash from an ATM machine. In Europe, ATM’s
do not often accept PIN’s with more than 4 digits.
Cash
from ATM’s only in Euro / daily amount is limited.
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Credits
for American Universities
We
can send transcripts to American Universities, where our courses
are usually accepted as valid language credits. Please ask us
for more information.
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Electricity
Italy
uses a 220 Volts/AC system. Additionally, wall sockets and plugs
may differ from those in your home country. Be sure to get information
about the possible need for an adapter before your departure.
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Exchanging
money
When
exchanging large amounts of money it is usually better to do it
in Italy. However, you should also bring cash for the first few
days (for the taxi, for purchasing small things, etc.). Avoid
to change money in change offices because of high commission rates;
the best exchange rates are at the bank.
For
a stay of more than 3 months, it may even be useful to open a
bank account. Our staff will give you further information on it.
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Fax
Faxes
can be sent from the post office, from a lot of stationer’s
shops (cartoleria) and from copy shops. At our schools
you can receive faxes free of charge and send them (against a
fee).
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Financial
support?
SCUOLA
LEONARDO DA VINCI awards 50 school or university students scholarships
entitling them to a 100 percent reduction in the cost of a four-week
standard course, not including accommodation. If you wish to apply
for one of our scholarships, you are requested to submit an application
and registration form to the Italian Culture Institute or your
University, enclosing a reference from your Italian teacher, and
stating the precise name and address of your school/university,
and of the teacher concerned.
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Insurance
Illness
and accidents: During your stay at our schools, you must be personally
insured against illness and accident. Contact your insurance company
to ask whether your personal insurance is valid abroad; otherwise
purchase a travel insurance. Members of the national insurance-companies
in EU countries should demand the E111 form to obtain free health
service in Italy.
Robbery
coverage: Is often included in personal insurance; if not, we
suggest you to purchase coverage for your stay in Italy.
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Internet
access and sending & receiving emails
The
e-mail addresses of our schools can be used for the receipt of
private messages. For sending a message our schools in Florence
and Rome have installed an Internet/e-mail terminal. Close to
our schools there are Internet centers, where you can work with
Internet and e-mail (against a fee).
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Italian
Currency / Euro
From
the year 2002 twelve member countries of the European Union will
adopt a common currency called the Euro. Therefor, from March
1, 2002, local currencies will no longer be circulating and the
only accepted currency in Italy will be the Euro. Also currencies
from the other Euro member countries will no longer be accepted
or changed, i.e. ATS, BEF, DEM, ESP, FIM, FRF, GRD, IEP, LUF,
NLG, PTE.
However, from March 2002 it is still possible to change those
"other" currencies, as $, CHF, GBP, JPY, etc.
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Health,
Medical Doctors and Pharmacies
The
first-aid service in the Emergency Room of the hospital is free
for anyone who is in need.
SCUOLA
LOENARDO DA VINCI can provide a doctor whenever you are in need
of a consultation or medical care.
In
every city you will find 24-hour pharmacies. You should not forget
to bring, if necessary, your own medical prescriptions.
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National
Holidays
Our
schools are closed on national and local public holidays. Lessons
are not held, not made up and not refunded.
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Pocket
money
This
is not the same for every person but we think that Euro 80 per
week, in addition to the costs for accommodation and food, should
be enough.
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Prices
indicated in Euro
What
is the equivalent amount in.......? Please
use the currency converter .
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Telephone
International
telephone calls can be made from all public telephones (in the
telephone offices, in bars). Also, the schools in Florence and
Rome have a public and a credit-card telephone. The country code
for Italy is "39", always followed by the "0"
before the area code.
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Traveling
by train
There
are several night- and Eurocity-day-connections with Italy. People
under 26 years may receive special discounts. Reservations for
sleeping car or couchettes should be made as early as possible.
Siena is connected with Florence and Rome by a public bus or by
the train.
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Traveling
by car
All
of our course locations are conveniently located on the national
motorways.
In
the old city centres parking is normally not allowed. In all other
districts parking is free of charge except for specially marked
short term parking zones. Paid parking in garages is usually available
near our schools.
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Traveling
by air
Our
schools in Florence and Siena can be reached from the airports
in Florence, Pisa and Rome-Fiumicino.
The
school in Rome is easily reached from Fiumicino airport.
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Visa
Citizens
from the European Union do not need a visa and can enter Italy
with an Identification card or Passport. Citizens from other countries
should check with the nearest Italian Embassy or Consulate.
If
you need a visa to extend your stay for more than 90 days you
should apply for a ‘Type D’ (student) visa. SCUOLA LEONARDO
DA VINCI will provide you, after enrolment and payment of the
deposit, with a certificate of enrolment for your visa application.
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World
time zones
Italy
uses Middle-European-Time (MET), i.e.: Rome = 0 / New York = -6
/ Tokyo = +8.
During
the summer months (mid March to mid October) the clocks are turned
ahead one hour to Middle-European-Summer-Time (MEST = MET + 1h),
i.e.: Rome = 0 / New York = -5 / Tokyo = +9.
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If
you didn't find what you were looking for please feel free to enquire
by phone, fax or e-mail:
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Phone:
++39.055.290.305
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Fax:
++39.055.290.369
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