Getting there

Students can travel to Italy by air and reach Mercatale di Cortona via car or train.

Air
The nearest airport to Mercatale di Cortona is Perugia.

Alitalia flies into Perugia from London Heathrow, Birmingham International and Manchester Airports. The airline also flies to the area from Europe and North America. Numerous online travel sites offer discounted airfares.

For those in the UK looking for less expensive fares, or who are interested in flying into regional airports in Italy, the following carriers have flights:

Ryanair - Flies from London Stansted direct to Perugia on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It also has flights from Bournemouth, East Midlands, Liverpool, Luton, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Dublin Airports to Pisa and Bologna/Forli.
Easyjet - From Bristol, Gatwick and Luton to Pisa. From Bristol, East Midlands, Gatwick and Newcastle to Rome.
Thomsonfly - Flies from Coventry, Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow to Pisa.
BMI - Flies to Rome from Birmingham.

Train
The closest local stations to Mercatale di Cortona are at Terontola and Camucia/Cortona.

For those arriving at Rome/Fiumincino Airport, trains depart directly from there to Orte, where one must transfer to trains for either Terontola or Camucia/Cortona. It is inadvisable to go into Rome to get the train.

Italian Rail: www.trenitalia.com
Rail Europe (in the UK 08705 848 848) www.raileurope.co.uk
International Rail (in the UK 01962 773 646) www.international-rail.com/

Car hire
La Macchia Estate is 2 km from the village of Mercatale di Cortona. It is strongly recommended that students have a car at their disposal. There are numerous rental agencies accessible on the Internet.

Travel assistence
Dream of Italy. Internet based travel newsletter and resource centre complete with daily blog on all things Italian. Click on the logo below.

TuscanMagic. For local knowledge, travel advice, car hire, train tickets or any other travel related information please email: Agenzia Viaggi Tuscanmagic or visit its website

Travel & Health Insurance
It is recommended that you have travel and health insurance cover.

European Union residents: Apply for the new European Health Insurance Card.

United Kingdom residents: Apply online at www.dh.gov.uk

• Click the tab "Policy and Guidance" along the top of the page.
• On the new page look for the list, "Policy and guidance shortcuts."
• At the bottom of the list, click "EHIC and Health advice for travellers"
• On the right-hand side of the new page, you'll find "European Health Insurance Card" click "Apply online now for your EHIC". This card is free.