What about travelling by car to Camerano?

Coming by your own car or renting one is a very good idea. Camerano is a small town where you will easily find parkings free of charge. There is no criminality. Furthermore, you will be able to move as you want without depending on public transports.

It is also possible to hire a car in Ancona, both at the airport and at the railway station (Europecar, Hertz, Maggiore etc.). Here you will find a list of the main "rent a car" agencies of the area: http://www.marcheservizi.com/Autonoleggio/Ancona/ancona.htm

How can I reach you?

Centro Culturale Conero offers a pick up service to/from Ancona airport and train station. The service is available from 7.00. to 24.00. Costs: Euros 25 from Ancona train station to Camerano; 35 Euros from Ancona airport to Camerano, or from Ancona train station to the sea; Euros 40 from Ancona airport to the sea. 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 enrolment form or at least a week before your arrival.

Ancona is however well connected with Camerano from 6.25 to 20.05 by a good bus service departing from the train station (that you can reach by bus from the airport in 40 min.). Otherwise you can take a taxi, which costs about Euros 35 from Ancona to Camerano, and about Euros 40 from the airport to Camerano.

What should I expect upon arriving?

We will meet on the Sunday before commencing your course at 19.00 h. in front of the school for a facultative light snack or a dinner in a typical Italian “trattoria” in order to get to know each other and better verify your language level. If you haven't sent us your placement test yet, bring it with you to this meeting.

Where can I get a map of town?

here(469kb) 

What about the climate?

Camerano and its surroundings have a typical Mediterranean climate. Summer is quite warm, with hot weeks in July and August. Spring and first autumn are milder, though it is still possible to bathe in the sea. In winter temperature rarely goes under zero.

Average summer temperatures range from 18° C to 35° C . Average winter temperatures, from 5° C to 15°C.

What about bicycles?

The Marches are characterised by a landscape of low hills, except for the Sibillini Mountains and the Mount Cònero. If you want to take your own bicycle (or to hire one), please take in consideration that moving from a town to another might be hard, unless you are not properly trained. The use of mountainbikes is on the contrary more common, both on roads and on special routes in the country.

What about public transports?

Camerano, thanks to a good bus service (linee Reni), is well connected with the main resort places of the area (Sirolo, Marcelli, Numana), where some of our students choose to live, as well as with towns of interest (Loreto, Castelfidardo, Osimo) and to the capital of the region, Ancona, just 5 km far. Tickets can be purchased at tobacconists’ and newsagents’, and are supposed to be obliterated on board. The school direction, upon request, can provide student bus passes for 1,2,3 weeks or monthly passes.

From Ancona there are good bus services towards all the main towns of the region. The railway station, one of the most important of the Adriatic coast, connects Ancona with Bologna (2 h.), Rome (3.30 h.) and Pescara (1.30 h.). The airport “Raffaello Sanzio” offers daily flights to Rome, Milan, Munich, London, Paris, Barcellona, Moscow, Bucarest and, in summer season, to other destinations. The port, one of the most active for passengers, is a traditional gate to Greece, Croatia, Turkey and Israel.

Are there restaurants in Camerano?

In Camerano you can find restaurants, pizzerias and snack-bars.

Right on the Piazza Roma is “Strologo” (closed on Mondays), a cheap trattoria where, in a familiar atmosphere, you can enjoy the typical food of our region. A few metres far, in via Garibaldi, is a very good restaurant, “Kren”, whose refined menu offers mainly fish along with great quality wines. Another restaurant is that of the Hotel “Tre Querce”, in via Giovanni XXIII, where you can have typical dishes of the Marches. In the countryside, just outside Camerano, there are 3 ex-farmhouses with a typical restaurant, specialised in home -made and -grown food (agriturismo): “Il Girasole” (in the direction of Castelfidardo), “Il Corbezzolo” (in the direction of Marcelli), “La Giuggiola” (in the direction of Ancona).

For a fast snack (pizzas, salads, sandwiches, pasta etc.) we suggest you one of the bars near the centre (Bar Bosco, Bar L'altro Mondo) or the pizzerias along via Garibaldi, piazza Roma or via Maratti. Opposite the bus stop “campo sportivo” you can find a friendly “tavola calda-pizzeria”.

Marcelli, Numana and Sirolo and Ancona offer such a wide range of choices you could hardly eat twice in the same place even staying there all summer long.

Is there a post office?

The post office is in Via Martiri d. Libertà. Open time: 8.30 – 13.30

Is there a bank where I can change money or use the ATM (automatic teller machine)?

In Camerano there are 4 banks (open time: 8.30 –13.00 /14.30 –15.30), all of them with a ATM (automatic teller machine) point 24h. a day). Closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

Is there a public telephone?

Besides the public telephones in bars and the phone boxes you can use with a phone card purchasable at tobacconists’ or newsagents’, there is a public telephone at the stationary’s in via Garibaldi, near piazza Roma.

Is there an internet point?

All students of centro Culturale Conero have FREE WI-FI DSL INTERNET ACCESS directly at the school, during school working time. They can use their own laptops or one of the computers available at school.

At Bar Bosco there is also a WI-FI connection which you can use with your laptop.

Internet points are in Ancona, Numana and Osimo

Where can I send a fax from?

Faxes can be sent from the stationaries’ (cartoleria) in via Garibaldi and in via Papa Giovanni XXIII (opposite Hotel “Tre Querce”). At our school you can receive faxes free of charge and send them (against a fee).

Where can I go shopping?

In Camerano there are supermarkets, groceries, bakers’ and all the main shops where you can buy local specialities like wine, cheese or ham. For clothes, shoes, books, CDs or anything else we suggest you Ancona or Civitanova Marche, world centre of shoe production and real economic capital of the region, 25 km south of Camerano. Shops usual open time: 9.00 – 12.30 / 16.30 – 19.30.

Near Camerano there are two megastores (Malls), Mercatone Zeta and Auchan, you can easily reach by car or, on Wednesday mornings, by a free bus from Camerano. Both are open from 9.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Typical of Italy are the weekly markets, usually offering special genuine products and clothes at cheaper prices. Here are the markets scheduled in our surroundings:

Monday: Castelfidardo

Tuesday: Ancona

Wednesday: Camerano – Numana -  Marcelli

Thursday: Osimo – Porto Recanati

Friday: Ancona - Sirolo

Saturday: Civitanova Marche – Recanati

Are there churches?

In Camerano, just like in any Italian town or city, there are churches with daily messes. Centres of other religions are in Ancona (Jewish Comunity, via Fanti 2; Islamic Centre, via Maggini 274: Scientology, via Lamaticci 12).

Is there a touristic office?

The touristic office in Camerano is in via Maratti 22.

We are anyway at your disposal to give you any information you may need.

Where can I get further information about the Marches from?

You can have further information visiting the website www.le-marche.com or, of course, on our own site (www.linguaitaliana.com), where you can find a rich links section.

Is there a travel agency?

The travel agency is in via Garibaldi 67. It is open only on scheduled days. Train tickets can anyway be purchased only at the railway station.

Are there sport centres?

 In Camerano there is the “Tennis Club” in via Fermi (tel. 071-959428) and the “Società Bocciofila Cameranese”  in via Bagacciano 8 (tel. 071-959580).

On the way to Marcelli there is the luxurious “Conero Golf Club” in via Betelico 6 (tel. 071-7360380). Several are in the surroundings the riding centres, often by  “agriturismi” where you can enjoy homemade specialities: “Il Corbezzolo” c.da Piancarda 124 Massignano (tel. 071-2139039); “Il Ritorno”, via Piani d’Aspio 12 Sirolo (te. 071-9331544); “Hornos”, via del Musone 1 Numana (tel. 071-7390076).

Fitness centres offer courses of aerobics, step, spinning, body building, along with saunas and massages. Among them,CARMAS in Coppo di Sirolo, easely reachable by bus (tel.071-7360016) or the “Blue Centre” of Loreto (tel. 071-7501554). The nearest public swimming pool is in Ancona, via Ruggeri (tel. 071-2861673).

Endless are of course the possibilities of sea sports: sailing, water skiing, swimming, diving.

Are there thermes?

In the area of Camerano, near the motorway exit, there are the “Terme dell’Aspio”, via Aspio Terme (tel. 071- 95691), open from May to October and ideal for stomach and liver diseases.

In San Vittore di Genga, 70 km far along the Ancona-Fabriano road, there are, by the world famous caves of Frasassi, sulfureus thermes to cure skin and lungs illnesses (tel. 0732-90444).

Is there a hospital?

In Camerano, at the institute “Ceci”in via Marinelli 3, there are a First Aid point led by the Yellow Cross (tel. 071-95247), and a centre for special visits (071-959412). In Ancona there are several hospitals, among which that of Torrette, one of the greatest in Central Italy..

Centro Culturale Conero can provide a doctor whenever you are in need of a consultation or medical care.

Is there a chemist’s?

The chemist’s is in piazza Roma 13. Homeopatic chemists’ can be found in Ancona as well as 24-hour pharmacies. You should not forget to take, if necessary, your own medical prescriptions.

F.A.Q. about the school

Where is the school located?

Centro Culturale Conero is in via Fontanelle 2, just 5 minutes walking from the main square (Piazza Roma) and from the last bus stop of “Viale Ceci” (coming from Marcelli) and first bus stop of Via Marinelli (coming from Ancona).

In the months of June, July and August we use also a second building in via delle Mura, near the main square "Piazza Roma"

How can I reach the school?

Our accommodations are located in Camerano as well as in resort places at the seaside. In any case you can easily reach the school by public transport. To get from the seaside to the school it takes 15/20 minutes by public transport. If you live in Camerano it takes from 2 to 10 minutes walking.

Which is the next starting date?

You can start your Italian language course every 2 weeks on Mondays:

2008 starting dates:

18 Feb., 3 Mar., 17 Mar., 31 Mar., 14 Apr., 28 Apr., 12 May,  26 May, 9 Jun., 23 Jun., 7 Jul., 21 Jul., 

4 Aug., 18 Aug., 1 Sep., 15 Sep., 29 Sep., 13 Oct., 27 Oct. 

What am I supposed to do on the first day at school?

You are supposed to be at the school at 9 am. You will join a group at your same level, unless otherwise requested.

How many levels are the courses divided into?

The courses are divided into min. 5 teaching levels:

-         beginner level

-         elementary level

-         pre-intermediate level

-         intermediate level

-         advanced level

How will I be assigned an appropriate level?

The level will be assigned through a written test that we will send you (mail, e mail, fax) or that you can download here and that you should fill out and return before your arrival.  On the first meeting on Sunday, if necessary, there will be an oral interview with one of the teachers.

When do the lessons take place?

Lessons normally take place from Monday to Friday in the morning and/or in the afternoon.

Do lessons take place on national holidays or festivities?

On national festivities, local holidays (Easter Monday, 25^th April, 1^st May, 15^th August, 1^st November) the school is closed and lessons are not held. 

How is a typical course day organised?

A standard course day schedule includes:

9.00am – 10.30am: lessons  10.30am – 10.40am: coffee break  10.40am – 12.30am: lessons

Three times a week the school organizes afternoon events you can take part to (against a fee):

Monday: trekking excursion (free of charge)  

Wednesday: trip to a place of art (Urbino, Ascoli Piceno, Ancona, Fermo, Tolentino, Urbisaglia, Jesi etc.)

Friday: wine tasting tour in a typical wine farm, cooking course etc.

We also offer everyone games, treasure hunts or nights on the beach where, with the help of a glass of local wine (Rosso Conero) and of a dish of spaghetti, you will have good chances to improve your Italian.

What books will I use in the lessons?

Our basic text and exercise books have been conceived by long experienced teachers. They are used together with complementary materials such as newspaper and magazine articles, audiovisual materials, and other activities.

Is the teaching material included in the course price?

The cost of all text books and other supplies is fully included in the enrolment fee. 

What teaching method do you use?

Our lessons have a conversational based teaching approach to the language, to allow even beginners to communicate in Italian. All courses include not only language lessons but also glances into various aspects of the Italian way of life (every day situations, songs, recipes, traditions, etc.).

What is your teachers’ qualification?

Our courses are led by native speakers with a University degree, each speaking at least two foreign languages. They have a specialization in teaching italian as a second language and a broad experience gathered in our school and in other private and public institutes.

How many students are there in a group?

Groups will range from 5 to 9 students (average 5/6 in the summer and less in the winter).

Will I receive a certificate?

At the end of each course each student will receive a certificate of attendance indicating the level of proficiency attained.  

Can I receive credits for American Universities?

We can send certificates to American Universities. Please ask us for more information.

What is the average age of students attending the school?

Our students are aged between 18 and 70. Students aged 30 or less usually choose a summer course whereas the average age in spring or autumn is higher.

What progress can I expect to do assuming I am an absolute beginner, I am ready to work hard and good at languages?

We offer 5 different course levels: beginner level- elementary level - pre-intermediate level - intermediate level - advanced level. Each standard course usually consists of 20 lessons per week.

If you are good at languages, attend the lessons regularly and try to apply your notions in everyday situations (shops, restaurants, people you may meet), you will notice how naturally and even easily you can be taught a language. Our aim is to fully introduce you into pragmatic- communicative situations and, at the same time, get you acquainted with the grammar rules.

Do you offer any scholarships?

Centro Culturale Conero offers Universities, Italian Culture Institutes and “Società Dante Alighieri” all over the world a certain amount of scholarships covering 50% the cost of standard courses. For further details you can ask these institutions or contact the school.

F.A.Q. about accommodation

Where will I stay? How can I reach the school?

Our accommodations are located in Camerano as well as in resort places at the seaside ( Marcelli, Numana). In any case you can easily reach the school by public transport. To get from the seaside to the school it takes 15/20 minutes by public transport. If you live in Camerano it takes from 2 to 10 minutes walking.

What kinds of accommodation do you offer?

Upon request and with a reasonable advance we can find you a comfortable and convenient accommodation  becoming your needs.  Lodging will be provided in hotels, “agriturismi” (ex-farm houses with a typical restaurant), bed & breakfast, apartments or in selected families.

Which board types can I choose?

Most hotels and Pensioni as well as some of the host families offer different types of board: breakfast – half board – full board.

Which kinds of room can I choose?

In any kind of accomodation you can choose between a single or a double room. The latter is anyway not always available. We also suggest older people not to share a room, because they might have a boy or a girl as a room-mate, whose habits and attitudes are normally very different from theirs.

What should I expect about meals?

A typical Italian breakfast (usually served at 8.00 a.m.) normally includes bread, butter, jam/marmalade, or biscuits, as well as coffee, milk or tea. At lunch (13.00) you will be offered a first course (pasta or soup), a second course (meat or fish) with vegetables, and fruit or cake. Dinner (20.30) is our main meal: first and second courses along with vegetables and fruit or cake are the usual dishes, though you can sometimes be offered pizza or some other specialities. Water and wine are always on the table. At the end of the meal we usually drink black coffee.

If you have got special needs, likes or dislikes, please let us know with a reasonable advance.

What about accommodation in families?

Our host families are carefully selected. You will have the chance of enjoying a friendly atmosphere, practicing Italian in daily life situations and tasting homemade food.

The use of a part of the refrigerator, hand-washing of clothes, as well as the use of the ironing board, is usually permitted with no extra charge. The use of the washing-machine and of the kitchen is generally not allowed, but arrangements can be made with the landlady.

If you choose a Bed&Breakfast or a half board accomodation, please keep in mind that the use of the kitchen to cook your own food is normally not included.

The best payment is cash. A receipt can be asked the family, not the school.

  What about accommodation in apartment?

You can either have a flat for your own or share it with other students from our school, in a single or in a double room. Kitchen and bathroom would be, in this last case, of common use. Each apartment is furnished and the kitchen is supplied with all essential utilities (cutlery, plates, pans etc.). You can prepare your meals separately or together with your flatmates and fellow students.

Electricity, gas, water, local costs are included in the price, unless otherwise specified. In winter heating costs will be separately calculated. The apartments are cleaned before your arrival and have to be left clean. During the staying, your flatmates and you 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 is possible that you need an adapter. Usually there are washing machines in the apartments.

A deposit (100,00 Euros) or an account (30%) might be requested.

Apartments have to be paid in cash. A receipt can be asked the owner, not the school.

 Do I need to take my own bed-lines and towels?

You don’t, except if you stay in apartment. You can however hire bed-lines here at the price of Euros 15. Towels can hardly be hired. We recommend to take yours own

What about accommodation in a hotel or in an “agriturismo” (ex- farm house)?

We can reserve for you a hotel or an “agriturismo” situated in Camerano, in the country or by the sea (Marcelli, Numana, Sirolo). Prices are according to the categories of hotels and the season. Please make your reservation well in advance.

As to the accomodation in an “agriturismo”, it is usually a simple room with basic facilities. You live nevertheless in contact with nature and the prices are normally cheap.

  Am I supposed to communicate my arrival date and time?

Yes, you are. We need to know them well in advance in order to make the waiting time for you and your hosts as short as possible. And, eventually, to organize your pick up.

  Are there laundries?

Launderettes are not widely spread. There are anyway laundries where you can have your clothes cleaned in a very short time (24h.), though are not that cheap.

Miscellaneous F.A.Q.

What documents do I need to come to Italy?

Citizens from the European Union can enter Italy with an Identification card or a Passport. Citizens from other countries should check with the nearest Italian Embassy or Consulate.

If I need a visa, how can I get it?

If you need a visa to enter Italy, or to extend your stay for more than 90 days, you should apply for a “type D” (student) visa. Centro Culturale Conero will provide you, after enrolment and payment of the deposit, with a certificate of registration for your visa application.

Which is the Italian currency ?

Since 1^st January 2002 twelve member countries of the European Union have adopted a common currency called “Euro”. From 1^st March 2002 on local currencies will no longer be circulating and the only accepted currency in Italy will be the Euro. Currencies from the other Euro member countries will also no longer be accepted or changed, i.e. ATS, BEF, DEM, ESP, FIM, FRF, GRD, IEP, LUF, NLG, PTE.
It is however still possible to change other currencies: $, CHF, GBP, JPY, etc.

Where and when is it better to change money?

If you want to change large amounts of money, you better to do it in Italy. You should also bring cash for the first few days (taxi, bus tickets, small purchases, etc). In change offices commission rates are higher. The cheapest ones are at the bank. For a stay longer than 3 months, opening a bank account might even be more convenient. We can give you information about it.

What about payments?

Credit Cards are accepted almost everywhere. Euro-Cheques can be changed in banks (each Euro check is guaranteed max for Euros 200). 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, ATMs do not often accept PINs with more than 4 digits. Cash from ATM is only in Euro. The daily amount is limited.

How can I pay you?

You can pay the school and/or accommodation with Euro-Cheques (changing costs at the student’s charge), Credit Cards or, of course, cash.

How much pocket money do I need?

Euros 60 per week, in addition to the costs of accommodation and food, should be enough.

What about 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.

Am I insured during my staying at you?

During your staying at our school 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.

Which world time zone does Italy belong to?

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.

What should I check before leaving?

Here is a list of things we suggest you to check before your departure:

- Valid passport or identity card

- Tickets and reservations

- Insurance documents

- Money, traveller’s cheques and credit cards

- Personal medicine or medical prescriptions

- E111 form (for citizens from EU countries)

- Italian address given to parents etc.

- School informed about arriving time

- Transfer requested from school

Centro Culturale Conero - school of italian language

Via Fontanelle 2 - 60021 - Camerano (An) Italia

Tel/Fax: 0039-071-732452

I Corsi e il Metodo - Il Tempo Libero - I Prezzi - L'Alloggio - Iscrizione On Line

Condizioni Generali - I Nostri Links - Album fotografico - Album fotografico - F.a.q.:studiare l'italiano nelle Marche

info@linguaitaliana.com