Browse F.A.Q. Topics
Courses
How can I ship my artworks?
If you wish to ship your artworks outside of Italy you must abide by some very strict transportation procedures. That is why we suggest you contact an expertised shipping company which can take care of your artworks. Here in Florence we recommend the Caratello company. They are specialised in packaging, they can pick up your parcel either in our academy or at your place, they will handle all the customs procedures and deal with insurance coverage. For more information and costs please write to firenze@caratello.net or call +39 55 0118470.When shall I make the balance payment for my course?
On the first day of your course.What am I supposed to bring with me on the first day of my course?
If you are taking an Art course: on each course page you will find the suggested material. If you do not have the material for your course do not worry, our Art teacher will instruct you where to to buy it on the first day of your course in an Art shop offering discounts to our students. If you are taking a language course: a pen, a pencil and an exercise book.When can I start classes?
If you are not a beginner or if you apply for an Art course you can start every Monday. If you are a beginner or if you apply for a Culture (Art History, Literature, Cinema) course please refer to our school calendar. If you wish to take private tuition you can start whenever you like, at the time it suits you.What time am I supposed to be at school on the first day of my course?
Art course: 10:00am, 11:30am or 1:30pm (please check our confirmation email). If you think you can be late please let us know. Italian language course: please check our confirmation email. Accademia del Giglio is located just a few steps from Palazzo Vecchio, on the corner between via Ghibellina and via del Proconsolo, just in front of the Bargello National Museum (for further details please refer to our map).
Florence
How do I get to Florence?
You can fly from Milan or Rome into Florence Amerigo Vespucci Airport. From there, it is easy to get into the city using public transportation or the "Fly by Bus" shuttle service. Since it is only five kilometers from the airport to the city, even a taxi ride will not break your budget. Or do as the Italians do and take the high-speed Eurostar train from Milan (2 hours and a half journey) or Rome (1 hour and a half). You will be whizzed past the Tuscan countryside and into the heart of Renaissance Florence. You can also land at Pisa Airport: a swanky single-class train will whisk you to Florence in precisely an hour, every hour.How do I get to Florence?
You can fly from Milan or Rome into Florence Amerigo Vespucci Airport. From there, it is easy to get into the city using public transportation or the "Fly by Bus" shuttle service. Since it is only five kilometers from the airport to the city, even a taxi ride will not break your budget. Or do as the Italians do and take the high-speed Eurostar train from Milan (2 hours and a half journey) or Rome (1 hour and a half). You will be whizzed past the Tuscan countryside and into the heart of Renaissance Florence. You can also land at Pisa Airport: a swanky single-class train will whisk you to Florence in precisely an hour, every hour.
Living in Italy
What are the major holidays in Italy?
Capodanno (New Year's Day): January 1st Befana (Epiphany): January 6th Pasqua (Easter): on a sunday in March or April Pasquetta (Monday Easter): the first Monday after Easter Liberazione (Liberation Day): April 25th Festa del Lavoro (Labour Day): May 1st Festa della Repubblica: June 2nd San Giovanni (Feast of the patron saint of Florence): June 24th - Only in Florence - Ferragosto (Feast of the Assumption): August 15th Ognissanti (All Saints' Day): November 1st Festa della Madonna Immacolata (Feast of the Immaculate Conception): December 8th Natale (Christmas Day): December 25th Santo Stefano (St. Stephen's Day): December 26th On the above-mentioned days the school will be closed except for private classes.
The school
Discounts
Discounts for our students: Zecchi (Art material), Pizzeria and trattoria Il Gatto e la Volpe, via Ghibellina 151r.Can I use internet at school?
Yes, AdG is a free WiFi area!Is it possible to contact some of your former students?
Yes, please visit our social pages.Where do your students come from?
Our students come from: Europe 30% North America 30% Asia 10% Latin America 20% Other 10%What is the average age of your students?
Our students are generally aged between 20 and 30, but we often happen to have younger or elder students attending our classes.
Visas and Permit of Stay
How can I obtain my permit of stay when in Florence?
If you are a non European student and you wish to apply for a permit of stay in Italy, this is what you have to do. Within 8 days after your arrival date you are requested to go to a post office and ask for a permit of stay kit, envelope with yellow stripe: for non-EU citizens. Please note: applications can be submitted only to some authorized post offices, so in order to know which is the nearest office entitled to accept your application, go to poste.it, look for “office search” and select the item “permesso di soggiorno”. Now, you have your kit, where you will find the application form. Fill it out accurately and then prepare the following documentation: - photocopies of your entire passport; - letter of acceptance issued by your school or university in Italy; - copy of your health insurance; - one 14,25 € revenue stamp (marca da bollo); - copy your visa issued by the Italian embassy in your country; - copy of receipt of payment of 27.50 € for issue of the residence permit on electronic medium. When all the above-mentioned items are ready, you can take them to the post office, where you will be requested to pay 30,00 € and you will be given a registered letter receipt (mod.22A), which contains your user ID and your password (in case you wish to track down your application on line). Finally, after a few weeks you should receive a letter, which will invite you to call to the Immigration Office. On this occasion you will be requested to produce 4 passport-size photos. As for the health insurance we normally recommend INA ASSITALIA: this is a rather unexpensive insurance, and all Italian embassies accept it. Cost: six months 49 €, one year 98 €. You can buy it at any post office through a “bollettino postale” (a sort of postal payment form). Here is the data you should use to fill out the “bollettino”: C/C postale n. 7127003, payment to (intestato a) INA Assitalia Agenzia Generale di Roma “conto 20" via del Tritone 18 , 00187 Roma. Please do not forget to specify on the form the name of the city you will be living during your stay in Italy and the reason of your payment, that is “polizza sanitaria stranieri”.How can I get a student visa to come to Italy?
If you are a citizen of the European Union, or if you carry a passport of one of the countries which are members or partners of the European Union you are not required to apply for any visa to come to Italy. On the contrary if you are an oversea student or if your country is not a member or a partner of the European Union you are kindly requested to contact the nearest Italian Embassy or Consulate in your country and apply for a visa. In order to obtain a visa you will need our letter of acceptance attesting you will be taking classes during your stay in Italy. Please do not forget that we are entitled to mail you our letter of acceptance only after completing all our admission procedures. Please make sure your visa will be delivered to you before leaving your country. If you have problems in obtaining your visa (in some countries it may take up to 5 weeks to obtain it), advise us AT LEAST 8 days before your course starts. Those students who advise us too late may have their course cancelled and they will be allowed no refund.