Several hotels and b&bs offers special rates for conveners.
Please note that special rates apply only if during the booking process you specify that you want to use the "convention between the hotel/b&b and the University of Palermo for the AISP conference".
Rates per room per night. Breakfast included.
- Single room: 55 euro
- Double room: 65 euro
- Double room (single use) 60 euro.
Rates per room per night. Breakfast included.
- Single room (bed 120x190cm) 72.5 euro (85 euro including Percorso Benessere)
- Double room 82.5 euro (109 euro including Percorso Benessere)
Hotel Ambasciatori ****
Rates per room per night. Breakfast included.
- Double room (single use): 55 euro
- Double room: 65 euro
Hotel Europa***
Rates per room per night. Breakfast included.
- Single room or Double room (single use): 44 euro
- Double room: 49 euro
Hotel Tonic ***
Rates per room per night. Breakfast included.
- Double room (single use): 50 euro
- Double room: 60 euro
- Triple room:85 euro
Nuvole (b&b)
Rates per room per night. Breakfast included.
- Double room (single use): 50 euro
- Double room: 65 euro
- Suite (two rooms for two persons): 90 euro
Allakala (b&b)
Rates per room per night. Breakfast included.
- Double room: 80 euro
- Double room (single use): 50 euro
- Triple room: 110 euro
BB10 Serpotta (b&b)
Rates per room per night. Breakfast included.Free access to fitness room and jacuzzi.
- Double room: 74 euro
- Double room (single use): 69 euro
Palermo offers a lot of solutions for your accommodation: hotels, bed & breakfast, apartments, guest houses. Here you can find other suggested accomodations (but with no special rates for conveners):
4 stars hotel:
Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa
Centrale Palace Hotel
Hotel Porta Felice
Palazzo Sitano
3 stars hotels
Hotel Mediterraneo
Hotel Posta
Bed & Breakfast
Al giardino dell'alloro
Cleopatra
Amélie
GETTING TO PALERMO
Palermo has good flying connections to most important European cities, including low-cost flights (such as Ryanair and EasyJet). You can get to Palermo via two airports Palermo and Trapani.
The "Falcone - Borsellino" airport of Palermo is about 35 km far from Palermo. Both Bus and Train connect Palermo city to Airport (Punta Raisi stop).
Shuttle Company: The Organizing Committee has partnered with shuttle company Spada Transfer Sicily offering a special 25 € tariff to conference delegates willing to use the service from/to the airport. If you are willing to use this service, prior to departure, please e-mail the company at:spadatransferinsicily@hotmail.it mentioning the AISP conference and your arrival time and flight number. A cab driver will be waiting for you at the gate exit with a cardboard reporting your name and the conference logo.
Taxi: the Cooperativa Trinacria that offer these rides from airport to hotel: 4 people: 38 Euro (daytime), 40 Euro (nightime); 5/6 people: 42 Euro. Please, contact it at +390916878 (special number) or info@radiotaxitrinacria.it
Bus: The company "Prestia & Comandè" runs the transports from/to Palermo Centrale and Airport. There are several bus stops in the centre (see "departures"), however all the suggested hotels are reasonably close (5 min by car) to the terminus "Palermo Centrale" station (at piazza Giulio Cesare).
Train: For information go to Trenitalia website. To know the timetable, write "Palermo Centrale" and "Punta Raisi" in the fields "From" and "To". Price of ticket: euro 5.80. All the suggested hotels are reasonably close (5 min by car) to "Palermo Centrale" station.
The "Birgi" airport of Trapani (100km far from Palermo with direct bus lines) has also several Ryanair flights from/to bigger European cities.
Bus: The company "Terravision", in partnership with "Autolinee Salemi", runs the transports from/to Palermo Centrale station and Birgi Airport. The bus terminal is located close to the train station.
HOW TO REACH THE VENUE
The venue for the meeting is the “Polo Didattico” which is located within the University complex in via Ernesto Basile. The closest bus stops are “San Giovanni degli Eremiti” and “Basile”. All suggested hotels are close to / in between the Central Station (piazza Giulio Cesare) and Piazza Politeama connected by the bus lines 101 and 102 quite frequently and quite fast (at least one bus every 5 minutes taking less than 10 minutes). The taxi company offer city transport for €10 for max 4 passengers. You may book the shuttle/taxi service by e-mail spadatransferinsicily@hotmail.it or at the following mobile number +39 3298611040.
From Palermo Central Station (Piazza Giulio Cesare)
- Foot. It takes approximately 30 minutes to reach the venue (about 1.2 Km). Take corso Tukory, continue straight on via Basile and then go in viale delle Scienze within the University complex (see the red path on the google map).
- Bus. It takes approximately 20 minutes to reach the venue. Take either the bus line 109 or 234 and get off at “Basile Facoltà di Ingegneria” bus stop. The Basile bus stop it just few minutes far from the conference venue (see google map).
- Urban train. It takes approximately 10 minutes to reach the venue. Take the urban train to the airport (Punta Raisi stop) and stop at Palazzo Reale Orleans. It is the second stop. From Palazzo Reale Orleans it takes approximately 10 minutes on foot to reach the conference venue (see google map). The cost of the ticket is 1.20 Euro. You can buy the ticket at the sale points or at the ticket machines located inside the stations. For the timetable go to Trenitalia website and write "Palermo Centrale" in the field "From" and "Punta Raisi" in the field "To".
- Taxi. Ask for the “Polo Didattico, building n. 19” (in italian: "Università, Edificio diciannove") in viale delle Scienze (nearby via Ernesto Basile). The taxi company offer also city transport for €10 for max 4 passengers. You may book the shuttle/taxi service by e-mail spadatransferinsicily@hotmail.it or at the following mobile number +39 3298611040.
From Piazza Politeama
- Foot. It takes approximately 50 minutes to reach the venue (see the blue path on the map)
- Bus. It takes approximately 25-30 minutes to reach the venue. Take either the bus line 104 or 108 and stop at “Basile Facoltà di Ingegneria” bus stop. The Basile Facoltà di Ingegneria bus stop it just few minutes far from the conference venue (see google map).
- Taxi. Ask for the “Polo Didattico, building n. 19” (in italian: "Università, Edificio diciannove") in viale delle Scienze (nearby via Ernesto Basile). The taxi company offer also city transport for €10 for max 4 passengers. You may book the shuttle/taxi service by e-mail spadatransferinsicily@hotmail.it or at the following mobile number +39 329861104
From Piazza Marina
- Foot. It takes approximately 30 minutes to reach the venue (see the green path on the map).
- Bus. Take “Linea Verde” (LV) bus to San Giovanni degli Eremiti. From San Giovanni degli Eremiti it takes approximately 15 minutes on foot to reach the conference venue. Or take the 225 bus in via Vittorio Emanuele and go to the Central Station. Then take either the bus line 109 or 234 and stop at “Basile Facoltà di Ingegneria” bus stop. The Basile Facoltà di Ingegneria bus stop it just few minutes far from the conference venue (see google map).
- Taxi. Ask for the “Polo Didattico, building n. 19” (in italian: "Università, Edificio diciannove") in viale delle Scienze (nearby via Ernesto Basile). The taxi company offer also city transport for €10 for max 4 passengers. You may book the shuttle/taxi service by e-mail spadatransferinsicily@hotmail.it or at the following mobile number +39 3298611040
From Palermo Airport
- Train. Take the train at the airport terminus (the stop is downstairs the Arrivals) to Palermo Central Station and stop at Palazzo Reale Orleans. It takes about 50 minutes. From Palazzo Reale Orleans it takes approximately 10 minutes on foot to reach the conference venue (see google map). The cost of the train ticket is 5,80 Euro. For the timetable go to Trenitalia website and write "Punta Raisi" and "Palermo Centrale" and in the fields "From" and "To".
- Shuttle Company: The Organizing Committee has partnered with shuttle company Spada Transfer Sicily offering a special 25 € tariff to conference delegates willing to use the service from/to the airport. If you are willing to use this service, prior to departure, please e-mail the company at:spadatransferinsicily@hotmail.it mentioning the AISP conference and your arrival time and flight number. A cab driver will be waiting for you at the gate exit with a cardboard reporting your name and the conference logo.
The location of the Workshop is the Polo Didattico building ("Edificio 19", Viale delle Scienze, entrance E, F, or G, first floor) placed in the University campus where there are several Faculties, such as Economics, Engineering, and Humanities.
For detailed information about how to reach the venue, see the Practical Guide
Palermo is one of those cities with its own very determinate atmosphere, a place of mystery and curiosities, that sometimes may go beyond traveller's imagination and preconceived stereotypes. It is a prominent Mediterranean center whose 1 million inhabitants are a fascinating cocktail of apparently conflicting characteristics.
Palermo's history has a very specific mark, since the town passed from one dominating power to another with remarkable frequency; because of its strategic position in the middle of the Mediterranean, Palermo was dominated by wave upon wave of invaders including the Phoenicians, the Carthaginians, the Greeks, the Romans, the Saracen Arabs, the Normans, the Swabians, the French and the Spanish Bourbons just to name the most influential. The result of this tormented history is evident today in the vast range of architectural styles, the intriguing fusion of ingredients used in many local dishes and in many place names which are obviously not of Italian origin.
Visiting Palermo is still somewhat of an adventure in a world where so many places have become tourist-friendly to a fault. You won't find many restaurants with menus translated into five different languages, you may have trouble communicating in English in many places, and some parts of the old town center have remained untouched since they were bombed during the war.
Moreover, the often faded grandeur of many of Palermo's wonderful palaces and churches in the center are in very popular areas, sometimes in place that you can not imagine, like in many big Italian cities.
A typical touch of the city can be observed around the markets, whose Arabic origins are still evident today thanks to their noise, smells, colors, narrow labyrinthine streets, the splendid array of food and other goods on display and the general chaotic atmosphere.
Nevertheless, artistic delights abound at every corner in Palermo: notable are the spectacular mosaics in the Palatine Chapel in Palermo and the Duomo of Monreale.
The Sicilian capital offers amazing mix of architecture with buildings such as the Palermo Cathedral and exquisite churches like San Giuseppe dei Teatini, a must-see for anyone who loves Baroque architecture; curiosities like the bizarre Catacombe dei Cappuccini; galleries including Palazzo Abatellis; and museums such as the Museo Archeologico Regionale Antonino Salinas.
If you go to Palermo do try to squeeze in a visit to Monreale Cathedral, which is only a short bus ride outside of the city and, someone says, is like a Sistine Chapel of mosaics.
As in most cities, the best way to see Palermo is on foot. This allows you to wander round the web of back streets and discover hidden palaces and churches that you may otherwise miss. The old town center of Palermo, where most sites of interest are situated, is extensive but quite easily walkable.
If you are just coming to Palermo on a day trip, obviously there will be a limit as to what you will be able to see and do. If shopping is not your priority, probably the best day to discover Palermo is Sunday when, at least in the summer, most people are at the beach, traffic is virtually non-existent and parking is free.
SUGGESTED ONE DAY ITINERARY
Your full day in Palermo, could begin by visiting a local outdoor market called Mercato Ballarò. It is so incredibly Sicilian: vendors shout across to one another, locals swarm in front of the fish stands, vibrant colors are everywhere, and gorgeous looking fruit stack in interesting displays. The Ballarò is probably the oldest of Palermo's Arabic markets. The derivation of its name is unsure but may come from the name of the North African village where most of the Arabic traders working in the market originated: Balhara. Nowadays, the market's Arabic roots are still evident.
After the market, you may walk down to the Quattro Canti, or four corners, and then visit two of Palermo's biggest and most well-known theaters: Teatro Massimo and Teatro Politeama. Both theaters are painted in bright, sunny colors and perfectly showcase why art and opera are so important here. It's easy to see the influences from around the world here in Sicily. There appears to be an eclectic mix of people creating a more diverse population and culture. Going south-east down Via Maqueda you will come across Piazza Pretoria which is home not only to a splendid fountain but several other impressive buildings including, on the right, the City Hall. The large central fountain is the focal point for sixteen nude statues of nymphs, humans, mermaids and satyrs. If you imagine this being erected during the Inquisition, it is quite easy to imagine why it received its epithet, the "Fountain of Shame''.
Behind the City Hall, there is another square, Piazza Bellini where you can see two of Palermo's most interesting churches: the Church of Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio (more commonly known as La Martorana) and the Church of San Cataldo, instantly recognizable thanks to its trio of red domes. We suggest to visti the Santa Caterina church too.
On the south-east corner of ``Quattro Canti'', opposite Piazza Pretoria, you can find the church of San Giuseppe dei Teatini. This church, built in 1612, is a must-see for anyone who loves Baroque architecture. If you do not, it might be a good idea to stay away, though it is still quite impressive.
Walking up Corso Vittorio Emanuele, you can find the Cathedral on your right: the remarkable exterior is impressive, while the interior is rather plain in comparison; Emperor Frederick II, ``Stupor Mundi'' is buried here. Going under Porta Nuova and at Piazza Indipendenza you will find the entrance to the Royal Palace and the Palatine Chapel.
The area around the Norman Palace has long been the seat of Kings and rulers and today it plays host
to the Sicilian Regional Parliament. Piazza Indipendenza and Porta Nuova used to mark Palermo's southern boundary, as a transit to the Conca d'Oro valley leading under Monreale. La Capella Palatina
(The Palatine Chapel)is probably the most visited monument in Palermo and should not be missed. Once again it is characterized by a fusion of different architectural styles, most evidently the Byzantine mosaics and the wooden Arabic honeycombed ceiling.
ENJOY RELAX IN PALERMO
Palermitani spend balmy summer nights cooling off down by Mondello Lido: Mondello seems to be a world of its own - apart from the stress and fast pace of Palermo. European aristocrats flocked to, and the still-standing Art Nouveau villas are a testament of the carefree era. A good sandy beach stretches for about 2km.
However, in the center of Palermo, locals converge in the city's two liveliest bar-lined squares, Piazza Verdi and Piazza Castelnuovo. Meanwhile, the large indoor stage of the neoclassical Teatro Massimo puts on first-class opera and ballet performances, as does the grandiose Politeama Garibaldi.
Palermo shows off its multicultural past best through its gastronomy. Arab-influenced dishes from the city's long-departed conquerors include the zesty lemon granita drink, crumbly almond pastries and spicy fish couscous. For authentic cheap eats you can try the sicilian fast-food, like "panini con panelle'' (fritters made from chickpea flour) or "rosticceria'' (deep-fried and baked dough pockets with savory fillings), widely distributed all over the city. An interesting mix of food and emotions can be experienced during the celebration of Saint Rosalia, also called La Santuzza that is the patron saint of Palermo: this celebration called the "festino'', is held each year on July 15 all around the medieval La Kalsa district. It is still a major social and religious event in Palermo, where people love to try local delicacy, like "simenza'' (pumpkin seeds) and ``babalucci'' (baby snails marinated in parsley, olive oil and garlic).
Further information are available in the Practical Guide
Contact
SIS-AISP c/o Società Italiana di Statistica, Salita de’ Crescenzi 26 – 00186 Roma
Tel: +39-06-6869845 +39-06-6869845 Fax: +39-06-68806742
Email: segreteria@sis-aisp.it
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