If you’re coming from The Reader’s hometown, perhaps the simplest way to get to the retreat is to fly to Bologna from Berlin, but there are many options. Why not explore beautiful Italy before or after the retreat? Read on for our suggestions
Via Bologna:
RyanAir fly direct from Berlin Schönefeld to Bologna.
Week One – we recommend the Berlin Schönefeld to Bologna 11:25am flight on Wednesday May 29th. You’ll land at 13:10, so you’ll arrive in time to rest before the welcome dinner. On the way home, we recommend the 13:35 Bologna-Berlin flight on Tuesday June 4th.
Week Two – we recommend the Berlin Schönefeld to Bologna 11:25am flight on Wednesday June 5th. You’ll land at 13:10, so you’ll arrive in time to rest before the welcome dinner. On the way home, we recommend the 13:35 return flight on Tuesday June 11th.
Currently, you can get return flights for 70 euros, but these prices will go up – so book, book, book!
Once you’ve landed…
If you are not hiring a hire car (last year two participants did, but this is by no means expected), you can either share a taxi to La Macchina Fissa (75 minutes) or organise your own onward travel. If you would like to share a taxi, please let us know when booking. This is not included in the price, but is an economical and easy way of continuing your journey. Price depends on how many people are sharing, but I’m estimating 25-35 euros per person each way.
If you would like to take public transport, aim for Mantova/Mantua (same place, the first is the Italian name, the second the English version) train station. This will involve two trains, one to Bologna Central from the airport, then a second to Mantova. If you get good connections, it will take two hours. Our host, Clark, can pick you up from Mantova/Mantua (30 minutes) for 30 euros per car load. Although, if everyone comes this way, he’ll need to pick you up in batches – which is also more economical!
Other routes:
The nearest airport is actually Verona, a mere half an hour away. There are direct flights from London Stansted, and RyanAir is promising to add direct flights from Berlin Schönefeld … but at time of going to press, they aren’t available.
Milan, Milan-Bergamo and Venice are other options. Hire a car and enjoy the drive, or book a train ticket to Mantova/Mantua via Italiarail.com. Italian trains are cheap and fairly reliable.
Drivers take note…
There are detailed instructions on the La Macchina Fissa website for drivers. See Getting Here.
