Malene Christensen and Kim Ciano, both Earthwatch staffers, held a teleconference with future team members and volunteers to share information about this new expedition.
Fountains and Tabernacles of Tuscany
Other teleconference Q&A's
Why are we doing this call?
Earthwatch had done these general information conference calls for about a year but have not done any recently. We decided to revive the practice for this expedition because the briefing came out later than is usually the case—and we hope to do more in the future. We have found that these calls have been particularly helpful in answering questions volunteers might have prior to their expedition and very well received.
Are spaces still open on the September teams?
Yes, there are several spaces left on each of the teams. (As of 4/4/08.)
How will volunteers get around from small town to small town in the study area?
Volunteers will be driven in the project vehicle around the small towns in the study areas as needed. If traveling to/from the larger cities there is an easy-to-navigate train system to use.
If you’re coming from the airport in Pisa and taking the train to the rendezvous point, do you have to change trains?
Yes. You take a train from the Pisa Airport to Pisa Centrale, then change at Empoli to take the train heading towards Siena, and get off at Castelfiorentino. The entire trip takes about 90 minutes.
Is it truly necessary to bring one’s own sleeping bags as suggested? They can be bulky and difficult to travel with?
No. That’s an option if you’d be more comfortable with your own bedding. But the accommodations for all teams will provide linens and other bedding for you, so you don’t need to bring anything except towels.
What are the differences between the two sites on the expedition, Castelfiorentino (Team III) and Gambassi Terme (Teams I, II, IV)?
(Kim Ciano, who has stayed at each location): Castelfiorentio is the bigger town, where one can walk to many shops and restaurants, and the lodgings are only a 10-15 minute walk from the train station; these accommodations also have air conditioning in the evening. Gambassi Terme is a much smaller country village, and the lodging is on top of a picturesque hill, with cooling evening breezes even in the hottest months. Both are great spots to stay; each has its advantages.
How expensive are flights to the area likely to be?
As of the morning of 4/4/08, fares were ranging between $1200 and $2,000 to Rome, Pisa or Florence. Fares typically go up after June 15th and won’t start to come down again until October. Flyers should not expect to be able to avoid a stop-over somewhere, especially if looking for lower fares.
Ryan Air (Irish airline) does fly direct from Stansted Airport (outside of London, accessible by London express train) to Pisa, but that may require staying at least one night in London, which can be expensive in and of itself. From Pisa, one can take the trains to Castelfiorentino, or take a bus to the main train station in the center of Florence to visit Florence.
Delta Airlines does offer some nonstop flights from the US into Pisa. Volunteers should also check into the flights offered by Lufthansa and Alitalia, and consider all the options and combinations of air carriers and train travel within Italy (which is reliable, fast, and relatively inexpensive). For example: volunteers might be able to fly into northern Italy less expensively, and Rome is only about two hours by train to Florence.
How will volunteers recognize the researchers at the rendezvous site?
Volunteers will be met at the Castelfiorentino train station by project staff wearing green Earthwatch T-shirts or holding “Earthwatch” signs.