LOCATION
The school will be hosted at Building 2 of the Technology Park of Sardinia Pula, Italy.
Every day there is a bus for “Polaris-Parco Scientifico” from Cagliari Piazza Matteotti Bus Station (close to train station) at 0758 (in case you miss it, next at 0845 but you will arrive late for the first lecture) and from Building 2 back to Cagliari at 1830 (strict! is the last one. Previous one at 1745).
Detailed timetable here
There is also a shuttle from Pula to the Park here
ACCOMODATION
We have negotiated special rates for all participants (students, lecturers, and their guests, if any) with the Is Molas Resort, located just a few kilometers from the research park that will host the School. These rates will be available until the end of june 2019. All the offers are available here.
In its special rate the Is Molas Resort includes 24-hour reception service, multi-language staff, ample parking and access to its outdoor pool. A shuttle is also available at set times to transfer guests to the nearby town of Pula and to the Is Molas Beach Club. For further details please visit the hotel's web site: http://www.ismolas.it/.
To book a room at the Is Molas Resort and take advantage of the above rates send an email to ismolashotel@ismolas.it and mention the promotion code "Summer School Molecular Modeling 2019".TRAVEL
Here is some information to help you plan your trip. Please remember that this information is provided on a best effort basis and may not be up-to-date by the time you read it.
Reaching Sardinia by Air
The airport closest to Pula is the Cagliari International Airport (IATA: CAG).
Here are some of the airlines that fly from/to Cagliari:
From the Cagliari airport to the city
The airport is only a 10-minute drive or a short train ride from the Cagliari city center. Train schedule and useful information can be found by visiting the Cagliari International Airport website.
Reaching Sardinia by Ferry
If you want to bring your car to Sardinia, then you might consider travelling by ferry. The port of Cagliari is served by the following ferry lines:
From Cagliari to School venue
Depending on your arrival time, you might be able to reach the school venue by public transportation. There is a bus that connects the Cagliari bus station in Piazza Matteotti with our Research Park (Route 134). Use Google Maps' "Directions" feature to find routes and times.
A second alternative with public transport might be to take a bus from the Cagliari bus station in Piazza Matteotti to the town of Pula. You'll then have to find a way to get to the hotel or the Park: your hotel's shuttle (if one is available), the local public transporation, or a taxi (should be about €20).
The third (and most expensive) alternative is to book a taxi directly from the airport to your destination. There are several companies that offer this service (e.g., Follesa, Sina, Radio Taxi 4 Mori).
OTHER INFORMATION
TOURISM
Pula and surroundings
The entire island of Sardinia, including the area of Pula, is covered with beautiful and interesting sites. Take some time to enjoy them and relax; while you're at it, enjoy the good food and wine too.
Here are a few places within the immediately surrounding area to get you started.
PULA
The town of Pula enjoys an excellent position on the south-western coast of the Golfo degli Angeli. It is an important agricultural centre which doubles its population during the summer, thanks to the number of seaside holidaymakers…
NORA
You'll find the ancient city of Nora just a few km from Pula. The archeological site is a fascinating window on life at the time of the ancient Romans and the Phoenicians. Right next to the archeological site, you'll also find its white, sandy beach. The pristine water is shallow and thus this beach is ideal for families with children.
CHIA
Chia is a seaside location just west of Pula. Here you'll find long beaches covered in fine lightly coloured sand: Spiaggia Campana, Su Giudeu, Cala Cipolla. Admire the pink flamingos that spend their days in the pond which forms just behind the beach of Su Giudeu. The area also has a lively nightlife, as the "chioschi" on the beach fill with people and music.
More InformationCAGLIARI
Cagliari, overlooking the Golfo degli Angeli, is a beautiful city with ancient roots. It is the heart of Sardinia’s political, economic, tourist and cultural life. The city boasts one of the longest city beaches in the Mediterranean, but also offers a myriad of cultural attractions, excellent food and nightlife.
Active tourism
The Pula area also lends itself to intense but spectacular physical activity.
- You can rent a road or mountain bike in Pula and join a tour with local guides. Here are a couple of links: Pul.Sar, ProBike, and a nice bike route an old Roman road near Chia (some Italian required). Even our own Technology Park is a popular destination for mountain bikers.
- Sardinia is a "Mediterranean climber's paradise". Domusnovas, near Pula, has hundreds of bolted climbing routes, but if you're willing to move around there are a plethora of destinations. Here are some links to see some pictures and help you get you started: Climbing Sardinia; http://www.corradoconca.it
Venture a little further
If you have a car and you want to venture a little further, these ideas might interest you as well.
SULCIS
Pan di Zucchero
The south-western end of Sardinia - an area called Sulcis - is a mix of wild nature, a spectacular coastline, and interesting unique relicts of a long gone mining industry. Visit engineering marvels such as Porto Flavia, beautiful beaches such as Cala Domestica, or enjoy the entire coast by hiking or biking from one to the other on the local nature trail network.
WINE TOURS
There's plenty of good wine to be tasted in Sardinia. If reading this whets your taste buds, you should consider visiting some of the local wineries. Pula offer some options; venture further to towns like Serdiana, Atzara and Mamoiada (and many many other others) for more options.
Map of vineyards in Italy (find Sardinia for specific info; some Italian required)
Some suggestions from the Guardian
SEE AND NURAGHE
Ancient dwellers of Sardinia left many reminders of the past presence - see, for instance, theGiants of Mont'e Prama,which you can see in theArch. Museum of Cagliari.Perhaps the most visible are the "Nuraghi", which you can seeall over the island.
(photo by A. Autiello)
GROTTE IS ZUDDAS
Grotte is Zuddas
The caves of Is Zuddas open out in the Cambric limestone of Monte Meana (236 m above sea level) at Santadi, and they stretch for an overall length of around 1650 m. Of these, 500 m are visitable without any special equipment or training. Head out to Santadi, pay your ticket and follow the local guides for a walk down into the bowels of the Earth. While you're there, stop into the renown Cantine di Santadi to buy some wine and perhaps tour the cellars.
Further resources
Visit Pula: Pula's tourist information portal
SardegnaTurismo: the official tourist information site of the Region of Sardinia
Visit Cagliari: the tourist portal of the city of Cagliari
Climate and weather
The climate is typical of the central Mediterranean area with mild winters and hot summers. Thanks to its geographical position, Sardinia is often refreshed by north-westerly winds with a constant breeze.
In Pula in July expect hot days and warm nights: the average daytime high is 29°C, while the average low is 17°C. Rainy days are not likely. The average sea water temperature in July/August for the Gulf of Cagliari is 23°C.