HI, ROBOT!
HOW TO PROGRAM YOUR FUTURE
TURIN (TO) - ITALY
8 – 20 MAY 2014
1
Hello beautiful people!
We are waiting for you in Torino, the first capital of Italy, the city of
lovers, the city of passion, the host city of the Olympic Winter Games
2006, the city of car industry, the city of wine and Martini, the city of
Baroque, the city of taste, the city of Liberty, the city of chocolate and
Nutella.
But before coming here you need to know some important things about
our city so please read carefully this Survival Guide and don’t forget to
print it and take it with you!
Index
1. Welcome to Italy
2. and to Torino
3. How to reach Torino
3
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11
4 What to bring
5 In and around Torino
15
16
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
By plane
By train
By bus
By car
5.1 Money and prices
5.2 Electricity
5.3 Alcohol and drugs
5.4 Restaurants, shops, pubs and discos
6 Italian body language
7 Your minimal dictionary
8 Important stuff
11
14
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16
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Welcome to Italy
Italy is a country located in south-central Europe between the Alps
mountain range and the Mediterranean Sea. Rome is its capital and
largest city but other major cities in Italy include Turin, Milan, Naples
and Palermo. Italy is known for its long history, historic architecture and
political, social and economic importance within Europe.
History of Italy
Italy has a very long history that dates back to the 8th and 7th century
B.C.E. when Greeks settled the southern part of the Italian Peninsula. At
the same time the central portion of the peninsula was settled by the
Romans and Etruscans. Following the collapse of the Roman Empire the
region was invaded several times and conflicts developed between the
various foreign powers controlling the area. By the 11th century the
northern part of the peninsula began to regain stability and during the
Renaissance the identification of a single Italian nationality and culture
developed. By the 16th century however, Italy again began to decline in
power.
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By the 19th century Italy underwent a period of reunification and in
1861 Victor Emmanuel II of the House of Savoy became the King of Italy.
In 1870, Rome was incorporated into Italy and from 1870 to 1922 Italy
was ruled as a constitutional monarchy. In 1922 Benito Mussolini came
to power and Italy's political parties and personal liberties were
eventually eliminated under his dictatorship called the Corporate State.
In 1940 Italy, along with Germany, declared war on the United Kingdom
and France to begin World War II. One year later in 1941 it and the other
Axis powers declared war on the United States and the Soviet Union. In
1943 the Allies invaded Sicily and Mussolini was dismissed from power
and Marshal Pietro Badoglio was appointed as Premier. Shortly
thereafter the Badoglio government declared war on Germany and in
April 1945 German forces were driven from Italy . A referendum in 1946
ended Italy's monarchy and an election was held to choose a constituent
assembly to aid in creating a new republic.
In 1947 a WWII peace treaty shifted Italy's borders and its eastern
border region was given to Yugoslavia and the area around the city of
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Trieste became a free territory. In 1954 however, the area was divided
between Italy and Yugoslavia. In addition, the WWII treaty also resulted
in Italy giving up its overseas territories and several islands within the
Mediterranean.
In 1957 Italy became a founding member of the European Economic
Community (which later became the European Union). Throughout the
1960s and into the early 1980s Italy was plagued by an economic crisis
which led to severe social instability. By the late 1980s however, Italy's
government began to recover and since then it has become one of the
most important nations in Europe and one of the world's largest
industrial nations.
Government of Italy
Today Italy's government is considered a republic. It has an executive
branch of government consisting of a chief of state (the president) and a
head of government (the prime minister). Its legislative branch is made
up of a bicameral Parliament that includes a Senate and a Chamber of
Deputies. Italy's judicial branch consists of a Constitutional Court and the
Supreme Court of Cassation. Italy is divided into 20 different regions for
local administration.
Economics and Land Use in Italy
Italy's economy is relatively strong and diversified. The north is highly
industrialized while the south is less developed and more dependent on
agriculture. In general Italy's economy is driven by manufacturing. The
main industries in Italy are tourism, machinery, iron and steel,
chemicals, food processing, textiles, motor vehicles, clothing, footwear
and ceramics. The main agricultural products of Italy are fruits,
vegetables, grapes, potatoes, sugar beets, soybeans, grain, olives, beef,
dairy products and fish.
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Geography and Climate of Italy
Italy is located in Southern Europe on a peninsula that extends south
from the Alps Mountains into the Mediterranean Sea. Its total area is
116,348 square miles (301,340 sq km). Italy's area consists of the main
Italian Peninsula as well as several islands, including Sicily and Sardinia.
It has a varied topography that is mostly rugged and mountainous. There
are also some areas of plains and some coastal lowlands. The highest
point in Italy is Mont Blanc de Courmayeur at 15,577 feet (4,748 m).
The climate of Italy is mostly Mediterranean, but the far north is alpine
and the south is hot and dry. For example Palermo, located in the south
on the island of Sicily has an average July high temperature of 83˚F
(28˚C) and a January average low of 47˚F (8˚C). By contrast Turin,
located on the northern part of the Italian Peninsula has an average July
high of 82˚F (27.6˚C) and a January low of 26˚F (-3˚C).
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Welcome to Torino
Turin (Italian: Torino), Italy, the capital of Piedmont region. It lies near
the Alps on the Po River, about 75 miles (120 km) southwest of Milan.
Metropolitan Turin is a major industrial area, Italy's leading producer of
automobiles. Other products include textiles, clothing, processed foods,
and leather goods.
Turin has wide boulevards, many parks and squares, and notable 17thand 18th-century buildings. Several of these buildings, such as the Royal
Palace, Madama Palace, and Carignano Palace, were residences of the
dukes of Savoy.
Among noted museums are the Egyptian Museum, the Museum of
Antiquities, and the Sabauda Gallery, which displays works of Flemish,
Dutch, and Italian masters. In the Chapel of the Holy Shroud, in St. John's
Cathedral, is the cloth that is said to have wrapped Christ's body.
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In ancient times Turin was the center of the Taurini tribe. Later it was a
Roman military colony called Augusta Taurinorum. After the fall of Rome
in the fifth century, it was dominated by Lombards and Franks and later
was the seat of a small feudal state. About 1280 Turin came under
control of the House of Savoy, which made it the chief city of its Italian
possessions.
The French occupied Turin from 1536 to 1562 and again from 1640 to
1706. In 1720 it was made the capital of the Kingdom of Sardinia and,
except for the years of Napoleonic occupation (1800 to 1814), remained
so until the unification of Italy in 1861. Turin was the home of nationalist
leader Count Camillo Cavour and was a major center of the risorgimento
(unification movement). From 1861 to 1865 it was the capital of the
Kingdom of Italy.
Turin Attractions
Turin has many museums. Walking around the city with its arcades,
Baroque buildings, and beautiful piazzas can be very enjoyable.
Piazza Castello and Palazzo Reale are at the center of Turin. The square
is a pedestrian area with benches and small fountains, ringed by
beautiful, grand buildings.
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The Via Po is an interesting walking street with long arcades and many
historic palaces and cafes. Start at Piazza Castello.
Mole Antonelliana, a 167 meter tall tower built between 1798 and 1888,
houses an excellent cinema museum. A panoramic lift takes you to the
top of the tower for some expansive views of the city.
Palazzo Carignano is the birthplace of Vittorio Emanuele II in 1820. The
Unification of Italy was proclaimed here in 1861. It now houses the
Museo del Risorgimento and you can see the royal apartments Royal
Armoury, too.
Museo Egizio is the third most important Egyptian museum in the world.
It is housed in a huge baroque palace which also holds the Galleria
Sagauda with a large collection of historic paintings.
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Piazza San Carlo, known as the "drawing room of Turin", is a beautiful
baroque square with the twin churches of San Carlo and Santa Cristina as
well as the above museum.
Shroud of Turin, or the Holy Shroud, is housed in the Turin Cathedral but
is only put on display every 10 years. The Museum of the Holy Shroud is
open daily.
Il Quadrilatero is an interesting maze of backstreets with sprawling
markets and splendid churches. This is another good place to wander.
Elegant and historic bars and cafes are everywhere in central Turin. Try
a bicerin, a local layered drink made with coffee, chocolate, and cream.
Cafes in Turin also serve other interesting trendy coffee drinks.
Winter Olympics 2006
Turin was host for the 2006 Winter Olympics with events in town and in
seven nearby localities. The awards ceremonies took place in Turin's
central piazza, Piazza Castello, integrating Italy's history and piazza
culture with the Olympics.
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How to reach Torino
By plane
You can fly to Torino Caselle, Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate and Milan (Bergamo)
Orio al Serio.
 Torino (Caselle)
Go to the bus stop outside the terminal and take the bus to Torino. You can
buy your ticket at the shop inside the airport (5,50€) or from the bus driver
(6€). Here you can find the timetable of the buses to Torino: link
Get off at the stop Torino Porta Susa (ask the driver).
 Milano Bergamo (Orio al Serio)
If you arrive in Orio al Serio airport, go to the bus stop in front of the exit
and take the bus to Milano Stazione Centrale. You can buy your ticket at the
shop inside the airport or from the bus driver.
Here you can find timetables of the buses to Milano Stazione Centrale (by
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the 2 bus companies):
- Orio Shuttle (single ticket 9 €, return 14 €): link
- Autostradale (single ticket 8,90 €, 3 tickets 17,80 €): link
When you arrive at Milano Centrale train station, take the train to Torino
Porta Susa. You can buy your ticket at the ticket office (BIGLIETTERIA) or at
the ticket machine that speaks English too 
Remember Regional (R) are the cheapest trains (8 €).
For timetables check the train company website: link
 Milan (Malpensa)
If you arrive in Malpensa airport (doesn’t matter which terminal), you have
two options:
- Direct bus to Torino: go to the bus stop right outside the terminal and look
for the bus to Torino. You can buy your ticket at the shop inside the airport
or from the bus driver (18€). Here you can find timetables of the buses to
Torino (by the 2 bus companies): Autostradale: link, Sadem: link
Get off at the stop Torino Porta Susa. (ask the driver)
- Bus + train: go to the bus stop outside the terminal and find buses to
Milano Stazione Centrale. You can buy your ticket at the shop inside the
airport or from the bus driver. Here you can find timetables of the buses to
Milano Stazione Centrale (by the 2 bus companies): Malpensa Shuttle (single
ticket 7 €, round trip 12 €): link, Autostradale (single ticket 7,50€, 3 tickets
15 €): link.
When you arrive at Milano Centrale train station, take the train to Torino
Porta Susa. You can buy your ticket at the ticket office (BIGLIETTERIA) or at
the ticket machine that speaks English too .
Remember Regional (R) are the cheapest trains (8 €).
For timetables check the train company website: link.
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 Milano (Linate)
Go to the bus stop outside the terminal and find buses to Milano Stazione
Centrale. You can buy your ticket at the shop inside the airport or from the
bus driver. (4,50 €)
Here you can find the timetable of the buses to Milano Stazione Centrale:
link
When you arrive at Milano Centrale train station, take the train to Torino
Porta Susa. You can buy your ticket at the ticket office (BIGLIETTERIA) or at
the ticket machine that speaks English too 
Remember Regional (R) are the cheapest trains (8 €).
For timetables check the train company website: link
When you arrive at Torino Porta Susa go to the bus stop in front of the
station and take the tram number 10 (not bus number 10 or 10N) in the
direction Caio Mario. You can buy a public transport ticket (1 €) at
TABACCHI kiosk inside the station. Ask the driver for Politecnico stop.
Probably he doesn't speak English, so just tell him the word "Politecnico".
Arrive at Politecnico and find a bunch of BESTies waiting for you there!
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By train
If you arrive at Torino Porta Susa look up the blue box. If you arrive at Torino Porta
Nuova, get out of the station, cross the street, go left and find the bus stop of bus nr.
33. Take the bus 33 in the direction Costituzione Cap. or bus 33B in the direction
Partigiani. Get off at the stop Politecnico and find the BESTies waiting for you there!
By bus
If you arrive at Torino Bus Terminal you are just a 10 minutes walk from
Politecnico. Go down the Corso Vittorio Emanuele (house numbers descending)
till you reach Corso Duca Degli Abruzzi. Turn right and walk until you reach
Politecnico. Find a bunch of BESTies waiting for you there!
By car
Set on your GPS Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24 Torino 
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What to bring
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Yourself
Some typical food and drinks from your country for the International Evening
Typical clothes, recipes, flags songs from your country
Fucking warm clothes, clothes for skiing and for snow to survive in the Alps
Snow boots for hiking
White t-shirt, white pants and shoes you can waste
A sleeping bag
Travel insurance and medical assistance documents
ISIC or at least your university card (for discounts)
Some Italian currency (EURO) for extra expenditures
Photo camera
Typical clothes, recipes and songs from your country
This survival guide (you know, the one you are reading now :P)
A big smile with a lot of BEST spirit!
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In and around Torino
Money and Prices
The currency in Italy is EURO (€)
To give you an idea we provide som examples for prices in Italy
What?
Prices (euro)
a beer (supermarket - bar - pub)
a pizza
a slice of pizza
a packet of cigarettes
a can of Coke (supermarket - bar - pub)
an ice-cream
a Hamburger/Cheesburger at McDonald’s
a McDonald’s Menu
a Kebab roll
a bottle of wine (supermarket - restaurant)
a postcard + stamp for EU
a Bus/Tramway/Metro ticket
4
(4,00-8,00)
2,00
4.10
(0.60 – 1.50 – 2.50)
1,50 - 2,00
1,50
5.50
3,50
3.00-8.00
1.00
1.50
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Electricity
In Italy we use "in-line" sockets (they look like this: [o o o] ), with 220V, 50Hz AC.
Normally, your mobile phone charger should fit in the socket but you may need an
adaptor for devices like hair-dryer or iron (yes, we’ve had participants who
brought irons with them :D). In the modern buildings European sockets are usually
available.
Alcohol and Drugs
Even if American tourists coming here are always surprised about this, you might
already know that in Italy you can buy alcohol in any quantity, anywhere, at any
age, anytime and in almost all the public places selling drinks and food.
Italian laws, which are surprisingly liberal in this occasion, don't restrict the
alcoholic consumption unless you are going to drive (or pilot an aircraft of course).
So the only way you can have trouble with police when drinking is becoming
dangerous or aggressive towards other people.
In Italy it is legal to take drugs, but it is illegal to distribute them. This means that if
police catches you with any kind of drugs (including Marijuana) you are going to be
prosecuted only if the quantity that you are carrying exceeds a minimal quantity
that is allowed for personal use. This quantity is not set definitely but depends on
the decision made by the court. In any case you are not allowed to cross the
borders of Italy with any kind of drug.
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Restaurants, shops, pubs and discos
Restaurants
Prices can differ a lot from a place to place; when computing prices remember that
at restaurants you have to pay a fixed amount of money for each person (usually
between 1,00 and 2,00 euro) that is listed somewhere in the menu and in the bill,
referred as "Pane e Coperto". This doesn't apply to restaurants like McDonald's or
Kebab in which there's no table dressing.
Shops
In the period of the course shops will close around 7.30 p.m., meaning that some of
them will close at 7.00 or maybe at 8.00.
In the center of Turin you will mostly find small shops and little supermarkets,
again looking at the prices is a universal advice, remember that VAT (in Italian
called IVA) is always included in the showed price.
Especially if you are a girl you will want to wander around to see some clothes and
shoes. There are some streets in the center of Turin with a high concentration of
such kind of shops: Via Roma (fashion shops), Via Garibaldi (shops mostly for
young people, with moderate prices) and Via Po.
Pubs and discos
Torino offers a great variety of pubs, and they are not too expensive (a beer may
cost you from 2,00-5,00 EUROs) but again always look for the prices first. Pubs are
quite popular between Italian young people and every one of us will be able to
suggest you a good one.
If you are going to seek a good disco in Turin, you may consider them quite
expensive, compared with the other prices. You should expect to spend 10,00
EUROs to enter, but sometimes entry prices rise up to 25 EUROs and over. Usually
the ticket includes the first drink.
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Italian body language
Have you ever meet an Italian? I mean, a real Italian? If you do, well, you know we
don’t need to speak to communicate. We just need our hands. You can see in this
paragraph a very small and incomplete list of our body dictionary. Wanna know the
meaning of every gestures? Just come to Italy and ask to random people!
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Your minimal dictionary
Basics
Hello / Bye
Good morning
Good evening
Good night
Good bye
How are you?
My name is....
Nice to meet you
Thank you
See you tomorrow
Yes / No / Perhaps
It depends...
Never mind
Ciao
Buongiorno
Buonasera
Buonanotte
Arrivederci
Come stai?
Mi chiamo...
Piacere di conoscerti
Grazie
Ci vediamo domani
Sì / No / Forse
Dipende
Non fa niente
Numbers
0
zero
1
uno
2
due
3
tre
4
quattro
5
cinque
6
sei
7
sette
8
otto
9
nove
10
dieci
100
cento
1000 mille
On the road
What's the time?
I don't speak Italian
Street/Square
Che ora è?
Io non parlo Italiano
Via/Piazza
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I don't understand
Where is / are....
Where is the toilet?
Please
Cheers
Exit
Train / Bus / Taxi
Non capisco
Dov'è / Dove sono?.....
Dove è il bagno?
Per favore
Salute
Uscita
Treno / Autobus / Taxi
In a shop
How much is it?
What is this?
My size is...
I want this
Exchange Office / Money
Wine / Beer / Water
Mineral Water
Coffee / Milk /Tea
Sugar / Salt / Pepper
May I have the menu / bill, please?
favore?
Quanto costa?
Che cosa è questo?
La mia taglia è...
Voglio questo
Cambio / Denaro
Vino / Birra / Acqua
Acqua Minerale
Caffe' / Latte / Te'
Zucchero / Sale / Pepe
Mi può portare il menu / conto, per
Approach techniques
I like you
Love
I love you
Honey
Kiss
Do you like me?
Lips
Kiss me
You have so beautiful eyes
I don't like you
You are handsome
You are pretty
Are you enjoying yourself?
Do you want to dance with me?
Don't even think about it
Mi piaci
Amore
Ti amo
Tesoro (literally Treasure)
Bacio
Ti piaccio?
Labbra
Baciami
Hai degli occhi bellissimi
Non mi piaci
Sei bello / Sei un figo
Sei bella / Sei figa
Ti stai divertendo?
Vuoi ballare con me?
Te lo puoi scordare
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It's very hot in here, don't you think?
Yes, it is. Let's get out and have some fresh air!
d'aria!
I can give you a lift home if you want
vuoi
May I show you my butterfly collection?
farfalle?
Oh, help me to get rid of that man (woman)
donna di torno per favore
He is boring!
Advanced approach techniques
I want to make love with you!
Did you like it?
Let's do it one more time
I pratice safe sex
It was supposed to be only a kiss
Phrases we hope you’ll never use
We are in Italy, aren't we?
I was needing a toilet, but it's too late
niente
Wasn't it a toilet?
I want to smoke a last cigarette
Kill me gently please
Fa caldo qui, non credi?
Sì. Andiamo a prendere un po'
Posso accompagnarti a casa, se
Vuoi vedere la mia collezione di
Oh, levami quest'uomo / questa
Mi annoia
Voglio fare l'amore con te!
Ti e' piaciuto?
Facciamolo ancora
Io pratico sesso sicuro
Doveva essere solo un bacio
Siamo in Italia, vero?
Dovevo andare al bagno ma non fa
Non era un bagno?
Voglio l'ultima sigaretta
Mi ammazzi con cortesia, la prego
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Important Stuff
Did you get lost? Police arrested you? Did you fall in the river?
Don’t worry and call the Main Organizer!
Peppo
JJ
Andrea Pepè - Main Organizer
+39 340 580 7419
[email protected]
Riccardo Giusti – Main Organizer
+39 328 14 15 721
[email protected]
Police: 113
Firemen: 115
Ambulance: 118
By the way, special thanks to whoever made the previous version of the Survival
Guide. We don’t know who you are, but we are proud of you.
And special thanks to me, Federico Petrarulo, ‘cause I made this super-awesome
new version of the survival guide that will be used by BEST Torino forever and
ever. Thank you Fede.
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