The Ezra Pound Center for Literature 2009 Where to Go, What to Bring, Contact Information for enrolled students

updated 11/10/08-- check for updates regularly
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Itinerary Report Form
Everyone should fill out this form to report your itinerary.

The Low-Residency MFA | Brunnenburg Home Page | Compass Online Magazine

Contact Information (07/08/09 -- 08/02/09)

Your mailing address at Brunnenburg:
Your Name
c/o Dr. Siegfried de Rachewiltz
39019 Dorf Tirol
Merano, ITALY

The telephone at Brunnenburg is:
(from the US): 011-39-0473-923009
(from Europe): 39-0473-923009
(from Italy): 0473-923009

Emergencies Only:
011-39-0473-923533

Note: The telephones at Brunnenburg are not available for outgoing calls. Please inform family and friends of the time difference. For example, 8 PM in US Central time is 3 AM in Italy. Most of Europe is 7 hours ahead of US Central time. There is a public phone in the village for outgoing calls.

Getting to Brunnenburg

We will meet in the airport in Munich no later than 2 PM on the meeting day, July 8, 2009. From there we will travel to Brunnenburg on a chartered bus. The meeting place at the airport is Café Treffpunkt (Central Area/MAC level 03). Click Here to view a map of the central concourse with the meeting point. Remember that the bus will depart no later than 2 PM! If you miss the bus, follow the instructions below.

If you are unable to meet the group in Munich, or if it is simply more convenient for you to travel directly to the castle, you should plan to arrive on the evening of July 8 or the morning of July 9. The best way to get to Merano is by train. Merano is located on a spur a short distance from Bolzano (also known as Bozen) (see map), which is easy to get to from Munich or anywhere in or near northern Italy. You will take the train to Merano with a change in Bolzano. From the Merano train station it is easiest to take a taxi the short distance to Schloss Brunnenburg. You need merely show the taxi driver the address above.

Regardless of whether you are meeting the group in Munich or arriving on your own, please fill out the Itinerary Report Form so we will know when and where to expect you.

General Information

Upon your arrival you might receive additional information which was not completed before departure. However, we offer some preliminary insights here. Culturally, the South Tirol is a remarkably rich region--a unique combination of both Austrian and Italian influences. Newcomers to this area might notice this particularly in the language and the food. For instance, you are just as likely to hear German spoken on the streets of a South Tirolean town as Italian, and the menus in all of the restaurants are written in both languages. Cultural diversity is also evident in the local cuisine. You can enjoy delicious Austrian dishes such as Wiener Schnitzel, Apfel Strudel, and Sauerkraut, as well as Italian favorites. Observe the locals and adapt to the way they do things. You may even like it! Fortunately, there are plenty of mountains to climb and trails to hike to burn off all those extra calories! The region is also a delight for exploring villages, convents and castles rich in history, as well as for savoring the wonderful local wines and admiring the handicraft of local artisans.

LOCATION AND FACILITIES: During the month you will spend in this exceptional area, you will be staying in a renovated, 17th century farmhouse adjacent to the castle. Breakfast and lunch are available on all class days, and you are encouraged to experiment with provisions from local markets for any evening meals not provided. You may wish to try a local restaurant in the nearby area. You will attend classes in the castle itself, which is situated on a mountain overlooking the Merano Valley and is about a 10 minute (breathtaking) walk downhill from the village of Dorf Tirol. Dorf Tirol is a popular resort known for its pure, clean, mountain air. The city of Merano is one of the most beautiful cities in northern Italy and can be reached easily by bus in approximately 15 minutes. Bus and train schedules will be provided on site. Laundry facilities and detergent are available at the castle. Linens, blankets and pillows will be provided, so there is no need to bring along any of these items. However, when traveling in Europe it is always a good idea to carry your own towel, washcloth and soap since these are not always provided with economy lodgings. We recommend bringing a large bath or beach towel, and a smaller hand towel or washcloth. You may want to discard these when you leave Europe (for the sake of packing space) or use them to wrap delicate souvenirs.

What to Bring

If you haven’t applied for your passport yet, do it today! You will not need a visa for our program. Also bring 2 or 3 photocopies of your passport. Once you get settled, you should carry a photocopy of your passport and leave the actual document in your room except when travelling out of the area.

Clothing

The weather in Dorf-Tirol in July will normally be quite warm in the middle of the day, cooling off, sometimes dramatically so, at night. It is a very high-and-dry, with low humidity and infrequent rain, especially in the summer. So while it can get quite warm during the day, you may find use for a light jacket or sweater at night.

Be sure to bring some good hiking or walking shoes and socks. Some of our field trips and perhaps your own explorations may involve a good bit of walking in hilly areas, mountain trails, or on old cobblestone streets in Venice. A blister on your foot can be a major distraction from the experience.

Always pack a change of clothes and immediate essentials, such as prescription drugs and minimal toiletries, in your carry-on bag.

Linens

Linens, blankets and pillows will be provided, so there is no need to bring along any of these items. However, when traveling in Europe it is always a good idea to carry your own towel, washcloth and soap since these are not always provided with economy lodgings. We recommend bringing a large bath or beach towel, and a smaller hand towel or washcloth.

Laundry

Laundry facilities and detergent are available at the castle.

Electrical Items

Electrical outlets in Italy are 220V. You will need to bring plug adapters for any electrical appliciances, such as laptop computers, you wish to bring. The adapter you need will be called "Grounded US to Continental Europe"; they can sometimes be found at travel accessory stores, or in catalogs on line. Also check the label on your appliance to make sure it can handle the current. Some will have a switch, and on some the label will indicate a range of allowable voltage (100-240V., for example). If the appliance is rated only for 110V., the current in Madrid will probably ruin it, EVEN IF YOU HAVE A VOLTAGE CONVERTOR. Voltage convertors are generally unreliable and not worth the expense. It is easier, safer, and less expensive, usually, to buy small appliances like hair dryers in Madrid than to buy a voltage convertor to make your American appliance work.

Computers

Should you bring a notebook computer? It's up to you. There is limited internet access at the castle during the day, though it may not be as fast or reliable as you are used to. If you do bring a computer on which to compose and store your work, you may also want to bring a portable printer, as printing facilities are not readily available either. Please check any computer or printer you bring for voltage compatibility (see "Electrical Items," above). Most portable units can use European power.

Health Insurance

We provide health insurance for all paricipants through TW Lord and Associates. The coverage for the Madrid program will begin July 7 and end August 3. You can purchase additional time or get further information by contacting TW Lord directly:

T.W. Lord & Associates
Emergency Center: 1-800-633-2360
Claims Processing Center:
T.W. Lord & Associates
Marietta, GA 30061
Phone 1-800-633-2360

Money

The easiest way to change your dollars into Euros is with your ATM card, in which case you pay no exchange fees, only the standard ATM charges. You can also use your credit card to make purchases, in which case you also pay no exchange fees. Most businesses in Dorf-Tirol will require cash, however.

Prices in the region are about what you would encounter in a normal American city, though the dollar's present weakness against the Euro will tend to make things more expensive. You should probably plan on spending between 500 and 1,000 USD while you are there, though it is possible to spend much less (and, of course, much more).

Other Questions

Feel free to email any questions or concerns.