Location

The Biomed Grid School 2009 will take place in at Villa Monastero, Via Polvani 2, Varenna, Lake Como, Italy. Villa Monastero is located in Varenna, a picturesque medieval village, rich in artistic monuments on the east coast of Lake Como, and a tourist destination traditionally appreciated also for its superb nature and landscape. On a headland at the mouth of the Esino stream, it is in an exceptional panoramic location with a view of the whole lake. The gardens of Villa Monastero are an integral part of the atmosphere and charm of the place. It is a long promenade along the lake, with paths and terraces under the mountain as backdrop.
Visit the Villa Monastero website
Visit Varennaitaly.com for information about Varenna

How to get to Varenna

Varenna is on the right shore of Lake como (Please see map).

By car:
From Milan take the strada statale ss36 to Lecco, then go on to Varenna.

By rail:
Varenna is on the Milano - Sondrio line. The station of Varenna/Esino is around one hour from Milan. There are trains roughly every 2 hours.
Visit the Italian railways website

By plane:
Milan has two international airports
Visit the Milan Airports (Malpensa and Linate) website
Orio al Serio airport at Bergamo is also near Milan and Lecco
Visit the Orio al Serio Airport website

From Milan Malpensa and Linate airports it is easiest to take a bus link into Milano Centrale train station and take a train to Varenna from there.

From Orio al Serio Airport take the local bus service into Bergamo city centre to the train station. From Bergamo you can go by train to Varenna, changing at Lecco (Bergamo -> Lecco -> Varenna). 

For train timetable Visit the Italian railways website

By ferry:
Cross the lake by ferryboat!
Visit the ferry-boat website

Villa Monastero

Villa Monastero is a 10 minute walk from the train station through the centre of Varenna.