Travel and Visas
TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS, AIRPORT TRANSFERS
Participants are responsible for their own travel arrangements and transportation.
Airport Transfers
The Academy offers bus transfers to and from Cremona from the Milan Malpensa International Airport by prior arrangements. Additional fees apply. Please note that an adult must accompany participants under the age of 12.
The transfers will be scheduled on the following days and times:
Milan Malpensa Airport – Cremona
Sunday, July 13, 2025, Arrival Day: Departures approximately at 10.30am and 2.00pm
Cremona – Milan Malpensa Airport
Wednesday, July 30, 2025, Departure Day Departures in the morning starting at 5:30am
Airport Transportation to and from Cremona: 55 EUR/$65 per person (each way)
Transfers are offered only on the indicated dates and times. Transfers will not be offered on the other dates or from the other Airports. Spots are limited, please reserve your seat(s) in advance here.
Sightseeing and Educational Tours
The Academy organizes special day sightseeing tours of Lombardy and other Regions of Italy. The tour is offered to the participants and guests.
We are also planning several city and education tours in Cremona. Participants and guests will have a unique opportunity to visit the world-famous Violin Museum of Cremona and explore its wonderful collections of string instruments made by Stradivari, Guarneri, and Amati. They will be able to visit Consorzio Liutai “Antonio Stradivari” (Consortium of Violin Makers) to be greeted by its members, visit shops of Cremona’s renowned luthiers, learn the secrets of violin and bow making, and play on their instruments.
Health Insurance
All students are expected to arrange their medical insurance and submit a copy of current insurance coverage details by May 1, 2025.
The Academy recommends that string and wind players have musical instrumental insurance.
VISAS
Visa requirements
It is the responsibility of the applicant or parents/legal guardian to verify if a visa is required to visit Italy. As the Academy program is not part of the Italian educational system, only a tourist visa would be required. Please visit this link to verify your citizenship requirements: http://vistoperitalia.esteri.it/home/en
Participants from countries that require an entry visa to Italy must inform the Academy administration at the time of application.
Once the applicant is accepted to the program, the Academy, on behalf of the applicants, will facilitate the process of obtaining official invitation documents through Italian Representatives. They will issue three confirmation letters which must be presented by the participant at the Italian Consulate: An Invitation letter, an Accommodation Declaration stating the place of the participant’s staying for the duration of the Academy, and the Certificate of Residency of the Head of the inviting Italian Organization.
The fee of 35 euros ($42) for each invitation is charged by the inviting Italian Organization and is payable at the time of application. The Invitation letter along with other documents will be emailed directly to the participant. Originals of all documents will be mailed directly to the participant’s address. An additional fee applies if special DHL delivery is required.