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Presumably you are used to finding a ready availability of sports facilities in the States. You may not find it quite so easy here, especially when you have only just arrived, but they do exist and often charge students a little less on display of a student card (though ask your college first as they may have already arranged for a series of conventions and discounts).
tennis courts are fairly easy to find, it is often harder to find a partner!
Check for your nearest court at the Cascine Park, in the sports areas around the Football stadium or just below Piazzale Michelangelo.
Swimming is also easy to practice, though you often have to fit your times in with organised lessons (evenings are usually a good bet). Some of the best indoor pools include the Amici del Nuoto pool, in Via del Romito, 38b, the Fiorentina Nuoto Club Pool in Via di Ripoli 70, the Rari Nantes Florentia in Viale Maratona (near the Stadium), the Paganelli Pool in Viale Guidoni 208 and the Tropos Pool in Via Orcagna 20a, to mention just a few.
There are an infinite number of gymnasiums. It is worth hunting up
one with the facilities you require nearest to your digs. You can then get a season ticket so that you can pop in and out whenever you like. Many also do courses in yoga or the martial arts or have a gymnasium attached. Florence also boasts many dance and ballet schools, though of course you have to select the type of dance course you prefer.
Athletics are also fairly easy to practice. There is a brand new athletics stadium in the Campo di Marte complex (the Luigi Ridolfi), and if this is too far away for you, they can suggest alternative tracks.
Otherwise just put on your running shoes and jog alongside the banks of the Arno, level all the way and magnificent first thing in the morning.
Football is also possible in Florence, even for women. You can, if you can find enough players, hire fields for a game, though it is easier still if you play the local calcetto with fewer players...Enquire at the Campo di Marte Stadium about clubs to join for regular games. And, don't forget, the local club is the Fiorentina!
Rowing is possible along the Arno, where there are two extremely rofessional and qualified clubs. Hockey, madball and baseball are more dif-
ficult to find, though they are growing in popularity here. Basketball and Volleyball are both fairly common, though of course you need to join a club. Any large stadium and a lot of gyms have teams where you may be able to take part in a game.
Cycling is very popular and can be done of course when and where
you like, though if you join a club, you can cycle in company. Take care to chain and lock your bike wherever you leave it, it can easily tempt a bicycle thief!
Rollerskating is possible at the Asso Giglio Rosso in Viale Michelangelo, at Le Pavoniere (Park of the Cascine) and various outdoor spaces in the public gardens and parks. You can go horse riding at the City Riding Stables in Via Vespucci as well as at the Cascine. Ice skating is only possible around Christmas, when an outdoor rink is usually set up at Parterre.
Otherwise you can find almost anything from biliards to bowls (the
Sir Francis Drake type), as well as weightlifting, boxing, rugby, softball, squash, golf, shooting, archery and fencing... We are not going to suggest any more extreme sports for fear that your parents or teachers will blame us for accidents!


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