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Accommodation

  • Find four- and five- star hotel rooms with preferred Stanford rates. Make sure you book ASAP in order to ensure your choice of accommodation.
  • Through our exclusive agreement with ItalianWay, we have preferred access to over 100 holiday apartments in Florence that are not shown on the platform. Please email booking@italianway.it with your requirements, mentioning SIAW26 in the subject line, and you will be offered a choice of solutions for your stay at a 10% discount for Stanford alumni.

Transportation

Whether you're arriving from around the corner or from far away, we're here to ensure your SIAW 2026 visit is smooth and enjoyable. Find out how to get to Florence either by car, by train or by plane.

Train

Two companies, Trenitalia and Italo, operate high-speed trains to the main Florence hub, the Santa Maria Novella station (often abbreviated as Firenze S.M. Novella).

If you'd like to comparison shop, Omio and Trainline are both useful.

Car

You will not need a car for SIAW'26, as the city is very walkable and all venues are within walking distance from each other and from the hotels where we are holding rooms. If, however, you choose to drive to Florence, make sure you tell your hotel or apartment host in advance. They will inform you about available parking options and procure a temporary permit for your car to enter the ZTL (Zona Traffico Limitato - Limited Traffic Area).

Plane

The Florence Airport is connected with multiple flights per day to all major Europan hubs; a fast tramway connects the Florence airport with the city centre in only 15 minutes.

If you don't find a direct connection to Florence, also check Pisa and Bologna. Both cities are within 50-60 minutes of Florence by train, and you will find a broader choice of low-cost airlines as well as direct flights from more cities, such as Dubai and Istanbul.

If you are coming from San Francisco, one option is the direct flight to Rome with ITA Airways (not available every day, but watch for seasonally reinforced schedules) and a comfortable high-speed train ride from Rome to Florence (about 90 minutes).

Coming to Florence a bit earlier? Staying a bit longer? Our content partners at Passione Gourmet have recommended restaurants, bars and coffee shops to satisfy every taste.

PassioneGourmet's logotype, the words 'Passione Gourmet'

SIAW'26 Ticket prices

Ticket typeEarly bird (ending April 15)Regular
Alumni expand for more info

Access to the Opening Ceremony and Networking Dinner on Friday, June 26th, the full-day Core Program on Saturday, June 27th, and the Gala Dinner on Saturday, June 27th (includes two dinners, lunch, and coffee breaks).

€395€450
Young Alum (Class of '22-'26) expand for more info

Access to the Opening Ceremony and Networking Dinner on Friday, June 26th, the full-day Core Program on Saturday, June 27th, and the Gala Dinner on Saturday, June 27th (includes two dinners, lunch, and coffee breaks).

€295€295
Guest Full Experience expand for more info

Access to the Opening Ceremony and Networking Dinner on Friday, June 26th, the full-day Core Program on Saturday, June 27th, and the Gala Dinner on Saturday, June 27th (includes two dinners, lunch, and coffee breaks).

€250€300
Guest Light Experience expand for more info

If your partner/child would like free time to explore Florence on Saturday, but still join the festive gatherings and networking opportunities, you can add this ticket for them. Access to the Opening Ceremony and Networking Dinner on Friday, June 26th and the Gala Dinner on Saturday, June 27th (includes two dinners).

€200€250

Biodiversity and CO2 Offsets

When you buy your SIAW'26 ticket, you have the option to support with a donation Ager Oliva, a company started with the mission to rescue abandoned olive trees on Tuscan hills and restore the traditionally biodiverse Tuscan landscape. In its first 4 years, Ager Oliva has saved 13,000 olive trees. Your donation will allow SIAW'26 to adopt more trees!

Frequently Asked Questions

Stanford Club Italia welcomes you to Florence! Please read the FAQs below. Have additional questions? You are welcome to write to us at this email address: info@siaw26.com.

What is SIAW 2026?
SIAW 2026 is a three-day Stanford alumni weekend in Florence (Italy), bringing together alumni, students, faculty, and friends of the University for talks, networking, and social events.
When is SIAW 2026?
SIAW 2026 will take place the last weekend of June 2026, to .
Who is invited to SIAW 2026?
The event is open to Stanford alumni, current students, and faculty members, as well as their partners/guests. Friends of Stanford and local guests may also be invited for part of the program, at the discretion of the organizers.
I have studied at Stanford or remotely in a Stanford program, but I do not fulfill the official Stanford Alumni definition. Can I attend?
The event has a limited number of tickets available for those who have attended programs such as LEAD or the shorter GSB executive programs.
What will the schedule be for SIAW 2026?
The weekend includes keynote sessions, panels, cultural visits, and social events. The program is outlined on the event website and will be updated as details become available. Please refer to the event app closer to the event date for details of the Saturday core program at the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino.
Are tickets/advanced registration required?
Yes. Advance registration and tickets are required, as there is a limited number of seats available for most activities.
How much does a ticket cost?
See the registration page. Purchase your ticket before April 15, 2026 in order to take advantage of Early Bird pricing.
What does a ticket include?
The main event ticket includes access to plenary sessions, breakout sessions, and official social events listed in the program from Friday in the late afternoon to Saturday night, including Friday and Saturday dinners, Saturday lunch, and coffee breaks on Saturday. The optional activities during the day on Friday and Sunday require an additional fee.
Is accommodation included in the ticket price?
Accommodation is not included in the ticket. We are providing recommendations and preferred rates for short-term apartment rentals and partner hotels (see Accommodation).
I'm ready to register! What is the refund policy in case something comes up and I need to cancel?
If you cancel before April 26, 2026, 90% of your ticket is refunded. If you cancel between April 27 and May 26, 50% of your ticket will be refunded. No refunds will be issued after May 26, 2026.
I will be graduating and looking for a job in June 2026, or I have graduated in 2022-2025 - I'm a bit cash-strapped. Can you make it easier for me to attend?
You can purchase a "Young" ticket at a discounted price if you graduated in June 2022 or later. Additionally, we are asking more senior alumni to sponsor some tickets for new graduates. If you have recently graduated from Stanford, please write to us at info@siaw26.com and we will do our best to assign a donation to cover the cost of your ticket.
Thank you. But I will be/am a recent graduate and cash is still tight. Can you make it even easier for me to attend?
There is a very limited number of beds (or sofas) available in the homes of Florentine alumni who are available to host young alumni for the weekend. Please write to us at info@siaw26.com. Please note, you will still need to cover your travel costs.
Will I receive a name tag?
Yes. All registered participants will receive a name badge at check-in, which should be worn at all official SIAW events.
Is there a SIAW 2026 desk for check-in and event information?
Yes. An information and check-in desk will be available during the main event hours. Staff and volunteers will be available to help with questions.
What is the dress code?
Casual or smart casual is good for most of the weekend. You might like to dress up a bit for the evening events.
Is it hot? Will there be air conditioning?
It may well be warm outside! Daily high temperatures in late June in Florence range between 25,5°C (78°F) and 29,4°C (85°F), rarely exceeding 33,8°C (93°F). Daily low temperatures range between 13,7°C (57°F) and 17,2°C (63°F), rarely falling below 10,5°C. The places where we will spend time indoors all have air conditioning, with the exception of the venue for our important but brief opening ceremony, the historical Hall of the Five Hundred at Palazzo Vecchio (which, however, has very thick walls and should not pose a problem).
What happens in the case of inclement weather?
Most activities will take place indoors or in covered venues. In case of weather-related changes (e.g., for outdoor events), updates will be promptly communicated. Download and install the event app to make sure you don't miss any notifications.
I have special accessibility needs.
We aim to make SIAW as inclusive as possible. If you have specific accessibility needs, please let us know during registration or by contacting info@siaw26.com.
Is it possible to participate remotely?
No. This is an in-person event and it will not be livestreamed.
Will SIAW 2026 be held in English, or will there be talks in Italian too?
SIAW 2026 will be held in English only.
I am interested in staying longer than two days. When should I arrive in order to take advantage of the entire program, including optional activities?
Excellent! In this case we recommend that you arrive at least by Thurdsay evening, June 25, and plan to depart late on Sunday, June 28, or even better on Monday, June 29.
I'm arriving one/two/three etc. days in advance. Where should I eat?
We have a full list of recommended places! See Useful links for your stay in Florence.
This is great! Can I make a monetary contribution to the organization of the event?
We would be very grateful if you could support the event. Please contact Stefano Siglienti, President of Stanford Club Italia, at the email shown on the event page on the Stanford Groups platform.
Is there a hashtag for the event?
Use #SIAW26 to tag your social media posts and images related to the occasion.

Team

SIAW 2026 is organized by Stanford Club Italia, with the help and support of Linda Campani at Stanford in Florence and the ideas and contributions of many alumni volunteers. We greatfully acknowledge the support by Destination Florence, created by Fondazione Destination Florence in collaboration with the City of Florence.

  • Stefano Siglienti

    President

    Picture of Stefano Siglienti

  • Federico Pagani

    Vice President and Treasurer

    Picture of Federico Pagani

  • Paola Bonomo

    Board Member and Past President

    Picture of Paola Bonomo

  • Linda Campani

    Spogli Family Director, Breyer Center for Overseas Studies, Bing Overseas Studies Program

    Picture of Linda Campani