[su_spoiler title=”Make a Reservation / Inquire About Dates & Prices” style=”fancy”]
If you would like to make a reservation, click on the form link above and indicate your first, second & third choices for an Italian Language Homestay, along with dates and language level. Melissa will respond as soon as she receives the form. If, for some reason, you don’t hear back immediately, please send a follow-up email to Homestay@studentessamatta.com
Meet Chiara, who offers a Homestay in the Italian Alps!
Get to know Chiara, who offers a homestay in the Italian Alps in Vilminore di Scalve-Bergamo
Chiara has taught Italian as a second language for over 20 years. She works with adults and children worldwide, supporting them in learning the language and integrating into Italian society and culture. She works in an international school in Milan, but she will welcome you to her mountain house in the Alps, where she loves to spend her holidays.
During your homestay with Chiara, you will get in touch with Italian culture from a special “off the beaten track” point of view. In fact, Chiara’s home is located in a small mountain village called Vilminore di Scalve, set in the sunny center of the Scalve Valley at an elevation of just over a thousand meters above sea level. Chiara will provide you with Italian lessons tailored to your learning objectives and interests, and you will then have the opportunity to practice with the locals.
You will be immersed in the traditional culture of Northern Italy, living and eating like a local. Chiara, who is also a trekking guide, will be happy to accompany you to discover the lush natural surroundings.
Where Vilminore di Scalve is Located
During your stay, you may also choose to visit Brescia or Bergamo, two of the main cities in the Lombardy region, named “Italian Capital of Culture 2023”.
Vilminore di Scalve is located in the province of Bergamo, Lombardy, about 90 kilometers (56 miles) northeast of Milan. The town has many cultural attractions worth visiting, such as ethnographic and local history museums, churches and chapels, and the ruins of an important dam. But the Scalve Valley is a spectacle for its emerald green color due to its pine forests and natural beauty: mountains, lakes, streams, gorges, and meadows full of flowers. A hidden gem ideal for nature lovers and those seeking relaxation and tranquility.
And don’t forget its “casoncelli” (traditional stuffed pasta) and all the excellent types of cheese you will find.
You will fall in love with this place, its people, and its genuine food!
Your Homestay Accommodations in Vilminore di Scalve-Bergamo
You will stay in the “Borgo apartment,” a private, independent apartment (suitable for one or two people) with your own private space. Just across the street is Chiara’s family villa, where you will be warmly welcomed to share meals under the trees in the large sunny garden and spend some time together. Chiara’s mother, Maria, is well known for her culinary skills: you may be so lucky to have her share her family history and cooking secrets. The family often hosts other relatives and friends in a cheerful atmosphere.
Chiara’s homestay accommodation in Vilminore is a welcoming apartment in a green area in the center of the town of Vilminore di Scalve, 1 hour away from Bergamo and Brescia. On the other side of the road is the villa of Chiara’s family, surrounded by a park with centenary trees, where you can lay in the sun or rest in the fresh air under a pine.
The apartment has two double bedrooms and two bathrooms and can host up to two individuals. It is well-equipped with a living room and a small kitchen with a refrigerator, electric oven, microwave, stovetop, and dishwasher. It also features a spacious balcony with a table and chairs under a sun umbrella for having breakfast in the open air.
The apartment is equipped with washing and drying machines and Wifi. Thanks to the mountain location, the air is always fresh and cool, and there is no need for air conditioning. Towels and sheets are provided, as well as food for breakfast and a snack.
Meet Chiara’s family.
Chiara’s family is quite large: her mother, two sisters, one brother, five nephews, brothers, and sisters-in-law. They all get along very well and enjoy spending time together. There are also many cousins, some of whom live in Vilminore. You will likely meet them!
Maria, Chiara and Anna’s mother, could also be there to welcome you to their family villa. She is a nice and energetic 80-year-old woman. Since childhood, she has spent her holidays in Vilminore, where her family originates. She is a skilled cook (don’t miss her “gelato” or her “focaccia con cipolle”!), loves flowers, and takes care of the flower beds around the house. She enjoys entertaining guests with small talk and is always up for a short walk.
Anna lives in Pavia but loves spending her holidays and as much time as possible in Vilminore. She is a very good cook with a passion for baking beautiful cakes; she also published a recipe book and could help you write your personal book of Italian recipes! She hosts students from abroad in her house in Pavia, where you could also spend some days before leaving Italy. Have a look at Anna’s homestay here.
The whole family loves sports: skiing in winter, kayaking in summer, and they make long walks along the river in all seasons.
What is included in Chiara’s
homestay in Vilminore di Scalve
Each program will be tailored to the needs and interests of the student.
* Chiara will pick you up and take you to the train station/airport in Bergamo
* 2 hours of Italian lessons per day with Chiara plus immersive experiences
* Get in touch with the locals
* local/homemade food for breakfast you will have in your apartment
* house cleaning in the middle of the week
* 1 meal a day (dinner or lunch) is shared with Chiara
* there is the possibility to picnic
* If you like, you can cook with Chiara and her mother and discover the secrets of the Italian kitchen
* Chiara will be happy to accompany you on easy or more challenging walks on mountain paths and the woods
* You can also relax in the park!
What are you waiting for?
Sign up for a Homestay with Chiara in Vilminore di Scalve in the Italian Alps!
Book a Homestay with Chiara and her family in Vilminore di Scalve! To find out more about an Italian Language Homestay Vacation with Chiara, check availability, and get a price quote, please get in touch with melissa@studentessamatta.com
[su_spoiler title=”Make a Reservation / Inquire About Dates & Prices” style=”fancy”]
