Montepulciano – June 2018
In just a week I leave for Italy to co-lead an Italian language program in Montepulciano. I am collaborating with Silvia Celli of Il Sasso. I can’t wait to set foot in Tuscany again and meet up with friends who are joining me to study and explore the area together. This year’s June program is completely booked and I have 3 repeat students. I am so looking forward to continuing our language journey together as well as meet up with some delightful new participants. Individuals are coming from all over the States… California, Texas, and the East Coast. I offer a short and long program and all but one person has opted to stay for the extended program this year in Montepulciano!
Yesterday, I learned unfortunately that the wife of one of the participants has become ill and will not be able to attend the program.
This is very LAST MINUTE – but I do now have an opening if someone (either a couple or a single individual) would like to jump on the chance to take that spot.
Silvia Celli and I have a great program planned and we think you will all be quite pleased with what we have in store for you in Montepulciano. One of our participants is a concert pianist and she will be performing for our group and friends in the area at the Conservatorio in Montepulciano. You never know what to expect when you travel with me and one of my groups! We have quite the adventure!
Arezzo – September 2018
At the end of August, I will be returning to Italy and Arezzo. Along with Paola Testi of Cultura Italiana, I will co-lead my third program in this magical city – and we will celebrate the Joust together as well as take part in the City’s famous Antiques Fair. I just realized that I hadn’t publicized our daily trip itinerary and have just done so on the “official” 2018 Arezzo program page as well as right here (see the program day-by-day activities below). How very remiss of me! Scusami! This year – as I am doing with the Montepulciano program – I offer a short and an extended program option. The second option allows students to really relax and immerse in the town and the language and have a full 2 weeks of lessons at the school. The second week will also be a little more flexible in terms of activities and we will join in with events planned by the school…so some things are still to be determined…but guaranteed to be extremely interesting and fun! On this new program, again I have repeat students as well as a student from Australia and other parts of the States. There is still room for more…so please consider this amazing opportunity to live in Italy and learn the language with a group of fantastic individuals!
Activities by Day for our Arezzo Program
Up to 10 people
Friday, August 31 – Wednesday, September 11, 2018
(with the option to extend stay until Saturday, September 15, 2018)
Friday, August 31: Participants arrive at the B&B Le Antiche Mura (Melissa will work to coordinate arrival times and shared transportation from Florence nearer to trip start date and she has everyone’s flight schedules. She will also coordinate shared group van back to Florence at end of program)
4:00 pm Walking tour of Arezzo & Welcome Dinner with a local guide we will visit the Duomo, San Domenico, il Prato and Santa Maria della Pieve
7:00 pm Dinner at L’Agania in Centro Storico
Saturday, September 1:
9:00 am – Breakfast at the School Cultura Italiana orientation and a brief overview of Arezzo!
Mattina – Morning stroll through the Saturday Market with Roberto – we will individually buy fixings for a picnic lunch in the park
4:00 pm – Fiera Antiquaria / We will stroll through Arezzo’s Antique Market in the park in the Park at the top of the hill next to the Duomo
7:00 pm – Visit the Headquarters Santo Spirito Museum – to see the lances / video / costumes
8:30 pm – Cena “Propiziatoria del Saracino” we will attend the good luck dinner in the Santo Spirito Quarter with all the fans of Porta Santo Spirito – food, wine, and dancing
Sunday, September 2:
Morning – Free time or Meet up with Melissa to wander around town to see the parades
Lunch – Free choice
1:00 pm –Meet at School for a presentation about the History of the Giostra
3:00 pm – We will watch the parades of the jousters on their horses that make their rounds through the town (preferably we will meet up at the top of the hill to watch near our B&B)
4:30 pm – We will take our seats in the Piazza Grande to watch the Joust (http://www.giostradelsaracinoarezzo.it/)
After the joust, you are free to wander up the hill to celebrate with the winning team in the Duomo
7:30 – 8:00 pm – Dinner at a restaurant in town
Monday, September 3:
10:00 am – 12:50 pm – Language classes at Cultura Italiana. Lessons begin at 10:00 pm (only Monday classes start at 10:00 to sort new students) – 12:50 pm (with 15-minute morning break)
Lunch – All lunches are a free choice (Melissa has options from sit down to take away to cafeteria style located around town)
4:00 pm – Vist to Gold Jeweler – Fabrica di Gioielli and the Museum of Gold
7:00 pm – Cena in a trattoria in Centro Storico – dinner in a local restaurant in the city center
Tuesday, September 4:
9:00 am – 12:50 pm – Language classes at Cultura Italiana (15-minute Break)
Lunch – Free choice
5:00 pm – 10 pm – Cooking lesson with Chef Lala in her home/private transfer in a van
Wednesday, September 5:
9:00 am – 12:50 pm – Language classes at Cultura Italiana (15-minute Break)
Lunch – Free choice
4:00 pm – Visit Costume Makers and Lance Maker in Centro Storico (possibly the Scuderia)
7:00 pm – Cena in ristorante tipico del Centro Storico
Thursday, September 6:
9:00 am – 12:50 pm – Language classes at Cultura Italiana (15-minute Break)
Lunch – Free choice
Afternoon: FREE CHOICE / Shop / Relax
7:00 pm – Cena in ristorante tipico del Centro Storico
Friday, September 7:
9:00 am – 12:50 pm – Language classes at Cultura Italiana (15-minute Break)
Lunch – Free choice
3:00 pm – Meet at school for a presentation on the artist Piero della Francesca
4:30 pm – Visit the Basilica di San Francesco to see the frescos with a guide
7:00 pm – Apericena in Centro Storico
Saturday, September 8:
9:00 am – 12:50 pm – Language classes at Cultura Italiana (15-minute Break)
Lunch – Free choice
Afternoon: Visita del paese di Monte San Savino (a local festival in a nearby town)
Cena: We will eat in the Piazza in Monte San Savino and participate in the Porchetta festival – dining, dancing, music (transportation in private van)
Sunday, September 9:
9:00 am – All Day Excursion to Orvieto with Lunch (we will travel by train)
Cena: Free choice upon return in Arezzo
Monday, September 10:
Free Day – For those on the short program – you are free to Shop and Pack and do whatever you like
For those remaining another week: 10:00 am Italian Class – 12:50 pm
5:00 Cena: Farewell dinner for everyone on both programs at all’Agriturismo Podere Pomaio in private van / Wine tasting, Tour of the cantina and fields
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Tuesday, September 11:
For those on the short program. Baci & Abbracci / Morning departure from the B&B
For those remaining another week: 9:00 am Italian Class – 12:50 pm
Lunch – Free choice
3:00 pm – Excursion with other students at the school (TBD – but it will be fun!)
Dinner – Free Choice
Wednesday, September 12:
9:00 am – 12:50 pm – Language classes at Cultura Italiana (15-minute Break)
Lunch – Free choice
3:00 pm – Excursion with other students at the school (TBD – but it will be fun!)
Dinner – Cena in a local trattoria
Thursday, September 13:
9:00 am – 12:50 pm – Language classes at Cultura Italiana (15-minute Break)
Lunch – Free choice
3:00 pm – Excursion with other students at the school (TBD – but it will be fun!)
Dinner – Free Choice
Friday, September 14:
9:00 am – 12:50 pm – Language classes at Cultura Italiana (15-minute Break)
Lunch – Free choice
Afternoon: FREE CHOICE / Shop / Relax / Pack
Dinner – Farewell dinner in a local Trattoria
Saturday, September 15:
Baci & Abbracci / Morning departure from the B&B
For more information about the Arezzo program and to sign up Click here
For more information about the Montepulciano program and to sign up Click here
