The trip may be over by the memories live on!
Organizing Study Groups in Italy Since 2012:
A Journey Filled with Fun, Travel, and Fascinating Encounters!
I lead small groups to Italy twice yearly for language learning and conversation practice. Our mornings are spent in classes at a partner school tailored to your language proficiency. Afternoons are for exploration and adventure. We dive into pasta-making, toast with wine, share laughter, dance, and converse in Italian with teachers and local friends. Join a group of individuals with similar interests, creating lifelong memories and friendships.
2024 September Lucca: The 2024 Matta Lucca Program offered a delightful experience for 10 students, each staying in their own private apartment near the Lucca Italian School. Participants enjoyed wine tastings, cooking lessons, and a unique visit to a local perfumery for a “degustazione” of perfumes. Excursions to Ceretto Guidi and Vinci, along with delicious group dinners, added to the charm of this immersive experience in the beautiful walled town of Lucca.
2024 June Arezzo: I had the pleasure of leading a fantastic group of seven adult Italian students from Vancouver, Canada; Halifax, Nova Scotia; California; North Carolina; and Texas. We explored beyond Arezzo, visiting Cortona and the Church of Santa Margherita. We took cooking classes, enjoyed guided walking tours, and learned about local artisans. In Arezzo, we visited Giorgio Vasari’s home, family church, and the Museo del Saracino. We attended the Cena Propiziatoria in the Santo Spirito neighborhood and witnessed the joust in Piazza Grande, where our neighborhood “cavaliere” secured a victory for Porta Santo Spirito. The celebration in the Duomo afterward was an unforgettable highlight.
2023 September Montepulciano: Montepulciano program, participants enjoyed immersive guided day trips to Montalcino, Pienza, and the scenic Villa Iris Origo. They delighted in wine tastings and culinary adventures guided by Claudia and Max, complemented by an enriching art history lesson within the captivating San Biagio Church.
2023 Fall Giostra Saracino Weekend Joust: The 2023 Fall Joust Weekend in Arezzo gave participants an immersive experience in the city’s renowned jousting festival. The comprehensive package included accommodations, city tours, parade views, joust tickets, and participation in the Cena Propiziatoria.
2023 Fall Giostra Saracino Weekend Joust: The 2023 Fall Joust Weekend in Arezzo gave participants an immersive experience in the city’s renowned jousting festival. The comprehensive package included accommodations, city tours, parade views, joust tickets, and participation in the Cena Propiziatoria.
2023 June Arezzo: June The 2023 program featured participation in Arezzo’s evening joust, La Giostra del Saracino, and a range of cultural activities including visits to artisan shops, fresco-making workshops, tastings at Pomaio Estate Winery, cooking lessons, guided tours highlighting Piero della Francesca’s frescoes and Vasari’s life, and excursions to Florence, Cortona, and Anghiari.
2022 September Ascoli Piceno, Le Marche: Highlights of the 2022 Matta Ascoli program included excursions to Offida to visit the Romanesque church of Santa Maria della Rocca and have a Tombolo (lacemaking) demonstration. We had two cooking classes and a full-day beach excursion to San Benedetto del Tronto for lunch and to walk the ocean promenade, shop, and swim. Ascoli is famous for its jousting festival — “la Quintana.” Although we weren’t there for the event, we recreated the fanfare of the festival just for our group!
2022 Arezzo September Joust Weekend: The 2022 Fall Joust Weekend highlighted two days in Arezzo participating in the city’s famous jousting festival. The 2-Days/2-Nights Weekend Arezzo Jousting Package included: Accommodations in a charming B&B in the historic center, a city tour, a view of the costumed parades, flag thrower & musician exhibitions, and tickets to the joust, as well as the opportunity to participate in the Cena Propiziatoria the evening before the joust. On Sunday, attended Arezzo’s famous antique fair. Many of the weekend joust participants accompanied on to Ascoli Piceno!
2022 September Lucca: Highlights of the 2022 fall Lucca program included visits to artisan shops, cooking a four-course meal with Eva, and visiting Elisa Bonaparte’s Villa Reale. We had art lessons with Suzanna, enjoyed spritzes in Lucca’s amphitheater, climbed to the top of the Guinigi Tower, and enjoyed many fabulous meals in local restaurants. We also visited Volterra, the town famous for its alabaster, and had a wine tasting in the hills outside of Lucca as we watched the vendemmia taking place!
2022 June Arezzo: Highlights of the 2022 Arezzo program included wine tastings at Pomaio, guided walking tours of the city to see artisan shops and churches, and Piero della Francesca’s frescos on the main altar of San Francesco. We also had a cooking lesson in the home of a local Aretina chef and excursions to Castiglione del Lago, La Fattoria la Vialla, and Cortona. We also enjoyed the hospitality of a local Italian family who entertained us for an unforgettable evening in their home.
2021 September Lucca: Highlights of the 2021 Lucca program included excursions to Volterra, the town famous for its alabaster, the Golfo dei Poeti and La Spezia, and the beach at Lerici. We biked around on top of Lucca’s wall, made a four-course meal with Eva, and had an art lesson with Suzanna. We were thrilled to be back in Italy again after Covid!
2020 Matta Programs: June Arezzo & September Lucca Programs canceled due to Covid.
2019 September Montepulciano: The 2019 Montepulciano program featured guided day trips to Montalcino, Sant’Antimo, Perugia, and the Baci Perugina Chocolate Museum, among others. Activities included a walking tour of Montepulciano’s Artisan Shops, wine tasting at Crociani Winery, private cooking lessons with Claudia and Max, an Italian music lesson, an art history lesson in San Biaggio church, and a visit to Montepulciano’s morning market. The experience was enriched with unexpected delights like garden parties and special guests.
2019 September Arezzo Joust & Montepulciano Villa Experience: I frequently lead groups in Italy who are eager to immerse themselves in “la vita bella” through the vibrant activities and excursions I organize, rather than focusing on language learning. In September 2019, I guided a group to Arezzo, where we delved into the medieval city life and experienced the thrilling joust. Following this, we journeyed to Montepulciano, enjoying the luxurious lifestyle of an Italian villa and the quaint charm of a Tuscan hill town.
2019 June Arezzo: The 2019 program featured participating in the evening “Giostra del Saracino” and related festivities, visiting artisan shops, and a fresco painting session with a local artist. It includes coffee and wine tastings with dinner at the Pomaio Estate Winery, a cooking lesson with an Aretina chef, and dinner in a local friend’s home. The schedule offers guided tours of artisan shops and churches, visits to Piero della Francesca’s frescoes, a walking tour focusing on the 16th-century artist Vasari from Arezzo, and excursions to Florence, Orvieto, and Chiusi.
2018 September Arezzo: The 2018 program in Arezzo offered immersive experiences like exploring the Saturday market, enjoying local cuisine, and visiting the “Fiera Antiquaria” antique fair. Participants took part in a cooking lesson, wine tastings with Chef Lala, and toured the Basilica di San Francesco to see Piero della Francesca’s “Cycle of the True Cross” frescoes. The itinerary also featured trips to Cortona and Orvieto, and participation in Arezzo’s Jousting tournament and its festive week.
2018 June Arezzo Joust Weekend: I led a group to Arezzo for the June Giostra del Saracino, a vibrant event reviving the medieval jousting tradition, where we dived into the local culture with delightful dining and Aperol spritzes, and took part in the Cena Propiziatoria to wish knights good luck. The spectacle of bravery and pageantry culminated in a win for the Santo Spirito quartiere, a moment we celebrated well into the night alongside the jubilant local community. This unforgettable experience offered us a deep dive into Tuscan tradition’s heart and Arezzo’s exhilarating spirit.
2018 June Montepulciano: The 2018 Montepulciano program was a captivating journey, highlighted by expertly guided excursions to the picturesque towns of Pienza, Castiglione del Lago, and the historic city of Perugia. Our adventure included a visit to a local farm, where we immersed ourselves in the world of artisanal crafts and traditional food. Participants reveled in scenic walks, enjoyed live concerts, explored vibrant marketplaces, wandered through the lush gardens of Villa Foce, savored exquisite dining at La Foce’s Dopolavoro, and mastered local culinary techniques through interactive cooking lessons.
2017 September Venice Week Tour: The Venice tour was unforgettable! We explored the charming Dorsoduro district, where we were treated to an exclusive dinner party hosted by gondola rowers, celebrating unveiling their new attire. Our journey continued with a visit to the iconic Church of San Marco, where history and spirituality intertwine, followed by a delightful quest for Venetian masks in renowned boutiques, immersing ourselves in the city’s vibrant artisan culture. We also wandered through bustling fish markets, capturing the essence of local life, and explored art galleries, where we had the unique opportunity to meet and interact with local artists, adding a personal touch to our Venetian experience.
2017 September Florence Dreaming Sophia Author Tour: During the four-day “Dreaming Sophia” program, we immersed ourselves in Florentine art, visiting the Academia, Uffizi, and artisan shops. We also explored the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens, including a watercolor lesson. Our journey through Renaissance history and the Medici legacy was enriched by authentic local food and wine experiences, beginning with a tour of the Santa Maria Novella Church complex and its historic pharmacy.
2017 September Arezzo: The 2017 program featured immersion in Arezzo’s cultural highlights, including participation in the medieval Giostra del Saracino, explorations of the local market and “Fiera Antiquaria” antique fair, culinary experiences, and wine tastings. Enriched by a tour of Piero della Francesca’s frescoes and excursions to Anghiari and Cortona, the journey also included visiting a goldsmith to witness the crafting of Arezzo’s renowned gold jewelry.
2017 June Lucca: In 2017, our group explored Italy’s rich culture, from studying at the Lucca Italian School to savoring exquisite meals and engaging in activities like cycling Lucca’s walls, wine tastings, and a Puccini concert. Our adventures extended to visiting Puccini’s birthplace, exploring the marble caves of Carrara, and basking in the sea breeze of the Cinque Terre. The journey was enriched by a mix of historical visits, including the mythical Devil’s Bridge in Borgo a Mozzano, showcasing Italy’s vibrant history and natural beauty.
2016 September Florence / San Quirico / Rome: In September 2016, I led a delightful group of women on a journey through Florence, Tuscany, and Rome, starting in Florence’s historic heart near Palazzo Vecchio, exploring the duomo, and making day trips from San Quirico to Pienza and Montepulciano, including a cooking lesson. The adventure continued in Rome, where we stayed near Castel Sant’Angelo, indulging in Roman cuisine, visiting the Vatican, and exploring iconic sites like Piazza Navona and the Pantheon.
2016 September Arezzo: In September 2016, our unforgettable “Matta” Language & Cultural experience, in collaboration with Paola Testi from Cultura Italiana Arezzo, combined 12 days of Italian learning with excursions in the enchanting city of Arezzo, known from “Life is Beautiful” and the celebrated Giostra del Saracino jousting festival. Mornings were dedicated to study at the language school, while afternoons were filled with explorations and cultural immersions in and around Arezzo.
2016 June Lucca: In the 2016 Lucca Program, mornings were dedicated to immersive studies at the Lucca Italian School, while afternoons unfolded into adventures, with excursions to the enchanting Cinque Terre, the spa town of Montecatini, and historical marvels like the San Romano castle in the Garfagnana mountains and the iconic Ponte della Maddalena. Our cultural journey was peppered with unique experiences, from picturesque picnics atop Lucca’s ancient walls and engaging cooking classes to the melodious evenings at a Puccini concert. Adding to our exploration of Italy’s rich heritage, we visited the historic residence of Lucida Mansi, offering us a glimpse into the past of this vibrant country.
2015 September Lucca: The 2015 program, organized by the teachers at Lucca Italian School and myself, blended language classes, activities, and excursions to deepen our understanding of Italy and its language. Highlights included a day trip to Cinque Terre and participation in Lucca’s famous Festival of the Holy Cross, along with film screenings, concerts, tower climbs, cooking lessons, wine tastings in the nearby countryside.
2015 July Rome: During our ten-day stay in Rome, we combined language lessons at Scud’It with art sessions led by Kelly Medford, immersing ourselves in the Roman lifestyle near the Colosseum and mastering navigating the city. Evenings were filled with Roman summer activities, including picnics at Frascati, drinks along the Tiber, open-air movies in Trastevere, Shakespearean plays in Villa Borghese, ancient Roman wall tours, and candlelight tours of the Vatican, making our week unforgettable.
2015 June Le Marche: The le Marche program offered a unique eight-day exploration of this stunning Italian region, guided by local expert Nadia Sparapani and Italian instructor Cristina Battelli. Set against the backdrop of Urbino, birthplace of Raphael, our group immersed themselves in Italian language and culture at the historic Palazzo Donati villa.
2014 June Lucca: Our time in Lucca was unforgettable—we studied at Lucca Italian School in the mornings and explored the town in the afternoons, fully immersing ourselves in the language and culture. Staying centrally near Piazza S. Michele at il Piccolo Puccini, we lived like locals, indulging in Italian cuisine, conversing in Italiano, and enjoying day trips to nearby destinations like Pisa and Garfagnana, truly experiencing life within Lucca’s historic walls.
2013 September Lecce Puglia: After our enjoyable experience in 2012, Ylenia Sambati and I decided to repeat the adventure in September 2013, starting our stay in the heart of Lecce in a Baroque palazzo before moving to a charming farmhouse outside the city. With a fantastic group of passionate women, we indulged in cooking, wine tasting, sightseeing, and even practiced our Italian language skills, leaving Puglia feeling more fluent and confident.
2013 September Matera: In September 2013, Ilaria Navarra and I led a language immersion trip in Matera, known as “Sassi,” focusing on Basilicata’s language and culture. We stayed in local B&Bs, with mornings dedicated to Italian lessons with Ilaria and afternoons filled with cultural activities like cooking and tasting sessions for wine, cheese, and olive oil, along with visits to historical sites, including the “cripta del peccato originale.” The week concluded with a reflective moment across the ravine, enhanced by music from the local conservatory, marking a memorable journey with a great group.
2013 April Venice: Diego Cattaneo of Venice Italian School coordinated our stay in Venice, where we improved our pronunciation and embraced flexibility amid unexpected events like a water taxi strike. Despite our very beginner language levels, we explored the city, attended a Rossini opera, visited local markets and artisans, and even learned to row a gondola.
2012 September Lecce, Puglia:
In 2012, Ylenia Sambati and I led a group through Puglia’s Baroque Lecce and its countryside, braving August’s heat for Ferragosto festivities. At a Masseria, we engaged in cooking, sea outings, Pizzica dancing, and Cartapesta art, learning orecchiette pasta making, and enjoying local wines, especially from Candido Winery. Despite the heat, the trip was highlighted by yoga under olive trees and cooling off in a distinctive pool, showcasing Puglia’s blend of culture and leisure.
