Got the urge to travel to Italy but couldn’t come away with me in 2014? Never fear! I’m already thinking ahead to 2015 and have created with my partners, Nadia Sparapani and Cristina Battelli (and a host of other Italian friends), a NEW language and cultural immersion program in Le Marche set for June 2015. Mark your calendars! In 2015 we are going to Le Marche!
The 2015 Matta le Marche program will be a very special opportunity for 10 individuals to explore for EIGHT days this beautiful region of Italy that is bordered by Emilia Romana to the north, Tuscany to the north-west and Umbria to the west. With experienced local guides and teachers, we will immerse in the Italian language and culture. Our group will have the exclusive use of Palazzo Donati, a villa that was built in the 1700s and which is situated very close to Urbino, the lovely Renaissance town that is also the birthplace of Raphael.
Our 8-day package price includes: 8 nights accommodations in a private villa reserved just for our group, 12 hours of language lessons, ALL MEALS (Breakfast, lunch & dinners), Daily excursions & activities with Private Transport (Airfare is not included). Continue reading to view the full itinerary or click here to download the daily program
The kitchen at Palazzo Donati
I am pleased to present to you my partner and co-leader Nadia Sparapani for the Matta le Marche immersion into language and culture. Together we have designed a program that balances language lessons and a wide range of activities & excursions so that you can experience Italy and le Marche with friends who are just as interested in learning about this lovely part of Italy, as they are about practicing their Italian! Nadia was born in a small village perched in the hills of the province of Macerta, but now lives in a town in the province of Ancona. She graduated in Economics and Commerce in Urbino. She is a mother to three children and is very attached to her land that is so full of traditions and authentic flavors. Her desire to share with others this lovely region of Italy is the reason that she developed her business “Loving Marche” (www.lovingmarche.com). It is also the reason she enthusiastically agreed to join me on this Matta journey, not only to help our group polish Italian skills but to share with us the treasures that can be found in this corner of Italy called le Marche. Nadia describes le Marche as a region that offers so much: long sandy shores, cliffs overlooking the sea, rolling hills that can be discovered on foot or by bicycle. The hills are dotted with small villages and medieval castles, towers, Romanesque churches, and enchanted alleys where you can find small shops and taverns and taste typical dishes made from local produce such as truffles, pecorino cheese, handmade pasta, and excellent olive oil and a wide variety of wines.
I am also happy to introduce you to Cristina Battelli, who will be our lead language instructor during our 8-day stay at Villa Donati. Cristina graduated in Foreign Languages and Literature at the University of Urbino and then specialized in teaching Italian LS/L2 through a special masters program at the University of Urbino. During University she studied abroad and solidified her desired to work with people from various cultures and countries. She has had the pleasure of teaching both publicly at the University of Urbino & privately to groups of Americans. Her biggest passions are traveling and music. In her spare time, she loves to read and cook.
Villa Donati will be our home for our 8 days stay nelle Marche. The villa has been reserved exclusively for our group!
The Palazzo Donati is situated in the main square of Mercatello sul Metauro, a medieval village nestled in a splendid valley, very close to Urbino. Mercatello sul Metauro, is known for its prestigious white truffle and is set at the foot of the Tuscan-Umbrian Apennines. The entrance to this magnificent house is found in the main square of the village. The front door opens into a long corridor that leads to a large walled garden. A wide stone staircase takes you to the first floor. The Palace is divided into two wings: the left-wing which opens into an elegant and wide reception room which we will use for Italian Lessons. In this section, there are also three double bedrooms and one bathroom. The right-wing of the house is divided in two additional floors: the first floor with two kitchen areas, one modern and the other rustic with a charming open fireplace, a formal dining room, two more informal family living areas, two double bedrooms, and one bathroom, a service room with washing machine and ironing facilities. Wifi is available.
• The top floor has three double bedrooms all with en-suite bathrooms. 1 of these rooms also has a side room where 2/3 others can sleep
• Right-Wing First Floor: 1 Double Bedroom with en-suite bathroom and beautiful frescoed domed ceiling. 2 Single rooms that share a bathroom.
• Right-Wing Second Floor: 3 Double Rooms (1 room features a gorgeous fireplace). These 3 rooms share a bathroom, situated just outside rooms, directly across corridor.
Book Now! There are only 10 spots! The price for these lovely accommodations and program is just $2,900.00. Availability is based on first-come-first-served basis & a reservation is not guaranteed until the receipt of deposit or full trip payment. A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your reservation. The balance of the trip fee will be due approximately 60 days before the trip start date (4/2/2015). You may also pay a full trip fee at the time of booking. To book with peace of mind and to safeguard your trip investment, in the case of a personal emergency or a family life event that might prevent you from departing for Italy, you may want to consider purchasing travel insurance through agencies such as: Travel Guard, AAA or American Express. Please read the Lucca School / Matta Refund Policy & Terms of Conditions.
To make a reservation please contact melissa at: melissa@studentessamatta.com. Then fill out the trip forms.
To access Trip Forms click on these links: 1) Registration, 2) Participant Survey/Terms/Waiver, 3) Program Itinerary. Fill out the Registration & Survey Forms and submit with payment or deposit.
The 2015 Matta Le Marche Language & Cultural Program includes:
• 8 Days in the Le Marche Accommodations at Palazzo Donati – a beautiful villa with lovely gardens. Palazzo will be reserved for our group for the entire week
• 12+ Hours of Italian lessons with private Instructors lead by Cristina Battelli, an accredited teacher with Masters’s Degree from the University of Urbino + 1 informal 2-hour Italian lesson during lunch + plus all-day Italian with Italian speaking guides and locals with whom we will visit. Italian language conversation is encouraged throughout our stay in le Marche!
• 8 – Mid-morning coffee breaks with biscotti
• 2 – Cooking lessons: preparing full meals, appetizers, main course, desserts
• 1 – Half-day Tour of Urbino: Visit the ducal palace, home of Raphael, tour historical city center
• 1 – Half Day Excursion: to il Passo del Furlo, Castello di Frontone & Monastery at Fonte Avellana
• 1 – Half Day Excursion: to the Adriatic Coast: Monte San Bartolo, guided tour of the Gradara Castle
• 1 – Half Day Excursion: Sant’Angelo in Vado to see the city & view the Roman mosaics, we will also go to Piobbico to see Castello Brancaleoni
• 1 – Ceramic Painting Class in Urbania
• 1 Wine Tasting at a local Cantina
• 1 Visit to Honey farm
• 1 Game Night at the villa – Italian Charades/Tombola
Program Price Includes ALL MEALS:
• All Breakfasts (7) Villa Donati
• 7 Lunches (3 Lunches Villa Donati, 2 Lunches in Urbino (Day 2 & 4), 1 Lunch Fabriano (Day 6), 1 Lunch Sant’Angelo in Vada (Day 7)
• 8 Dinners (Welcome dinner at Villa Donati : Arrival Day). Dinner at Villa Donati – cooking class meal (Day 1), Dinner Mercatello sul Metaura with Evening entertainment: local madrigal singers & musicians in Renaissance costume (Day 2), 1 Dinner Local restaurant: “Crescia sfogliata (Day 3), 1 Dinner Anna Cooking Class day in Urbania (Day 4), 1 Dinner Local restaurant in Pesaro (Day 5), – 1 Dinner Pizzeria (Day 6), Farewell dinner at Villa Donati prepared by local chef with live music
Program & Daily Itinerary. The 2015 Matta Le Marche Itinerary can also be downloaded by clicking this link
*There may be slight modifications to the order of events, but all updates will be communicated on the website
Sunday, June 28th:
- Arrive at Falconara Airport in Le Marche we will arrange a direct transport to Villa Donati
- Benvenuti al TUO PALAZZO! The entire Villa is reserved for our group
- Welcome Aperitivo with Melissa, Nadia & Giulia your guides for the week
- Settle into accommodations / tour the grounds / relax
- 8:00 pm Welcome dinner & Meet our Italian Teacher Cristina Battelli / dine on local cuisine with wine at Villa Donati
Monday, June 29th: (Day 1)
- 8:00 – 9:00 Colazione/Breakfast at Villa Donati
- 9:30 -12:30 Italian lesson 1 with private teachers at Villa Donati in the main living rooms or villa garden (with a 25 minute coffee break)
- 1:00 Lunch at Villa Donati, pasta, salads & appetizers
- 2:00 Relax in the Garden
- 4:00 1st Cooking Lesson & Italian Conversation at Palazzo Donati with a local mamma – she will teach us how to cook a typical local dinner with home made pasta, main course & dessert
- 8:00 Dinner at Villa Donati we will dine on what we have prepared / Evening entertainment: Italian Charades/Tombola
Tuesday, June 30th (Day 2)
- 8:00 – 9:00 Colazione/Breakfast
- 9:30 Full Day Excursion to Urbino by private transport / Tour the city with Nadia and Melissa, Highlights: Palazzo Ducale, Birthplace of Raffaello
- Lunch in Urbino at a local restaurant
- 4:00 Urbania “Corso di ceramica e decorazione” : Ceramic decoration class at the Associazione Culturale “Amici della Ceramica di Urbania” First Session: We will learn about the art of Renaissance majolica Ceramics. We will also create our own piece of pottery & paint it!
- “Pausa” per Gelato!
- Relax at the villa
- 8:00 Dinner Mercatello sul Metaura / Evening entertainment: local madrigal singers & musicians in Renaissance costume
Wednesday, July 1st (Day 3)
- 8:00 – 9:00 Colazione/Breakfast
- 9:30 -12:30 Italian lesson 2 with private teachers at the Villa Donati / (with a 25 minute coffee break)
- 1:00 Lunch at the Villa Donati, pasta, salads & appetizers / Relax in the garden
- 2:00 Afternoon excursion of surrounding towns & local villages: il Passo del Furlo, Castello di Frontone
- Dinner in a local restaurant to taste the famous “Crescia sfogliata”
Thursday, July 2nd (Day 4)
- 8:00 – 9:00 Colazione/Breakfast
- 10:00 -1:00 Ceramic Lesson Part 2 Return to Urbania to finish our ceramics lesson
- 1:00 – 4:00 Lunch at a local restaurant in Urbania/We will be joined by Italian Teacher Cristina Battelli for Informal Italian Lesson over lunch / Relax / Passeggiata
- 4:00 Cooking Lesson 2: Cooking lesson with Anna in Urbania learning to cook with local herbs & flowers, preparing a full meal: appetizers, main course, dessert
- 8:00 Dinner at Anna’s we will dine on what we have prepared
Friday, July 3rd (Day 5)
- 8:00 – 9:00 Colazione/Breakfast
- 9:30 -12:30 Italian lesson 3 with private teachers at Villa Donati / (with a 25 minute coffee break)
- 1:00 Lunch at the Villa Donati, pasta, salads & appetizers
- 2:30 Afternoon excursion: we will visit the Adriatic coast and Monte San Bartolo, guided tour of the Gradara Castle
- Shopping in Pesaro
- Dinner in Pesaro
Saturday, July 4th (Day 6)
- 8:00 – 9:00 Colazione/Breakfast
- 9:30 – Depart for all day tour of the Fariano historical area, we will see the Grotte di Frassassi di Genga, Museo della Carte e della Filigrana di Fabriano
- 1:00 Lunch at a local restaurant
- 2:00 Visit to Miele in Barrique di Giorgio Poeta di Fabrano
- 4:00 Afternoon excursion to Winery Matelica that produces the famous wine “Verdicchio”
- Dinner Pizza! Pizzeria da Barbara
Sunday, July 5th (Day 7)
- 8:00 – 9:00 Colazione/Breakfast
- 9:30 -12:30 Italian lesson 4 with private teachers at Villa Donati / (with a 25 minute coffee break)
- 1:00 Lunch at local restaurant
- 2:00 Afternoon Excursion to Sant’Angelo in Vado to see city and Roman mosaics, Visiting also Piobbioco to see Castello Brancaleoni
- Farewell Dinner at Villa Donati: Local chef will prepare a dinner and there will be live music
Monday, July 6th (Day 8)
- 8:00 – 9:00 Colazione/Breakfast
- 9:30 Baci e Abbraci! Guest depart
Directions from Train Station at Ancona & Airport – Our driver will pick you up and bring you directly to the Villa
Driving directions from FALCONARA MARITIME (AIRPORT at MERCATELLO) Join the SS76 through the junction to Roma / Airport / Bologna / Taranto / Bari. Take exit 22 toward Clairvaus / Bologna / Taranto. At the roundabout take the 2nd exit onto the A14 junction. Take the exit towards Fano E78/SS73 bis. Keep right at the fork, follow signs for Flaminia / Roma / Grosseto / E78 / Arezzo / Perugia / Sansepolcro / C and enter E78 / SS73 bis. Take the exit to enter Rome in SP3. Take the exit toward Acqualangna to / Piobbico / Citta di Castello. Follow instructions to Acqualagna, Sant’ Angelo in Vado. Continue to Mercatello. Just before historical center, left into parking lot
If you wish to be picked up by our driver in Rome and brought to Le Marche and Villa Donati the cost is: E 300 (one way) E 600 (pick up from and returned to Rome airport)
For more information and to make a reservation contact melissa@studentessamatta.com . Ci vediamo nelle Marche!
Traveling with significant others who would like to partake in alternative activities? Tennis lessons or court times for 2 available for E 25. Golf is also available please inquire.
Downloadable Matta/Lucca Italian School Flyer with 2014 trip highlights: To Share with your friends and Italian conversation groups. Fate passaparola! Spread the word! Grazie!
