Immersione nella lingua, nella cultura e nel fascino del Sud Italia
Immersion in Language, Culture, and the Charm of Southern Italy
Announcing the 2013 Studentessa Matta Matera & Basilicata Language and Cultural Immersion Program
I’m thrilled to share exciting news! From September 14–21, 2013, the Studentessa Matta will embark on a brand-new Italian Language and Cultural Immersion Tour in the stunning southern region of Basilicata. Our home base will be the enchanting city of Matera, famous for its ancient “Sassi” cave dwellings and UNESCO World Heritage status. This week-long adventure is designed to expand your Italian skills while immersing you fully in the local culture, flavors, and history.
The 2013 Studentessa Matta Matera/Basilicata Tour is a custom-crafted experience for language lovers of all levels—from beginners eager to start their Italian journey to advanced learners looking to refine their conversational skills. With Ilaria Navarra of Percorso in Italy as our local host and coordinator, participants will enjoy morning Italian classes led by experienced teachers, followed by afternoons filled with hands-on cultural activities, guided tours, and opportunities to connect with the people of Matera.
Saturday, September 14 – Saturday, September 21, 2013
Deposit: $300 per person
Final payment due August 1, 2013.
Getting There
The closest airport is Bari–Palese “Karol Wojtyła”. It’s just a 40-minute drive to Matera, and we can arrange transfers through our partner Ferula Viaggi.
What to Expect
Morning Italian Lessons
(elementary & intermediate/advanced groups)
with dynamic teachers and interactive activities.
Afternoon Cultural Adventures
cook regional dishes, taste local wines, sample artisanal cheeses
and gelato, tour film locations, visit churches and art exhibits,
learn traditional dances, and meet local artisans.
Time to Relax
free afternoons and evenings to explore Matera at your own pace.
Charming Accommodations
in the heart of the Sassi at Le Monacelle or nearby
B&Bs within walking distance of the school.
Highlights Include:
• Guided walking tour of Matera’s historic Sassi district.
• Hands-on cooking lesson (we’ll dine on our creations!)
• Wine tasting of Basilicata’s celebrated vintages.
• Ceramics & cartapesta workshop with a local artisan.
• Pizza night at a traditional trattoria.
• Day trip to Gravina.
• Spa afternoon and farewell dinner.
2013 Matera & Basilicata Language and Cultural Immersion Program
Get ready for a week of language, laughter, and la dolce vita!
From the moment you arrive in Matera, every day will be filled with new opportunities to connect with the Italian language, the local people, and the vibrant traditions of Basilicata. Mornings are dedicated to interactive Italian lessons that will boost your confidence and vocabulary. Afternoons bring hands-on cultural experiences—from cooking and wine tasting to dancing the tarantella and meeting artisans who keep ancient crafts alive. You’ll explore cobblestone streets, discover hidden corners of the Sassi, and still have time to relax, sip an espresso in the piazza, and enjoy the city at your own pace. This isn’t just a trip—it’s an immersion into the heart and soul of southern Italy.
Saturday, September 14 – Arrival & Welcome
Arrive in Matera and settle into accommodations (Le Monacelle or local B&Bs in the historic Sassi district).
Evening welcome with Melissa & Ilaria—share a glass of wine and meet your fellow travelers.
Sunday, September 15 – Orientation & Walking Tour
Arrive in Matera and settle into accommodations (Le Monacelle or local B&Bs in the historic Sassi district).
Evening welcome with Melissa & Ilaria—share a glass of wine and meet your fellow travelers.
Monday, September 16 – Italian & Cinema
Morning Italian Lessons (indoor): games, activities, and conversation.
Coffee break in the garden.
Afternoon Movie Set Tour – visit locations of over 40 films shot in Matera.
Cooking Lesson & Dinner – prepare regional dishes and enjoy local wines.
Tuesday, September 17 – Artisanal Traditions
Morning Italian Lessons (indoor) with coffee break in the piazza.
Afternoon Ceramics & Cartapesta Workshop – learn from local artisans and create your own small piece to take home.
Evening free.
Wednesday, September 18 – Market Challenge
Outdoor Italian Lesson at Matera’s Old Town market—work in small groups to complete language tasks and interact with locals.
Lunch & free afternoon.
Thursday, September 19 – Gravina Excursion
Morning Italian Lessons with coffee break.
Afternoon Trip to Gravina – guided walking tour of this charming nearby town.
Evening free.
Friday, September 20 – Cultural Deep Dive
Morning Italian Lessons (indoor) with games and conversation practice.
Afternoon Cultural Activity – could include wine tasting, art history tours, or a local folk dance lesson.
Farewell Dinner at a traditional restaurant.
Saturday, September 21 – Departure Baci e Abbracci!
Depart Matera with wonderful memories, new friends, and improved Italian skills!
If you’re ready to learn Italian, soak up the beauty of Basilicata, and live like a local in Matera, join us for this unforgettable cultural retreat.
Anche se inizialmente può sembrare divertente, “Il Pulcino Pio” diventa presto estenuante. Ho persino letto su un giornale che la canzone ha portato a un episodio di violenza! Una ragazzina che la cantava per strada a Polignano a Mare è stata schiaffeggiata da un coetaneo.
Though it might seem funny at first, “Il Pulcino Pio” quickly becomes exhausting. I even read in a newspaper that the song sparked an incident of violence! A girl singing it on the streets of Polignano a Mare was slapped by a peer.
Travel with Melissa and learn Italian in Italy!
View the current Italian language and culture immersion programs.
Ecco alcuni commenti di partecipanti ai miei viaggi recenti.
Here are a few comments from participants of my recent trips.
“Melissa organized a wonderful trip to Arezzo. The accommodations were great! Our B&B was well located, and Barbara and her father were lovely hosts who went out of their way to make us comfortable. The language school was excellent: Paola, the director, has an amazing staff. I loved the daily classes taught by fun and engaging teachers. Melissa planned interesting activities and fantastic meals. We were never hungry! Bravo Melissa and thank you for an unforgettable trip!”
– Jeannene M. (Arezzo 2017)
“I enjoyed and got a lot out of my two weeks in Melissa’s program in Arezzo. It was a good mix of planned activities, classroom learning, and free time. Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced, there’s something here for everyone. Enjoy!”
– Geoffrey C. (Arezzo 2017)
“I had an absolutely fantastic time in Arezzo! Every day was special. The 4-hour classes were fun and never boring. Paola is a great teacher who knows how to get beginners interacting with the language. Every afternoon held something special: a market stroll, a visit to a local jeweler, a cooking class and dinner, a visit to the cathedral, or the famous Joust. Plus, the instructors shared fascinating and enriching details. Our group of 8 was perfect: we connected and had so much fun, especially enjoying great Italian food and wine together. This is the experience for anyone who loves ITALY and wants to learn more about its language, culture, food, and art history!”
– Patty C. (Arezzo 2017)
“My husband Art and I were two of the lucky participants. If I had to pick a highlight, it would certainly be the people! Our group, our teachers, our guides… Of course, the venues were wonderful, and the hotel was inviting, beautiful, and perfectly located. The school was engaging and enthralling: the location, teachers, and methods were a delightful surprise. And then there’s Lucca, a hidden gem. An unexpected taste of Tuscany without the overwhelming summer tourist crowds. The food was exquisite, the streets charming, the history captivating, and the medieval wall, turned park, helped us work off all the amazing food! Melissa is the key to this success: the perfect hostess with boundless energy, contagious enthusiasm, and great attention to detail. Thank you, Melissa, for an amazing experience!”
– Micaela R. (Lucca 2017)
Bella canzone.
Penso che sia una delle canzoni popolari italiane piu’ famose nel mondo.
Molti l’hanno cantata: a me piaccciono la versione di Giorgio Gaber (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kyj2N4uYOk0&feature=related), quella dei Modena City Ramblers, cantata qui al concerto del Primo maggio con il mitico Paolo Rossi, (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgzunxz8hs8), quella degli Zebda (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBKT8_3RSVg) e ce ne sono tante altre ancora!
Anche a me piace molto la versione “alcolica” di Manu Chao…
I’d love to guest post here, Melissa. Sarebbe davvero un piacere ed un onore per me.
Evviva la resistenza.
E si, questa canzone ha un posto speciale nei cuori degli italiani. La trovo molto commovente. I can remember my friends’ parents recounting the story of the partigiani and singing this song.
Un bel post!
Jodina of http://www.ItalianoWithJodina.com
Ciao Melissa,
mi chiamo Saro e sono uno studente di cinema, sto costruendo un progetto audiovisivo sul periodo bellico e il suo stile di vita e mi interesserebbero un paio di foto, mi daresti il consenso per un loro utilizzo a tal fine?
Grazie
Ciao Saro, ho usato le foto da questo sito e ho dato credito alle persone che ha fatto il film qui: http://www.bandite.org/foto.php Penso che sia necessario contattarli. Grazie per la tua interesse. In bocca al lupo per il tuo progetto. Meli
Ciao Riccardo! Grazie per il tuo commento intelligente e perspicace. Mi piacerebbe leggere il libro di Roberto Battaglia. La Resistenza è un argomento che mi interessa molto e vorrei sapere più. Sono contenta che mi abbia anche trovato su facebook. (mi piace anche i commenti lunghi come fiume! 😉