Join Melissa & Paola September 2026 for an Italian Program in a Villa in Tuscany
— where language isn’t just learned, it’s lived.
Study in a Villa in Tuscany Italy with the Studentessa Matta & Cultura Italiana Arezzo
(Friends & Partners are Welcome too!)
September 12 – 21, 20226
Italian students bring your partner or friend
(even if they aren’t ready to learn Italian)
While students study in afternoon open-air classrooms, companions can relax poolside or enjoy
a massage and participate in all the dinners, yoga lessons, wine tastings and excursions to Arezzo,
Cortona and Montepulciano we are even going to have a truffle hunt and a watercolor lesson!
Small groups, big Language adventures
in a VIlla in Tuscany!
Learn Italian in Tuscany with la Studentessa Matta and the teachers from Cultura Italiana Arezzo. Immerse yourself in the language, not just through books but through laughter, espresso, and the rhythm of daily life! Bring a friend or partner to keep you company (even if they are just along for the ride!)
10 Days / 9 Nights living in a Tuscan Villa with pool: 15 Hours of Language Classes with teachers from Cultura Italiana Arezzo who will arrive at the villa in the afternoons to teach diverse Italian levels. 8 Meals. Accommodations in a lovely renovated Villa. Enjoy a curated selection of Activities & Excursions to Arezzo, Montepulciano & Cortona personally guided by Melissa and Cultura Italiana Teachers. Benefit from Unlimited Italian Conversation & Learning Opportunities. Experience Italy like never before!
September 12 – 21, 2026 Matta & Cultura Italiana Arezzo:
Learn Italian in a Villa in Tuscany!
Language Students are invited to bring a Friend
DATES: September 12 – 21, 2026
WHERE: Rigutino, Tuscany
Maximum 12 participants
Couples, Solo Travelers & Friends All Welcome!
PRICE FOR STUDENTS: To come
PRICE FOR NON-STUDENTS: To come
Secure Your Place with a $600 Deposit
Elevate Your Italian in the Heart of Tuscany
Meet Us in tuscany for a Cultural
and Linguistic Adventure!
Join Melissa & Paola Testi and live la Vita Bella!
Join Melissa and Paola in the Tuscan countryside near Arezzo for a week of Italian language and culture in a stunning villa with pool. Learn in a relaxed, supportive atmosphere while sharing spritzes by the pool, cooking pasta with a local chef, and exploring Tuscany with fellow learners and their friends. Don’t miss the chance to improve your Italian in the heart of Tuscany’s enchanting landscape!
Morning Activities for Everyone: Begin your day with poolside yoga or pilates, awaken your creativity with a watercolor class, and savor unique experiences—a truffle hunt, wine tastings, and hands-on cooking lessons. Our Tuscan experience will also us to the charming towns of Montepulciano, Arezzo, and Cortona, for unforgettable moments steeped in Italian beauty and tradition.
Afternoon Italian Lessons for Students. Experienced teachers from Cultura Italiana Arezzo and Melissa will lead classes at the villa, tailoring lessons to your level for the most effective and enjoyable learning experience.
Afternoon Relaxation for Non Student Friends or
Companions. Unwind poolside, indulge in a massage, take a nature walk, bike or even play a round of golf. Afternoons are yours to enjoy la dolce vita in Tuscany. A list of extra extra activities will be furnished upon request.
In September 2026 we’re moving
into a villa in Tuscany
for a week of language learning!
Along with open-air Italian classes,
we’ll enjoy Organized Activities
As well as excursions to
Arezzo, Cortona, and Montepulciano.
Students Love Matta Italian language Programs
View more comments on the Studentessa Matta Reach 150 Site
2026 Accommodations for the Matta Fall Villa Program
During your stay in Tuscany, you’ll be hosted in the beautifully renovated Villa Il Granducato in Rigutino, Italy. Surrounded by a large Italian garden and sweeping views of the Valdichiana countryside, the villa is a splendid example of rural Tuscan architecture, originally commissioned in the 1700s by Grand Duke Leopoldo di Lorena.
The ground floor features a bright living area with a spacious lounge, an ancient stone fireplace, and a cozy relaxation corner with sofas and satellite TV. You’ll also find an elegant dining room with a large table for up to 19 guests, and a modern, fully equipped kitchen with a central island and state-of-the-art appliances.
Upstairs, once the villa’s sleeping quarters, is reached by an internal staircase or an external loggia-covered stairway. In the villa’s charming dovecote tower—a hallmark of Leopoldina architecture—you’ll find a romantic double bedroom with its own bathroom. A lovely stone annex houses an additional triple room with private bath.
Outdoors, the villa’s park includes a barbecue area with a traditional wood-burning oven, a fire pit for grilling, and a jasmine-covered gazebo perfect for long dinners under the stars. Here, you’ll relax, savor Tuscan flavors, and watch the sun set over one of Italy’s most enchanting landscapes.
Join la Matta & Cultura Italiana Arezzo learn Italian in a Villa inTuscany Program!
Immerse in culture, history, and local charm, all while making lifelong connections.
2026 September Matta & Cultura Italiana Arezzo Villa Language Program Details
Dates:
Saturday, September 12 – Monday, September 21, 2026
Reservation Information:
Availability is on a first-come-first-served basis.
A reservation is confirmed only upon receipt of a $600 non-refundable deposit or full payment.
Reservations are open until August, 1, 2026.
Payment Details:
The remaining balance of the trip fee is due by July 14, 2026, approximately 60 days before the start of the program.
The option to pay the FULL trip fee at the time of booking is also available.
language assessment
After submitting the online Matta registration forms for the 2026 Arezzo Program, Melissa will arrange a Zoom or phone appointment to discuss trip details, your language level, and your goals. Once you send in your deposit, you will receive a form from Cultura Italiana for their school records, along with a language test to determine your proficiency.
Cell Phone Data Plans:
Please ensure you have an International Data Plan for your cell phones.
WhatsAp App:
Please download the WhatsApp app on your phone. Our group will stay connected via the WhatsApp group chat before departure and during our stay in Arezzo. We’ll use it for introductions, coordinating arrival schedules, and arranging shared transport from the airport. Once in Arezzo, Melissa will send daily reminders about group activities. The chat will also be useful if someone gets delayed or needs directions. Please check the WhatsApp chat before departure and activate it once you’ve landed for any updates. In case of unexpected events like train strikes (“scioperi”), important information will be shared in the chat.
Travel Insurance:
For peace of mind and to protect your investment in the event of a personal emergency or significant life event preventing travel, we recommend considering travel insurance from providers like Travel Guard, AAA, or American Express.
Bank cards:
Ensure you have access to cash while traveling abroad and have a functioning bank card you can use to with drawl funds from cash machines.
The Matta & Cultura Italiana Arezzo Guides & Teachers
2026 Matta & Cultura Italiana Arezzo Villa Language Program Itinerary
Saturday, Sept 12 (Day 1): Arrival
Arrivals! Benvenuti all Villa
- Participants arrive at the villa
- Afternoon relax by the pool
- 6:30 Welcome aperitivo
- 7:30 Meal #1 catered at the villa
Sunday, Sept 13 (Day 2):
- 10:00am-6:00pm — Excursion to Montepulciano, Pienza and Bagno Vignoni in a private van
- Free Choice Lunch
Monday, Sept 14 (Day 3):
- 9:00-10:00am — Yoga lesson by pool
- 12:00pm Lunch at the villa
- 2:00-5:00pm Italian Lessons with 15 minute espresso break
- 5:30pm Visit Arezzo with Aperitivo
- 8:00 Meal #2 in Arezzo
Tuesday, Sept 15 (Day 4):
- 9:00am-12:00pm — Watercolor lesson with Laura Ghezzi
- 12:00 Pranzo at the Villa
- 2:00-5:00pm Italian Lessons with 15 minute espresso break
- 6:00pm Cooking Lesson with Cucina Casareccia
- Meal #3: Dining on what we make
Wednesday, Sept 16 (Day 5):
- 9:00am-1:00pm — Tartuffo Hunting
- Pranzo at the Villa
- 3:00-5:00pm Italian Lessons with 15 minute espresso break
- 6:00pm Aperitivo poolside / Italian Games
- 20:00 Meal #4 Pizza night with Italian movie “sotto le stelle” under the stars.
Thursday, Sept 17 (Day 6):
- 10:00am-1:30pm — Wine Tasting at Tenuta Frassineto
- Picnic at Frassineto #5 Meal
- 2:00-5:00pm Italian Lessons with 15 minute espresso break
- Afternoon Massages for non-students / Massages for students after lessons
- 7:00pm “Grigliata” Barbeque at the villa. Meal #6
Friday, Sept 18 (Day 7):
- 9:00am-1:00pm — Pilates lesson poolside
- Pranzo at the villa
- 2:00-5:00pm Italian Lessons with 15 minute espresso break
- 6:00pm Van into Arezzo: Shopping and exploring
- 6:00 Free Choice Dinner — dine on your own, as a couple, or join the group… it’s up to you!
Saturday, Sept 19 (Day8):
- All day excursion to Cortona in private van
- Pranzo in Cortona (Meal #7)
Sunday, Sept 20 (Day 9):
- Morning relax by pool
- Late afternoon tour of il Cipresso fattoria, visiting the cantine, tasting wine, wandering through la limonaia & the bee apiary… and more
- 6:00 Meal #8 at Tabaccaia — Farewell Cena
Monday, Sept 21 (Day 109):
- Bacci & Abbracci
- Students and friends depart
Getting to Arezzo
Arezzo, situated between Rome and Florence, is easily accessible from both cities, making it a prime location for visitors coming from different parts of the world. From Arezzo you will take a taxi to the Villa. Here’s how you can reach Arezzo:
Airports: Both Rome and Florence airports serve as convenient starting points for your journey to Arezzo. Upon landing, you have a variety of options to continue your journey: take the train or private transport
Train Travel in Italy. Traveling by train in Italy is generally convenient, but be prepared for occasional delays and potential strikes that can disrupt your plans. I will keep you informed of any known delays or strikes via our WhatsApp group chat, so please check for updates before departure and upon arrival.
Deciphering the train schedule boards can also be challenging, even for experienced travelers and even Italians. When in doubt, ask train officials in uniforms or fellow travelers to ensure you are boarding the correct train.
Traveling from Rome to Arezzo takes approximately 3.5 to 4 hours. You can catch a train from the Leonardo da Vinci Rome Airport train station to Arezzo. However, you will need to transfer trains either at Tiburtina or Roma Centrale. It’s easy to purchase your train tickets all the way to Arezzo directly at the Rome train station from a ticket agent, who can provide you with the best schedule and guidance on where to transfer.
Traveling from Florence to Arezzo takes about 2 hours in total. From the Florence Airport, you can take a tram, taxi, or bus to the Santa Maria Novella Train Station, which is about a 15-minute drive. From there, the train ride to Arezzo takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on the train service you choose.
Coordinated Transportation/Private Transport: Melissa offers the added convenience of organizing shared transportation from Florence. Closer to the departure date, once all flight schedules are collected, she will arrange for shared group vans to transport participants directly to Arezzo. Please note that whether opting for group or private transport to Arezzo in a hired van, this will be an additional, out-of-pocket expense. It’s advised to budget accordingly for this portion of your trip.
At the end of the program, Melissa will be happy to similarly coordinate shared transportation back to either Rome or Florence. Again, please note that whether opting for group or private transport to Arezzo in a hired van, this will be an additional, out-of-pocket expense. It’s advised to budget accordingly for this portion of your trip.
Reserve Your Spot
2026 Matta & Cultura Italiana Villa Program
We’re excited to share a preview of activities, accommodations, andthe daily schedule for the September 2026 Tuscan Villa Program! The official pricing will be announced very shortly—just a few more days—once several of our trusted vendors return from their Ferragosto and summer holidays. Rest assured, the cost will be comparable to past Matta programs, and may even be slightly lower.
If you’d like to be added to the priority waiting list and be notified the moment the program is fully launched, please contact Melissa directly.
Please ensure you:
Complete all required fields in the subsequent Trip Forms.
Sign all necessary waivers to participate fully in the program.
Submit your forms to finalize your enrollment in the program.
We’re excited to welcome you to this unique learning experience in Arezzo. Thank you for choosing to embark on this language and cultural adventure with us!
Blog Posts about Arezzo
Please Read the Studentessa Matta Travel Philosophy
The Studentessa Matta Travel Philosophy embodies a love for the Italian language and culture, focusing on immersive learning experiences that connect the heart, mind, and soul. This philosophy champions:
Passionate Exploration: A deep love for Italy drives every journey, encouraging travelers to dive into the country’s rich tapestry of history, culture, and natural beauty.
Social Connectivity: Emphasizing the importance of making new friends, the philosophy values social interactions, whether through casual encounters or shared experiences, enriching the travel experience.
Sharing the Journey: Documenting travels through photos and videos and sharing these moments on various social media platforms like the Matta blog, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter feeds, invites others to join in the adventure virtually.
Flexibility and Adaptability: Recognizing that travel comes with its set of unpredictable challenges, this philosophy champions flexibility and a positive outlook, transforming potential obstacles into opportunities for unique experiences.
The Joy of the Unexpected: The belief that the unpredictable elements of travel contribute to its charm, encouraging travelers to embrace spontaneity, whether it’s dealing with delays or weather changes, with the perspective that every moment is part of the Italian adventure.
Pack a Sense of Humor: A reminder that a good attitude and a sense of humor are as essential as practical walking shoes, ensuring that every situation, no matter how challenging, can be navigated with grace and positivity.
Direct Communication: Urges travelers to communicate any issues or concerns directly during their stay, allowing for real-time solutions and ensuring a fulfilling travel experience.
Invitation to Adventure: This philosophy extends an open invitation to those ready to embark on an Italian adventure, promising not just a journey across a country but a journey of personal growth, language acquisition, and lasting friendships.
