I am pleased to announce the 2021 Arezzo “Matta” Italian Language Program in collaboration with Cultura Italiana is now live! This year Paola, my colleague and director of the Italian School in Arezzo, and I were very sorry to have to cancel the 2020 June program due to the Covid Virus, quarantining, and travel restrictions. However, our spirits are buoyed by thoughts of next year — 2021 — and resuming normal life AND traveling once again to Italy!
Many people have inquired about next year’s programs and now I’m excited to let you all know that we will be offering the Arezzo program next June 2021.
Language, Culture & Jousting…
and so much more!
Price: $3850
NOW ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS FOR 2021
Saturday, June 12 – Thursday, June 24, 2021
13 Days / 12 Nights / 9 Language Classes / 9 Dinners / Accommodations
Click Here to View Program
Click Here How to Reach Arezzo
Join Melissa and Paola Testi of Cultura Italiana language school in Arezzo in June 2021 to LEARN & IMPROVE YOUR ITALIAN! Immersing in language and culture and traveling with like-minded individuals is a great way to learn the language in a relaxed and friendly environment. My friends and teachers at Cultura Italiana Italian School in Arezzo and I are planning an exciting language and cultural program in the delightful hill town overlooking the Tuscan plains.
Highlights of the 2021 program will include participation in the June Evening Joust – la Giostra del Saracino and the activities surrounding the festival including the neighborhood cena Propiziatoria in the Santo Spirito quartiere. Arezzo is alive with jubilation, costumes, and parades AND there will be dancing and singing in the streets! We will also spend an afternoon with a local fresco artist CREATING our own fresco painting to take home.
There will also be wine tastings, guided walking tours of the city to see artisan shops and churches, as well as Piero della Francesca’s frescos in the main altar of San Francesco. We will have a cooking lesson in the home of a local Aretina chef in her home and have excursions to Castiglione del Lago, La Fattoria la Vialla, Cortona, AND enjoy the hospitality of a local Italian family who will open entertain us for an unforgettable evening in their home.
The 2021 Arezzo Program will consist of 13 Days & 12 Nights in Arezzo, 9 Class days (36 Hours Italian Instruction), Unlimited Italian Conversation Practice, 9 Group Dinners, Welcome Aperativo, Art Fresco making class, Wine tastings, Cooking class, Accommodation at the charming Antiche Mura Bed & Breakfast run by the delightful Barbara Lancini. Each guestroom is air-conditioned, has fast WIFI and breakfast is included in the B&B’s cozy dining area. The program includes excursions to Castiglione del Lago, La Fattoria la Vialla, Cortona, and free afternoons to wander and shop.
Click Here to Make a Reservation
The Matta / Cultura Italiana Language School in Arezzo
(June 13 – June 25, 2021)
Language & Cultural Immersion includes:
- 36 hours of Italian Lessons at Cultura Italiana Italian School
(9:00 am – 1:10 pm, with morning break) - Unlimited Italian conversation practice with teachers & Italian friends
- 13 Days/ 12 nights at le Antiche Mura Bed & Breakfast. Beautifully appointed rooms that feature, air-conditioning, private bath, wifi, and internet access
- 9 Dinners which includes welcome dinner with aperitivo
- All Breakfasts included
- 1 Cooking class in which we will prepare 3-course meal including pasta, meat, sauces, vegetable dish, and dessert. We will dine on what we have prepared
- Historical Walking Tours of Arezzo / visiting major churches / scenic neighborhoods: Porta Santo Spirito, Porta Crucifera, Porta S’Andrea, Porta del Foro, the Chimera
- Participation in Arezzo’s Evening Joust Festival: Includes Seminars to learn more about Arezzo’s culture and history, A visit to the Santo Spirito Museum to see costumes of the Santo Spirito neighborhood / Visit to Lance maker bottega / Evening Spritzs while watching the Jousters practice, Tickets & Reserved seats to see the Main event in Piazza Grande
- Participation in the Neighborhood Street Party — the Cena Propiziatoria – to celebrate with the neighborhood of Santo Spirito
- Seminario on Piero della Francesa and visit to San Francesco fresco cycle of the True Cross
- Dinner in the home of a local Italian family
- Fresco Painting Class – we will learn the technique with Laura Ghezzi an Aretina Artist & prepare a fresco to take home
- Option to take an afternoon plein air water color painting class in the prato near the duomo
- Wine Tasting / Dinner included at Pomaio Winery located in the scenic hills outside of Arezzo
- Excursion to Castiglione del Lago
- Excursion to La Fattoria La Vialla
- Excursion to Cortona
- Free Afternoons to relax, shop, wander about the town
Click Here to Make a Reservation
All levels of language learners are welcome from BEGINNER to ADVANCED. Students will be placed in appropriate classes according to their language levels along with other International students attending Cultura Italiana Arezzo. All classes at Cultura Italiana feature a mix of grammar instruction, as well as Italian Culture, designed to take each student to the next level of speaking and comprehension.
Accommodations
We will be staying at Barbara Lancini’s Antiche Mura a B&B in Arezzo’s historic district, within 15-minute walking distance to the school. The rooms of the hotel are delightfully decorated and feature updated private baths, TV, Internet, Air Conditioning. If you wish to arrive a day early or depart a day later, Melissa can make arrangements with the B&B. Extra days spent at the B&B are considered out-of-pocket expenses and will be paid directly to the B&B.
For those participants who may have difficulties walking, or wish to be situated in a hotel located nearer to the school (a block away, in the new quarter) we also have a few rooms reserved at the Hotel Aretino.
Book Now! There are only 10 spots!
Click Here to Make a Reservation
The price for the 2021 Matta Arezzo Language Program: $3850
June 13 – 25, 2021
Availability is based on first-come-first-served & 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. Accepting reservations until May 12, 2021. (After this date, you can still sign up for the program, but we can’t guarantee accommodations at the Antiche Mura Bed & Breakfast. We will help find alternative housing options, but there may be a small price variation.)
The balance of the trip fee will be due approximately 60 days before the program start date (4/14/2021). You may also pay the 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 Cultura Italiana Arezzo Language School/ Matta Refund Policy & Terms of Conditions.
For more information contact Melissa@StudentessaMatta.com
To make a reservation please fill out the form
at the bottom of the page.
Click Here to Make a Reservation
Art Experiences: Painting frescos in the manner
of Michelangelo with Laura Ghezzi…
….and we will have day Excursions to Cortona,
Castiglione del Lago, Pomaio Vineyards
“Matta” & Cultura Italiana Italian Language Program
June 9-23, 2021
Maximum participants: 10 people – couples & singles welcome
Number of Days: 12 days / 12 nights
Morning lessons: 36 Hours
Activities by Day
Saturday, June 12: Participants arrive at the B&B
(Melissa is happy to coordinate shared transportation from Florence or Rome nearer to trip start date once she has everyone’s flight schedules. She will also coordinate a shared group van back to Florence and Rome at the end of the program. Group or private transport to Arezzo in a hired van will be out of the pocket expense.)
4:00 pm – Walking Tour of Arezzo – Churches and neighborhoods / Orientation with Melissa & a teacher from Cultura Italiana visiting Arezzo’s 3 main churches
7:30 pm – Welcome Group Dinner #1 (Trattoria in centro)
Sunday, June 13
2:00 pm Excursion to Castiglion del Lago
7:00 – Group Dinner #2 (Trattoria in centro)
Monday, June 14
10:00 am – 12:50 pm – Language classes at Cultura Italiana with a 30-minute morning break. (only Monday classes start at 10:00 to sort new students)
4:00 – Excursion to la Fattoria la Vialla
6:00 – Group Dinner #3 a light evening meal at la Vialla with local products
Tuesday, June 15
10:00 am – 12:50 pm – Language classes at Cultura Italiana
3:00 pm – 7:30 pm Fresco painting Lesson in the manner of Michelangelo with local artist Laura Ghezzi – we will create pieces of art that you can take home!
8:00 pm – Personal Choice Dinner – but I will make reservations at Pizzeria Mi Va for anyone who would like to join me.
Wednesday, June 16
10:00 am – 12:50 pm – Language classes at Cultura Italiana
4:00 pm – Seminario about Piero della Francesca at the school
5:00 pm – Guided Visit to the Church of San Francesco to see Piero’s fresco cycle
7:00 pm – Vist to the Badia where Giorgio Vasari is buried
8:00 pm- Group Dinner #4 (Trattoria in centro)
Thursday, June 17
10:00 am – 12:50 pm – Language classes at Cultura Italiana
Free Afternoon
8:00 pm – Personal Choice Dinner – but I will make reservations at Teorema del Gusto where we can watch the Joust Trials on Teleturia projected on the walls outside the restaurant while we dine
Friday, June 18
10:00 am – 12:50 pm – Language classes at Cultura Italiana
5:00 pm – Visit to Sign. Conti’s Bottega to meet the artist and learn how he creates the Golden Lances
6:00 pm – Spritz in Piazza Grande
7:00 pm – Visit to the Santo Spirito Museo guided by Roberto Turchi to see the neighborhood’s Golden Lances and medieval costumes
9:00 pm – Midnight – Cena Propiziatoria Group Dinner #5 we will join the neighborhood of Santo Spirito for the street festival outside the Bastion—for a 4-course meal with wine—as we along with the fans of the neighborhood cheer on the jousters with chants, song, and dancing
Saturday, June 19
11:00 am Colpo Mortaio – We will meet near the duomo to witness the Herald welcome us to Arezzo to witness the Joust / Parades begin
1:30 pm – Group Dinner #6 (Trattoria near the school)
3:00 pm – Seminario at the School to learn the history of Arezzo’s Joust
5:00 pm – Blessing of the Jousters in San Jacopo under the School
7:00 pm – Blessing of the Lances at the Duomo / Beginning of the Jouster’s Parade through the city
8:00 pm – 11:00 – Joust Enter Piazza to take our seats in stands
Sunday, June 20
Free Afternoon
5:00 pm – 10 pm – Group Dinner #7 in the home of Paola Burolla with Family & Friends: Games, Dancing, Singing, in the Garden
Monday, June 21
10:00 am – 12:50 pm – Language classes at Cultura Italiana
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm – Cooking Lesson in the home of Lalla: We will enjoy an aperitivo & prepare a 3-course meal. Includes pasta making, preparing sauces & vegetables, a meat course & dessert.
8:00 pm – Group Dinner #8 – We will dine on what we have prepared
Tuesday, June 22
10:00 am – 12:50 pm – Language classes at Cultura Italiana
1:30 – Excursion to Cortona
8:00 pm – Personal Choice Dinner
Wednesday, June 23
10:00 am – 12:50 pm – Language classes at Cultura Italiana
4:00 – Wine Tasting at Pomaio Vineyard & Catina
8:00 pm – Farewell Group Dinner #9 – We enjoy a dinner paired with Pomaio wines
Thursday, June 24:
Baci & Abbracci / Morning departure from the B&B
How to Reach Arezzo
Transport to Arezzo: Arezzo is situated between Rome and Florence. Either airport is convenient and trains run frequently between the two cities on an hourly basis. Melissa is also happy to coordinate shared transportation from Florence or Rome nearer to trip start date once she has everyone’s flight schedules. She will also coordinate shared group van back to Florence and Rome at end of the program. Group or private transport to Arezzo in a hired van will be out of pocket expense.
Studentessa Matta Travel Philosophy… if you agree…andiamo!Please fill out the Deposit / Reservation form to reserve your spot on the 2021 Arezzo Italian Language Program. When you hit the submit button you will be taken to a new form page. Please continue to fill out ALL the Trip Forms and sign the waivers and hit submit to fully enroll in the program. Thank you!
Cultura Italiana Arezzo / Matta 2021 Program Enrollment
All Melissa’s Immersion Programs (Past & Present)
and Homestay Language opportunities
available through the Matta Website.
For more information about Arezzo these previous posts might interest you:
Cartoline da Arezzo – recap of the 2019 Program
Meet Paola Testi Director of Cultura Italiana Italian School – She Talks about Arezzo
Paola Testi invites you to join us in Arezzo to study at Cultura Italiana
Bella Arezzo Pictures to get you ready to travel to Arezzo
Arezzo’s Giostra – Jousting Festival
Con Antico Ardore – the 2017 Joust
