Join Melissa in Italy to learn Italian
Small-Group Programs – Perfect for couples or individuals
Open to all language levels
“Matta Andiamo in Italia! Programs”
Study in Italy, learn, practice, and
delve deeper into Italian culture & language
The Matta Andiamo in Italia! small group immersion programs, which are 12 – 14 days, accommodate up to ten individuals. The program focuses on improving conversation skills. Students study in the mornings at Melissa’s Italian partner schools with other international language learners at their level. In the afternoon, Melissa’s group reunites. We go on special excursions and participate in activities, art projects, local festivals, wine tastings, and cooking classes to continue practicing Italian skills with Melissa, local guides, teachers, and Italian friends.
Travel to Italy with like-minded language learners. Accommodations are provided, cost of school and activities and excursions breakfasts and most meals. There will be evening spritzes with the group, delightful conversations with Italian friends who will drop in and participate in our group dinners, as well as the time to explore on your own during free afternoons. The best part… you can put what you learn in the classroom to use as soon as you step out of class!
The accommodation you will be staying in will be sanitized to the required standards. During every activity, both for Italian lessons and for other experiences, the rules of social distancing and all the anti-Covid rules provided by the Italian Government will always be respected. Melissa has received the Covid-19 vaccine. If you have special needs, please let us know, and Melissa will try to find the best solution for you. Please inform us of any food allergy or intolerance before your stay, so we can better organize for your needs.
The Matta Andiamo in Italia!
2022 Immersion Programs
Arezzo Spring: June 12 – 24, 2022
Lucca Fall: Aug 25 – Sept 3, 2022
Ascoli Fall: Sept 11 – 23, 2022
2-Day Arezzo Joust
Weekend Package: Sept 3-5, 2022
Sign up now! Spots are limited.
Arezzo
June 12-24, 2022
Price: $4,150
Highlights of the 2022 Matta Andiamo Arezzo program 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. Come along with me and get to know all my friends in Arezzo. It will be an experience you will never forget!
The 2022 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, Stia, and free afternoons to wander and shop. We will participate in the jousting festivities & tickets to the joust are included.
Lucca
Aug 25-Sept 3, 2022
Price: $4,150
Highlights of the 2022 Matta Andiamo Lucca program include participation in a cooking class with Eva and a wine tasting excursion into the hills surrounding Lucca. We will discover all the town has to offer and visit neighboring attractions such as Villa Reale and the town of Volterra. We will attend a Puccini Concert, participate in a relaxing art project, visit a local artisan, bike the walls of Lucca. Best of all we will immerse in the Italian language through lively dinner conversations with teachers, friends, and your hostess and crazy language guide — Melissa!
The 2022 Lucca Program will consist of 10 Days & 9 Nights in Lucca, 5 Class days (20 Hours of Italian Instruction), Unlimited Italian Conversation Practice with Melissa and the teachers at Lucca Italian School, 6 Group Dinners, Welcome Dinner, Art Class, Wine tasting, Visit an artisan shop, Cooking class, Accommodation at the charming San Martino Hotel, located around the corner from the Duomo in the heart of town and a 15-minute walk to the school. Each room is air-conditioned, has fast WIFI, and breakfast is included in the hotel’s cozy dining area or on their patio. The program includes excursions to Volterra, Villa Reale, and free afternoons to wander and shop.
BUT WAIT! THERE IS MORE!
3-Day Matta
Andiamo Arezzo!
September Giostra
Weekend Package
3-Day Add-On
Sept 3 – 5, 2022
If you choose to add the 2-Day Arezzo Jousting Package to the “Matta” Lucca Program, you will travel on Saturday, September 3rd (the last day of the Lucca Program) with Melissa to Arezzo. The 3-Day Weekend Arezzo Jousting Package includes: Accommodations in a charming B&B in the historic center, city tour, view 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.
This cost IS NOT included in the “Matta” Lucca Program Price. Please inquire about the cost of the extra 3-day package
Ascoli
Sept 11-23, 2022
Price: $4,150
Highlights of the 2022 Matta Andiamo Ascoli program include excursions to the town of Offida and a full-day beach excursion to San Benedetto del Tronto. Ascoli is famous for its jousting festival — “la Quintana,” and we will recreate the festival culminating in a Renaissance dinner complete with music, flag throwers, and dancing. There will be cooking classes, walking tours, visits to Artisan shops, wine tastings, and even the chance to spend an afternoon at the beach and swim in the Adriatic or simply enjoy the pristine white sandy beach.
The 2022 Ascoli Program will consist of 13 Days & 12 Nights in Ascoli Piceno in le Marche, 10 Class days (30 Hours of Italian Instruction), Unlimited Italian Conversation Practice with Melissa and the teachers at l’Academia, 9 Group Dinners, Welcome Dinner, Renaissance “Quintana” Jousting Festival, Wine tasting, Visits to artisan shops, 2 Cooking class to learn how to make pasta AND pizza, Accommodation at the charming Palazzo Ciotti in Piazza Arringo just a 5-minute walk from the school. Each room is air-conditioned, has fast WIFI, and breakfast is included. The program includes excursions to Offida, San Benedetto del Tronto, and free afternoons to wander and shop.
We become friends and share a special language bond.
It is an experience that will enrich your life.
To learn Italian well, you need to dive deep into the culture.
But to fully appreciate the culture, you need to learn the language!
The two go hand in hand!
Immersing in language and culture and traveling with like-minded individuals are a fantastic way to learn the language, improve your conversation skills and become fluent. The Andiamo in Italia! Language Programs in Italy incorporate structured study time with well known Italian language schools and teachers. In the mornings we join and participate in Italian classes suitable to our language levels. In the afternoons we go on group excursions and participate in activities that allow each participant to immerse in the culture of the city or region in which we are staying. Each Matta program is custom designed by me and my Italian Partners. Together we create original programs that include: organized dinners, wine tasting events, cooking classes, excursions, and art activities. I invite my Italian friends to join my groups so that those who travel with me have a continued chance to immerse in the language, make Italian friends and practice language skills in a meaningful and fun way! I and my language partners, encourage conversation throughout the entire program. We create a warm and friendly environment in which it is easy to practice the language and to keep using the language all day long!
Andiamo in Italia! Programs include:
- Lodging
- Breakfasts & Dinners
- Italian Classes
- Daily activities
- Evening events (concerts, shows, movies, festivals)
- Conversation with locals
- Excursions
