Learn Italian in Tuscany @ Il Sasso

Activity/Tour

One of the best Italian Language Schools in Italy, Il Sasso is recognized by the Ministry of Education and ISO 9001 certified. Since 25 years it offers courses in Italian Language, Culture, Art, Wine, History, Literature and Italian for Business. The school is open all year round both for group and individual teaching. Il Sasso is in Montepulciano, in the heart of Tuscany, half way between Florence and Rome. It is located in a historic building in town, has 8 large, airy classrooms and a hall for conferences. There is a terrace with a lovely panoramic view as well as free Internet Point for students and free WiFi access. Il Sasso offers to its students a wide variety of afternoon activities, such as guided tours, wine, olive oil and cheese tasting, cooking lessons and walks in the countryside. Students are of every age group and come from all parts of the globe. Class sizes are from 4 to 9 students. The classes are divided into 7 levels. The principal objective of our courses is to get our students, even those in the beginner levels, to the point where they're able to communicate in Italian.

Typical Day

Standard courses: lessons from 8.45 am to 1.10 pm, afternoon activities such as tours of Montepulciano, visits to the hot springs of Bagno Vignoni, excursions to Montalcino and Sant'Antimo, wine, cheese and olive oil tastings, cooking evenings and walks in the countryside.
Courses Standard +: lessons from 8.45 am to 1.10 pm and from 2.30 pm to 3.25 pm, afternoon activities such as tours of Montepulciano, visits to the hot springs of Bagno Vignoni, excursions to Montalcino and Sant'Antimo, wine, cheese and olive oil tastings, cooking evenings and walks in the countryside.
Intensive courses: lessons from 8.45 am to 1.10 pm and from 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm, afternoon activities such as tours of Montepulciano, wine, cheese and olive oil tastings, cooking evenings and walks in the countryside.
Private lessons (packages of individual tuition): lessons in the morning or in the afternoons + excursions in the afternoons.
Cultural courses (Parlar di Vino, Contemporary Italian Literature, Italy Today, The Renaissance, Art Walks, The Italian Fascism): lessons in the afternoons.
Cooking courses: Il Sasso, in collaboration with the Godiolo Agriturismo Taverna, offers creative Tuscan cookery courses. The Godiolo Agriturismo is situated in the Montepulciano countryside, around 500 metres from the old town centre, and offers a splendid panoramic view over the hills that surround the town. Here the chef, Fabio Fastelli, will prepare typical Tuscan cuisine together with you, using fresh produce from the Godiolo farm. Fabio’s kitchen is a half hour walk away, or you can drive or take a taxi. Courses are available throughout the year, from Monday to Friday, and are held in the afternoon. You can choose whether to prepare a complete meal or concentrate on a particular type of dish, and modules can be bought singularly or in combination with other modules (please see rates also concerning times).

Age range, type of group

Age range: 16 - 100 years (average age: 35/65).
Max. 9 students per group (average: 5)

Sleeping and meals

Apartments in town, rooms with host families, shared flats with other students

Restrictions

no restrictions

Rates

Course prices 2010
Standard courses
1-week course: Euro 225
2-week course: Euro 385
3-week course: Euro 490
4-week course: Euro 600
6-week course: Euro 890
8-week course (2 months): Euro 1180
12-week course (3 months): Euro 1760

Courses Standard +
1-week course + 1 hour of private lessons per day: Euro 375
2-week course + 1 hour of private lessons per day: Euro 650
3-week course + 1 hour of private lessons per day: Euro 850
4-week course + 1 hour of private lessons per day: Euro 1050

Intensive courses
1-week course + 2 hours of private lessons per day: Euro 450
2-week course + 2 hours of private lessons per day: Euro 900
3-week course + 2 hours of private lessons per day: Euro 1300
4-week course + 2 hours of private lessons per day: Euro 1680
6-week course + 2 hours of private lessons per day: Euro 2490
8-week course + 2 hours of private lessons per day (2 months): Euro 3300
12-week course + 2 hours of private lessons per day (3 months): Euro 4920

Private lessons
1-hour lesson (55 minutes): Euro 35
Package of 6 hours of private lessons: Euro 200
Package of 10 hours of private lessons: Euro 320
Lessons for two, 1-hour lesson (55 minutes): Euro 55
Package of 10 hours of lessons for two: Euro 500
Italiano da Gustare (5 lunches included): Euro 450

Business Italian / Preparation for Certificates in Italian
1-hour lesson (55 minutes): Euro 35

Cultural courses
Parlar di Vino, Contemporary Italian Literature, Italy Today, The Renaissance, Art Walks, The Italian Fascism
1 participant (private lessons)
1 week: Euro 350 - 2 weeks: Euro 600
2-3 participants
1 week: Euro 250 - 2 weeks: Euro 480
more than 3 participants
1 week: Euro 210 - 2 weeks: Euro 400

Cooking courses:
Dinner modules
In the dinner modules you can cook with other students under the expert guidance of chef Fabio Fastelli, from the Godiolo Agriturismo, and eat the meals you have prepared with red wine and Vino Nobile wine produced by the Agriturismo. During the meals Fabio will explain how best to combine different foods with different wines. In the morning you can frequent one of our standard courses or follow courses on the history of Italian cuisine and local produce at Il Sasso (packages of 6 hours of lessons cost € 200 per person, packages of 10 hours of lessons cost € 320 per person).

Dinner module 1 (4-8 people)
Starter: stuffed duck with wild fennel First course: ravioli pasta filled with green vegetables with fresh tomato sauce Main course: diced pork with lemon and capers Dessert: hazelnut “cantucci” buscuits
Cost: € 55 per person, wine included
Duration: 3 hours (4 pm - 7 pm)

Dinner module 2 (4-8 people)
Starter: toasted Tuscan bread with liver pâté First course: “pici” spaghetti with garlic sauce Main course: wild boar with Vino Nobile wine sauce Dessert: blackberry tart
Cost: € 55 per person, wine included
Duration: 3 hours (4 pm - 7 pm)

Dinner module 3 (4-8 people)
Starter: pear, walnut and Pienza pecorino sheep cheese salad First Course: pappardelle pasta with duck ragù sauce Main course: oven baked guinea fowl in pastry Dessert: “torta della nonna” granny’s cake
Cost: € 55 per person, wine included
Duration: 3 hours (4 pm - 7 pm)

Single modules (minimum 2 people)
With the single modules you can choose which dishes to cook, and then eat them accompanied by a Vino Nobile wine tasting. In the morning you can frequent one of our courses or follow courses on the history of Italian cuisine and local produce at Il Sasso (packages of 6 hours of lessons cost € 200 per person, packages of 10 hours of lessons cost € 320 per person).

Starter module
Starters or “antipasti” are an integral part of Tuscan cuisine, with a wide variety of dishes linked to the local area and the seasons. The lesson will put you to the test with simple and tasty recipes like “bruschetta” toasted bread as well as more challenging meat based starters. For example: Tuscan toasted bread “crostini” with liver pâté, pheasant terrine, ploughman’s artichoke tart, Easter “ciaccia” (savoury cheese tart).
Cost: € 60 per person
Duration: 3 hours (3 pm - 6 pm)

First course module
Homemade pasta is undoubtedly the strong point in Italian and Tuscan cuisine. During the pasta lesson you will mix, knead and spread out the dough, cut the tagliatelle and fill the ravioli, all by hand. This is a big job, and an immensely enjoyable and satisfying one. For example: maremmani pasta with nettle and tagliatelle pasta with pheasant ragù sauce; taglierini pasta with country pesto and cheese agnolotti pasta with walnut and Pienza pecorino sheep cheese sauce.
Cost: € 75 per person
Duration: 3 hours (3 pm - 6 pm)

Meet module
Even though this is Florentine steak country, Tuscany offers a wide variety of meats prepared with variety and simplicity. From the countless poultry based dishes to other barnyard animals, to game and on to all the different pork variants. For example: duck with wild fennel, guinea fowl in pastry, wild boar with Vino Nobile wine.
Cost: € 75 per person
Duration: 3 hours (3 pm - 6 pm)

Dessert module
The Tuscan dessert tradition is based on simplicity, using fresh ingredients, fruit and jams. You can prepare the great Italian classics that have now become international desserts, or less famous desserts more closely tied to the season and the local area. For example: traditional hazelnut “cantucci” biscuits, blackberry tart, “torta della nonna” granny’s cake, “ciaccia dei Morti” (leavened bread with dried fruit), ricotta cheese and pine nut tart, “panettone” cake.
Cost: € 60 per person
Duration: 3 hours (3 pm - 6 pm)

Accommodation costs 2010:
Apartment for one person: Euro 36,00 per night
Apartment for two people (with one bedroom): Euro 50,00 per night
Apartment for two people (with two single rooms): Euro 54,00 per night
Room with a family with breakfast: Euro 28,00 per night
Room with a family with half-board: Euro 37,00 per night

Other Information

Starting dates 2010:
18th January, 1st February, 15th February, 1st March, 15th March, 29th March, 12th April, 26th April, 10th May, 24th May, 7th June, 21st June, 5th July, 19th July, 2nd August, 16th August, 30th August, 13th September, 27th September, 11th October, 25th October, 8th November, 22nd November, 6th December 2010.

There will be no lessons on the following Italian public holidays: 6th January, Easter Monday, 25th April, 1st May, 2nd June, 15th August, 1st November and 8th December. The price of these courses will be reduced.

Students who already speak some Italian may start classes every Monday, whereas newcomers to the language must start at the scheduled starting dates.

Discounts Offered

Discounts for students and over 70
Il Sasso offers a 10% reduction on all course fees for students and for over 70 years old people. Special prices for long term stays (courses + accommodation).