We have been conducting classes in Italy every year since 1993. This is your chance for a lovely mini-vacation combined with a maxi-immersion in the Italian language. The classes take place either in May/early June and/or September/early October. Early registration is important because hotel accomodation must be confirmed in advance. Full immersion, (and I do mean FULL - you have me from breakfast time to bed time) for groups of no more than 8 well-motivated lovers of the Italian language and of Italy. Eight-day programs focusing on conversation, review of grammar skills, practical application in real life situations such as meetings with local people, shopping, how to order in restaurants, coffee-bars, hotels, etc. A typical program day would start with an Italian class after breakfast, a stroll through the town, maybe a cappuccino at the local coffee-bar, reading an Italian daily newspaper and discussing the news, IN ITALIAN! Looking forward to lunch, either in your hotel or at a neighboring restaurant and continuing into the afternoon with a visit to nearby places of historical, artistic, culinary interest or of just simple natural beauty, always talking in Italian. Impossible? Try me! Dinner and "the day in review" would conclude the day. Every year, since 1993, our classes have taken place in various small, picturesque Italian towns such as: Marzabotto, on the pre-Appennine hills near the city of Bologna (oldest University in the world, most porticoed city, birthplace of tortellini, lasagne and, yes, bologna). Marzabotto is a few yards from the remains of the ancient Etruscan town of Misa, among the peaceful hills that lead you from Bologna into north-western Tuscany. You will see Bologna, where the modern and the elegant, the old and the new easily mix within her walls, around her medieval piazzas, churches and towers, and let's NOT forget her restaurants!!! In Bologna, food is not a necessity, it's an art! From Bologna, an afternoon trip can take you to places such as Parma, home of the "parmesan" cheese and, of course, the famed "prosciutto", but a city also endowed with art (here, the painter Correggio worked extensively); or on to lovely Faenza, renowned for her ceramic works; or to Ravenna, unique for her incredible byzantine mosaics. Castiglione della Pescaia on the Tuscan coast south-west of Siena, from where we introduce you to other beauties such as: Vetulonia (and her Etruscan treasures), Massa Marittima, with one of the most beautiful "piazzas" in all of Italy; the lovely Pienza, along with Montepulciano, Montalcino, Pitigliano -- all jewels among the wine hills of Tuscany. This land is Maremma, the southern part of Tuscany where wild horses and wild boars run freely and the Italian version of the Texas "longhorn" watches you go by. You also find a promontory called Argentario with its resort towns of Porto Ercole and Porto Santo Stefano. Sulmona, in the heart of the Abruzzi region, birthplace of the roman poet Ovid, city of the "confetti" (the sugar-coated almonds that are given out to all Italian weddings, births and other festivities). You'll discover the heart of the Abruzzi region, land of natural beauty, with its lakes, mountains, rugged Gran Sasso, and the largest natural park in Italy, where the eagle and the brown bear still hide... ...and we are also planning super-deluxe weeks at some incredibly beautiful places such as the island of Ischia (Capri's less known sister island) and the Dolomites! Price of an 8-day program: from $2,000 to $3,500 per person. This includes: Dinner on Day 1 (your day of arrival) Seven nights hotel accomodation (single occupancy, private bathroom, all meals, all activities) Six full days of Italian classes Breakfast on the morning of departure Transportation from local airports/railroad stations AIRFARE IS NOT INCLUDED Should a relative, friend or companion wish to join without class participation, they will be welcome at a reduced price, which will include all of the above EXCEPT classes.