IF YOU'VE EVER THOUGHT ABOUT LEARNING ITALIAN
READ THIS or SCROLL DOWN TO THE OUTLINE PROGRAMME BELOW
We know all about learning Italian. We've done it and we came out the other side.
Our Approach
Unless you are a gifted linguist, learning a language can be one of the toughest goals to set yourself.
But the way you are taught, where you are taught, and most importantly who teaches you, can make a huge difference.
This event is focused on beginners; people who have always wanted to learn Italian but never found the time or energy to do so.
We tried many ways of learning Italian - group courses, online-courses, private classes - and we met many teachers during our efforts. Our experiences showed us that the most enjoyable and beneficial way of learning Italian is to be in Italy with a native Italian-speaking teacher. Which brings us to the crucial, point.
Of the many Italian teachers we met and learnt from, one stands out.
Her name is Daniela.
Your Teacher
Daniela loves teaching and has an enormous natural gift for doing so. We have never seen her give a bad lesson, she does not have an impatient bone in her body, and she really wants you to succeed. She is, without doubt, the best Italian teacher out there. Our linguistic life and
our capacity to learn Italian changed when we met her.
If you've ever thought about learning Italian, then Daniela is the teacher to learn from. If you don't enjoy learning with her then you can stop in the knowledge that you tried. You won't be left wondering if there's a better approach to learning or a better teacher out there. Once you've been in a classroom with Daniela, Italian will be firmly on or off your list of things to do.
This might sound like the over-promising of some language-immersion websites. Before you think that, please let us tell you that we don't speak Italian fluently, we still make mistakes and have areas of the language that frustrate us. But we speak Italian to a level which allows us to live and, most importantly, function here in Italy and, without Daniela, we wouldn't have reached that level.
We've got a great teacher lined up for you.
We have a great hotel to match
Your Accommodation
We are based within the ancient walls of a beautifully picturesque medieval village in southern Tuscany, between Montepulciano and Pienza. Yes, Tuscany; the area of Italy where 'clean and clear' Italian was born and is still spoken. What a bonus that is.
We offer truly comfortable and extensively elegant accommodation in a building in the centre of the village, surrounded by a
welcoming local community which functions all year round, not just in the warmer months for tourists. If you want to try out your Italian on a local, you will have plenty of opportunity. In addition to friendly and chatty villagers, there are three brilliant restaurants within walking distance, a small grocery shop, a cafe/ bar, a chemist/pharmacy, a bank machine/ATM, a ceramic studio, and amazing views.
click on the main menu bar to learn more about our rooms, setting, amenities and facilities
there are a total of 10 places available, which keeps the class small enough to be special but large enough for you to learn from, and with,
your fellow students
The All-Inclusive Cost - No Surprises
the cost of the week is Euros 3,900 per person which includes your accommodation at iCastagni, all breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and drinks, all transport during the programme, all afternoon visits and activities, all entry tickets, and of course all of your lessons and time spent with Daniela.
once you have paid, you only need to consider funds for your own private purchases
the cost does not include your travel to/from your point of departure/arrival and iCastagni. We can book private transfers from most points of entry in Italy to iCastagni and vice versa - please ask us for details and costs.
please be assured that our continued aim is to provide a premium-quality service and experience every time, for every guest; we only ever
use authentic locations for all aspects of our vacations and courses and we absolutely never compromise on quality
Tempted? Please scroll down to see the outline programme.
OUTLINE PROGRAMME
DATES
27 APRIL TO 3 MAY 2025
The cost of this all-inclusive week is Euros 3,900 (or the equivalent in GBP or US Dollars if you prefer to pay in those currencies).
The cost includes your accommodation at iCastagni, all breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and drinks; all transport during the programme, all afternoon visits and activities, all entry tickets, and of course all of your lessons and time spent with Daniela.
Once you have paid, you only need to consider funds for your own private purchases.
The cost does not include your travel to/from your point of departure/arrival and iCastagni. We can book private transfers from most points of entry in Italy to iCastagni and vice versa - please ask us for details.
To maintain exclusivity for the participants, only those attending this event may stay at iCastagni during the time the course is running.
There will be no other guests on site for the duration of the course.
YOU WILL BE STUDYING THE ITALIAN LANGUAGE BUT YOU CERTAINLY WON'T BE LIVING AS A STUDENT.
OUR HOTEL IS BEAUTIFULLY APPOINTED AND EXTENSIVELY ELEGANT. ALL TRANSPORT WILL BE BY COMFORTABLE AIR-CONDITIONED VEHICLE, YOU WILL EAT IN QUALITY RESTAURANTS, WHERE THE EMPHASIS IS ON LOCALLY-GROWN AND LOCALLY-SOURCED INGREDIENTS; WITH QUALITY WINES TO MATCH.
WE TERM THIS LUXURY LEARNING.
WANT TO KNOW A LITTLE MORE ABOUT THE WEEK?
Daniela
We've already said everything we can about the wonderful Daniela
(scroll up to read again). She will be your teacher for the week and your route to the Italian language.
Private Transfer Service
We love doing that little bit extra to make your stay with us special and can arrange private transfers from the major airports and train stations in Italy. Please ask.
The Structure of Your Week
We start the morning the Italian way, with coffee. We then move to our language lesson with Daniela. You are a beginner and we know how hard it is. Your lessons will hit the right balance between being an opportunity to learn without straining to reach your absolute outer limit all the time. You are on holiday, after all.
Afternoons are a mixture of free-time, and/or local visits. All lunches and dinners form part of the programme (and are included in the price). Please alert us if you have allergies or intolerances which are medically-related; likes and dislikes do not fall into this category and can be accommodated at the time.
Food and Wine
What a wonderful way of using your Italian. We will delve into the world of Italian food and wine both physically and linguistically during the week. We will eat in authentic, quality, truly-Italian locations and drink wines to match.
