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Il Chiostro
241 W. 97th St., 13N
NY, NY 10025
800-990-3506
fax: 858-712-3329

Intensive Italian with Daniela Cavallero
June 14-21, 2008
Price: $2,695
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San Fedele nestled in the Chianti hills

Your home in Tuscany is San Fedele, a medieval monastery artfully renovated into deluxe accommodations, preserving the spirit and architectural detail of the historic structure.

Program Description:

Offering both Beginning and Intermediate Italian lessons, each class will meet every day for 1 hour and a half and we will employ a communicative approach based on authentic and up-to-date materials like newspapers, video, music, etc. The purpose is to create a friendly and fun atmosphere where the participants will feel comfortable and stimulated in their use of the Italian language. An important role will also be played by readings and discussions about different cultural topics and current events.

BEGINNING LEVEL. This level is for students who already have a basic knowledge of Italian language and culture (equivalent to 1 college semester at least). We will review essentials of Italian grammar and vocabulary and will concentrate particularly on the communicative functions such as listening and speaking. Students will be given daily assignments in the surroundings areas and will have to share their results when getting together at the end of the day. The main idea is to take advantage of our Italian stay to create an authentic natural “classroom” to enhance the communication in the target language.

INTERMEDIATE LEVEL. This level has the same methodology and structure as the beginning level, but it’s for those students who already have an Intermediate knowledge of the Italian language and culture (equivalent to 2 college years at least). Here we will review more complex grammar and functional structures as well as a richer vocabulary.

Vineyards in the mist, photo by Michael Ferris

About the Instructor:

Daniela Cavallero - Daniela Cavallero is the founder and president of Sentieri and Casa Italiana, an Italian Language and Culture Center in Chicago, Illinois. She is also a visiting assistant professor of Italian at DePaul University in Chicago. A native Italian from the Piemonte region she has been teaching at universities in the U.S. for the past 20 years. She earned her Italian doctorate degree In Foreign Languages and Literatures from the Università di Pavia, Italy, and she is currently a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Chicago. She has been teaching different levels of Italian Language, courses in Italian Culture and Literature, courses on Italian-American Immigration and has developed an Italian Certification Program (CILS) with the University for Foreigners in Siena, Italy. With Sentieri Inc. she has organized and led several language and culture tours to Italy.

Click here to visit Sentieri's web site...

Activities:

Our exploration of Tuscany for the week will include some of these highlights:

• Daily Italian instruction and lessons with Daniela
• Authentic Tuscan breakfast and dinners prepared at home, using only local and traditional products-wine included (independent lunch)
• Visits to local hilltowns like Radda, Monteriggioni, San Gimignano, etc.
• Excursion to the Medieval city of Siena
• Wine tour and tasting at a local vineyard
• Optional morning hikes through the Chianti hills and fields surrounding the complex
• Selected evening activities such as art history lecture, concerts, olive oil tasting, etc .

Accommodations:

San Fedele is an historic monastery dating back to the 13th century, painstakingly renovated in 2005-07. Every room is deluxe with modern amenities: heating/air conditioning, modern bathrooms,mini-fridge, internet access, TV, etc. This beautiful facility also has several efficient common spaces for classrooms and social gathering. For full details about San Fedele and photos of the restored rooms, please click on the Settings and Accommodations link.

Exploring the Area:

In addition to your workshop, optional activities offered with this program will focus on the cultural, gastronomic, historical and artistic heritage of Tuscany. This area has been an inspiration to countless people for centuries. What Tuscany offers its visitors is truly astounding:

• Art - San Fedele is located conveniently between the cities of Medieval Siena and Renaissance Florence packed with some of the most famous masterpieces in the world.
• Wine -You are in the heart of the Chianti region, synonomous with the most famous wine that Italy produces. But the innovative Tuscan vintners are also producing Super Tuscans, red varietals that are quickly ascending the ranks of world-class wine.
• History - this area was settled by the Etruscans centuries before the Romans were a civilized society. Their necropoli dot the fields throughout the area. Nearby towns like Radda, Vagliagli and Castellina date from the early Middle Ages. Florence was the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. San Fedele witnessed most of this from its panoramic perch atop the hillside.
• Food - cucina povera is the typical Tuscan cuisine that has become popular around the world. The recipes are simple, emphasizing local and seasonal products: porcini mushrooms, salumi, legumes, vegetables, pasta, bread and game meats. Visiting the outdoor food markets, you will understand the wisdom of this very healthy cuisine.
• Crafts - perhaps the harmony of the landscape has been the inspiration for many local craftsmen. Exquisite hand-painted ceramics are the prime example, closely followed by mosaics, leather, woodworking, and textiles.

About Your Il Chiostro Hosts: Linda and Michael, who will be hosting your San Fedele program, have been organizing workshops in Italy since 1995. Please read more about them by following the About Il Chiostro link. The owners of San Fedele, Nicolo and Renata, live on site. They will be available throughout the program to talk about the history of the monastery, the renovation and this area of Tuscany they call home.

Getting There: Florence will be our meeting point on the first day of the workshop. For suggestions about getting to Florence, accommodations or other logistics, please consult our Travel to Italy link. Renting a car from all the major rental agencies is possible if you prefer to be more independent during the week.

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Price and Registration: $2,695 p/p
Jr. Suite Supplement - $150 p/p
Suite Supplement - $300 p/p
Single Supplement - $500 (limited availability)

Includes:

• 7 nights in the restored monastery San Fedele
• Daily Italian classes with critiques
• Authentic Tuscan breakfast and dinners prepared at the house, including wine (independent lunch)
• Excursions to Siena and selected hilltowns
• All local transportation
• Pick up in Florence on first day of workshop
• Optional activities and excursions
  

Does Not Include:

• Airfare
• Lunch
• Workshop supplies
• Independent meals and sight-seeing

To Register:

• Download Registration Form by clicking button at left
• Print, fill out and sign Registration Form
• Mail or fax it to Il Chiostro with a non-refundable deposit of $500 (address and fax number are on the Registration Form)
• You will receive a registration confirmation and subsequently, relevant information about your workshop, travel to Italy, arrivals, suggested supplies, etc.
• Or call us at 800-990-3506 to register by phone

Hidden Garden, Tuscany

Archway in Monteriggioni, photo by Denise Riesen

View of Siena

Tuscan window , photo by John Motondo

The hilltown of Monteriggioni, photo by Michael Ferris

Wine at table, photo by Denise Riesen



Tuscan wall, photo by Denise Riesen