Testimonial
Mark Leslie, Montgomery, Alabama, USA.
"In August of 2005, I had the great fortune to live with the Stefani family
in Viterbo for four weeks where I studied Italian language with Alessandra
(the mother) and had Italian cooking lessons with Nonna (the grandmother).
The experience has changed my life. Everyone in the family is interested in
making sure you succeed in your desired goals, and those goals are set by
you, not them. I spoke VERY little Italian when I arrived in Viterbo, and
after four weeks, I definitely improved. I still feel that I speak like a
child, but my lessons with Alessandra and the time spent being completely
immersed in the culture of an Italian family has helped me to succeed in
having conversations with Italians, across the country, while on annual
vacations after my time in Viterbo. My time cooking with Nonna turned out to
be one wonderful meal after another, both lunches and dinners. Her cooking
"bible" is filled with recipes from every region of Italy, and there was no
set menu. She always wanted to know what I liked or disliked, what I desired
to learn, and enjoyed it when I jumped right in to help. We prepared
handmade pumpkin gnocchi and several other pastas, seafood ranging from
trout to squid, many different desserts, sauces and meats. We also had many
adventures shopping at Nonna and Alessandra's favorite stores, family
picnics and functions with Marianna and Francesca (the daughters), historic
sites and city festivals with Lillo (the father), and MANY trips to get
gelato! "Mi piace gelato molto"--I like gelato a lot--became my favorite
saying. The Stefani family is very accommodating and willing to design the
learning experience around your needs, whether it is business Italian,
Italian literature, basic Italian conversation, or cooking. This is an
amazing experience if you are interested in learning from Italians in a
comforting environment. I cannot express enough how incredible my time with
the Stefanis was, and they truly have become my Italian family. I have been
back to Viterbo every year since 2005 just to stop in and say hello, or to
once again sit around the table with the family and laugh, drink, share
stories, and eat Nonna's wonderful food. Staying with the Stefanis will
change your life. Truly!"
Mark Leslie, Montgomery, Alabama, USA.
Grazie, Valentina! Spero che non scrivo troppo.
Buona giornata!
Mark Leslie
tourasf@mindspring.com
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The City of the Popes Legend has it that the city of Viterbo was founded by Hercules, but it is in fact of Etruscan origin, and dates back to the 5th Century BC. Today, it is characterised by its unparalleled Gothic architecture, with magnificent twelfth-century churches and palaces made from local volcanic stone. Its most famous architectural landmark is the Papal Palace, where the Conclave to choose a new Pope used to be held. There is much more to the city, however. Walking in Viterbo’s quaint yet lively historic
centre, you will no doubt notice the gorgeous fountains that decorate each piazza, and you will certainly wish to visit the natural thermal baths for which the city has been
renowned for centuries. Furthermore, you will be close to the sea, and to the numerous lakes that dot the landscape of the Etruscan region of Tuscia. Viterbo’s close proximity to Rome, and to the ancient Via Cassia which to this day connects Rome to Siena, makes the city easily accessible, and travel a breeze.
centre, you will no doubt notice the gorgeous fountains that decorate each piazza, and you will certainly wish to visit the natural thermal baths for which the city has been
renowned for centuries. Furthermore, you will be close to the sea, and to the numerous lakes that dot the landscape of the Etruscan region of Tuscia. Viterbo’s close proximity to Rome, and to the ancient Via Cassia which to this day connects Rome to Siena, makes the city easily accessible, and travel a breeze.
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Home Stay in Viterbo
I have had two very enjoyable experiences with my ‘Italian family’ in Viterbo. I spent two weeks with Alessandra and her family in January 2007 and another week in April 2008. During my first visit, as well as being immersed in the family and culture I spent the mornings in the kitchen with Nonna, learning the art of simple, but extremely tasty, regional cooking. Our time together was not just devoted to cooking but the conversation ranged from history, politics, Italian life and anything else that came up. My Italian became much more confident as a result of the relaxed atmosphere and congenial company. Afternoons were spent in conversation, taking trips to various historical sites and places of interest. Although I didn’t have ‘formal’ lessons my mistakes were gently corrected and there was always a ready explanation as to how I could improve my spoken Italian.
On my return visit this year, I was welcomed again as part of the family, Tequila, the big white dog seemed to remember me… The home is very comfortable and having the upstairs level is wonderful as one occasionally needs a quiet place to retreat after living in another language! I cannot recommend the home stay experience too highly because it enables the student to be totally immersed in the culture. For those with little knowledge it is a very non threatening method of learning. If you are like me with theoretical knowledge, but not enough exposure to the spoken language, living with a friendly, loving Italian family is the only way to become more fluent. I will return!!!!
Rating 15/10
Kate Fletcher, Mittagong Australia
Testimonial
Mes études et ma vie à Viterbo.
Il y a quelques années désirant retrouver mes origines italiennes ,j’ai commencé seul l’apprentissage de l’italien.Voulant progresser , je me suis adressé à la Dante di Siena et choisi le stage en full immersion a Viterbo. Chez Sandra , j’ai éprouvé un réel plaisir à étudier .
3 heures tous les matins à apprendre la grammaire , lire et commenter la presse, étudier le cinéma italien , les œuvres lyriques sans jamais être lassé et ce ,grâce à la compétence ,la pédagogie de Sandra.
Mais le stage , ce n’est pas que les études , c’est aussi la vie , l’ambiance familiale les visites , les discussions toujours en italien. Je me sentais dans ma famille .Je me sentais tellement bien à Viterbo , que j’ai réussi à convaincre ma femme d’apprendre l’italien et de suivre les cours .Cela fait trois ans que nous y allons , elle en étudiante , moi en dilettante et nous y sommes toujours aussi bien.
R.MORI- Dijon, France
Testimonial
Meine Erfahrungen mit…
Alessandra und Ihrer Familie sind wundervoll. Und ich bedaure schon heute, dass ich dieses Jahr aussetzen muss.
Denn ganz gleich, welches Level an italienischen Sprachkenntnissen vorhanden sind oder auch nicht - hier kommt jeder auf seine Kosten. Egal, ob während des Unterrichts, den Mahlzeiten oder den verschiedenen Aktivitäten am Nachmittag und/oder Abend - man ist Teil der Familie und wird ganz natürlich in das tägliche Miteinander eingebunden. Für mich gibt es keine besseres Konzept, Land und Leute, die Sprache, die Mentalität, die Kultur und Geschichte kennen zu lernen. Zudem sind die Unterrichtsstunden niemals langweilig. Alessandra hat immer wieder neue Ideen, wie man die Sprache und Grammatik mit abwechslungsreichen Methoden erlernen kann - sei es durch Kino, DVD, Musik oder Hörspiele. Mir hat Italienisch lernen noch nie so viel Spaß gemacht, wie in Viterbo und meine Sprachkenntnisse haben sich in den jeweils zwei Wochen Aufenthalt um Einiges verbessert - das war bei den herkömmlichen Kursen nicht so der Fall. Ich freue mich schon auf meinen nächsten Aufenthalt.
Antje - Germany
Testimonial
My linguistic tours in Italy.
Quando avevo scelto il programma d’immersione totale a Viterbo, pensavo che non sarebbe stato che un’altra tappa del mio piccolo Giro d’Italia linguistico e culturale. Avevo cominciato con l’eccellente scuola Dante Alighieri a Siena, poi negli anni successivi ho fatto programmi a Perugia e a Lucca. Tutti mi sono piaciuti, però ero pronta per qualcosa di diverso.
Dal momento che ho fatto la conoscenza di Alessandra e della sua famiglia, mi sono sentita a proprio agio. Quello che mi ha colpita a nostro primo pranzo insieme era che questa famiglia è davvero una squadra. Il programma non è solamente il lavoro di Alessandra, ma un progetto di tutti i suoi, fatto con amore e entusiasmo. Tra le lezioni personalizzate di Alessandra, la cucina sempre squisita della nonna, la conversazione conviviale di Lillo e le gite affascinanti nella zona, il tempo passa velocemente. In questo ambiente, sarebbe impossibile non fare costanti progressi in italiano. Perciò molti studenti, qualunque il livello, tornano a “loro” bel appartamento per continuare l’esperienza.
Dovete sapere: Il mio giro si è fermato a Viterbo.
Janet, Woodstock, Vt., USA
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