One of the best Italian language schools in Italy, Il Sasso is recognized by the Ministry of Education and ISO 9001:2008 certified. Since 30 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 six 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.

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 (Wine course, Contemporary Italian Literature, Italy Today, The Renaissance, Art Walks, The Italian Fascism): lessons in the afternoons.
Cooking courses: Il Sasso, in collaboration with the restaurant "Le Logge del Vignola", offers creative Tuscan cooking classes. Le Logge del Vignola is situated in the historic center of Montepulciano, opposite the school. Here Massimo will prepare typical Tuscan dishes together with you, using fresh local produce. Courses are available throughout the year, every day except Tuesday, and are held in the morning, 9.30 am - 11.30 am. There's a minimum of 2 participants. You can choose whether to prepare a full meal or concentrate on a particular type of dish:
* Fresh pasta: How to prepare 3 different kinds of fresh traditional pasta (pici, ravioli, tagliatelle), Euro 65,00 per person.
* Traditional and modern sauces: How to prepare different, fresh, traditional and new sauces with fresh ingredients, Euro 65,00 per person.
* Full menu (from starter to dessert): How to prepare a full menu with typical dishes according to the season, Euro 90,00 per person.
In the afternoon you can take one of our culture courses, e.g. the wine course, or individual tuition on the history of Italian cuisine at the Sasso (packages of 6 hours of private lessons = Euro 230,00, packages of 10 hours = Euro 370,00).

Age range: 16 - 100 years (average age: 35/65).
Max. 9 students per group (average: 4-5)

Basic and luxury apartments in town, rooms with host families, shared flats with other students.

No restrictions

Course prices 2013
Standard courses
1-week course: Euro 260
2-week course: Euro 435
3-week course: Euro 535
4-week course: Euro 660
6-week course: Euro 970
8-week course (2 months): Euro 1290
12-week course (3 months): Euro 1925

Courses Standard +
1-week course + 1 hour of private lessons per day: Euro 440
2-week course + 1 hour of private lessons per day: Euro 740
3-week course + 1 hour of private lessons per day: Euro 940
4-week course + 1 hour of private lessons per day: Euro 1165
6-week course + 1 hour of private lessons per day: Euro 1595
8-week course + 1 hour of private lessons per day (2 months): Euro 2120
12-week course + 1 hour of private lessons per day (3 months): Euro 3140

Intensive courses
1-week course + 2 hours of private lessons per day: Euro 550
2-week course + 2 hours of private lessons per day: Euro 1010
3-week course + 2 hours of private lessons per day: Euro 1400
4-week course + 2 hours of private lessons per day: Euro 1770
6-week course + 2 hours of private lessons per day: Euro 2640
8-week course + 2 hours of private lessons per day (2 months): Euro 3515
12-week course + 2 hours of private lessons per day (3 months): Euro 5250

Private lessons
1-hour lesson (55 minutes): Euro 40
Package of 6 hours of private lessons: Euro 230
Package of 10 hours of private lessons: Euro 370
Lessons for two, 1-hour lesson (55 minutes): Euro 65
Package of 10 hours of lessons for two: Euro 600
Conversation at lunchtime (lunches not included): Euro 500

Business Italian / Preparation for Certificates in Italian
1-hour lesson (55 minutes): Euro 40

Cultural courses
Wine course, Italian Literature, Italy Today, The Renaissance, Art Walks, The Italian Fascism
1 participant (private lessons)
1 week: Euro 400 - 2 weeks: Euro 650
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:
Courses are available throughout the year, every day except Tuesday, and are held in the morning, 9.30 am - 11.30 am. There's a minimum of 2 participants. You can choose whether to prepare a full meal or concentrate on a particular type of dish:
Fresh pasta: How to prepare 3 different kinds of fresh traditional pasta (pici, ravioli, tagliatelle), Euro 65 per person.
Traditional and modern sauces: How to prepare different, fresh, traditional and new sauces with fresh ingredients, Euro 65 per person.
Full menu (from starter to dessert): How to prepare a full menu with typical dishes according to the season, Euro 90 per person.

Accommodation costs 2013:
Apartment for one person: Euro 42 per night
Apartment for two people (with one bedroom): Euro 58 per night
Apartment for two people (with two single rooms): Euro 66 per night
Room with a family with breakfast: Euro 30 per night
Room with a family with half-board: Euro 40 per night

In accordance with City Council resolution number 91 of November 30, 2011 the Municipality of Montepulciano has introduced a Tourist Tax, to take effect from February 1, 2012. The tax is payable by non-residents for overnight accommodation in the Municipality of Montepulciano. The amount for your accommodation is € 1 per person per night.

Starting dates 2013:
14th January, 28th January, 11th February, 25th February, 11th March, 25 March, 8th April, 22nd April, 6th May, 20th May, 3rd June, 17th June, 1st July, 15th July, 29th July, 12th August, 26th August, 9th September, 23rd September, 7th October, 21st October, 4th November, 18th November, 2nd December 2013.

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 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).