Activity/Tourkeyboard_double_arrow_up
One of the best Italian Language Schools in Italy, Il Sasso is recognized by the Ministry of Education and ISO 9001:2008 certified. Since 1983 it offers courses in Italian language, culture, art, wine, history, literature and Italian for special purposes. 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.

Montepulciano
Montepulciano (enlarge)
Typical Daykeyboard_double_arrow_up
Group courses: group 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.
Group courses + 1: group lessons from 8.45 am to 1.10 pm and individual tuition 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.
Group + 2 courses: group lessons from 8.45 am to 1.10 pm and individual tuition 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.
Individual tuition (packages of private lessons): lessons in the morning or in the afternoons + excursions in the afternoons.
Culture mini-courses: For students looking for a short programme dedicated to Italian culture, we run mini-courses on Italian history and literature, as well as courses on art, wine, cookery and popular traditions. The culture mini-courses last for 6 hours over two or three days, or for 10 hours over the course of a week. Participants must already have at least an elementary knowledge of the Italian language (see individual mini-course details for minimum language requirements). The weekly courses are individual courses and can be started on any Monday. The two or three-day courses are group courses held on fixed dates. These group courses require a minimum of three participants.
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.

Classes are fun
Classes are fun (enlarge)
Age range, type of groupkeyboard_double_arrow_up
Age range: 16 - 100 years (average age: 35/65).
Max. 9 students per group (average: 4-5).

A lesson at the local market
A lesson at the local market (enlarge)
Sleeping and mealskeyboard_double_arrow_up
Attending our Italian language courses, you'll be spending a week or more in Montepulciano, it's essential that you feel at home here. In Italy home is very important. More than just the place where you sleep, home is where you pass your time - cooking, reading the newspaper while stretched out on the couch or chatting with friends over a delicious meal of pasta. Therefore, we take it as our responsibility to make sure you feel at home by finding you the lodging that best meets your needs.
Each accommodation has something that makes it unique and special - a panoramic view, a rustic Tuscan style, the beautiful light of sunset or a romantic balcony. Unfortunately it's not possible for us to display photos of all the apartments at our disposal, but rest assured that we'll do everything possible to find you the lodgings you want. And remember, you'll have much more to choose from if you book well in advance.
You can choose from various options:
Basic apartment: we offer small apartments (bedroom, kitchen and bathroom) for one or two persons, with one double room or two single rooms, depending on your needs. Apartments are fully furnished and equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable stay (linen and towels included). All apartments are a (maximum) ten-minute walk from the school, and are close to shops, banks, the post office and the supermarket.
Luxury apartment: the basic apartments are comfortable and equipped with all the necessities. However, if you'd like something truly special that will make your stay unforgettable, we have a number of luxury apartments to offer you. You will have all the appliances, television, wifi, a panoramic view, a large garden and / or terrace - right in the historic centre of Montepulciano.
Single or double room in a shared flat with other students: if you would like to share your language school experience and have the opportunity of making new friends, you can choose to stay in an apartment with other students. Kitchen and bathroom will be shared, but approached in a spirit of adaptability, this option will give you the chance to meet people of other nationalities and begin experimenting with your Italian.
Homestay: if you'd like to integrate your language studies with a wider social experience, taking a room in a family home is the solution for you. Our host families are few and are carefully selected. They're people who will quite happily exchange a few words with their guests (but don't expect them to be Italian teachers!). You can choose a room with either breakfast or half board. If you decide to eat with the family, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy some authentic, Tuscan cuisine.

A walk in the countryside
A walk in the countryside (enlarge)
Policies & Restrictionskeyboard_double_arrow_up
Confirmations for course bookings will be given on payment of a deposit (Euro 200 or amount requested by our office). For cancellations received at least 15 days before the beginning of the course, half the deposit will be refunded. For cancellations received less than 15 days before the beginning of the course, no refund will be made. In case a student is not able to participate in the course she/he has booked, and she/he has given notice about this 7 days prior the beginning of the course, we will keep the deposit and give her/him the opportunity to change the course dates within one year.
Cancellation of individual lessons at least 15 days from the beginning of the course incurs no penalty. Cancellations made between 15 and 7 days from the beginning of the course incur a 50% cancellation fee. Lessons cancelled after the arrival of the student cannot be reimbursed, and the fees for individual lessons booked must be paid in full.
If there is no suitable group available to an applicant, the school will offer 2 hours of individual tuition per day at the same price of the booked course. If the group consists only of two students the school will offer 3 hours of lessons per day. This way we avoid placing students in a level that is either too low or too high for them, and we're able to guarantee that all students receive the same quality and attention year-round.
Any action in court will be dealt by the Court of Siena.

Cooking lessons
Cooking lessons (enlarge)
Other Informationkeyboard_double_arrow_up
Starting dates 2019:

14th January, 21st January, 4th February, 18th February, 4th March, 18th March, 1st April, 15th April, 29th April, 13th May, 27th May, 10th June, 24th June, 8th July, 22nd July, 5th August, 19th August, 2nd September, 16th September, 30th September, 14th October, 28th October, 11th November, 25th November, 9th December 2019.

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.

Grape harvest
Grape harvest (enlarge)






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