Italian Language School in Montepulciano, Tuscany

Il Sasso - Italian Language School:
The Italian language school Il Sasso is located in Montepulciano, a beautiful, renaissance town that stands on a hill surrounded by vineyards and olive groves in southern Tuscany. For a great many reasons, Montepulciano, in Tuscany, half way between Florence and Rome, is an ideal place for an Italian language school. It is located on the top of a hill, surrounded by vineyards and olive groves with one of those views which has made Tuscany famous the world over. The peace and quiet are ideal for a study holiday of Italian language far from bustling town centres.

Location and Facilities:

The school is located in a historic building in the 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 7 levels.

The town's artistic wealth is also a major point of interest: the old town centre is full of churches and "palazzi" which testify to Italy's architectural history, in particular where the mediaeval and Renaissance periods are concerned. However, the area also boasts a great many Etruscan and Roman remains, Baroque churches and a miniature copy of La Scala theatre in Milan, called Poliziano. Montepulciano, although a small historic town, is different from many others in that it is very active and lively, a place where the locals still stop to chat in bars or markets and have a great interest in foreign visitors. This makes it an ideal place for learning Italian "on the street", an essential part of any language learning experience.

Map:

Directions / Instructions:

If you're coming by air, it's best to fly to Rome (Fiumicino Airport - Leonardo da Vinci, or Rome Airport - Ciampino), Pisa (Galileo Galilei Airport) or Florence (Amerigo Vespucci Airport). From these airports Montepulciano is easily reached by car or train. If you rent a car in Pisa, take the "Fi-Pi-Li" (the highway that links Florence, Pisa and Livorno), getting on the A1 motorway - direction Rome - at Firenze-Scandicci, exiting at Valdichiana-Bettole. If you're coming from Florence Airport, you should get on the A1 motorway at Florence North - direction Rome - and exit at Valdichiana-Bettole. Those arriving by car from the north should follow the same directions. From the airports in Rome, take the G.R.A. (the Ring Road) then get on the A1 motorway - direction Florence - and exit at Chiusi-Chianciano Terme. Follow the signs for Montepulciano (about 25 km.) When you arrive at Montepulciano, leave your car in one of the parking lots outside the town (the closest are no. 1 and no. 7) and come to the school on foot. The school is located on the main street just below the Piazza delle Erbe (follow the directions on the map or just ask - everyone in Montepulciano knows where we are!).
If you're coming by train, take the Florence-Rome line and get off at the Chiusi-Chianciano Terme station. ATTENTION!!! Although there is a place called Montepulciano Stazione, it is not where you want to go. Montepulciano Stazione is a small, country station, about 12 km. from Montepulciano with neither bus nor taxi service. Don't choose this station when you are buying your ticket. From Chiusi take the bus for Montepulciano, getting off at the bus station. From there you can come into the centre on foot or take the little orange bus (the Pollicino). If you take the Pollicino, get off at the Piazza delle Erbe.