My experience at Cultura Italian Arezzo has been nothing short of wonderful!…read more My instructor Paola, who is also the owner of the school, is energetic, fun, patient, and knowledgeable. There was a comprehensive test to place us in the appropriate section for our skill level, and the instruction is geared to that level. In addition to the morning classes, we are given opportunities for supplementary training such as pronunciation, for cooking classes (omg!!), for half day (or full day) trips to nearby historical villages, for Italian films, for happy hours, etc. Paola also has arranged for student discounts in various restaurants and shops around town, and can provide lodging in local homes. The city of Arezzo is beautiful and historically significant. Highly recommended!

Great school, I had a very good time there! Nice city, good teachers, interesting programme!read more

The food was delicious! The cooking tips were priceless! We had the best time cooking with Nonna…read more We felt like we were being taught our very own Italian Nonna! We so enjoyed the fruits of our labor dining at the big wooden table with our fellow chefs.

Cannot say enough good things about our experience with Nonna and Paolo. We attended a lunch…read morecooking class in mid-April, along with 2 other visitors to Tuscany. The menu included 3 types of bruschetta, tagliatelle with asparagus, chicken with a vin santo reduction, and zabaglione for dessert. This was one of our best meals in all of Tuscany. Not only because of the quality of the food (many of the ingredients came fresh from neighboring farms), but also because of the warmth and hospitality shown by Nonna and Paolo. They were both incredibly kind, genuine, and knowledgeable about the cooking techniques and ingredients, but perhaps the most enjoyable part was their lovely relationship and the way they made everyone in the class comfortable with one another. By the end, we were all laughing and joking together. Please go visit Nonna; you won't regret it!

Amazing! Authentic Tuscan experience. Wine and food in a wonderful setting. Coleen, the owner, is…read morea super host.

Goodness! This luxury vacation was worth every penny. So great that I visited twice. Once in 2008…read moreand now in 2015. Cooking classes right in the village of Montefollonico taught by women whose families have lived here for generations. We got to cook with Dania at La Chiusa Ristorante and Hotel. To learn to stuff zucchini blossoms from a Michelin starred chef who is beautiful to boot, in Tuscany was a bucket list, lifetime experience. First class accommodations at her hotel and hands-on (and in the pasta) classes with women from all the village restaurants (13 Gobbi, La Costa, Belagaggio) is something that can't be taught in the US. I learned how to make amazing eggplant Parmigiana, pici pasta, pizza, handmade lasagna with béchamel...delish! (Note: be careful, I almost posted on another company's yelp because they sounded like Tuscan Women Cook but checked the websites and realized the other was a brand new company. I think the Sutherland's have been holding classes in Montefollonico since 1998 or 2000.) Check out pictures on their website. You will swoon. Patty and Bill Sutherland, save my place I'll probably return for a third time.

I spent a week at Saena Iulia in May this year and it was a truly fantastic experience. I was…read morenervous as i was by myself, had never been to Siena before and only knew about the school from reading about it on the internet. Mauro and his staff were so welcoming I soon felt comfortable and settled into my first lesson quickly especially when i met the other students who were in similar situations to me. The standard of teaching was excellent and the classes varied and organised plus we had some outside activities organised for us. I have been learning Italian in Auckland, New Zealand for 3 years and was put in a class at Saena Iulia which was the right level for me. After a week I felt my comprehension had improved greatly because the whole class was conducted in Italian and I also gained confidence in speaking. I would love to return next year for another week and am also trying to talk one or two of my Auckland classmates into coming with me. Siena itself is a beautiful city and I loved the feeling of being a resident for a week rather than a tourist. My accommodation, which was organised by the school, was perfect and right in the heart of Siena and only a 3 minute walk to school. I would recommend Saena Iulia to anyone who wants to learn or improve their Italian and who wants to stay in a beautiful old Italian city while they do it.

I spent a month at this school doing an intensive course on an intermediate level. The school is…read moresmall, and during Feb./Mar., decidedly off-season, there were only a handful of students. But even with a class of one or two students, they maintained the full curriculum, including seminars, lunches and excursions to nearby towns. I've had several teachers over the years, both in the U.S. and Italy, but the grammar teacher here was by far the best. Instead of a standard placement test, the teachers speak to the students to assess not just their memory skills but their ability to communicate, ensuring everyone is at the appropriate level. Just as important since I was traveling alone, the teachers did not check out immediately after the lesson. I was taken to dinner, invited for coffee, and most important, introduced to locals who became dear friends. The school also provides housing connections for home-stays, shared or individual apartments. I opted for my own apartment and through the school found the perfect place for 1000 Euros less than it was listed on airbnb! Students ranged in age from 20's to 60's and everyone was made to feel comfortable and valued. Even in high season, classes are limited to six and they cater to serious students as opposed to kids who just want to fool around. The school is located in the heart of Siena, a gorgeous city, full of cultural activities and teeming with life. I highly recommend Saena Iulia for its skilled teachers, its inviting warmth and its perfect location. You couldn't do better. And like many before me, I intend to return.

I'll be the first person to leave a review. My review is based on the La Dolca Vita program for 50…read moreplus students, and on the supposed beginners language course for those with "little or no knowledge of the Italian language". My two week program was not what I would call a rewarding experience. I don't totally fault the school. I fault myself in part for not understanding the concept and/or the methodology of total immersion. Perhaps I set my expectations too high. However, after having said that, I think it's unrealistic to expect a beginner to understand enough Italian to comprehend the dialogue spoken during the tours of the La Dolca Vita program or in the class. This program can't be for total beginners. It appears that my needs might have been better fulfilled by an Italian learning institute for English only speaking people. No matter how many times one speaks a word or phase to me in Italian without a parallel drawn to it's meaning, in my native tongue, I will not understand. One might as well be throwing darts at me. It's as painful sitting there with a blank stare on my face not knowing what is being said or asked of me. My advice is unless you have some knowledge of the Italian language or are a linguist, find another program. This was not an inexpensive course. The La Dolca Vita program is over priced for what you get. There a free afternoon programs you can join and weekend tour for little money.

I truly recommend this place to everyone. I felt that the teachers and students were great,…read morefriendly and professional. If you need to learn italian it's the best school! I also enjoyed the leisure activities which they provided in the area of the school! Also those activities which the school provided! Keep it up! Loved the place and would suggest it to anyone wanting to learn Italian! Grazie mille!!

We had wonderful time on our honeymoon exploring different vineyards and tasting incredible wines…read morewith Alexandra. It was an unforgettable experience.

We had a private Brunello wine tasting with a sommelier and it was fantastic. They brought the…read morewines to our rented villa, we provided the food pairing. It was educational and fun. Alexandra and her knowledgable associates are highly recommended.

Ayoub was a FANTASTIC chef to lead our cooking class. He made the experience so memorable. He had…read morewonderful enthusiasm and made the class fun. After the class, we got to enjoy our food at a table on the streets of Siena. Thank you Ayoub for the experience!

I've only been to cooking classes in Asia, and this Siena one one was very enjoyable and our pasta…read moremaking came out better than expected. It was deliciously good and our tiramisu dessert was excellent and probably the best tiramisu I've ever had. The teachers explained clearly and easily what we needed to do...the worst cooks would have been successful. It came with wine and bottled water that enhanced the meal. I definitely would recommend the cooking classes as a thing to do if you have the time, as it made my stay in Siena more memorable.