Bologna: History, Language and Food
The course is thought for a person, a couple or a small group of friends and is bespoke on the needs, desires and knowledge level of the participant(s). Lessons take place in your accommodation, dates and syllabus can be agreed with the teacher who will be with you not just during the lessons but as well during the guided tours which are going to be as well a great opportunity of learning the language.
You will experience the beauties and liveliness of the city centre without renting a car and worrying with driving. All the monuments and the station in Bologna are walking distance or a short ride by bus from the accommodation and both Ferrara and Ravenna are less than an hour train far from Bologna.
What’s included
7 nights / 8 days
in a cosy apartment in the city
9 Hours of Italian course
with a qualified Italian mother tongue teacher
+ course material.
3 guided tours
3 whole days with your teacher to discover the beauty of Bologna, Ravenna and Ferrara.
Emilia-Romagna is not just Bologna, though! During your stay you will experience 2 guided tour to other beautiful small city.
Ferrara
just
40 kilometres from Bologna is without a doubt one of the most
beautiful towns in Italy. Ferrara is full of charm and rich in
history and elegance. Its court was home to important artist and
writers as Piero
della Francesca e Torquato Tasso.
Read more about Ferrara.
Ravenna
just
80 km from Bologna, was at the beginning of the 5th century the
capital of the western Roman empire. In that period many churches and
palaces were built and decorated with splendid
mosaics which are unique in the world.
Eight monuments in Ravenna are listed by the UN agency UNESCO.
Read more about Ravenna.
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Dates of courses
Bespoke courses are totally conceived on the needs and desires of the participant(s);
Dates can be agreed with the teacher.
Location
Bologna
Bologna is a beautiful town thanks to its great monuments and its urban structure which still preserves its prosperous medieval aspect. The red colour characterizes the facades and roofs of the buildings. Its porticos are 40 kilometres long and make Bologna unique in the world. They are a meeting point and a shelter during the winter and they also houses beautiful shops and workshops.
The atmosphere of Bologna is happy and lively. Its university, founded in 1089, is the most ancient in Europe and turned Bologna into a global city worldwide known for its food: The numerous recipes originated in Bologna, spread all over the world contributing to the great reputation of Italian cuisine, and the huge number of food shops and restaurants in town have earned to Bologna the surname of “food city”.
Its university, founded in 1089, is the most ancient in Europe and turned Bologna into a global city. Its people are known in Italy for being welcoming, warm and open! The city is very lively but not too chaotic unlike other big tourist places. It’s the ideal place for an immersion in the Italian culture, art and language.
A few years ago Bologna hit the headlines in the UK:
“The Telegraph” published an article written by Nick Gordon. The journalist came to Bologna to improve his Italian and described the city as, “the best Italian place to learn Italian because people are welcoming, there are not too many tourists unlike in Rome and Florence and you can find great Italian courses”.
Getting to Bologna from the United Kingdom is very easy!
Bologna
airport
There are direct flights to Bologna from many UK airports:
London Heathrow, 3 per day with BA
London Stansted, 1-2 per day with Ryanair
London Luton, 1 per day with Ryanair
London Gatwick, 1 per day with EasyJet
Bristol, every Wednesday and Sunday with Ryanair
Manchester, every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday with Ryanair
Edinburgh, every Monday and Friday with Ryanair
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Accomodation
You will be spending your Bolognese week in a comfortable apartment a short bus ride or a short walk from the centre. A group of amazing landlords is in this joint venture with the teacher. You can choose between 4 apartments (depending on the availability):
We advice you get in touch with us before you book your apartment.
1) Portico di Via Saragozza.
The apartment is recently renovated and furnished in contemporary style, it is located in one of the most beautiful neighborhood in Bologna. The center is a 20-minutes walk but there is also a very frequent and cheap bus service. This accommodation is a few steps away from Villa Spada, one of the historic city parks, and continuing along the “Portici” you get to the Holy Shrine of St. Luke's Madonna, one of the must-see destinations of a stay in Bologna. It’s a good walk but you won’t regret it.
The apartment is located in a quiet residential area away from traffic; it’s equipped with all comforts and hosts a selection of photographs of Bologna taken by a well-known Bolognese photographer. The apartment is ideal for one or two people because has one double bedroom but it’s comfortable enough even for 3 or 4 because the sofa in the living room turns into a double bed.
Prices for 7 nights (Saturday to Saturday)
400 € one person
500 € two people
600 € three people
650 € four people
2) The Chess floor House
An elegant and romantic apartment, designed by an architect, where ancient and modern meet on a chess floor dating back to the Thirties. Furnished with care and equipped with all comforts, the Chess Floor House overlooks a quiet tree-lined street, at walking distance from the city center, the exhibition district, the train station and the Airport shuttle terminal. The apartment has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
Prices for 7 nights (Saturday to Saturday)
1.000 € one person
1.200 € two people
1.600 € three people
2.000 € four people
3) Chez Fratellini
A deluxe apartment inside a period villa, surrounded by a lush garden, at walking distance from the city center. This airy and renovated space is tastefully decorated with artwork and mementos in recognition of the Fratellini, the famous clown family of a century ago.
The apartment has 2 wide and comfortable double bedrooms.
Prices for 7 nights (Saturday to Saturday)
1.000 € one person
1.200 € two people
1.600 € three people
2.000 € four people
4) The Blue Loft
It is an open space flat with a strong character. No detail has been spared, from the kitchen design to the the books on the white shelves, from the posters on the wall to the lamps on the bedside tables.
Downstairs, you can relax - or sleep - in a large sofa-bed, sink into the blue pouf, cook your meals and have wonderful breakfast around the wooden table. In the mezzanine, you can work on your computer at the desk, or sleep in the comfortable double bed with memory foam mattress.
Blue Loft is in the city center, 1km away from the main square, the beautiful and iconic Piazza Maggiore.
Prices for 7 nights (Saturday to Saturday)
900 € one person
1.000 € two people
1.250 € three people
1.500 € four people
5) Gardi Luxury Apartments
Gardi Luxury Apartments are part of the ancient Palazzo Scappi, located inside the ancient Canton dé Fiori (Flowers’ Corner), at the intersection of Via Independenza and Via Rizzoli, the main streets of Roman Bononia. It occupies a strategic position in the historic centre of the city, a few steps from Piazza Maggiore and St. Peter’s Cathedral.
These luxury apartments located in the city centre have been completely renovated, with a play of design and enchanting colours. This gives each of the 7 apartments great charm and elegance.
Gardi Luxury Apartments are all equipped with every comfort and can boast absolute autonomy and privacy.
More on: gardiluxuryapartments.com/home-it.html
On top you will need to pay a tourist tax to the Council of Bologna. It's 3 euros per person per night for the first 5 days of stay. It will have to be paid on arrival in cash to the landlord.
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Overview
| Course Levels Available
|
A1 (Elementary) – C2 (Proficiency)
|
| Minimum age
|
18
|
| Course Times
|
To be agreed
|
| Number of Hours Tuition
|
9 hours per week
|
| Class Size
|
Max 4 people
|
| Trips and experiences
|
3 guided tours: Bologna, Ferrara, Ravenna. |
| Fees
|
€ 850 up to 4 people
There is an extra charge to be discussed for groups beyond 4 people The fares above cover just the Italian lessons and the guided tours in Bologna, Ferrara and Ravenna . Accommodation fees, Transport fees and access to monuments are not included in the price. |
Objectives
Italian lessons will:
- increase your confidence when communicating
- help you to use Italian more effectively
- help you to speak more accurately and fluently
- improve your grammar
- increase your vocabulary
- improve your pronunciation
- increase your knowledge of Italy and understanding of Italian tradition and mindset
Schedule
This is just a suggestion: the plan of the week can be changed and altered on agreement with the teacher. This course is totally tailored on the needs of the student(s)
Saturday
Arrival at Bologna airport, meeting with the teacher – bus to town – settle at accommodation – welcome drink with Italian chat
Sunday
Guided tour in Bologna. We will walk together under the porticoes and you will get shown the university, the cathedral, the square and all the main monuments in town. We will walk to Basilica di San Luca, a beautiful shrine just outside the centre connected to the town through a magnificent portico, 4 kilometres long with over 600 arches.
Monday
9.30-12.45 a.m. Italian lesson Free afternoon
Tuesday
Guided tour in Ravenna with its mosaics dating from the 5th and 6th centuries AD and its Christian and Byzantine religious buildings, included by UNESCO on the World Heritage List.
Wednesday
9.30-12.45 a.m. Italian lesson Free afternoon
Thursday
Guided tour in Ferrara a small, elegant city which is full of character and history. We will not miss the beautiful castle overlooking the main square, the Cathedral, and the “Diamond” Palace.
Friday
9.30-12.45 a.m. Italian lesson Free afternoon
Saturday
Departure
Fees
€ 850 up to 4 people
The fares above cover just the Italian lessons and the guided tours in Bologna, Ferrara and Ravenna .
Accommodation fees, Transport fees and access to monuments are not included in the price.
Extra
When you first visit Italy, it's hard to imagine just how good the Italian food is going to be. No matter what part of the country you visit, even the worst food is generally really good.
But if you’re looking for some of the best Italian food in Italy, Bologna and the rest of Emilia Romagna are certainly the right place to be.
Experiencing the food and wine of Bologna and Emilia Romagna is an a fun and enjoyable experience.
I have asked my friend Ilaria de Fidio owner of Bologna Gourmet (http://www.bolognagourmet.it/en/), a professional pasta-maker and food connoisseur from Bologna to create some food experiences for us.
Each of these experience can be added for an extra-fee to your week in Bologna!
You can choose the experience(s) you like the most and we can fit it (them) in your calendar. Your teacher will always be there with you and you will continue learning Italian even when you eat, drink and (why not) cook!!!