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Travel to Learn Italian and Experience Italian Culture

The Italian language is a great choice for a language-learning holiday. Besides the advantages of knowing a second language, travel to Italy is enchanting. Vacations in the Italian countryside or its numerous famous cities are lessons in history, culture and art appreciation.

Italian Language Options

Italians take their language and culture seriously. No one would argue that Italy is a world capital of art and architecture, and visitors to Italy can incorporate museum visits, guided tours and art galleries into their vacations.

Your Italian language learning experience can be as formal or informal as you choose:

  • You can book a vacation package that focuses on classroom instruction and structured practice.
  • You can opt for an organized tour that immerses you in the language while sightseeing with other Italian language learners.
  • You can make arrangements to stay with a host family and learn the language in true immersion style.
  • You can book vacations to Italy that showcase the country's recreation or tourism options (skiing in the Alps, wine tours, the ruins of Rome) and learn the language peripherally.

The Charms of Italy: Vacations Unlimited

You can get your first taste of native Italian in one of the world's most beautiful cities: Rome. You can grab your Italian language dictionary, consult your travel guide and don your comfiest walking shoes to take in the Vatican, the Trevi Fountain and the Coliseum. Just don't forget the wonderful sidewalk cafés, restaurants, and shopping! Get off the beaten track, where you'll be forced to forego English and practice your budding Italian language skills.

Students of the Renaissance shouldn't miss Florence, a crown jewel in the heart of Tuscany. Florence, home of Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Dante and Boccaccio, is a giant museum of art and culture. Don't forget to wander into hidden piazzas to sample the food and tune your ear to the locals' phrases and accents.

Experienced travelers may want to skip Rome and Florence altogether and focus on the cities and towns that they haven't yet seen. Siena, also in Tuscany, Milan, an ancient cultural treasure and home of da Vinci'sLast Supper or the islands of Sicily and Sardinia are wonderful destinations for language vacations. Check out the Navigli in Milan for excellent bars and cafés where you can engage locals in conversation to practice your Italian.

Back from Italy: Creative Vacations

If you'd like to immerse yourself in the Italian language and local culture without leaving the U.S., consider the Big Apple. New York City has an enormous enclave of Italian-American residents, complete with restaurants and fine shoe stores.

If you have a bit of leeway in your schedule or you're within driving distance, look for the Festival of Santa Rosalia, the Columbus Day Parade, or Italian neighborhoods that celebrate their Italian heritage with music, dancing and food.

Be warned, though: You'll never again be satisfied with learning Italian from language tapes. Ciao!
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