We have an exciting opportunity to offer our La Scuola families this summer!  For the first time we have put together a cultural exchange program for families to enjoy together along with Italian language classes!

We invite you to enjoy a week at in the historical town of Lucca, Italy. In partnership with the Lucca Italian School (LIS) you have the opportunity to be immersed in Italian Language through the classes they offer. This retreat will be from July 8th-12th.  During your time there you will have the opportunity to take

1) Italian Language Classes for Parents

2) Italian Language Classes for Children

3) Take part in Cultural Experiences

1) Language Lessons for Parents

Parent group Italian language classes are held from 9:15am-1pm, Monday-Friday (20 hours total) for 208€ (discounted rate).  You are placed in the appropriate language level that is suited for you. Every day includes a 25 minute coffee break in the midmorning.

2) Language Lessons for Children

At the same time from 9:15am-1pm, a private children’s Italian language class is held. Price ranges depending on number of students in the group from 350-550€.  Minimum group size is 2 and maximum is 6 for private class. 

3) Cultural Experiences

Families will partake in 3 cultural experiences during the week in the afternoons: 

a) Pizza Making: 3-hour hands-on cooking class in which students learn how to prepare pizza (dough and a variety of toppings). It will be held in our school’s kitchen

b) Tour in town: On the first day, in the afternoon, discover Lucca’s rich history and traditions on a 2 hours walking tour. 

c) Choose your own excursion! Take a train or bus to the outskirts of town to one of these following locations: 

– Pisa by train

– Viareggio (seaside) by train, entrance to the private beach included

-Collodi (Pinocchio Park), by private bus, entrance ticket included

– Garfagnana by private bus,  Devil’s bridge and Verrucole Fortress (guided visit inside the medieval castle), entrance ticket included

The total for the pizza making, tour in town, and an excursion is ~ 100€/person.  

Excursion Details

Some notes about the excursions: 

Pisa is the famous town of art; you will see the famous Piazza dei Miracoli with the Leaning Tower and the Duomo. You will walk around the town, get to the river Arno, stop for a drink or an ice-cream there, cross the river and walk to the train station passing along the shopping road. It’s about 3 hours, no museums but an open-air excursion. Train ride about 30 minutes. 

Viareggio  is a beach town, with a large private sandy beach, with umbrellas and deck chairs, and children playgrounds. You will spend a quiet afternoon there (~3 hours) Train ride about 30 minutes.

Collodi is the place where the writer of the book of Pinocchio (named Carlo Collodi) used to live. There’s a nice open-air park for children, dedicated to Pinocchio and his adventures. See this website. Private bus ride, about 40 minutes. 

Garfagnana is a mountain region north of Lucca, still wild and not touristic, rich in history. The Devil’s Bridge is a famous bridge 1000 years old. We’ll stop by the bridge and tell its legendary tale. Then we will reach the Fortress (after a 20 minutes walk uphill), where we will visit the Castle under the guidance of the staff. It’s a special visit, interactive, and participants will know the history of medieval times and how people lived in that age. Very interesting in particular for children from 5/6 to 12 years old. See this website. Private bus ride, one hour and a half. 

5) Flights and Housing

La Scuola and LIS do not cover flights or provide housing for families in Lucca. LIS  provided a brochure with some rental agents and private property owners whom they collaborate with. Also, LIC encourages families to use Airbnb or rent a hotel while they are there. LIS can offer recommendations and assist with finding the right place for your family.

6) Contact and Registration Information

To inquire about this experience further and book the trip.  Please reach out to Daniela Bonaccorsi at daniela@luccaitalianschool.com. 

You may also inquire with Marissa Weitzman from La Scuola at marissa.weitzman@lascuolasf.org

Buon Viaggio!