Why should you learn Italian?

You’re planning a trip to Italy...and you think you can go without knowing the language ..... it will be fun but a bit harder....

You’re married to an Italian or someone with an Italian background...like my husband...you need to learn the language... 

Palazzo Colonna, Rome 

You have an Italian background yourself ....well you want to go to Italy...learn the language!!!!

You know that learning Italian unlocks the door to Italy's cultural "ricchezze": the food, the fashion, the movies, the music, the art.... 

Praiano, South of Italy

You work or do business in Italy or with Italians...you need a mental challenge...

....and then make new friends!!!

NO MUCH TIME....Be quick and get in touch!

Italian classes, tours and much more....

Simona

Let's practise Italian....at the market

At the market
Italian Cultural Experience

Can you ‪#‎translate‬ this?

Al mercato ‪#‎AtTheMarket‬

A- ‪#‎Buongiorno‬ signora. Posso aiutarla?
B- Buongiorno. Vorrei un chilo di ‪#‎pomodori‬ e due ‪#‎carciofi‬.
A- Subito. Serve altro? Guardi che belle ‪#‎zucchine‬ e finocchi che ci sono.
B- No. Basta così. Quanto le devo?
A- Sono 7 euro.
B- Ecco a lei.
A- ‪#‎Grazie‬, il suo resto.
B- Grazie. ‪#‎Arrivederci‬.
A- Arrivederci.

Let's learn and speak ‪#‎Italian‬ with ‪#‎ItalianCulturalExperience‬‪#‎SmallGroupClasses‬ ‪
#‎Brisbane‬ ‪#‎SpeakItalian‬ ‪#‎LoveItalian‬‪#‎ItalianforAdults‬

Do you want to know more?

Just get in touch!!!

The benefits of being bilingual.....so learn Italian!!!!

Some reasons why children should be bilingual....

Young Italian student 

• Has a positive effect on intellectual growth.
• Enriches and enhances a child's mental development. Languages can be seen as a 'useful support' for other curriculum areas (for example: for improved cognitive flexibility, for supporting and enhancing literacy in English and other academic areas.
• Leave students with more flexibility in thinking, greater sensitivity to language, and a better ear for listening.
• Improves a child's understanding for hi/her native language.
• Gives a child the ability to communicate with people he/she would otherwise not have the chance to know.
• Opens the door to other cultures and helps a child to understand and appreciate people from other countries.
• Gives a student a head start in language requirements for high school/university.
• Increases job opportunities in many career where knowing another language is a real asset.

Italian animals @ Italian Cultural Experience 

Caravaggio and Bernini: a painter and a sculptor

Caravaggio and Bernini: a painter and a sculptor
Around the beginning of the 17th century a revolution in art occurred, both in painting and sculpture. It was driven by two Italian artists, Gianlorenzo Bernini, a sculptor, and Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, a painter of outstanding and subtle skill.

These talented artists are linked together not in the famous Renaissance period of European art, but in the later 17th century Baroque period. Bernini and Caravaggio's art focuses on the drama and the centrality of the human body rather than the human experience.  

In this stimulating presentation, art historian Simona Albanese analyses the key works of these two artists who from that period onwards dramatically changed the way  we look at art.

Travelling to the beautiful Amalfi Coast

There is so much to see in Italy! The Amalfi Coast is one of these magic places. 

Here a small anticipation of what you can see or memories of all the activity that goes in the villages of the Amalfi Coast.

Discovering the AMALFI COAST

Are you ready for your next Italian Cultural Experience? 

The tour will be limited to 8 people! 

Amalfi Coast

New Tours will be on next year !!! I'm away in October to do some more research... more info coming soon!!!

ITALIAN CONVERSATION in New Farm

Do you like to speak Italian? Do you want to practise and extend your comprehension?

I offer Italian Conversation classes to individual and to groups, so just give me a call and we arrange something!!

You come with a pen and a notebook and I organise the learning material and the coffee!!

Be quick!! 

Future trips to Italy - ITALIAN WORKSHOP

Roman Forums, Rome
www.italianculturalexperience.com

Have you got intention to travel to Italy and want to learn Italian? You have purchased tickets for a group tour to some of the most beautiful cities or regions of Italy or are you visiting relatives, but you can't speak the language.......what purpose will that map with all the historic sites, churches, and art museums serve if you can't ask a question in Italian, decipher an Italian menu, or use the phone in Italy?

It's not enough to pack your bags and watch Italian movies before you arrive in Italy. Whether you're going to visit the world-famous cities of Florence, Rome, and Venice, or on a pleasure holiday on the Amalfi Coast or the beautiful Sicily, there are a multitude of ways to improve your Italian skills before your trip.

Learn the basics with an Italian workshop of three hours. You will be introduced to the most important phrases and sentences that you will use when travelling. This workshop will give you the confidence to ask your way around; book your accommodation and transport; ask for directions; understand menus in restaurants; and greet people and make friends. 

The workshop is specifically designated for people who need a quick introduction to the language, in order to get around when visiting Italy. 

For any enquiry you can contact Simona HERE 

BE QUICK!

Caravaggio.....

Caravaggio, Boy with a basket of fruit, circa 1593
Galleria Borghese
Rome

Calvesi (p. 25, 1998) describes this work as 'extraordinary because of the naturalist sensitivity with which the silent life of te magic fruit is evoked because of the masterly use of penombra which grades the positioning of the leaves in space and because of the exquisite intensity of the colour references from the matt black of the youth's hair and eyes to the glossier black of the grapes from the whites touched by grey to the toned-down greens and the various ranges of red'. 

Do you want to talk a bit more of Caravaggio? 

An Italian Art workshop will be at New Farm State School on August 6th and 13th.

An Italian Art morning talk will be at ILC on August 27th.

If you need more info, just get in touch!

Gianlorenzo Bernini : a master of the Baroque - Italian Art at New Farm State School

Gian Lorenzo Bernini was the greatest interpreter of Baroque style. He was an architect, a painter, a stage designer and a comedy writer but above all he was a very great sculptor. His artistic training was completed in Rome, where he worked all his life as official artist of the Popes and for the most significant noble families in Rome.

His artistic production was exceptionally immense and varied, the fruit of a theatrically oriented fusion of architecture, sculpture and painting. His most renowned sculptures include the Apollo and Daphne (1622-24) housed in the Gallery of the Villa Borghese in Rome, and the Ecstasy of St. Theresa (1644-51) in the Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria in Rome.

For over fifty years Bernini was engaged in the task of enlarging and decorating the Basilica of St. Peter’s, for which he created the square with the colonnaded wings (1657-65), the Baldacchino, or Canopy, (1624-33), the Chair of St. Peter (1656-66) and the tombs of two different Popes.

He adorned Rome’s most important squares with monumental fountains, including the very beautiful Fountain of the Four Rivers (1648-51) in Piazza Navona.

Do you want to know more about him? Come to the Italian Art workshop at New Farm State School on August 6th and 13th.

Contact Nancy today at nfsscommunityed@live.com.au

Italian colours

Italian Art - 2 day workshop

Italian Art - short workshop in Brisbane

Art is in my blood! I love to talk about art and share with others my passion for Italian art, culture and language. This is the reason why I have decided to introduce a short two day workshop of Italian Art at New Farm State School.

I look forward to seeing you there!

It's going to be great!

A presto,
Simona

Be sure to enrol soon to avoid disappointment!

Umbria: a region full of surprises and legends

Map of Umbria

Umbria is one of the smallest and the only landlocked Italian regions between Lazio, Tuscany and Abruzzo.

The region beauty lies in the bond that Umbrians have always had with their rich and glorious past: museums, castles and fortresses, modern and contemporary art, artistic and historical events wait for you in Umbria.

The small cities, fortresses and castles are perfectly integrated within the landscape and the countryside,  leaving an extraordinary heritage.

Castle of Alviano

One of the most beautiful example is the Castle of Alviano, guardian of the Tiber valley. Built in the late 15th century by the condottiere Bartolomeo d’Alviano, it has maintained its majesty over the centuries. 

Rocca di Assisi

The Rocca di Assisi, destroyed in 1198, was rebuilt in the 14th century, and then underwent further modifications, without losing its austere appearance. After  the recent restoration, the Rocca has been opened to the publics hosting cultural and artistic events.

View of Spoleto with the Rocca

The huge complex of the Rocca Albornoziana, with the park that extends around it, characterises the city of Spoleto. 

Lake Trasimeno

Lake Trasimeno is the biggest lake in the central of Italy. It features the monumental Rocca del Leone that dominates Castiglione del Lago, the Rocca on Isola Polvese, and the Castle of the Knights of Malta at Magione.

Santuario della Madonna di Belvedere

Città di Castello is protected by Castello Bufalini, transformed in the 16th century into a refined noble residence decorated with paintings (including a Madonna by Pinturicchio). 

Umbertide's Rocca

At Umbertide rises the magnificent Rocca, the emblem of the city and now a lively cultural centre. 

Valnerina

The Valnerina covers the south-eastern area of Umbria, proclaimed by Unesco a World Heritage site. This area is another beautiful place to visit. 

Umbria is a beautiful place to discover and enjoy, an alternative place where to go for holiday next time you visit Italy!!! Come with me next year!!

The Gran Tour : for some but not for all!

Galleria of Roma Antica

Do you like to travel? Have you ever been in Italy? Do you like to go and see wonderful places without stress and rush? 

Come with me and have fun!!!!

I'm going soon!!! More details for next tours coming soon!

Ciao,

Simona

Your connection to Italy