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

Biennale di Ferrara

The International Biennale of Ferrara is a cultural initiative organised by the Associazione Culturale Ferrara Pro Art in collaboration with public and private institutions.

The event offers its stage to emerging talents, established names alongside some of the cultural-artistic scene. The program provides a large space dedicated to visual arts and contemporary events, such as music, performances, guided tours to the city and much more.

The Biennale will run until December and it will involve many historic sites of the city of Ferrara, which is a place full of art and history.

Some of the instalment will be in the Castello Estense, the real fortress of the city centre. Erected in 1385 for Nicolo' d'Este to protect him and his family against external attacks, it was commissioned to the court architect Bartolino Novara. The new building was leaning against the old Tower of the Lions, incorporated in the new building, which was thus provided with four corner towers, joined together by restrained walls. For several decades, the castle was used as a military fortress, until when, since 1450, was gradually transformed into a stately home and lots of space was occupied by the court, which was embellished with frescoes and decorations. In short, the castle lost the stark appearance of the fortress to become a beautiful place with courtyards, decorated with turrets, balconies and sumptuous apartments.  Today the Castle houses the Provincial administration and the Prefecture of Ferrara. 

Even the Chiostro of Sant'Anna recently restored, will be used for this event. In the past this place was used as the old city hospital. In later centuries the complex was expanded to occupy much of the block to the north-east of the Castello Estense. The cloister is famous for the fact that the poet Torquato Tasso was imprisoned there for years for alleged insanity.

Many other places will be utilised during the next few months for the Biennale, therefore if you want to see something different, stop over in Ferrara for the day!

A presto!

Rome: ruins, forum, Italian language

Forum by Simona

Forum by Simona

What a beautiful thing...going to Rome and see the Forum, walking along the old Roman ruins with some friends or by your own. Why not enjoy this especially when the season is so warm?

So if you are planning your holiday in September or October learn some intensive Italian in the next few weeks in Brisbane.

Just get in touch!!

Simona
0414 262 782

Have you ever walked up to Tiberius Villa??? Do you know where is it?

Every time you come to Italy there is something new to discover and enjoy....it can be La Dolce Vita, food, shopping, wine, lifestyle, but mainly art!!!

This time instead of visiting the Blue Grotto or just doing shopping or enjoying the sweet life of Capri a group of adventurous students has decided to go and see Tiberius Villa. About 45 minutes walk from the main Square.....

and that's the view from the top!!

Look down...how high we are!!!

the villa was built on several levels!!

Villa Jovis is situated at the end of Viale Amedeo Maturi, where one finds a number of steps faced with marble slabs originating from the Roman Villa. Villa Jovis, built in the first century B.C. and attributed to Tiberius, was chosen for its position on the cliff's edge which guaranteed both privacy and security, of vital importance to the Emperor. 

many different areas and still well preserved!

A considerable percentage of the Roman villa remains, a villa which was built with large cisterns and water tanks, so as to counteract the perennial lack of water on the island of Capri. 


Villa Jovis was organized in sections linked by corridors, stairs and passageways. The Emperor had a North facing apartment with views over the Gulf of Naples; to the East there was the section dedicated to official functions; the baths were to the South and to the West the servants accommodation and lavatories were located. 


Tiberius's Villa extended over 5.500 square meters and was built up on various levels, unusual for the period, but made necessary by the location.

Looking down to Capri

the other side

Madonna at the top!

Within the site boundaries of Villa Jovis one finds the small Church of Santa Maria del Soccorso. In the space in front of the church there is a statue of the Madonna, visible from the sea below to protect Capri.

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Welcome "Primavera"!!!

Primavera di Botticelli - Birth of Venus by Botticelli

… “arbitrium tu, dea, floris habe.”
Saepe ego digestos volui numerare colores,
nec potui: numero copia maior erat.

   Ovidio, Fasti, V, 210 sgg  .

.. "Goddess, take charge of the flowers,"
I often wanted to count the colors of the plants he'd
set out, but I couldn't: the profusion was beyond  counting.         

Today the northern hemisphere celebrates the first day of Spring!
... what better example than the Primavera or Birth of Venus by Botticelli, a key works in the Uffizi Gallery of Florence!


Are you planning a trip, or you have a strong passion or an interest in art...I organize private art group cafe' such as lectures at university and galleries, but also community education classes.


Questions? you can contact me HERE


A presto!!