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

Immerse Yourself: Have an Italian Cultural Experience in Italy - Study trip

The best way to learn and progress in any language is to spend some time in the country where the language is spoken....so what are you expecting...let's pack and go to Italy!

The destination are chosen carefully through Italy! So why not enjoy morning classes, leisure activities and cultural excursions ...plus cooking classes, shopping trips, dinners and free time...

Do you like the idea?

More info coming soon!

Back from holiday : new Italian classes in Term 1, 2015

Happy New Year everyone! 

Did you have a nice break?

Christmas is so far now! Just returned from overseas .....it was so cold but so lovely to see family and friends!!! 

Florence, 2014

 Is Italy your destination this year?

Italy, 2014

New Italian classes are starting next week at New Farm State School - Term 1, 2015.

Classes are offered on Monday and Tuesday evening between 6.30pm and 9pm.

Monday
Italian beginner/traveller
Italian Conversation

Tuesday
Italian Intermediate
Italian Advanced


To enrol in class contact Nancy at nfsscommunityed@live.com.au

A presto!

Simona 
Your connection to Italy

Discovering villas: Villa Ada Savoia

Through their historic and typological features Roman villas have without doubts represented the maybe liveliest expression of society development. They are the most direct demonstrations of the passage from Feudalism to patronage, but more than anything expression of the policy of the Church and of the Popes who represent it.

Having their routes in the old Roman villas, generally built fuori porta (without the walls), more modern villas have lost completely their fashion during the Medieval period. In fact they were no more than a real little fort, surrounded by garden of green area. It is only during the XIV century that extra urban villas timidly reappeared  and partly spread in the surrounding of Florence, in the South of Italy and in Naples and surrounding.

Today in Rome there are astonishing examples of villas, once property of noble families, today galleries, museums and public parks.

Villa Ada Savoia is presently one of the largest parks in Rome as an arrangement of the XVIII century. The villa, as well as the surrounding land was used as a leisure and official guest place. The Pallavicinis had bought the largest part and had built there the first core of the villa, which had around a casino, landscape gardens, an artificial lake and other similar elements. The villa was later sold to the Potenzianis and then was bought by Victor Emmanuel II in 1871. He added several surrounded areas and ordered the German gardener Richter and the architect Pretagna to embellish the villa, transforming the place into a Royal Villa.

Villa Savoia

When Victor Emmanuel II died in 1878 part of the house was sold, until when was purchased by Victor Emmanuel III and declared 1919 official residence of the royal family. After the proclamation of the Repubblic in 1946, the villa became derelict and only after a long dispute it was divided between the State property and the Savoia heirs.

Recently the villa has been restored and it has passed under the Municipality of Rome. Considered one of the fundamental lungs of the eternal city, this place is a place of rest and trips, especially for the children who can run easily around.

The entrances to the park are on Via Salaria, Via del Ponte Salario, Via di Monte Antenne and Via Panama.

Next time you are on holiday and you have children, or you want to do something different, explore this immense park!

A presto!

Loving chocolate....

No many weeks to Christmas....you can find chocolate in many shapes and forms !!!

Here an example of what I have bought last year during the holiday.....

I look forward to enjoy some more chocolate soon!

Santa Claus or Babbo Natale!!

Chocolate nativity