Siracusa, Sicily
November 23 – 30, 2024
During this immersive Italian language experience in this charming Sicilian city by the sea, you will have the opportunity to improve your language skills and speak Italian in a real life setting each day with an Italian insider and native speaker by your side.
trip overview
7 days / 7 nights
Trip departure and end point: Siracusa
Accommodation in a private palazzo or BnB
Italian-speaking experience directors and local guides
7 full days of language learning with a skilled native-speaker
1.5 hour language intensive semi-private session
Breakfast, three dinners, two lunches, and welcome aperitivo
All activities and admissions
Local transport for activities
Gratuities for local guides and drivers included
How to book
Single €3000
Double €2750
A 750€ deposit is required to reserve your space on this tour. The remainder of the trip cost will be due 60 days prior to the start of the trip. You can pay the deposit using the link below:
If you are traveling with a spouse, partner or friend who does not want to attend Italian classes, they may still participate in all activities, meals, etc., with the acknowledgment that activities will be conducted in Italian. Price will be the same as the double occupant price.
Trip price does not include air fare or transport to and from Siracusa. Included meals and activities are noted in the attached itinerary.
Your deposit is non-refundable. Therefore it is strongly recommended that you purchase a trip insurance policy which includes trip cancellation for any reason.
We reserve the right to substitute an activity or venue of equal value in the case of issues created by weather, cancellations by guides or venues, closures, strikes and other unpredictable events beyond our control. Participants will be notified as soon as possible of any changes. We reserve the right to adjust this itinerary before the tour begins based on the number of participants. We reserve the right to cancel this tour if we do not have at least 6 participants. In the event of tour cancellation by Vero Viaggio, you will receive a 100% refund.
If the date of this tour doesn’t work for you, we will be offering other tours in 2024 and 2025. Please inquire and we’ll be happy to forward more information.
trip information
Where we’ll stay
Private palazzo apartments or BnB property in the historic center of Siracusa.
Tour Size
We limit the number of people to 10 so that we can provide a very personal, small group environment. Once we receive your request to book and you have reviewed the trip details, we ask for a 750€ deposit to reserve your space.
Level of Italian:
We welcome all levels of Italian learners (even beginners). If you have questions about this, please get in touch and we will help you determine if this trip is a good fit for you.
Activity level
The activity level of this trip will be medium, with some urban walking, steps, and possibly light hiking.
Food preferences
The activities involving food will have vegetarian options, but if you are lactose or gluten intolerant or have other food allergies your options may be more limited. Please let us know in advance and we will do our best to accommodate you.
sabato / arrival
23 novembre
Between 3:00 - 6:00p Check-in at our accommodation. Experience Director Jean Rivaldi will be there to greet you and answer any questions you have upon arrival.
6:00p We’ll welcome you to Siracusa with an aperitivo and you’ll meet your Experience Director, Francesca Peretto, a native speaker and your Italian language expert for the entire week. We’ll review the schedule, discuss any changes, announce small groups and answer all of your questions. Small groups will be assigned, by level, in order to organize for semi-private language intensives with Francesca (these sessions include a meal, are limited to 2-3 people per session and are in addition to class).
domenica / Modica
24 novembre
9:00a - 4:00p We’ll enjoy a guided tour of Modica in the morning, lunch together and some time to explore in the afternoon.
4:00p Depart for Siracusa
6:00 - 7:30p We’ll enjoy a wine tasting with an expert who will explain the different varietals and the wine region surrounding Siracusa.
Dinner on own
lunedì / Ortigia
25 novembre
9:00 - 11:30a Italian class
11:30a - 12:00p coffee break and Italian conversation
12:15 - 1:30p Semi-private language intensive and lunch with Francesca, group 1
2:00p We’ll take a guided walking tour of Ortigia and discover some its hidden treasures, then we’ll tour Castello Maniace
5:30p We’ll enjoy an aperitivo at sunset together
Dinner on own
martedì / Sicilian wine
26 novembre
9:00 - 11:30a Italian class
11:30a - 12:00p coffee break and Italian conversation
12:15 - 1:30p Semi-private language intensive and lunch with Francesca, group 2
2:00 - 5:00p We’ll visit Cantina di Avola
8:00p dinner in Ortigia
mercoledì / Sicilian food
27 novembre
9:00 - 11:30a Italian class
11:30a - 12:00p coffee break and Italian conversation
12:15p - 3:30p We’ll flex our culinary skills today while we learn about and make Sicilian traditional food. We’ll eat what we make for lunch.
3:45 - 5:00p Semi-private language intensive and aperitivo with Francesca, group 3
5:30 - 6:45p Semi-private language intensive and aperitivo with Francesca, group 4
Dinner on own
giovedì / Marzamemi & Noto
28 novembre
9:00 - 11:30a Italian class
11:30a - 12:00p coffee break and Italian conversation
12:15 - 6:30p We’ll venture to the tiny borgo of Marzamemi for lunch together and then explore Noto in the afternoon.
Dinner on own
venerdì / Parco Archeologico
29 novembre
9:00 - 11:30a Italian class
11:30a - 12:00p coffee break and Italian conversation
12:00 - 1:15p Semi-private language intensive and lunch with Francesca, group 5
2:00p Parco Archeologico Neapolis and Orecchio di Dioniso
8:00p Farewell dinner in Ortigia
sabato / departure
30 novembre
8:30 - 10:30a We’ll be available to help with last-minute logistics as we say our goodbyes at breakfast.
Meet your experience director:
Jean Rivaldi
“I’ve been deeply, madly in love with Italy for more than 25 years and have traveled all over this beautiful country. Ever since my first moment at Roma Termini station, navigating the happy chaos of the taxi line, I knew that I was going to fall head over heels for il bel paese, its food, culture, language and most importantly, its people. Fast forward to the present – I am a dual citizen of Italy and the U.S., living between Bologna and San Diego and I am fluent in Italian. This love affair (obsession?) hasn’t ceased and I’ve never stopped wanting to see what’s around the next corner. Let’s find out together.”
Founder of Vero Viaggio / International Tour Management Institute certified Tour Guide & Director / Speaks English and Italian
Originally from Nebraska, Jean’s travel resume began as a child camping with her family in a VW van. With a bachelors degree in journalism, she’s held a variety of roles in the higher education, software, toy and game and real estate industries, before diving into the travel industry. She finds real joy in learning something new each day, discovering hidden places, meeting people and hearing their stories.
Meet your experience director:
Francesca Peretto
“Where are we going?” is the question I have loved most ever since I was young. Each time we returned from a trip my parents would start planning the next one — and thus began my passion for traveling at just 6 months old and I haven’t stopped since. For 20 years I have been teaching Italian to foreigners who want to discover Italy. I try to not just teach the language, but also the finer points, like: when ordering gelato you should always try more than one flavor; cappuccino is only for breakfast, and that there’s so much more to Italy than just Rome, Florence and Venice. I am here to show you the hidden gems of my country and to continue to ask you, ‘Where are we going?”
Italian teacher and assistant director of studies Speaks Italian, Spanish, German and English
Born in Bolzano, Italy, Francesca graduated from the University of Bologna with a masters degree in Italian language and literature. She has more than 20 years of experience teaching foreigners to speak Italian and divides her time between Bologna and Cefalù. She takes great pride in helping people see Italy from an insider’s perspective and her enthusiasm for life and everything that makes it so beautiful is infectious.
