Italian journeys

 

If we sip the wine, we find dreams coming upon us
Out of the imminent night
D.H. Lawrence, Grapes

It is the perfect daydream; clear blue sky, warm sunshine and sweet grapes for tasting in the beautiful hills of the Valpolicella region. How lucky are we to be alive and on an excursion to Azienda Agricola Manara to taste the famed Valpolicella wines!

We are taken on a tour through the cantina through the whole process, from storage of the harvested grapes, crushing, to the cellar where the wine is aged in oak barrels. The vineyard is on 11 hectares and we taste the sweet grapes from the vines as we listen to the story of this small cantina which has been in operation since 1950 and run by three generations of the Manara family.

Afterward, the best part – tasting the wines. My favorite is ‘El Rocolo’ Recioto della Valpolicella D.O.C. Classico, a ruby red dessert wine. It is made from 70% Corvina, a very important variety used in the production of the famous Italian Amarone wines and blended with 20% Rondinella and a small amout of others – delicious!

cin cin …Isabella

 

 

 

 

 

My teachers

The teachers at InClasse, my language school, are fantastic. They are experienced in language teaching and learning and their teaching methodology is based on the Italian language as it is used today.

Giacomo is a fount of knowledge on the history of Verona and I have enjoyed a number of guided walks with him through the city and countryside, learning about the city’s history, it’s myths and legends, always told with passion.

From Gaia I’ve learnt grammar and expanded my Italian vocabulary, always with patience and enthusiasm and great drawings on the board to explain what she means.

Many hours with Romina in conversation hopefully has improved my conversation skills. She has taught me so many things, from learning the Italian way to speak and how to pose questions to Italian culture: weddings, food, clothes and etiquette, to name a few. She is a special person, passionate and open and always available to help.

All three are generous and enthusiastic and interested in their students. I recommend the school highly as a great place to learn; not only the language, but also how Italians live, their culture and history.

My classmates and I have been entertained with fantastic activities, exploring the city, the countryside, parties and games, even learning how to make Italian pastries. Fernando from Brasil, Brea from the USA, Goretty from Spain and Barbara from Austria, are some who have made my time special in Verona.

Grazie e ciao a tutti …Isabella

Classmates

The sun is shining, a perfect day to visit Il Giardino Giusti, a beautiful renaissance garden in Verona. Giacomo is in fine form as usual, as our guide through the garden and its history.

The Giusti family, nobles from Florence, had to flee the city as they supported the wrong side…ahh, politics! It was medieval times when they arrived in Verona and the garden was cultivated for food, with fruit and vegetables. However, times changed …the dark medieval period passed and then came the renaissance, when people became interested in aesthetics and wanted to be surrounded by beauty. The garden was transformed and is one of the first renaissance gardens in Italy, also one of the most beautiful!

A striking feature of the garden is the avenue of tall cypresses which leads to the belvedere, the highest point in the garden and a spectacular view over Verona. Visited by many writers, poets and philosophers in the past, the garden is a beautiful, tranquil oasis with statues of mythological gods and goddesses such as the Roman goddess Minerva.

We took a breath, had some fun in the labyrinth and took in the magnificent view with Giacomo showing the way with history to share and tales to tell.

Meravigliosa …Isabella

Yes, Timo has arrived in Verona! Not without some anxious moments on my part however. Final contact was at 8.30 am in Milano, then…nothing! Numerous messages sent, a number of phone calls across the Atlantic and a dash to Stazione Porta Nuova, Verona and…he is in the apartment when I return, a bit crazy and disheveled. All was well, just a technical hitch…have had lots of those in Italy so far – comes with the territory, as we Aussies would say.

He had showered and changed in the time I was out looking for him so it was straight out to explore the city.

Ciao for now….Isabella

A night of fun and games at school. Playing Italian table games with teachers and classmates…a challenge but great fun, especially the crazy drawings.

saluti …Isabella

My teachers

The teachers at InClasse, my language school, are fantastic. They are experienced in language teaching and learning and their teaching methodology is based on the Italian language as it is used today.

Giacomo is a fount of knowledge on the history of Verona and I have enjoyed a number of guided walks with him through the city and countryside, learning about the city’s history, it’s myths and legends, always told with passion.

From Gaia I’ve learnt grammar and expanded my Italian vocabulary, always with patience and enthusiasm and great drawings on the board to explain what she means.

Many hours with Romina in conversation hopefully has improved my conversation skills. She has taught me so many things, from learning the Italian way to speak and how to pose questions to Italian culture: weddings, food, clothes and etiquette, to name a few. She is a special person, passionate and open and always available to help.

All three are generous and enthusiastic and interested in their students. I recommend the school highly as a great place to learn; not only the language, but also how Italians live, their culture and history.

My classmates and I have been entertained with fantastic activities, exploring the city, the countryside, parties and games, even learning how to make Italian pastries. Fernando from Brasil, Brea from the USA, Goretty from Spain and Barbara from Austria, are some who have made my time special in Verona.

Grazie e ciao a tutti …Isabella

Classmates