Italian Language Lessons in Elba Island

  Italy

• Florence: 
Florence
• All Other Areas in Italy: 
Bologna,  Lucca,  Cortona,  Elba

Description: The Location: Rio Marina and the Island of Elba. Elba has always been considered a favourite destination for those who wish to spend a holiday surrounded by nature, clean beaches and crystal clear sea without the need for a long journey by sea or several hours by plane. The atmosphere of the towns inland and the villages along the coast is the same as in any other Tuscan town with a large central square, church and town hall facing each other, as two such powers ought to, grocery shops and bars frequented by the locals. The natural surroundings however add something special: low vegetation and the Mediterranean bushes which are typical for the islands, alternating with vineyards and olive groves.

Rio Marina is one of those villages with a square that opens onto the port and the marine horizon. The village has something further to offer: a history of mines and iron quarrying which has left its mark from the Etruscans up to recent times.

The School: The classrooms are located in the typical, low buildings of the town centre looking onto the sea and the narrow streets of the port. Teaching groups are composed of small groups of a maximum of 8 students with 5 different skill levels. The method used and the teaching materials are produced by Centro Koinè, based on a communicative approach to the Italian language. All the teachers have done special training courses at the school in Florence.

On the first day of the course, after a brief test to assess the participants' knowledge of the language, each student will be given a folder with a schedule of the cultural activities and trips organised in the afternoons, a guide with useful addresses for their stay such as: how to get to the nearest beaches, good places to eat and drink, the opening times of shops, banks and post offices as well as recommended tourist and wine & food itineraries.

At the end of the course each participant will receive a certificate of attendance specifying the duration of the lessons and the level of learning on request.

Arrival and means of transport.....

Ferry Connections:
Piombino Marittima  Rio Marina
the passage takes approx. 40 minutes.

Piombino Marittima - Cavo
Using the "Aliscafo" (hydrofoil, for passengers exclusively) departing from Piombino Marittima to Cavo (approx. 5 km North of Rio Marina); the crossing lasts approx. 20 minutes.

Piombino Marittima  Portoferraio
There are numerous ferry routes to Portoferraio serviced by the companies Moby and Toremar; the passage takes approx. 1 hour, further by car or bus to Rio Marina for approx. 30 minutes.

by Car:
Coming from North:
Take highway A 12 Genoa-Livorno until reaching the exit of Rosignano.
Further take Superstrada SS Aurelia until Venturina  Island of Elba; from there further to Piombino Marittima

Coming from North-East:
Take highway A 1 BolognaFlorencePisaLivorno; exit at Rosignano.
Coming from the South:
Take highway A 12 RomeGrosseto
Take Superstrada SS Aurelia Venturina  exit of the Island of Elba, further to Piombino Marittima

by Train:
The station from which departs the ferry to Rio Marina is called Piombino Marittima.
Take the train of the route Genoa-Pisa-Rome until Campiglia Marittima and change trains taking the train or bus to Piombino Marittima.

by Bus:
Coming from Florence Santa Maria Novella take the Eurostar bus directly leading to Piombino Marittima; service: twice a day.

by Airplane:
There are various low-priced air connections from Florence, Pisa, and Milan to Elba.
The airport of Elba is situated in the village of La Pila near the little town of Marina di Campo.
For further information on flights to and from the Island of Elba please consult www.elbafly.it.
On request Koinè offers private transfer to the small town of Rio Marina.
Moreover there are numerous low-priced air connections to Florence ("Amerigo Vespucci") and Pisa ("Galileo Galilei").

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Year Founded: 1980