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Hello From Sicily: My Italian Language Learning Adventure – Exploring the Beauty of Sicily and Sailing through the Eolian Islands

Sicily – the name alone evokes images of an exotic island, a mysterious and fascinating past. I wanted to go to Italy for some time because I was not there for a long, long time to explore, and if I thought about it, to explore the region of Sicily came to mind. I figured this island would be a combination of fascinating contact history, rich culture, scenic beauty and a chance for a variety of activities. An activity I wanted to pursue was sure, my Travel to combine with language course: my earlier language study to Havana and Cuernavaca, Mexico, not only made me closer to the Spanish language, but these on-site experience in language learning really allows me to explore the culture from within.

So this time I wanted to concentrate on learning Italian, and I was able to locate two Language schools in Sicily, which would offer both a very different experience and a different way of exploring the island. Armed with no knowledge other than that of an Italian read grammar, I wanted to see how much of this beautiful language I would have to pick up my three weeks in Sicily.

My first eight days, in Taormina spent, a beautiful mountain town on the eastern side of Sicily, whose main feature is the ancient Greek-Roman theater, still in use today. The city itself has to be the most beautiful destinations anywhere, with its beautiful buildings, narrow streets and passageways, and a breathtaking view of Mount Etna and the Mediterranean.

Shortly after my arrival I met the people at the meeting Babilonia Language School, where I want to be learning Italian for a week and exploring the culture of Sicily. My accommodation was in a beautiful 13-room, privately owned hotel, which was operated by the Sciglio family for more than 50 years.

Mr. and Mrs. Sciglio in their mid eighties and continue to work hard, without even a thought of retiring, and their son Salvatore worked with them. In an interview I learned more about the History of the hotel and the family's commitment in this field. The second day I joined my first guided hike with the Babilonia language school: a guided walk to the old village of Castelmola, followed by a tasting of Sicilian cuisine in a local bistro.

My first weekend in Sicily promised to be large: a trip to the ancient city of Syracuse and an exploration of the beautiful coast east of Taormina, including the city of Mazzaro and Isola Bella. The following Monday was my first day of language studies: First, we went through the placement test, and then we had our first lesson that some unique, but effective Teaching methods included. The next day was 1 May, Labour Day a national holiday and Italian: a perfect opportunity to rent a car and drive around in the landscape at Mount Etna, Europe's largest volcano, which by the way, had broken the night before.

The next day we went back to school, and Alessandro, Director of the Babilonia Language School, gave me a personal history lesson of Sicily and also explained that the origins of the famous Sicilian institution the Mafia to me in detail. That evening I entered a cooking class in a private house offered by the school. I wanted first-hand how a real multi-course Italian meal was willing to see, with authentic, locally grown ingredients. And of course I would like to have a chance to taste the finished dishes and then share in a good Eat with other students and the local Ferrari family.

My study abroad in the next day by a visit to a local pottery artist painting followed, such as pottery decoration Babilonia also offers courses, in addition to hiking, biking, golfing and diving programs. Located on the rooftop of a hotel in Taormina, with perfect View of an ancient palace, just off the Mount Etna, I learned about Sicilian pottery painting techniques. By late afternoon I went to another trip to hike on the southern Flanks of Mount Etna. A visit to a winery and a nice dinner followed.

Then I had reached my last day in beautiful Taormina and after my last Language teaching, it was time to say goodbye to the folks at Babilonia and my classmates that I had got quite fond of. Except for the occasional gray and drizzly weather, had my Experience in Taormina was great: learn the language, the interesting trips and activities and to interact with my students were really international cooperation a great experience. I was a little sad to leave to Taormina, where I had got so comfortable.

But a new adventure could begin: I took the train to Milazzo on the northeastern side of Sicily, where the next day when I was on a seven-day sailing trip through the beautiful Aeolian Islands, Laboratorio Linguistico, a Milazzo-based language school Italian would come available. After meeting some of my six friends who were really cool by the way, we got from our sail boat 4 cabins with "Solitaire II", to our first destination: the island of Lipari, the largest of the Aeolian Islands, and an extremely picturesque place.

Our Expert skipper Francesco, a licensed captain who happens to be the co-owner of the school, and become one of our two resident language teachers on this trip. Lipari, we continued our trip to Salina, a neighboring island, where three of us went on a trip to the local villages and also see the house where "Il Postino" was filmed. Italian lessons on the backyard patio of the bar was our first introduction to the language Laboratorio Lingustico curriculum. Of course, Francesco and Franco, our second teacher and co-owner of the school, led all calls throughout the trips only in Italian, to immerse ourselves fully into the language all the time allowed. After we had fed our brain, marked the end of a Sicilian seafood feast from our second day on the boat.

On the third day, we set Sail for the island of Stromboli, the still active volcano. The town of Stromboli features like narrow streets that are impassable to regular vehicles. No wonder the local Carabinieri (Italian police) have to drive in golf carts.

After a somewhat turbulent late-night trip from Stromboli to Panarea We arrived late and anchored in a bay off the island. On a gorgeous morning the next day we had a different first language lesson – where else but on the terrace of a bar in Panarea surrounded by beautiful sunshine and beautiful flowers. Panarea is an extremely photogenic destination, offering great opportunities for amateur photographers like me.

Our journey to Lipari, where we would end another eventful day with a delicious meal outdoors on the main square. The next day three of us on a tour gone through this beautiful island and we have already seen from the southern end of our next destination: the island of Vulcano, also with an active volcano. We are in a bay before anchoring off the island, some Italian lessons enjoyed on the boat and after a delicious dinner on board, was our comrade Franco, a gifted guitarist, and Agnieszka, a talented singer, soulful melodies with us by candlelight on the back of the boat – magic moments that I remember for a long time be.

Then our last day has arrived on the boat: we walked up to the "Gran craters, the active crater of Vulcano. Yellow stones and thick clouds of Sulfur is known that the forces of geology, in fact, were actively and directly under our feet. And the view from above on the six other Aeolian islands was breathtaking. More Italian lessons on a terrace overlooking the Mediterranean, we had to say goodbye to the Aeolian Islands and begin again to Milazzo head.

Straight I thought our seven days sailing trip would be a disappointing end, announced one of my comrades, DOLPHINS !!!", and that four of these playful Sea creatures accompanied our sailing boat, jumping in and out of the water and have fun with us. The excitement continues when we ended up getting three tuna fish on a fishing line, we are behind our Boat was pulling. The following decapitation and evisceration scene, however, was a bit heavy on my soul … Vegetarian Offer

So we had to land, and celebrate the End to a wonderful sailing trip and one of my comrades' birthdays, we enjoyed another great Sicilian Festival in Capo di Milazzo. The next day we had a chance, something in our five-room apartment above the Laboratorio relax comfortably Linguistico school is and simple things like washing clothes and sit on the balcony. Franco took our teachers with us on a guided hike from Milazzo, a huge fortress built in features more than 1000 years.

After parting from my Roommate Claudia I spent my last Sunday in Sicily in the picturesque medieval town of Cefalu, about two hours by train from Milazzo. This city's medieval core and huge Norman Cathedral, together with the ruins of an old castle on the rocks, towers over the city left me with many precious memories alive. Now I only had two full Days left in Sicily.

After a tour of the headquarters of the Laboratorio Milazzo Linguistico I went to an excursion into the surrounding Nebrodi with my two Italian teacher Francesco and Franco. We visited the Rocks by Agrimusco, a cluster of mysterious-looking stone on a high plateau with magnificent views of Mount Etna. Then We drove to the mountain village Elicona Montalbano, an authentic small Sicilian town, completely untouched by tourism. I finally had a chance to snap some pictures of the locals to gather near the church and discuss important topics of the day love.

My last day had arrived in Sicily – I had to say goodbye to the great team Laboratorio Linguistico and the bus to Messina and from there to Catania, from where I catch a plane early in the morning the next day. After my arrival in the late Afternoon I had the opportunity to explore just this city, the second largest city in Sicily, and get ready for my flight home.

On this Travel I found out that Sicily is beautiful, and a visit in late spring in April / May is perfect, since everything is not in full bloom and the hordes of tourists really come until June, July and August. Sicily remained remarkably authentic and is fortunately free of many of the signs of mass tourism that mar other Mediterranean coasts.

Taormina and the Aeolian Islands are all stunning destinations, but the Sicilian hinterland harbors many hidden treasures. The history, architecture, Culture and scenic beauty are amazing. And seafood lovers will definitely fall into this target.

I even enjoyed the learning experience in Babilonia and Laboratorio Linguistico – in fact, my three weeks in Italy made me all the way up to intermediate level and when I came back, I was perfectly able to communicate quite competent in this new language.

The people were great: the staff at the two schools was very helpful and competent, and the interaction with my co-students from all countries was a real treat. Our team met on a sailboat in particular really nice and had a few close personal ties to This experience develops.

Without a doubt, one of the best language study forms of travel in my opinion, gives you the chance to learn, expand your mind, and You really can taste the local culture. And without doubt, I'm back in Sicily – to discover this fascinating island has so much more.

The entire article with photos on http://www.travelandtransitions.com/stories_photos/sicily_2007.htm Located

About the Author

Susanne Pacher is the publisher of
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