Join Tom and the fantastic team of locals we’ve assembled to guide us through a cultural immersion in Ortigia, a neighborhood of Siracusa. We will be based at Hotel Des Etrangers, a stunning 5-star hotel overlooking the island of Ortigia and the Mediterranean Sea.
On his many trips to Sicily, Tom has developed relationships with the right people to build his Sicily team: Kind, fun-loving, knowledgeable locals who will be our co-hosts every day.
Tom is a professor of Italian language, culture and cinema and is a frequent guest on CUNY TV (channel 75 in New York City) where speaks about books and movies. Speaking of Sicily…here is a recent clip of him talking about The Godfather.
Our days together in Sicily will be relaxing and culturally rich. Every morning, Tom will guide the class through a highlight reel of what’s coming for the day: where are we going, what to look for, what to listen for, what to savor.
If you are interested in improving your Italian, we will arrange private lessons for you every morning in Sicily. The lessons will be designed and supervised by Tom, and he will also guide your interaction with locals in Italian throughout the week.
Breakfast served in hotel; hotel staff will speak with you in Italian if you desire.
Italian lesson led by Tom, and walking tour of a different neighborhood of Ortigia.
Excursion to one of the destinations listed above
Every evening, we meet for un aperitivo before dinner at some of the lovely cafes in Ortigia. You have the option to chat in Italian or English.
Every night we will have dinner together at a local trattoria (one night we make dinner together at the townhouse we rent in town).