Kitchen Lingo Tuscany
13th to 20th September 2026
KITCHEN LINGO TUSCANY ITALIAN LANGUAGE & COOKING
Step into the heart of Tuscany. Cook, explore and practice Italian in small groups.
From market visits and truffle hunting to village walks and wine tastings, every day
blends language, culture and flavours. Immerse yourself, relax, and make
unforgettable Tuscan memories. Kitchen Lingo Tuscany is a small, immersive retreat
where language, food and culture become part of everyday life.
Kitchen Lingo Tuscany is a small, immersive retreat designed for those who wish to
experience Italian language and culture in a natural and enjoyable way.
Rather than a formal course or a traditional holiday, the week combines
conversational Italian, hands-on cooking, and daily life in a historic Tuscan
farmhouse, creating an experience that is both relaxed and deeply engaging.
Cooking is an essential part of the experience. Together, we prepare seasonal
Tuscan dishes using fresh local ingredients, learning traditional techniques while exploring the cultural meaning behind the food.
Meals are shared around the table and become a natural continuation of language practice, conversation, and connection.
Beyond the kitchen and the excursions, we study and learn Italian every day but in a way that immerses us in the rhythms of Tuscan life.
Throughout the week, Italian is learned through real situations. Morning sessions focus on practical language skills, helping you gain confidence in speaking and understanding Italian without pressure or classroom structure.
Lessons are informal, adapted to the level of each participant, making the retreat suitable for beginners with some basic knowledge as well as those wishing to refresh or deepen existing skills.
By the end of the week, guests leave not only with greater confidence in Italian, but with a deeper understanding of Tuscan culture and the pleasure of having lived it.
Equally important is time to slow down and enjoy the surroundings.
We will relax and walk in the countryside, read or simply enjoy the atmosphere of the house between activities.
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With a maximum of six participants, the retreat remains intimate and personal,
allowing individual attention and a welcoming, convivial environment.
Kitchen Lingo Tuscany is ideal for independent travellers, particularly those coming alone, who value culture, good food, meaningful conversation, and a more authentic way of experiencing Italy.
The programme also includes carefully chosen excursions to nearby markets and local producers, and towns like Montepulciano, Pienza and Siena, offering insight into everyday Tuscan life beyond the usual tourist experience.
These outings provide further opportunities to hear and use Italian in authentic settings while discovering the region’s history, food traditions and landscape.
Your Host
The week is lead by me.
I was born and raised in Italy, studied Languages at the University of Venice before spending over thirty years living and working as a translator in the UK and France and creating and leading Italian language and cooking experiences for international guests.
Five years ago, I returned to Italy to create Casa Ezio Marchi, a historic farmhouse dedicated to hosting and immersive cultural experiences, like KITCHEN LINGO TUSCANY and RENAISSANCE ART TECHNIQUES retreats.
My teaching style is relaxed, intuitive and encouraging: you'll learn Italian through conversation, laughter, cooking together and the rhythms of daily Tuscan living.
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By the end of the week you will be speaking more naturally and feeling more at
home in Italy than you ever expected.
DATES
13-20 September 2026
7-14 March 2027
12-19 September 2027
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The Itinerary for 13-20 September 2026
7-Day Immersive Week
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Sunday 13 September — Arrival & Benvenuti
• Afternoon arrival at Casa Ezio Marchi
• Welcome aperitivo on the terrace
• Gentle orientation in Italian (introductions, house rules, essential phrases)
• Evening welcome dinner — conversation encouraged in Italian
• Mini homework: short self-introduction in Italian
Lesson: Introductory phrases, greetings, daily conversation basics (~1–1.5 hrs)
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Monday 14 September — Foundations of Italian & Tuscan Cooking
• Breakfast
• 09:30–11:30 Italian Lesson: key verbs, sentence structure, food vocabulary
• Hands-on cooking session at the villa
• Lunch: enjoy your creations
• Afternoon conversation games & vocabulary reinforcement (~1 hr)
• Free time / optional village stroll
Focus: speaking without fear through practical activity
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Tuesday 15 September — Sinalunga Market & Optional Dinner Out
• Breakfast
• Short preparation lesson: market vocabulary & dialogues
• Morning visit to Sinalunga weekly food market
• guided conversation practice
• ordering, asking prices, ingredient discussions
• Return to villa: cooking workshop with market ingredients (fresh pasta & sauces)
• Lunch together
• Afternoon rest / optional walk
• Optional dinner out in Sinalunga: enjoy local trattoria specialties and casual Italian
conversation
Focus: confidence speaking with locals and experiencing authentic Tuscan cuisine
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Wednesday 16 September — Truffle Hunting & Cooking
• Breakfast
• Morning excursion with a local truffle hunter and trained dog in the Tuscan
countryside
• Learn about truffle foraging, local ecosystems, and hunting techniques
• Guided conversation practice in Italian with the hunter
• Return to villa: hands-on cooking workshop featuring your freshly found truffles
• Lunch together enjoying the truffle dishes
• Afternoon free time: rest, read, walk, or enjoy the villa
• Evening reflection session in Italian / casual dinner at the villa
Focus: Italian through culinary adventure, connection with local traditions, practical
vocabulary in a unique setting
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Thursday 17 September — Montepulciano Market & Cooking
• Breakfast
• Morning visit to Montepulciano weekly market
• ingredient selection dialogues
• descriptive language practice
• Return to villa: cooking workshop (Tuscan main dishes + dessert)
• Long convivial lunch
• Afternoon free time
• Evening social dinner
Focus: grammar and vocabulary integrated naturally into practical tasks
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Friday 18 September — Pienza Walk & Cultural Immersion
• Breakfast
• Depart for Pienza
• Guided walk through historic centre: shopping, tastings, vocabulary, spontaneous
conversation
• Free time for lunch & exploration
• Return mid-afternoon
• Late afternoon reflection session in Italian
• Evening dinner at villa
Focus: Italian through cultural immersion and interaction with local life
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Saturday 19 September — Siena Day: Culture, Shopping & Exploration
• Breakfast
• Full-day excursion to Siena
• Guided walk through the historic centre: Piazza del Campo, Duomo, artisan shops
• Free time for shopping, exploring, and tasting local specialties
• Italian conversation practice naturally integrated into interactions with locals
• Return to villa mid-afternoon
• Evening dinner at villa
Focus: Italian in everyday cultural context, spontaneous conversation, and
independent exploration
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Sunday 20 September — Departure
• Breakfast and farewells
• Guests leave with new skills, friendships, and memories
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Practical Details
• Dates
13–20 September 2026
• Pricing
Private room: €2,500 per person
Shared room (for couples): €2,300 per person
• Group size: small & intimate (max 5–6 guests)
• Accommodation: 4 private rooms with en-suite bathrooms, 1 private room with
bathroom next door, at Casa Ezio Marchi
• Inclusions: all meals and wine (except free lunch in Siena on Saturday), Italian
lessons, cooking workshops, market visits, excursions (Pienza, Siena,
Montepulciano, Sinalunga), wine & dairy tastings, truffle hunting experience, and
cultural experiences.
• Not included: flights, transfers to villa, personal expenses (do ask for more info)
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• There are 3 small dogs in the premises and a few cats
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How to Get to Casa Ezio Marchi
By plane the closest airports are:
Florence Airport (FLR) – ~1.5 hours by car
Perugia Airport (PEG) – ~1 hours by car
Rome Fiumicino (FCO) – ~2.5–3 hours by car
Pisa Airport (PSA) – ~2.5 hours by car
By train. From the airport guests can also take the train to Terontola-Cortona, which is about 20 minutes from the villa.
Transfers - A private driver can be arranged to pick you up directly from the airport or Terontola-Cortona and bring you to Casa Ezio Marchi.
I CAN'T WAIT TO WELCOME YOU
If you have any questions or would like to reserve your spot, please send me a
message here as I’d love to hear from you.
I look forward to welcoming you to Casa Ezio Marchi and sharing a memorable
Tuscan week with you!
Subject to government guidelines and restrictions.
