Tour Host Pick of the Month...

Koinè Center and Vinarium

by Sheri Leigh

Talk about cultural immersion - Study language, cooking, wine, art, photography even sailing all in one interactive educational experience! That is the vision behind the two sister companies that make up this month’s Tour Host Pick of the Month.

The Koinè Center is dedicated to teaching Italian language courses and incorporating other cultural classes to expand the students understanding of the culture. With locations in Firenze, Lucca, Bologna, Orbetello, and Cortona  students have a great selection of locals and additional options. Naturally they offer the standard group classes and intensive courses, but if you really want a language bootcamp, opt for their Tutor course, is a super-intensive course at the teacher's home, including accommodations and weekend excursions! While not for the academically faint of heart, hanging out with your tutor will allow you lots of chances to meet their friends and really get to feel like a local.

Other classes that are offered with or without language courses are: Goldsmithery and jewelry, Language, Nature & Sports, Language, Art & Archaeology, Studio Art Courses and a Photography Workshop.

Vinarium offer a variety of cooking and wine classes as well as a selection multi-day activity tours such as Chianti by bicycle, Pane, Vino e Lingua a two-week program combining morning language instruction with afternoon culinary and cultural activities and excursions and single day tours to visit wineries and olive oil producers,. As well as tours such as The Artisans' Workshop, The Abbey in the Forest and The Oldest and Hidden Museums, just to name a few.

These two companies offer the educated traveler a fantastic way to experience Tuscany and her glorious culture from many different points of view.