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Cimabue Cross

Cimabue’s Tale of Two Crosses – A Pivotal Shift Toward the Renaissance

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Ready for Italy in 2026? Join a Matta Italian Imme

Ready for Italy in 2026? Join a Matta Italian Immersion in Arezzo, Tuscany, or Florence!

Ciao amici,

Make 2026 the year of Italian adventure! The Matta Italian Language Immersion Programs are now open for enrollment — and we have four unforgettable experiences waiting for you.

Arezzo – June 14 - 26, 2026 Spend two wonderful weeks in the heart of Tuscany in Arezzo’s historic city center. Study Italian in the mornings, explore art, food, and culture in the afternoons, and live like a true local.

Tuscany Villa – Mid-September 12 - 21, 2026 Relax and learn Italian in a countryside villa just outside Arezzo — with a pool! Bringing a partner? Wonderful! Even if they’re not taking Italian lessons, they’re welcome to join in all the fun activities and group meals.

Florence – Late September 26 - Oct 5th Experience the magic of Florence — art, history, and vibrant city life — while taking your Italian skills to new heights. Practice in real-life situations at markets, cafés, and museums.  Arezzo – Giostra del Saracino Weekend Program Early September 5 - 7, 2026 Join me for a long 3-Day weekend in Arezzo during one of Italy’s most exciting historical jousting festivals!

Each Matta Immersion combines: • Small-group Italian lessons (all levels welcome) • Cultural excursions and hands-on activities • Comfortable accommodations • A friendly space to practice and grow your Italian

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced speaker, you’ll return home more confident, inspired, and speaking Italian like never before.

Matta students and Book Club members receive a $100 discount on any 2026 program plus two complimentary private Italian lessons with Melissa!

Book the 2026 Tuscan Villa Program by December 1 and enjoy a free massage at the villa — a little extra dolce vita from Matta!

#learnitalian🇮🇹 #italianlanguageimmersion

🇮🇹 Un consiglio dalla Matta 🇮🇹 Matt

🇮🇹 Un consiglio dalla Matta 🇮🇹
Matta Italian Language Tip!

Learn Art and Language in Florence!

When you’re in Florence with Melissa next September, get ready to expand your artistic vocabulary! During lessons and visits to artisan studios, you’ll learn words like pennello (paintbrush), sfumatura (shade), intreccio (pattern), and lucentezza (shine). Bring a small notebook and jot down the new words you hear from Florentine artisans—then use them to describe your own creations and the art around you!

Florentine Art Vocabulary Mini-Guide: Do you know what these words mean?

il pennello 
la tavolozza 
la sfumatura
la luce 
l’ombra 
la composizione 
l’artigiano / l’artigiana 
la bottega 
il capolavoro

Learn more about studying in Italy and join a 2026 Matta Italian Immersion Program!

Spaces fill quickly — reserve your spot early!

A presto, Melissa
(la Studentessa Matta) 
Learn Italian. Live Italian. Love Italy.

#MattaItalianImmersion #FlorentineTraditions #StudyItalianInItaly #HandmadeInItaly #MattaInFirenze #ItalianLanguageLearning

Dove l’arte, la storia e la lingua italiana si i

Dove l’arte, la storia e la lingua italiana si incontrano!

Where art, history, and the Italian language meet!

Cos’è la Carta Marmorizzata?What is Marbled Paper?

La carta marmorizzata è una delle più raffinate e riconoscibili arti artigianali fiorentine. Si tratta di una tecnica antichissima che crea motivi ondeggianti e colorati sulla superficie della carta, simili al marmo.
#CartaMarmorizzata #Florence #FlorentineTraditions #HandmadeinItaly #ItalianArtisans #MattainFirenze #MattaItalianImmersion #StudyItalianinItaly

http://www.studentessamatta.com/florentine-marbled-paper-carta-marmorizzata-italian-immersion/

Andiamo, Ragazzi! The 2026 Studentessa Matta Itali

Andiamo, Ragazzi! The 2026 Studentessa Matta Italian Adventures await!

Hop on the Vespa with la Studentessa Matta and get ready for three unforgettable Italian immersion programs!

June 14–26 → Arezzo: Study Italian in this historic city, live and converse like an Italian and experience the lively Giostra del Saracino — medieval Joust festival!
 Sept 12–21 → Tuscan Villa in Rigutino: Learn Italian surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and sunsets straight out of a dream.
 Sept 26–Oct 5 → Florence: Live like a local among art, gelato, and morning cappuccinos on Via Tornabuoni!

Small groups, endless Italian conversations!
 Classes in the morning + cultural adventures in the afternoon = un’esperienza indimenticabile!

Join Melissa (La Studentessa Matta) and let’s make 2026 il tuo anno italiano!

#StudentessaMatta #LearnItalianInItaly #ItalianLanguageTrip #ArezzoItaly #FlorenceItaly #TuscanVilla #ItalianImmersion #StudyAbroadItaly #SpeakItalian #MattaTravels #LaDolceVita #VivaItalia #TravelWithMelissa #ItalianAdventure #Matta2026

🇮🇹 Un consiglio dalla Matta 🇮🇹 Matt

🇮🇹 Un consiglio dalla Matta 🇮🇹
Matta Italian Language Tip!

Parla come Caravaggio!

Want to bring some drama to your Italian? Take a cue from Caravaggio, the master of chiaroscuro — light and shadow. Just as his paintings contrast brilliance and darkness, Italian too plays with contrast and intensity.  

Try using expressive adverbs and phrases that add depth and emotion — words like “davvero” (truly), “assolutamente” (absolutely), or “proprio” (really/indeed). They act like linguistic brushstrokes, emphasizing meaning just as Caravaggio’s light illuminates his subjects.  

Also the expression: “Annamo!” — it’s the local way of saying Andiamo! (Let’s go!). Romans love shortening words and adding a bit of flair — it’s part of their charm!

* "Annamo al mare" (We're going to the beach).

* "Annamo a pijà il gelato?" (Shall we go get some ice cream?).

* The word can also be used sarcastically in the phrase "Annamo bene..." to mean "We're in trouble" or "That's just great," often when a situation is going wrong

 “Parla con luce e ombra… e la tua lingua italiana brillerà come un capolavoro!”

#StudentessaMatta #ItalianHomestay #LearnItalianInItaly #RomeHomestay #Garbatella #ItalianLanguageLearning #RomanHoliday #StudyItalianAbroad #MattaHomestay

🇮🇹 Un consiglio dalla Matta 🇮🇹 Matt

🇮🇹 Un consiglio dalla Matta 🇮🇹
Matta Italian Language Tip!

La filosofia linguistica della Matta — sii curioso e costante!
The Matta Language Learning Philosophy — be curious and consistent

Approach the language with insatiable curiosity—poke around, chase every new word, and get into grammatical mischief. The more you explore, the more naturally Italian will become a part of you!

Learn new words daily! Start with these: Scapare & Scopare

Non confondere “scapare” con “scopare”! La pronuncia è tutto! “Scapare” vuol dire “to escape” mentre “scopare” vuol dire… ehm... “to sweep” (o qualcosa di molto più piccante!).

Don’t confuse “scapare” with “scopare”! Pronunciation is everything1 “Scapare” means “to escape” while “scopare” means… ahem… “to sweep” (or something much spicier!).

Visit the StudentessaMatta.com website to read a post about “Scopare” and “Scapare”

#learnitalian #italianlanguage #italianimmersion #ItalianVocabulary

2026 Italian Language Small Group Immersion Progra

2026 Italian Language Small Group Immersion Programs

Live the Language. Love the Culture. Speak like an Italian in Italy!

Join me, Melissa Muldoon (@StudentessaMatta), in 2026 for one (or more!) unforgettable Matta Italian Language Immersion Programs — where learning Italian goes far beyond the classroom!

Arezzo City – June 14–26, 2026
 Tuscan Villa Retreat – September 12–21, 2026

Florence – September 26–October 5, 2026
 Giostra del Saracino Festival – September 5–7, 2026 
Immerse yourself in Italian life with small-group programs that blend:
 • Morning Italian lessons with expert teachers • Afternoon cultural adventures, cooking, wine tastings & art • Authentic local experiences with new friends who love la bella lingua
• Make 2026 the year you speak Italian with confidence and live your Italian dream!

Space is limited — visit StudentessaMatta.com to reserve your spot today!

#MattaLanguageImmersion #StudentessaMatta #LearnItalianInItaly #ItalianImmersion #ArezzoItaly #FlorenceItaly #Rigutino #GiostraDelSaracino #StudyAbroadItaly #LearnItalian

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