EXPLORE TUSCANY from Torre Mercato

Rent our Holiday Apartment in PISA!

Check out our listing on Homelidays

Torre Mercato (Market Tower) is Ecco Italy’s beautiful two-bedroom holiday apartment located in the historic, delicious market district of Pisa, Tuscany. The spacious, light-filled apartment features vaulted ceilings, two bedrooms, two baths, a living room and large, eat-in kitchen. Just outside the door you’ll find not only a historic, lively fruit and vegetable market (some stalls open all day), but also three bakeries, a fresh pasta shop, a butcher, a fishmonger or two, numerous gourmet shops (cheeses, cured meats, olive oil), several cafe’s and more than five of my favorite trattorias.

If that’s not enough to make it an ideal home-base for your Tuscan travels, consider that the train station is just a 15 minute walk from Torre Mercato (trains to/from Florence depart every hour!) and that Pisa’s airport serves most European cities (not to mention several of the low-cost airlines) for short getaways and easy arrivals and departures.

More photos upon request! Prices range from 400-900 euros per week depending on the number of people (2-5) and the season. 4 night minimum!

Call 434.825.4390 or e-mail us for info

BUON VIAGGIO!

Italian Language and Culture for Travelers – and Dreamers!

with Christina Ball
Coming Winter 2009 $275 ($500 per couple)
Discounts for grad students

Optional book/cd: Oxford’s Take off in Italian

If you’re planning (or want to plan) a trip to Italy in the near or distant future, this is the course for you! Buon Viaggio is a unique, effective, multi-faceted course which combines basic language practice with cultural orientation and endless travel tips. Each lesson will include a language portion geared towards the linguistic beginner : you’ll master Italian pronunciation, learn basic verbs and expressions (greetings, directions, numbers), practice ordering at an actual Italian coffee/gelato bar, order from actual Italian restaurant menus, practice shopping in Verity blue and learn all there is to know about hotels and reservations. We’ll use Oxford’s Take Off in Italian book/cd as our guide, as well our own customized language and travel materials.

The travel-culture segment of the class will include a history lesson taught by our resident historian Dr. Lynn Laufenberg (of Sweet Briar College), a travel planning workshop and a wine tasting lesson at enoteca numerous presentations on food, wine and travel by travel expert and Ecco Italy owner/professoressa Christina Ball

What past students say about Buon Viaggio:

“This class is a wonderful way to casually and comfortably be introduced to the Italian language and culture. Even with minimal practice at home, the class provides a great foundation for travel in Italy. Menus and actual restaurant receipts and train tickets from Italian cities were fantastic tools for practicing in class. The wine and food tastings and guest speakers were an excellent addition to the class. Grazie!”

Lisa Zangla
Charlottesville, Virginia

“Ecco Italy is a fun and great way to get introduced to Italian and to get you over the natural fear of trying to speak a foreign language imperfectly. If all language training were done like this, we all would be happy to work at being multi-lingual!”

Paul Sartori
Charlottesville, Virginia

PLAN THE PERFECT TRIP!

TRAVEL CONSULTING at Ecco Italy

Planning a trip to Italy and not sure where to start? Bogged down by the infinite options you’re uncovering on the internet? Seeking insider advice? Ecco Italy can help! Our private consulting sessions are geared towards helping you make the most of your Italian holiday – and steering you clear of common mistakes.

“Planning our trip to Italy with Christina was fantastic! We have a total itinerary that is tailored to our style of travel and budget. Her firsthand knowledge and experience are enabling us to stay longer and visit some sites, towns and treasures off the beaten path. We are excited! Thank you, Christina!”

Pete & Cindy Groh
Charlottesville

$125 per 90 minutes (other options available)
Ask Christina for details!

CUSTOM COURSES

GOT A GROUP GOING TO ITALY? Ask about customizing an Italian for Travelers course that’ll suit your interests and schedules. We can host your class at our beautiful and central location or even come to you! We’ll focus on the regions and cities on your itinerary and teach you the lessons (history, food and wine, language) you most need or desire. Contact us for details.

“We had a wonderful afternoon preparing ourselves for our upcoming trip to Tuscany. You made us feel very relaxed and unafraid to attempt to speak Italian. The children enjoyed it the most (the girls are still practicing with their alter egos, a.k.a Caterina and Emilia! : ). I think we have some of the basics mastered, but we are still working on numbers—-we have our handouts at the ready. We really found the pronunciation 101 exercises to be most helpful. Your advice about day trips and basic cultural tips will be most useful in planning our days. Of course, the highlight for all of us was our reward of gelato! Thank you again for being so patient, but most importantly so enthusiastic—-it was contagious! We can’t wait to experience Italy!”

Audi Barlow
Charlottesville, VA