By PETER DOUGLAS
WHAT better way to improve Italian speaking skills than by going to school in Venice.
A group of 16 members from Emerald U3A recently returned from a two-week visit to Italy where they not only attended an Italian language school but enjoyed the chance to experience the Venice Biennale.
The group was led by Emerald U3A’s Italian language tutors Aldo and Dolores Bellemo.
Aldo suggested the Italian class members might like to enrol at The Venice Italian School while the 2015 Biennale was on.
U3A member Paul Bianco said the members jumped at the opportunity.
“The group attended classes from 12 to 26 of September, in three levels, each weekday from 9.30am until 1pm, then had each afternoon to explore Venice,” he said.
“They visited the many exhibitions of the Biennale, churches and palaces, a glass factory on Murano and the silks on Burano, and some even attended a concert of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.
“Naturally, everyone has come back speaking Italian much better than when they left.”
One of the highlights of the Biennale was a visit to the recently completed Australian pavilion, which features an eclectic array of art by Australian artist Fiona Hall.
As well as the two weeks in Venice, most of them spent extra time before or after Venice exploring other parts of Italy including Sicily, Calabria, Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, Verona, Milan and Lake Como.
For information, including opportunities to join Emerald U3A, phone Mal Bowmaker on 5968 4922 or Maureen Trotter on 5968 3751.
