Italy
Living and Learning in Sicily: Independent Stay and Study
Program No. 24565RJ
See More Photos
Participant Reviews
Based on 11 Reviews
SHOWING
The end of April 2026, Tom and I returned from our amazing trip to Sicily. Alessandra was a wonderful guide who shared much information with us and took care of us like her children.
We enjoyed the language classes; however, found the three hours a day plus one or two hours of homework, that was not nearly enough time to fully learn everything taught that day, was very intense for us. We took the classes for three weeks and then told Alessandra and Simona, our teacher, that we had personally reached our goal of learning Italian. Both of these women understood and said that the choice was ours to make. We were very grateful. Knowing from the beginning that this was our choice, may have been helpful to us.
After that we thoroughly enjoyed our time learning, by walking, train rides and hydrofoils, around the island of Sicily and living in Cefalù like the local residents. They are lovely gracious people and we felt very welcome. Living in an apartment, instead of a hotel, certainly gave us better appreciation for what life is truly like to live there. For example, apartment heat may not be used from April through October. And the remote controls for the heat pumps were taken from our apartments. Also, conservation is very important on the island from conserving water to responsible trash removal. Each day a different form of trash was picked up at our front door, which MUST be placed there only between 6AM and 8AM. If either of these two rules/laws were not followed a financial fine would be served to the renter and the owner, by the town. We learned quickly. However, because of the huge importance of tourism, the hotels, restaurants and businesses were not constrained by these laws.
We would recommend this tour highly. However, do keep in mind walking can be a challenge because of uneven cobblestone walkways and streets, as well as no railings on most steps.
The food is delicious!
Happy participants,
Lois
— Review left May 21, 2026
This program is good for someone who wants to learn Italian on any level. You stay in Cefalu which is a tourist town and experience life in a town where you walk every where local. There is a train but travel is limited due to the time frame of travel unless you go to Palmero or Messina. You spend 4 hours a day in intense lessons and homework for follow up. You dont learn simple Italian as it is a complex language. Out of six weeks we traveled by bus to the interior of Sicily twice had a few activities with local travel. I would not do this trip unless you are fully interested in the language. The school facility and teachers were fantastic.
— Review left May 17, 2026
The language classes at Solemar were amazing. I really enjoyed living in an apartment as a local and having the independence to create each day based on what I wanted to do. A good thing to know is Cefalu is quite beautiful but a very small city (more like a town). At times I felt is was smaller than I would have wanted. Overall it was an incredible experience and I highly recommend it, if you are looking to immerse yourself in the language and life of an Italian.
— Review left April 29, 2026
I loved this experience so much I am going back again for the October 2026 trip. I'd been to Italy a few times with my husband before he passed away but we hadn't been to Sicily. Cefalu is a charming town, the language instructor Davide was excellent, the programmed excursions to Agrigento and the Baroque towns of southeastern Sicily were well organized and fascinating, activities were highly enjoyable (films, puppet theatre, happy hours, etc.), and our director Alessandra gets an A++++ for making us feel at home and for ensuring we had everything we needed. It was very special to live in an apartment, buy my own groceries and feed myself, hang out my laundry, and put the trash out on appointed days. The history, culture, literature, geography, architecture and food of Sicily were so rich I feel as though I need another six weeks to absorb and truly appreciate it. My comprehension of Italian improved immeasurably. My goal for the return trip is to achieve a similar level of ability to speak it.
— Review left April 23, 2026
The Living and Learning Program in Cefalu' Sicily is unique! If you are looking for a small town experience in a location beyond rich in history, in a very walkable town filled with warm and welcoming people, then this program is for you. Having a beach, a historic center and large park all near each other just makes it better.
Our Road Scholar group leader did a great job organizing group side trips and excursions to other parts of Sicily and in providing logistical support if we wanted to do things on our own. She was a great source of information and advice regarding the "living" portion. I felt free to do what I wanted and discover things on my own while knowing there was a giant safety net available should I need it. She was warm, competent, engaged and helpful at every stage of the program.
— Review left April 15, 2025
Superb program and learning experience! So much history and so many interesting and warm people. Highly recommend to everyone!
— Review left April 14, 2025
Feel free to share any of my comments! I have been telling friends and neighbors all about Road Scholar!
— Review left November 29, 2024
A magical six weeks in beautiful Cefalu. Our coordinator Alessandra took wonderful care of us in every way. Solemar language school is the best and Simona our teacher was everything a teacher should be. Full of heart and caring and fun. We were exposed to real social issues of Italy as well as the dolce vita. Loved our time there, made new friends, was awed by the beauty of Sicily.
— Review left November 27, 2024
This program was incredible. The opportunity to live in a beautiful Sicilian town while studying Italian from fantastic teachers exceeded all my hopes and expectations.
— Review left April 26, 2024
It was a very rich and rewarding experience. The combination of being in a group of curious adult learners in a fabulously beautiful and quaint old town, having one's own apt, going to school 4-5 mornings a week, the new friends made, lots of socializing, the fascinating weekend excursions, learning so much about many aspects of life in Sicily; these all helped make this experience truly meaningful and memorable.
— Review left April 24, 2024
What an incredible experience! Sicily is a magical place & we saw so much of it! The Italian language classes were excellent & the weekend excursions were amazing! I highly recommend this program if you are interested in learning the Italian language & experiencing life like an Italian in Sicily.
— Review left April 21, 2024











