Lake Como villa's pop up summer school

For two weeks in July 2013 one of Lake Como’s most famous villas will be transformed into an all-inclusive pop-up “summer school” for holidaymakers seeking a true Italian cultural experience. Trekking, pasta making, Italian conversation and seaplane lessons are just some of the courses available at the Lake Como Summer School, which offers guests the chance to completely immerse themselves in Italian culture while exploring hobbies, keeping fit and relaxing on the Villa la Collina estate. The Villa la Collina is a classic 34 room estate overlooking Bellagio from its prime position across the lake in Tremezzo. The Lake Como Summer School guests will have the villa and its grounds, pool and facilities to themselves for the duration of their stay for either one or two weeks. Behind the concept for the Lake Como Summer School are Raffaella Girola and Vera Sorensen, who drew inspiration from British adult summer schools to create this once in a lifetime experience in beautiful Lake Como. "Staying in a villa in Lake Como was previously only an option for those with very deep pockets but we have changed that with all-inclusive packages designed to help guests explore their interests in the world’s most beautiful setting,” notes Girola. Visitors can take guided tours of the region’s historic villas, learn to converse and cook like an Italian, and relax after classes in the gardens and pool of the breathtaking Villa la Collina, one of the region’s architectural landmarks. The school offers cultural courses in music, literature and cooking; physical activities including folk dance, pilates and golf; and once-in-a-lifetime experiences that take advantage of Lake Como’s terrain, including Nordic walking, trekking and flying a seaplane." Girola continues: "Guided tours of the region’s churches and villas, classes in pasta and gnocchi making and hikes in Lake Como’s hills are all conducted in English and give our guests plenty of downtime to relax, take in the scenery or do their own exploring." A week of all-inclusive accommodation, meals and courses start from 1200 euros. Places are still available for one or both of the weeks starting from July 7 and 14.