A Contatti Language Tour is a unique experience.  A Contatti Language Tour  introduces you to a foreign country, leading you not only through its art galleries and past its monuments but also accessing its way of life and its reality.  Anybody who enjoys informative and stimulating tourism will value this opportunity to witness a country's public and private face at the same time.

A Contatti Language Tour  combines both structure and flexibility:
   
Mornings generally consist of a course of  lessons in the language of your host country.  Teaching is communicative, not bookish.  The pace is leisurely and the atmosphere relaxed.  The most popular course is about 15 morning lessons per week, usually between 9 and 12 o'clock.  Language classes are formed according to participants' ability and are suitable for adults of all ages whatever their level and interest- from total beginner to advanced speaker.   The highflyer  may want a 'complete immersion' whereas the tourist may wish for no more than a taster in order to understand the menu or find his way about town.

Afternoons are more loosely programmed and are generally devoted to excursions and outings, including all day trips to places of interest further afield, situated off the beaten track.  Evening events are sometimes organised as well, depending on the size of your institute.   The cost for these extra activities is either included in the price, or it is extremely competitive.

Guiding and Discussion in English

For those interested in the way of life, politics or history of their host country we propose Contatti-Tourist: a personalised programme of sightseeing and informed discussion in English with an inhabitant of your host country who is both a trained teacher and fluent English speaker.  It is available both as a complement to your language course or as a free standing programme in its own right.   Please ask us for further information contained in a separate leaflet.

A typical programme lasting one week would look like this:

(Two-week programmes often include a weekend excursion as an optional extra.)

Your morning programme provides you with an anchorage and framework for your own activities.   Although scheduled afternoon and evening events are generally conducted in the foreign language, they are for everybody and enjoyable for both linguists and non-linguists alike.

Accommodation possibilities are multifarious.  Contatti Language Tourists benefit from an impressive network built up by their host institutes:   carefully selected private homes with bed and breakfast or halfboard (some even with English speakers), apartments with cooking facilities, students' residences, modestly priced guesthouses as well as hotels often with special rates.   The options vary from institute to institute.    Some forms of accommodation constitute excellent value for money and are normally available only to Contatti Language Tourists.

'Added value'
Contatti Language Tourists benefit from a particularly personal service.  Information regarding transport, local attractions or specific requests (in English) is gladly given.   Insider advice is readily available. Contatti Language Tourists are thus spared many of the time-consuming and often frustrating organisational chores that holidaying can frequently involve. 

Contatti Language Tours - a wide appeal

For linguists:
The language student wishing to contextualise his studies
The exporter keen to know his target area
The enthusiast tired of interfacing with a CD Rom package

and also for:

The European interested in foreign cultures and lifestyles
The workaholic searching for a fresh source of adrenaline
'Third Agers', with energy to spare and time to indulge

'All seasonal'

Contatti Language Tours  can be enjoyed at any time of the year. Traditionally language tours are for two weeks.   However one-week programmes are increasingly popular, particularly for those short of time and constrained by other commitments.  Individual lessons and Contatti-Tourist programmes may be condensed into a few days or spread over a longer period at your convenience.   Many institutes are happy to arrange them at weekends as well.   Add to the good value of your weekend package with a personalised introduction to the culture and language of your host country.

'An enriching experience'

Contatti Language Tours fulfil on a deeper level too.  With their balance of group activities and individual options, they afford you the chance to mix with others whilst at the same time allow you space and time to withdraw and to explore on your own:  In short,  they offer the advantages of being solo without the boredom of solitude, the fun in mingling without the claustrophobia of the crowd.

Likely Budget

The following costings are based on the institutes who have been established for several years.    There are cheaper formulas available at usually younger and smaller - although by no means necessarily inferior - institutes.   It is worth noting that one, two or more week stays can be arranged for any of the countries, and the following are purely examples.

One Week

Two Weeks

A Contatti Language Tour can be enjoyed almost anywhere in Europe.  Our partners are established language schools and institutes, respected, tested and often especially accredited in their own country.   Contatti has selected them for the quality and the originality of their programmes, their flexibility in satisfying your specific requests and above all for their warm and personal welcome.  However Contatti is not a 'tied house'.   The venues are numerous and the options varied.   Years of experience and networking have enabled us to tailor your Language Tour to suit your choice of destination, your availability, your commitment and your budget.    If you have already decided, Contatti facilitates.   Should you wish further information, we will be delighted to advise and suggest: