There have been quite a few reviews of the various language schools around Italy. Try the search function. Where did you want to be? I haven't done it yet, but the ones I've considered were in Montepulciano and Sicily.

http://www.ilsasso.com/eng/

http://www.solemar-sicilia.it/

I've done it twice for a couple of weeks at a time. First time I was by myself, went to Lucca to the Koine school. Lucca I loved, Koine not so much. Actually, a few of the good people from Koine left and have now opened their own school (I think its called Lucca Italian school). The next time I went to Siena with my husband and I took Italian in the mornings at Saena Iulia. Great teachers and management.

http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/first-catch-your-octopus-10-days-studying-italian-in-tuscany.cfm

kybourbon - thank you so much for the links. The school in Montepulciano looks wonderful! I have heard that the smaller towns offer better courses, whether that is true or not. I'm getting that familiar itch to go back...

cruiseluv - Thank you for the tips. I will look up Saena lulia next. Sorry to hear you were disappointed with your first experience. Can you tell my any more about Saena lulia?

hi, galestorm,

i did a week-long course in southern tuscany last May, in a place that no-one has ever heard of called Orbetello. the school concerned is called linga terramare - here's the link:

http://www.linguaterramare.com/IT/la_scuola.asp

I chose it because they would organise a course only for a week [though 2+ would have been a lot better] and I could combine it with the cuisine too, though in retrospect I'd have done better just sticking to the ordinary course and doing the standard excursions.

because it's a small school in a small place you get to know people really quickly and we had a class of only 4 people. there was also a school rule that you speak italian to each other all the time, whether the teachers are there or not, which I really liked and learnt a lot from.

they will also arrange a home-stay with a local family for you, or hotel if you prefer.

if you want more information, click on my screen - name and you will find my trip report.

buona fortuna!

Here's one mention of Il Sasso.

>>roamer on Apr 10, 09 at 9:27pm

My husband and I have attended Il Sasso 5 times. (We finally made it up to Intermediate Level) It is the best! The instructors are excellent, and we have enjoyed the others in our classes. Also, we love Montepulciano and the surrounding area. Although we found our own accommodations, many others used the Il Sasso staff recommendations for apartments and were quite satisfied. Enjoy!<<<

http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/montepulciano-accommodation.cfm

galestorm,

one aspect to think of is ease of access to the school.

i picked the one in Orbetello partly because it was in a place i was not familiar with, and partly because it is on a direct train line from Pisa [where i was arriving at the airport].

i liked the look of the schools in Montepulciano and in Siena but was put off by the increased difficulties of getting there without a car.

Galestorm,

The admin in Saena Iulia were great at answering in detail my many questions, sending me a long list of referrals, etc. Once there I was impressed by their friendliness and the quality of the teachers. Also their class size is limited to 6 ( there were only 4in my class), whereas most schools have as many as 12 persons limit.

If I went back I would try the Lucca Italian school since I prefer Lucca over Siena. Dont get me wrong, Siena is a gorgeous city but for whatever reason I love Lucca.

I can second the Saena Iulia recommendation- I did 8 weeks there (over three trips) some years ago.

I can very much understand loving Lucca, but for me, Siena wins as a location. Siena is not too difficult to get to. Easy by coach from Rome, about 2 hours by train from Pisa (change at Empoli).

Whichever school you choose, I would highly it. I went to study Italian with some trepidation, but it was a wonderful experience, and I have never regretted it.

Maybe time I tried again ..... mmmmm Orbetello sounds interesting.

>>>i liked the look of the schools in Montepulciano and in Siena but was put off by the increased difficulties of getting there without a car.<<<

I think both Siena and Montepulciano are as easy (or easier) to reach than Orbetello, but would depend on your start point. Siena is served multiple times a day (about 10) from Rome (Sena bus)and from Florence (Sita bus). Montepulicano can be reached from Rome or Florence via train to Chiusi-Chianciano and a change to the local bus to Montepulciano. I think there is also some limited bus service from Florence to Montepulciano.

>>>Siena is not too difficult to get to. Easy by coach from Rome, about 2 hours by train from Pisa (change at Empoli).<<<

There is a bus from Pisa airport to Siena, but only once per day.
http://www.pisa-airport.com/aeroporto_di_pisa_196.html

Here's some reviews of the school in Cefalu, Dante in Rome, Il Sasso and Saena Iulia. The person suggesting the school in Viterbo is an advertiser.
http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/language-course-in-italy-recommendations.cfm#last-comment

kybourbon - exactly. From Pisa, Orbetello was for me the easiest option [apart from a language school in Pisa that is]. perhaps I did not express myself as well as i could have done!

Wow! I hadn't checked my thread in few days, thank you everyone.
annhig & cruiseluv - check this out!
http://www.saenaiulia.it/07_4_summer-courses-italian-language-in-siena-italy.php
Saena lulia offers one week in Siena and the other week in Orbetello!!! The best of both worlds.
kybourbon - thank you ever so much for providing me with more links to take a look at.
Overall,(thank you willit) a language immersion seems to have been a very pleasant experience for those that have done it.
Bravissimo to roamer (thanks again ky) for getting to the intermediate level!
I still lean to Montepulciano, but I'm wondering it is because of the wine , and the fact that when we were in Umbria a few years ago I never got over to hear the Gregorian chanting at the monastery. Lord knows, the wine might not be too conducive to my learning capabilites but then again it may help!

Galelstorm, that does sound like a winning combination! You have a tough decision to make, I've read many positive reports about Il Sasso as well. How long would you go for? I'm not sure I would want to be in such a small town for over a week.

I'm not sure I would want to be in such a small town for over a week.>>

cruisluv - which were you referring to as a small town? I don't know Montepulciano so i can't comment but there is certainly enough to do in Orbetello for a week, bearing in mind that there are classes from 9-1, then lunch and "una pausa" then [usually] an excursion organised by the school followed by supper. the excursions were very interesting and tok me to places that otherwise I'd probably never have seen as that area of southern Tuscany is very little visited by casual tourists.

galestorm - you do indeed have a difficult choice to make.

I was referring to Montepulciano. And maybe it's wrong for me to characterize it as such since I've never actually been there. My comment was based on my research when I was deciding among various schools. I was considering Il Sasso but decided against it because I wouldn't have a car and felt two weeks there with no transportation would be too much.
One week I could spend pretty much anywhere in Italy.