Python Zero to Hero 2024
with Michael Kennedy
Villa Il Poggiolino
Tuscany, Italy
October 5 - 12, 2024
Spend a week in a luxurious Tuscan villa.
Each morning, learn Python with world-renowned expert Michael Kennedy. In the afternoons and evenings, explore the best Tuscany has to offer with hosts Larry Lustig and Marco Chelo, and local guides, and enjoy the Villa Il Poggiolino, a summer retreat of Florentine aristocracy dating to the early 1700s.
Bring a companion! There are extra morning activities for them if they're not interested in the course.
Video Introduction
Python From Zero to Hero is a new course in 2024. But look at the video below for a retrospective on one of our other courses in 2023.
The Course
Have you always wanted to build a website and API using Python? Maybe you already have one, but it's built using older, aging technology. This course will take you on a whirlwind tour of the latest Python technologies: FastAPI, Pydantic, async & await, HTMX, and MongoDB. And we will combine them into an impressive clone of pypi.org. If you're looking to level up your career and need some hands-on experience with new Python libraries and techniques, this course will definitely fit the bill.
Python From Zero to Hero is intended for for anyone who wants to build an API with Python as the backend language. And for people who want to leverage a modern database such as MongoDB and talk to it using Python's latest APls (async and await, Pydantic and more).
In terms of expected experience levels, the more experience you have with Python, databases, and the web, the better. However, we do spend the first day talking pure Python topics. This is to ensure that everyone is on a level playing field for the rest of the content.
If you have never programmed in any language, this course will be too advanced. Otherwise, bring a can-do attitude and we'll make it happen for you throughout the course.
Prerequisites
For the course you'll need the following:
* A working knowledge of Python or some other general-purpose programming language.
* A laptop computer. You'll get instructions on software to install closer to the event.
Topics Covered
Day 1:
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Python Foundations
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Language foundations
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External packages
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Strongly typed python
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Working with data with Pydantic
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Exercises
Day 2:
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Web foundations
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Async Python and async and await
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Introducing Document Databases and MongoDB
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Docker lightening introduction
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Exercises
Day 3:
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Database foundations
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Foundations of the Beanie ODM (History, Registering Connections, etc.)
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Modeling data with Document DBs and Pydantic Classes
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Querying and Inserting Data with Beanie's async API
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Exercises
Day 4:
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Intro to FastAPI
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Building a realistic API with FastAPI
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Accepting inbound data with FastAPI
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Web apps/pages/html with FastAPI
Day 5:
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Interactive web pages without JavaScript
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Introducing HTMX
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HTMX for dynamic search
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Deep linking with HTMX
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Better HTML organization and sharing with Jinja partials
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Exercises
Day 6:
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Performance testing and deployment
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Understanding modern web app typologies
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Running our app in "production"
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Performance Testing with locust.io
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A peak inside talkpython.fm's infrastructure
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Exercises
The Area
The villa is located in the province of Arezzo, an hour from Florence and a half-hour from Siena and the provincial seat of Arezzo. It is in the Val di Chiana, most famous for the breed of cattle used in Bistecca alla Fiorentina, the Tuscan steak dish, but also a center of wine and food production. Mostly rural and agricultural, the area provides endless vistas of rolling Tuscan hills.
About two miles from the villa is our local medieval village of Lucignano, with a pre-Roman origin in the Etruscan civilization and an elliptical layout within preserved medieval walls. Much of this territory, and Lucignano in particular, was fought over by the Florentines and the Sienese over centuries before Florence eventually became dominant. The town also features a number of excellent restaurants.
Beyond Lucignano we have easy access to other historic hill towns including Sinalunga, Castiglion Fiorentino, Monte San Savino, Pienza, and Montepulciano, which is famous for its wine.
We're a half hour from Cortona (of Under the Tuscan Sun fame) and the stunning city of Siena. A little further afield, it's an hour to Perugia and the town of Assisi in Umbria, as well as to Florence in the other direction.
The Villa
Originating as a noble summer villa in the 18th century, Villa Il Poggiolino has been updated to add modern comforts while retaining the historic aspects that make it a true Tuscan treasure. Approached by a typical Tuscan Cypress lane, the villa is surrounded by more than seven acres of land with views out across the Tuscan countryside and the medieval town of Lucignano.
The villa is laid out over three floors, with suites and standard bedrooms each with its own bathroom. Each floor has its own public space for relaxing and, of course, there's a private swimming pool.
Rooms & Prices
Early Bird Special
For last minue sign-ups we're offering a discount of $500 off any room (single, double, or triple occupancy). Full prices are listed below. Contact us and we'll invoice you at the discounted rate.
Prices are per room and depend on the room selected and the number of people occupying the room. Everyone who attends is welcome, but not required, to take the course. We do expect that at least one person in each room is there for the course. During class, companions are free to enjoy the villa's facilities or to participate in additional escorted activities arranged for them.
Some rooms can be made up with one large bed or two twin beds (as is common in Europe). If you are a single course participant and looking to split the cost of a room, contact us and we'll put you in touch with anyone else who has a similar interest.
Room Name | Beds | Bathroom | Description | Single Occupancy | Second Person | Third Person |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Iris | King | Private, en suite | Separate living room | $10,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 |
Rosa | Double | Private, en suite, shower only | Separate living room | $10,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 |
Girasole | Double | Private, en suite, shower only | $9,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 | |
Lavanda | Double | Private, outside room | $8,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 | |
Camelia | Double | Private, ensuite, shower only | Terrace | $8,000 | $2,000 | |
Calla | Double or Two Twins | Shared (checking. . .) | Smaller room | $6,500 | $2,000 | |
Dalila | Double or Two Twins | Shared (checking. . .) | $7,000 | $2,000 | ||
Giglio | Double | Private, outside room | Ground floor, no stairs | $8,000 | $2,000 | |
Mimosa | Double or Two Twins | Private, ensuite, accessible | Ground floor, no stairs | $8,000 | $2,000 |
Please note the following
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The villa does not have air conditioning (expect high temperatures of 65 to 70 degrees)
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Each room has its own bathroom, but in some cases the bathroom might be outside the room, off the hallway.
- Those rooms marked as "Double or 2 Singles" have two twin beds combined into a double bed, which can also be separated.
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Mattresses and pillows in Europe tend towards "extra firm".
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Where triple occupancy is available, the third bed is a roll-away and is appropriate for a child or teenager.
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The windows do not have screens (typical for Europe).
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The two of the bedrooms on the ground floor do not require stairs, and one has an accessible bathroom. Preference for that room will be given to disabled attendees.
The Team
Our team will ensure that your visit to the Villa Il Poggiolino is the most valuable professional learning experience you've ever had, and also an unforgettable getaway. In addition to Michael, the instructors, our team members will endeavor to make your stay delightful.
Itinerary
Breakfast is daily from 8 to 9 am. For those taking the course, classes will run from approximately 9 am to 1 pm each day. For those not taking the course, activities generally start around 10 am. The rest of the group will join us later in the day.
We keep the group pretty busy (there's a lot to see and do in Tuscany) but all activities are optional so if you want a day to simply enjoy the villa and grounds, or hang out by the pool, do it!
All the activities (admissions, guide fees, etc.) are included in the trip. For the very small number of exclusions, see the descriptions below, and the Inclusions & Payments section.
We keep the specific itinerary flexible to account for special opportunities and to plan around the weather, but here are some of the activities we have planned for the week.
Vineyard Tour & Tasting
Chianti was the first legally defined wine growing region in the world. We'll visit a local vineyard for a tour of the vines, wine making process, and cellars before sitting down for a guided tasting
Tour of Siena
You've heard of Florence and you've heard of Pisa, but do you know Siena? Siena is the most attractive and interesting city in Tuscany. We'll take a guided tour of the city, focusing on the history of the Palio, a wild horse race that has taken place in the city's central piazza for 400 years. Oh — and ice cream.
Organic Farm Visit
We'll visit our friends at farmhouse La Pineta where they produce organic wine from heritage grapes as well as raising animals and crops. If we have time, we'll ask them to do a participatory pasta making workshop.
Visit to Arezzo
Arezzo was already old at the time of the Romans. It has a fascinating history spanning the Etruscans, the Romans, and early Catholicism. It's rich in medieval art, and today it is known as a capital of fashion.
Local Hill Towns
The most famous hill towns in the world are found in Tuscany (and neighboring Umbria). Our "home" for the week is Lucignano, but we'll be visiting other towns as well.
Thermal Baths
The south of Tuscany has many thermal baths and spa resorts that date back to pre-Roman times. We'll visit one in the town of Chianciano Terme.
Food & Drink
Both food and drink are treated with a great deal of respect by Italians, and we'll be doing the same during our week in Tuscany. Breakfast at the villa is included every day. Also included is lunch on some days, four of the dinners, and drinks, including alcohol and a variety of interesting Italian soft drinks. We make every effort to cater to special diets.
Meals
Breakfast: Breakfast is served by the villa staff and can be enjoyed indoors or in the garden. Breakfasts in Italy tend to be heavy on pastries, but there will also be salumi (meats) and cheeses available.
Lunch: Lunches will be available at the villa in the form of a cold buffet of breads, meats, cheeses, vegetables, and fruits. When away from the villa, lunch may be part of a visit to a local food producer, or may be at a pizzeria or local osteria.
Dinner: Two of our dinners, on days two and seven, will be catered affairs at the villa. These will be served outside, weather permitting, or in the villa's dining room. We'll set the menus for these dinners once we know the preferences of all the attendees.
Other included dinners will be in well-respected local restaurants. For one of these dinners dressier clothes are appropriate.
For those dinners not included, we're happy to advise you on the local restaurant scene and help with reservations. Please note that many restaurants in Italy require reservations and don't open for dinner until 7:30 or 8pm.
Drinks
It's no secret that Italians in general, and Tuscans in particular, are a wine-drinking people. A selection of local wines will be available at the villa. Included meals also include house wines with lunch and dinner.
In addition, Italy has a rich culture of pre-dinner (aperitivi) and post-dinner (digestivi) drinks. We'll stock the villa with a variety of Italian amari (bitters) and other items for those who want to educate themselves about this aspect of Italian dining.
Non-drinkers are also cared for with a rich selection of Italian soft drinks that rarely make it out of the country. It's not necessary to drink alcohol to experience new tastes in Italy.
Special Diets
If you have special dietary restrictions, we're here to help you. At our group meals, we'll make sure you have plenty to eat. For meals on your own, we can help you find a suitable restaurant and make sure that the restaurant understands your requirements.
Gluten-Free: For a country so identified with pasta, there is a surprising awareness about gluten-free diets in Italy. The good news is that Italy has a long gastronomic history of using non-wheat flours (such as chickpea and chestnut flours) for both sweet and savory dishes.
Pescatarian, Vegetarian, and Vegan: Experienced Italian eaters know that one secret of Italian food is that the meat is rarely the star of the meal. Pescatarians and vegetarians will have no problem at all eating during our week in Italy. If you're vegan, you'll have a slightly harder time of it (you already knew that, didn't you?) but you'll still find plenty of delicious pasta and vegetable dishes.
Low Carb & Keto: While Italy is known for pizza and pasta, the local cuisine is also rich in salumi (preserved meats) and cheeses. Tuscan beef is famous around the world. It is possible to have a rich food experience while still following a low carb diet.
Religious: Yes, there is a fair amount of pork in the Italian diet but, as with meat in general, it's easy to avoid and we're happy to help. Tuscan beef is famous, and pizza is generally safe (and is available in non-dairy styles as well).
Inclusions & Payment
Included in the Price
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Accommodation as selected during booking, including one mid-week housekeeping.
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Full use of the villa's pool and other facilities, exclusive to our group.
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Tuition in the course for 1, 2, or 3 people per room.
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Meals:
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Breakfast every day
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Four dinners: catered welcome dinner at the villa on the second night, a farewell dinner on the last night, and two other restaurant dinners.
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Four lunches during tours.
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House wine and other drinks included with all meals and at the villa.
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All activities discussed in the Activities section, including guiding fees and admissions where required.
Not Included
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Transportation to and from the venue.
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Transportation to the various activities (but if you prefer not to rent a car, contact us and we'll consider providing transportation for a small supplement).
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Mandatory travel insurance.
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Meals not specified in the Included section.
Payment
A deposit of 25% is required at the time of reservation to select a room. This deposit is refundable for 14 days or until July 30th, whichever is earlier. After that, the deposit is non-refundable.
Full payment is due July 30th. This payment is non-refundable. If you are not able to attend, you may nominate an alternate person to attend in your place.
We accept payment by bank wire, credit card, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Insurance
You are required to have insurance with "cancel for any reason" coverage. We will ask you for the name of the carrier and the policy number during booking.
Inquire / Book Now
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Booking and inquires start the same way, by contacting us using the form below. We're happy to communicate by email or to give you a call at your convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this course tax deductible?
You will need to consult your tax advisor. In general, the cost of training and education (including transportation and lodging) is deductible under US law if it relates to your business and benefits your business activities.
Will my employer pay for this course?
It's possible. This is a professional education course taught by a well-known professional trainer who offers similar (but generally less in-depth) versions of the same materials at conferences and corporate training sessions. The cost, on a double-occupancy basis, is generally in line with courses of similar length taught in other venues. We are always happy to communicate with your HR department if they have questions or if they require an itemized breakdown.
Is there a minimum number needed for the course?
Yes, we need to fill six rooms in order for the course to go ahead.
What language is the course taught in?
While our team speaks English, Italian, some French, and some Spanish, all the teaching will be in English only.
Do I need my own transportation?
Yes. We expect each party to arrive at the venue by car. If you are interested in sharing a car with another attendee, please let us know and we'll put you in touch with anyone else in a similar position. If you prefer not to drive, we're considering offering transportation service in a small mini-bus for an extra charge of about $500 per person. Please inquire if interested.
Is the Villa Il Poggiolino a hotel?
No, the villa is not a hotel. Think of it more as a very, very nice vacation rental that is available only as an exclusive weekly rental. No one else will be staying there with us although there will be some staff for breakfast and light cleaning.
Will my non-course attending companion enjoy this program?
Yes, possibly more than you! We work very, very hard to ensure that there's plenty of activity for everyone. While attendees are in class, other people can enjoy the villa or some of the separate activities we organize for them. Of the three-person staff we'll have at the program, only Michael is dedicated to the instruction. Larry and Marco will be organizing other activities.
What if I'm one person but want to pay the double-occupancy rate?
We don't arrange roommates ourselves, but if you're interested in sharing one of the rooms that can be configured with twin beds, please let us know and we'll put you in touch with anyone else who is also interested.
Is my special diet accommodated?
We make every effort to cater to special diets. If your diet isn't covered in the Food & Drink section, please contact us with details and we'll see what we can do.