I have just returned home from my second Homestay Italian course and am already thinking of planning the third.

Even though I had met Sira in 2023, I was still a little apprehensive. Were my memories of my first visit correct? Did I really have such an amazing time whilst improving my Italian?
As soon as I saw Sira, with her lovely friendly smile, waiting for me at the railway station in Sarzana, it was like re-connecting with an old friend and I knew that I had made the right decision.
Sira is an incredible teacher. Her ability to know what a student wants and needs in order to progress is amazing. She is engaging and enthusiastic and tailors the whole stay to personally suit the individual, both in Italian learning and other interests the student may have. For me, every morning began with a more formal, written lesson based on what we did the previous day. These lessons took place in many different locations. At the kitchen table, sometimes ‘al bar’ whilst enjoying caffè and cornetto or at the beach. We visited some beautiful villages nestled up in the surrounding hills and also went high up into the Alpi Apuane to Campo Cecina and looked down on the Carrara marble quarries and then visited a Rifugio for lunch where we feasted on delicious food. The learning by doing method of teaching means that you are learning whilst engaging in activities that interest you. Therefore, if your interest is, like mine, learning to make traditional Ligurian Pesto Genovese, that is what you will do…. All in Italian.
On two evenings during my stay, I had the opportunity to meet and eat with Sira’s friends. Adriano, who I had met on my last visit and a lovely lady named Maura. As their English is limited it gave me an opportunity to practice my spoken Italian and also listen to them speaking with Sira and try to follow the conversation.
The town of Sarzana is a wonderful medieval town, complete with its fortress and walls. Here you will also find the many small shops where you will be able to interact with the local shopkeepers when buying your daily essentials, bread, meats, cheeses and vegetables and also at the bar whilst enjoying caffè and a delicious pastry. Sarzana is reachable by direct train from Pisa airport in less than an hour, which makes it a very easy journey.
If you are looking for a total immersion into Italian learning where you can experience true Italian life with someone who is dedicated, fun and extremely knowledgeable, not to mention patient and a genuinely lovely person, then a homestay with Sira is for you.
My week flew by and all too soon it was time for me to leave. Thank you Sira for a wonderful week helping me to not only improve my Italian but make some fantastic memories too. I’m missing you and the cats already, and hope to be back again soon.
Debra P. – UK (May 2025)