Homestay in Sarzana, Italy with Sira Gheller

I had heard a woman in a mutual Italian chat group talk about her experience with Sira’s homestay course, and it sounded exactly like the kind of experience I wanted for myself. I had been studying Italian for about 3 years but I felt I needed more intensive conversation. The four-day private experience was filled with conversation, sightseeing and Italian food. Our lessons were woven into the Italian culture which began with cappuccino and a cornet, or after a walk or a chat in a local park. Sira produced the lessons based on my level of conversation and my issues with grammar. Sira’s Italian is beautiful. Her enunciation is crystal clear and because she spoke slowly, it was possible for me to understand almost everything she said. The relaxed backdrop of seeing a castle or walking around a walled city encouraged comment and conversation. Conversations were not forced or timed. The experience unfolded very naturally. Short periods of unaccompanied time allowed for individual exploration of the medieval town and time to just sit and people watch. The town of Sarzana is steeped in history and the ancient resides adjacent to the modern. There are modern stores in ancient buildings. On the final day of the homestay, I was thrilled to participate in the preparation of two dishes with a local and well-known chef who runs a family owned and operated Italian restaurant. The experience was unique, fun and informative. We made crispy fried asparagus and gnocchi with zucchini pesto. The best part was that we got to eat it all for lunch!! I can only say good things about the course and about Sira. She is a lovely, helpful and accommodating person. If you are looking for a different kind of language experience, I certainly recommend spending a few days with Sira in Sarzana, Italy.

Janet L., New York City, USA (May 2026)