I have literally just returned from my week with Sira, and words cannot express my appreciation of our incomparable time together.

It wasn’t just the daily lessons which were thoughtfully designed to target the specific weaknesses in my study of Italian.  Nor was it just the incredible adventures we enjoyed, from touring incredible borghi to cooking the finest Spaghetti con Muscoli I have ever eaten – followed by grammar exercises developed in conjunction with those activities.  It was Sira herself, intelligent, encouraging, and kind always.  While the study of a foreign language will have its wonderful passages along the way to fluency, there are many more moments of frustration, self-criticism, and doubt.  Sira has a way of coaching her students through those periods with support, wisdom, and laughter, not only as a superior instructor but as a true friend.
When our week was over, I was genuinely sad to depart – and also deeply grateful for the tools she gave me so I may continue to improve until we see each other again next year.
During my week with Sira, I stayed at Gardenhouse in Sarzana, literally only a few steps from town.  In light of my hard studies during the day, I was ever appreciative to have such a lovely apartment where I could retreat every evening.  It’s everything you would want in your own home: charming, easy, and neat. Highest reccommendation.

Michael M. , New York (October 2025)