A testimonial in English: Dale

Our family had decided to take our vacation in Italy, and a friend offered us her apartment in Castiglioncello, a short drive from Livorno. My wife wanted to take Italian lessons (although I wasn't 100% convinced we needed to), and started looking for a language school. We decided on "La Scuola Toscana" because the teacher (Sara) was willing to come to our apartment. After Sara and my wife exchanged a few mails, we decided on 5 x 2 hours of lessons spread out over our two-week visit.

During our lessons - which Sara put together based on our needs and desires - we learned a lot, and we had fun doing it. Each time we met, the two hours went by in a flash, and we were able to easily apply what we learned while sightseeing and going out to eat in local restaurants. Nobody mistook us for native Italians, but we were able to ask directions, go grocery shopping, order at a restaurant in Italian; in short, normal, everyday things which made our vacation a lot more fun and interesting. Thanks to Sara, we were able to communicate with many more people than would have otherwise been possible.

To make our stay even more enjoyable, Sara gave us many insider tips about the area and where we could visit, arranged a wine tasting for us, and on the last weekend, she even gave us a personal tour through her home town of Livorno. I would heartily recommend La Scuola Toscana to anyone who wants to pay a visit to the Toscana, learn a little talian on the side, and just have a memorable vacation! 

Grazie mille, cara Sara! 

Dale, Oktober 2009

A testimonial in English: Vic

If you want to learn italian, Sara's school in Livorno is an ideal location. I spent six weeks with her at her school, during which time I received not only expert and professional tuition but also a chance to experience and learn about life in a typical Italian town, through visits to markets, shops and places of interest which abound in the area; all part of the varied courses which Sara organises.

Come and learn Italian in the sunshine! 
Vic, UK, March 2010

A testimonial in English: Lorraine

Ciao a tutti!

I wish to thank my nuova amica Sara Gasparri for a most wonderful and enjoyable learning experience at bella Livorno. Sara made learning Italian clear and simple for a novice like me.

We studied each day for two hours "on the move". One day by the Mediterranean Sea, one day touring to the Fortezza Vecchia and she also talked about la storia e la cultura di Livorno. My most favourite experience at Livorno was a visit... del mercato aperto.

Now io e mio marito desire to return to Italy someday soon and spend more time learning and experiencing the life and culture of Italy. Sara provided lessons not only in the language of Italy, but of its culture and lifestyle.

In addition Sara shared her knowledge and expertise of wine by way of the amazing visit to Giovanni Chiappini's vineyard, in the beautiful area of Bolgheri, Toscana. Giovanni, the owner, and his daughter Martina were most cordial and helpful in explaining about the care and growing of the grapes as well as the process for making the best wines.

I could not have planned a better holiday for fun and learning. Mille grazie, Sara. I truly recommend this experience to all who are interested in learning about the Italian language, heritage and culture.

Arrivederci.

Lorraine Santarlas, New Jersey, USA, Mai 2011