Reviews for this Homestay in Borgomanero (Novara) , Italy

Extraordinary language and cultural experience

In one heck of an extraordinarily hot two weeks in July of 2015, I had an extraordinary language and cultural experience with Lucia de Zuani. I have self studied Italian for roughly 8 years and found my two weeks with her an exceptional addition to my Italian language skills. She adapts her teaching methods to the level of the student's ability and I am supremely confident that if you are beginner or near native language level, Lucia will improve your Italian skills by leaps and bounds compared to other programs. (I have had some private lessons, and some group lessons in Italy too.) If one can swing it, do a homestudy program. If Lucia has an opening, you'd be crazy not to do it with her. Here are links to a couple of the exceptional experiences I had with her that are a part of learning Italian as a language and learning of its culture as well: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g1131346-d8442522-r288148980-Madonna_dell_Uva-Borgomanero_Province_of_Novara_Piedmont.html AND http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g1063324-d3639321-r299944655-Trattoria_Belvedere-Mergozzo_Province_of_Verbano_Cusio_Ossola_Piedmont.html Those are NOT the only amazing experiences to which Lucia introduced me to but only those as I have reviewed on TripAdvisor as of this date, but others are pending!!!
Don - stayed July 2015 (Review submitted on August 19, 2015)
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Excellent homestay experience

I stayed with Lucia for two weeks in the month of August to help improve my Italian and had a truly wonderful experience.

From the moment I arrived I felt comfortable and very well looked after. The trip was tailored exactly to my needs and what I hoped to gain from my stay.

The property was very well maintained, clean and offered a great chance to immerse myself in a typical Italian appartment.
I particularly enjoyed the food and cooking which offered a great variety and was very tasty!

I would definitely recommend you visit Lucia as the one to one tuition was of a very high standard, the nearby lakes and mounatins provided many great day trips and most of Lucia because Lucia was such so friendly and caring and did all she could to ensure I enjoyed my stay and improved my Italian. I definitely did both!



Lisa-Marie - stayed August 2011 (Review submitted on November 04, 2012)
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Learning Italian and Enjoying Italian Hospitality

I only had 3 days to spend to learn Italian with Lucia but it was all worth it. She was extremely patient to remind me of the Italian vocabulary I had known before and teach me the new words, phrases to express what I felt and what we did. And we did it while exploring Borgomanero, Milan, and Orta San Giulio - yes, we did all in those short 3 days! I'll never forget the moment Lucia took me to very tiny island, Isola di San Giulio, that was so breathtakingly beautiful in spite of the size.
She also took me to a pizza restaurant with warm atmosphere belonging to her best friend's family and the other day she cooked delightful and healthy pasta to enjoy at her nice flat. Oh and she helped me to find the CDs of my favorite Italian bands in any CD store we passed. We still keep in touch now in a wonderful way - she always has time to fix the incorrect word and spelling I write on my message to her! Don't hesitate to contact Lucia to learn and improve your Italian, you'll get a teacher also best friend and for sure you'll enjoy Italian hospitality everywhere you go with her. Highly recommended.

Ika - stayed June 2010 (Review submitted on September 21, 2012)
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Pleasant and useful stay

I wanted to combine Italian language learning with seeing something of the Lakes area. My level of Italian was quite modest. Lucia was extremely helpful in all ways, and the week was extremely good value. She arranged trips and visits with great efficiency and helped me forward with my Italian, in lessons, on trips and at mealtimes. Her cooking was excellent. Her flat was very comfortable to stay in. She is a most sympathetic person, and I enjoyed meeting her son and daughter nearby. We stay in touch in a friendly way. Strongly recommended.
Nicolas - stayed April 2011 (Review submitted on September 19, 2012)
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An amazing 2 week- italian immersion with Lucia

In May 2012, I went to Italy to study italian. Having travelled extensively in many areas of Italy, I wanted to live in a smaller town. When I read what Lucia had to offer and I started to communicate with her via emails, I realized that Lucia's place in Borgomanero is where I wanted to be since I also like the Piemonte region.
From my arrival until my departure I never stopped being amazed by everything Lucia did for me to make my stay a most wonderful experience. Her apartment, a short walk from the town centre is clean, well organized and spacious, so I had my own bedroom and private bathroom. Lucia offered me a lot of food choices and the meals she cooked were very good and healthy as she cooks with fresh ingredients.
What I liked the most about my learning experience was that she included me in her weekly activities: going to her friend's house for dinner where I took part in the discussions, going out folk dancing one evening, watching a movie, going shopping, having her friend come over to cook a special meal for us, going to Lake Maggiore and the Islands, going to Lake D'Orta, and driving to the mountains or going to market where she bought local cheese and olives. What fun we had! She also knows of a few small regional restaurants which no tourist would ever find and where one day we had amazing home-made gnocchi for lunch! So good!
Lucia is passionate and very knowledgeable about her native italian language. I was grateful to have her as my teacher because as we talked and I made errors, she corrected my mistakes in a gentle, patient way, always explaining the grammar rule as well as including several examples which clarified for example when to use a certain expression or the correct tense of verb.
Finally I want to say to anyone who wishes to have a holiday and learn Italian at the same time, Lucia will not disappoint you. I guarantee, you will have a most memorable holiday and will return home the richest person because you will have found a wonderful friend in Lucia, plus you will have become more fluent in italian. In her words, "Teaching Italian and taking my guests on excursions is like being on holidays every day". She will amaze you with her love of life and energy!
May 2012
Suzanne Linton, Ottawa, Canada


Suzanne - stayed May 2012 (Review submitted on September 15, 2012)
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A great holiday

We very much enjoyed our stay in Borgomanero. I particularly enjoyed the variety of Italian foods and cooking. Lucia is a very conscientious teacher and we made a lot of progress during the week. I also enjoyed the trips to the surrounding towns and lakes. A very considerate host, she was very adaptable to our wishes. Highly recommended.
Richard - stayed February 2012 (Review submitted on September 10, 2012)
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A unique personalized language tutoring program

There are so many ways to learn Italian and in choosing Lucia's homestay program in the small town of Borgomanero you will have a wonderful experience. Lucia provides neat accomodation in her own spacious apartment and tailors the language lessons to suit your level. She includes a variety of excursions to local settings and includes you in whatever social activities are happening at the time. This style encourages you to try out your conversation skills in real life situations and Lucia is forever patient and supportive.She is also a wonderful cook and will cater to your needs.
My stay was during the winter month of February so she included trips to the surrounding alps, the many picturesque lakes and towns and into Milan. If you want some independence there are many other non touristy towns nearby to explore using the local train system.
This is so unlike an immersion language program run by the big city schools in a class with other students. You will find your Italian improves so much and Lucia is such a warm and friendly teacher.
I can definitly recommend her program either on a short term visit or an extended stay.



Kay - stayed February 2009 (Review submitted on September 09, 2012)
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Great stay in a fantastic location

Lucia has a spacious first floor apartment in a quiet location a few minutes walk from the town centre. Guests have their own bedroom and private bathroom. Everything is beautifully organised and maintained.
Lucia is very friendly and will look after your every comfort. She not only helped me improve my Italian but took me to some wonderful places in the area. The surrounding lakes, islands and mountains are stunning, and there are plenty of interesting museums to visit too. Milan is not too far away, so a day trip is also a possibility.
Just being in such a beautiful part of Italy and having a relaxing time with someone who immediately feels like a friend is fantastic. I can wholeheartedly recommend staying with Lucia.

Barbara - stayed August 2011 (Review submitted on September 07, 2012)
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e enjoyed every wonderful experience of real Italy

Lucia lives in a large apartment. Although it's quite old, it's spacious, clean and comfortable. Borgomanero is a small town so you can't get lost, but its location is wonderful for the Italian lakes and Milan.
It's all about how good she is as a host, making sure everything is what you will enjoy. We had some fun Italian lessons with her(some even on the beach), met some interesting friends, played Italian games, went to see festivals and local events, had a midnight picnic watching falling stars, found beautiful walks and views and special places to swim.
Her food was always delicious and she took account of my strange diet and even taught me some great recipes.
The thing I liked the most was all the laughter and the feeling that I had made a friend for ever. The thing I liked leasr was leaving and saying goodbye.
We will definitely stay there again and she is always welcome here. I have already recommended her to many people and have no hesitation in saying that you will not be disappointed.
Ruth - stayed August 2010 (Review submitted on September 07, 2012)
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