As you make a trip to Italy, it is essential to keep yourself on schedule and record time, so you might not forget anything. You have to be aware of the time that train arrives, when the hotel check-in occurs, or that museum exhibition opens – understanding the time is what you should start with to manage your schedule. Whether you are planning to go to Italy anytime soon or you just want to learn more about the language, I will give you an easy guide on how to tell time in Italian. But before I tell you how to actually ask for the time in Italian, I will give you some language lesson which I ..read more

If you’re obsessed with Italian food like I am, doing a cooking vacation in Tuscany needs to be on your bucket list. This region isn’t just where the Renaissance was born and Florence‘s backyard – it’s an absolute gastronomic wonderland that’ll blow your mind. Whenever I’m in Tuscany, you better believe I go hard on the aperitivo hour. Is there anything better than snacking on some rustic virgin olive oil crostini, locally cured salumi, and pungent pecorino while sipping a crisp Chianti? It’s the perfect prelude to an epic Tuscan feast featuring all the regional specialties I’ve picked up alon ..read more

If you’ve dreamed of discovering the Cinque Terre, one of Italy’s coastal gems, listen up. These are five charming fishing villages located on the Ligurian coastline that have really transformed from being a hidden paradise into one of world’s tourist destination, and with good reasons! Suppose you can picture the bright houses leaning against the reef, their colours dancing like clear watercolours on blue water. Imagine wandering along ancient stone paths, the smell of salt water and lemon grass still in the air. Cinque Terre Italy is about slowing down to savour each minute you spend here. T ..read more

When you’re in Italy, coffee isn’t just a drink – it’s a way of life. We take our coffee rituals pretty seriously. There are some unwritten rules about when to order which types of coffee. Get these down, and you’ll blend right in like a true local coffee aficionado. Coffee Culture in Italy When to drink your coffee in Italy We typically sip certain coffee drinks at specific times of day. For instance, a cappuccino, that mix of espresso, steamed milk, foam and cocoa powder, is strictly a breakfast beverage. Order one after 11am and you’ll get some judgy side-eyes from the barista. The same goe ..read more

Heading to beautiful Italy soon? Let me share a little language tip that can make your trip even more enjoyable – how to say “please” in Italian. You don’t need to be fluent in Italian to have an amazing time exploring all the incredible sights, foods, and culture. But trust me, if you make just a small effort to use a courtesy word or two, the locals will really appreciate it. A little Italian goes a long way when communicating. We absolutely love it when people try their hand at our wonderful language. It shows respect and that you care about embracing local customs. Those little attempts cr ..read more

Asking questions is so important for learning and connecting with others. Knowing how to ask questions in Italian, or any other language, will really help you get information and have interesting conversations. Italian is such a beautiful language, with musical sounds and an interesting way of speaking. Let me tell you a bit about how to ask questions in Italian so you can start using this skill right away. There are different words for asking questions in Italian, depending on the type of information you need. For example, “come” is used to ask “how“, while “che” or “che cosa” can ask “what ..read more

Italy is truly one of the most amazing places to visit, with so much incredible history, art, culture and food. I’m sure you’ll love it here. But if you only have a week for your trip, seeing everything Italy has to offer can feel a bit overwhelming. Where do you even start planning with such a short amount of time? Well, let me share some of my top tips for making the most of a one week itinerary in Italy based on what really may interests you. We can focus your itinerary on seeing the best highlights while still leaving you feeling relaxed instead of rushed. How does that sound? How to plan ..read more

Ciao friends! This is Lucy bringing you news from Rome. I just got back from exploring this incredible city yet again and had to share some of my best hotels in Rome.  As many of you know, I’m obsessed with la dolce vita here in Italia. And Roma really embodies that lifestyle like nowhere else. Walking through the narrow streets, you feel like you’re stepping back in time with every ancient ruin you pass. I spent hours just wandering and soaking up two millennia of history.  Of course, being Italian, the food is a huge highlight too. I stayed in Trastevere this trip which has to ..read more

Welcome to Speak Italian like a local, today we are talking about the Italian word “magari.” As you’re learning Italian, you’ll hear this one all the time in conversations and it can be tricky because it doesn’t have a direct translation, but its meaning depends on the context. So let me break it down for you, andiamo. The Many Meanings of The Italian Word “Magari” Sometimes “magari” just means “maybe,” like when talking about plans for the future. “Magari” as Maybe (Expressing Probability) Magari is used to express a possibility, uncertainty, or something not yet decided.  For example ..read more

Have you ever tried panettone or pandoro before? Around the holidays in Italy, the whole country is filled with the sweet smells of those classic Italian Christmas cakes.  Nothing says Christmas here quite like panettone and pandoro taking center stage on every table. Families have their favorite bakeries they buy from each year, and I have such fond memories growing up of tearing into the first slices after big Christmas dinners at home.  The two cakes are like the king and queen of Italian holiday baking. Pandoro is brilliant light and fluffy – almost like a cloud of sweetness. Pan ..read more