First Glimpse of Carnevale in Viareggio

If you think of Italy and carnevale, chances are the elegant masks of Venice come to mind. But anyone who has spent any amount of time in Tuscany will have heard of the famous Viareggio Carnevale, with its procession of massive floats dedicated to world politics. There’s no question that 2016 has given the papier-maché…

via I Finally Went to the Viareggio Carnevale! — ArtTrav

Felice Anno Nuovo 2017!

To all my friends… May all your Italian dreams come true in 2017!

Auguri di Buon Anno!

Best Wishes for a Happy New Year!

Il Primo di Gennaio

Felice Anno Nuovo! means Happy New Year! in Italian. To wish someone a happy new year, say, “Buon anno!”

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I hope you have enjoyed my blog as much as I’ve enjoyed sharing about the Italian language and Italian traditions. Please visit me at this blog in 2017 and invite your friends to join in for more Italian language tips, Italian sayings, and Italian cultural notes.

And remember, this blog is part of our open Facebook page, Conversational Italian!, which is a great place to share about all things Italian. Practice your Italian on this page, ask questions, and share pictures from your trips to Italy.   I’d love to hear from you!

—Kathryn Occhipinti 

It’s never too late to learn Italian or too early to plan your trip to Italy!

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For Advanced Italian Language materials, Italian Cultural Notes, and Italian Recipes, visit our sister blog at Learn Italian!

Visit our website www.LearnTravelItalian.com, which has FREE Online Interactive Italian Dialogues recorded by native Italian speakers. Follow Caterina on her trip through Italy! Listen to all you need to know about transportation in Italy, making friends, and of course, how to read those Italian menus!

All blogs and Internet materials courtesy of the Conversational Italian for Travelers series of books.

Buone Feste! Happy Holidays in Italian!

To all my friends who love all things Italian… Wishing you a wonderful holiday season. 

Buone Feste!

Happy Holidays!

Il 24 di Dicembre

Love is the most beautiful Christmas gift.

This special Italian saying for the December holidays was originally posted by Luisella in Italy from our Conversational Italian! Facebook group. We would love to hear what you have to say about your experiences learning Italian and visiting or living in Italy. Join our open Facebook group and share about all things Italian! —Kathryn Occhipinti

Luisa: Se tutti donassero amore nel giorno di Natale tutti conoscerebbero la gioia di vivere.

 Kathryn: For all that give love on the day of Christmas, they will be given (by God) the joy of life.

Celebrating San Martino in Italy

Today’s Italian saying celebrates the holiday of San Martino (Saint Martin’s Day) that takes place on November 11 in Italy. The excerpt below and photos are from a blog written by my friend Eleonora at Italian Storytellers.

Legend has it that San Martino cut off half his cloak to give to a beggar, and many paintings depict this theme. The holiday is now linked to a celebration of the new wine that can be tapped for the fall season and the newly ripened chestnuts.

Visit Eleonora’s blog, Italian Storytellers, at the links below for more information about this important fall holiday in Italy. And enjoy red wine and chestnuts the way the Italians do!

Buon San Martino!

Il 11 di Novembre

Per San Martino si spilla il botticino = On Saint Martin’s Day you tap the little barrel (and try the new wine).

Buon San Martino to you all!
We celebrate Saint Martin today in Italy drinking red wine and eating roasted chestnuts. There are many traditions behind this feast and many festivals dedicated to the saint. Read more on our blog!

What to know about Saint Martin’s Day in Italy? >>> http://bit.ly/2eUQomu
What to do on Saint Martin’s Day in Italy? >>> http://bit.ly/2fUuAfy