To help you celebrate Christmas like a local, we’ve created a comprehensive guide to Italian holiday vocabulary! Let’s take a look at some of the most useful words and phrases to use around the holiday season.

Ever wondered how Italians prepare and decorate for the holidays? Besides the obvious Christmas tree, there are a few items you’ll find in every Italian home this time of year. Head over to our blog to learn more!

Imagine yourself sipping your decadent coffee in an Italian cafè while people-watching. You overhear a customer asking the barista for two cups of coffee but only receiving one. Despite the situation, he looks content. Brimming with curiosity, you ask the customer why he ordered in this way. He replies that the second coffee is a “sospeso” and not meant for him; it’s for someone less fortunate who may be in need later.

Considering that Italy is an epicenter of culture and the arts, it’s no surprise that literature plays a critical role in Italian society. Starting from a young age, children are exposed to the greatest authors and stories to emerge from their country. These are the top 3 most commonly read books in Italian schools!

It’s time to explore Italy’s spooky side! If you’re intrigued by dark history and hauntings, you’ll be fascinated with Italy’s ancient castles, ruined palaces, former hospitals, abandoned orphanages, and ex-convents where eerie things happened! These walls are filled with stories and as some say, spirits too…

Whether you like to cook (or simply to eat), pasta is always a winner! But have you ever tried making your own? It’s not as hard as it may seem, and we’re here to share a nonna-approved tagliatelle recipe that you can prepare at home (no pasta machine required). It doesn’t require many ingredients; only a bit of patience and practice!

Ever noticed that there are a ton of Francesco’s and Francesca’s in Italy?!

It’s all thanks to St. Francis, one of the “patron saints of Italy”. Like all saints, he has a day of the year in his honor (October 4th).

Whether you’re a cinephile or not, movies are a great way to learn or improve a language! Italy has a very rich movie history, from silent films dating back to 1905 to the trademark “commedia all’italiana” that launched international stars like Marcello Mastroianni and Sophia Loren.

When it comes to summer vacations, Italians do it best! The 15th of August (and the days surrounding it) are known as Ferragosto. Here’s everything you need to know about Italy’s national summer holiday!

In Italy, beautiful beaches await you from coast to coast. But our specialty is helping you discover all of the hidden gems this magnificent country has to offer! That’s why we’ve chosen three beach destinations in Northern Italy that only the locals know about.