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Home , Traditions of Italy, Transport in Italy

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You Can Start a Brand New Life in Italy So, you want to go to Italy, do you? A very good choice, if I may say so!

(You can treat yourself to some fantastic accommodation with Airbnb. Just click on the image above to find some absolutely stunning and yet very affordable properties to help create your memorable Italian experience). Here’s what this ebook will cover: Introduction Part 1: Joining the 1.1 Travelling to Italy 1.2 Travel Packing Tips 1.3 When's the Best Time to Travel to Italy? 1.4 Business Travel 1.5 Other Travel Issues to be Aware of

Check out the Expat Essentials for Italy YouTube Channel for helpful insights to make your visit and stay in Italy truly memorable. Click here.

Part 2: Enjoying With the Italians 2.1 The Culture 2.2 Opera 2.3 Fashion, Art and Literature 2.4 Football 2.5 Cities For Your Bucket List of Places to Visit 2.6 The Weather 2.7 The Currency 2.8 Dress Code 2.9 - Probably the Best Wine in the World! 2.10 Time Differences 2.11 The Language 2.12 Telephones 2.13 Electricity 2.14 Health Risks 2.15 Eating and Drinking Out 2.16 Learning Italian Cooking

Part 3: Translating With the Italians 3.1 Why Should You Learn Italian? 3.2 Learning Italian 3.3 How to Learn Italian 3.4 Shouls I Pay to Learn or Can I Learn for Free? 3.5 How to Use the Internet to Help You 3.6 What to Look for With Online Courses 3.7 Tools to Help You Learn Italian

Summary Conclusion Acknowledgements

Check out the Expat Essentials for Italy YouTube Channel for helpful insights to make your visit and stay in Italy truly memorable. Click here.

Introduction What makes Italy so different from any other country to visit or to live in? On the face of it, nothing. Everyone has their own preferences as to where they want to visit or live. The work and effort involved is more or less the same wherever you want to go. You still have to have a passport, apply for visas, book accommodation, buy flight tickets and much more. But that’s where the similarities tend to end, because when you go to Italy you’re not just going on a holiday, and you’re not just going to live in Italy. You are going to Italy to experience a life-style that is unique, and the one way to achieve that is to create your Italian experience – your own Italian experience! Ask anyone who has spent time in Italy and they will talk about (endlessly, sometimes, but that’s another matter) the people, the culture and the life- style. This e-book is split into 3 sections, using JET as the anagram.

Check out the Expat Essentials for Italy YouTube Channel for helpful insights to make your visit and stay in Italy truly memorable. Click here.

Why JET? I think JET epitomises the type of lifestyle many people aspire to, as in “the jet-set lifestyle”. And the great thing about Italy is that you can enjoy this “jet-set lifestyle” without having to live like an aristocratic Italian duke and duchess. You’ll get to understand what I mean as you journey through the ebook, but for now, let’s just say that Italians have a way of making the mundane look stylish. So, this is what JET will show:

1. Joining the Italians – this is providing some basic information on travelling to and within Italy; 2. Enjoying with the Italians – this covers various aspects of the Italian way of life and culture; 3. Translating with the Italians – this provides useful tips, tactics and tools that you can easily refer to and quickly pick up. The Italian

Check out the Expat Essentials for Italy YouTube Channel for helpful insights to make your visit and stay in Italy truly memorable. Click here.

language is a romantic language, and you will quickly understand how communicating with the Italians will enhance your enjoyment of Italy and the Italians themselves.

Included in this e-book are various links to useful websites to help enhance your Italian experience. Before we get into the exciting parts, and in case you’re wondering who is behind this e-book, let me briefly introduce myself. My name is Jeff Laming, a video marketer, with a plan to work from Italy. Having had a few recent holidays in Italy, and comparing with other holidays and places visited in other parts of Europe over my lifetime, I’ve found Italy to be the place where I feel more relaxed and a liking for the every-day way of life. As with any plan you put in place and act upon, an element of research and due diligence has to take place, and so with that in mind I felt compelled to put this useful information together that could help other people with their own research. That’s not to say that what I’m about to share in this ebook and on videos I’ll be uploading to the Expat Essentials For Italy YouTube channel is to be taken as a short-cut for your own research. Far from it. This is to help you expand and add to your own research, as well as prompting some thoughts and ideas to enable you to take the next step forward to your dream move. And of course, with the information contained in this ebook and in the videos, there’s plenty of useful and helpful information for those wanting to spend any length of time in Italy for whatever reason. So, let’s begin this exciting journey together by………

Check out the Expat Essentials for Italy YouTube Channel for helpful insights to make your visit and stay in Italy truly memorable. Click here.

1. Joining the Italians

1.1 Travelling to Italy You have 4 choices – by air, by sea, by car and by train, depending on where you are travelling from. (1) By air:

For tourists, planes usually land at Italy’s main airports in and in . If you’re flying in from the US, is a popular destination airport.

The two main airports in Rome are Leonardo da Vinci, Fiumicino (FCO) and Ciampino (CIA). Both are in the region.

There are three main airports in Milan: Linate (LIN), Malpensa (MXP) and Bergamo (BGY). All are in the region.

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Other convenient airports to fly to, the name of the airport, and the regions they serve are:

BLG – Bologna; Guglielmo Marconi; in Emilia-Romagna;

FLR – ; Firenze-Peretola (formerly Amerigo Vespucci); in ;

NAP – ; Naples International; in ;

TRN – ; Turin-Caselle; in ;

VCE – ; Marco Polo; in ;

GOA – ; Cristoforo Colombo (Christopher Columbus); in ;

PSA – ; Galileo Galilei; in Tuscany;

PMO – ; Falcone Borsellino; in ;

CTA – ; Vincenzo Bellini; in Sicily;

CAG – Cagliari; Cagliari Elmas; in ;

AHO – Alghero; Riviera del Corallo (sometimes referred to as Alghero–Fertilia); in Sardinia;

AOI – ; (formerly known as Ancona Falconara); in Marche;

BRI – ; Karol Wojtyła (formerly known as Palese); in Puglia;

BDS – ; Papola Casale (sometimes known as Salento); in ;

SUF – Lamezia Terme, in ;

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PEG – Perugia; San Francesco d'Assisi; in ;

PSR – ; ; in Abruzzo;

REG –Reggio; Reggio di Calabria "Tito Minniti" (also known as dello Stretto); in Calabria;

TRS – ; (formerly known as Ronchi dei Legionari); in Friuli-Venezia Giulia;

VRN – ; Villafranca (also known as Valerio Catullo); in Veneto;

VBS – ; Gabriele D'Annunzio (also known as Montichiari); in Lombardy.

(2) By sea:

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There are a number of ports that tourists sail into in Italy, with some that are ideal for the large cruise liners, whilst the smaller ones are only accessible by the yachting fraternity.

Venice, in particular, is a very popular destination, however, local feeling is very much against serving large passenger ships owing to the city’s ongoing battle with the elements, as the city is slowly but surely sinking.

If you do have the pleasure of visiting this lovely city, please be respectful of its predicament and of the people that live and work in the city and surrounding areas.

Here is the list, in no particular order:

1. Rome (). The port is about 50 miles from the city.

2. Florence (). The port is nearly 60 miles from the city, and about 15 miles from Pisa.

3. Palermo, in Sicily. It mainly serves the north and west of the island.

4. Trieste. This is near the Slovenian border in the north-east of Italy.

5. Bari. The port serves the Puglia region.

6. Genoa. The port serves the Ligura region.

7. Naples. The port serves the Campania region, and is very popular for destinations such as the Amalfi coast and the Isle of .

8. Portovenere. This serves the Liguaria region, and is not big enough to cater for the larger ships. This is one of those places where you have to visit in style on a yacht, where you can then access the stunning coastline of Cinque Terre.

9. Ancona. This serves the Marche region.

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10. , in Sicily. This serves the east and southern area of Sicily.

11. Santa Margherita Ligure. This is the port that serves Genoa and Liguria.

12. Portofino. The most exclusive of all ports in Italy on the Italian Riviera (and probably in Europe), this is only accessible by smaller yachts.

(3) By car:

Wherever you are, driving to Italy requires a bit of planning, not just for driving IN Italy itself, but driving TO Italy.

For most people driving from the UK, they will have to board a ferry to , before making their way on the French roads.

Other people in Europe will have their own country’s roads and driving regulations to contend with.

One thing you must take note of are the various tolls and “badges” you are required to buy and display as you drive on the motorways.

If you get stopped by the local police for whatever reason, you may find yourself having to pay on-the-spot-fines!

Here’s a money-saving tip: check your car insurance well in advance of making your trip, to see exactly what you are covered for in the event of a break-down, for example.

Check out the Expat Essentials for Italy YouTube Channel for helpful insights to make your visit and stay in Italy truly memorable. Click here.

If you have breakdown cover with someone like the AA or RAC (for UK travellers), don’t think you need to take out extra cover with those organisations, as you may already be covered on your car insurance!

Finally, you can also take your car on the train through the English Channel before you start burning rubber on the French motorways.

This now leads nicely onto the last, and possibly the most relaxing way, to travel to Italy….

(4) By train:

Travelling by train is definitely not without its stresses and tribulations. Just look at how you have to put up with the trains in your own country!

However, putting those niggly inconveniences aside, once you’re on the train, then relax!

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Relax and literally watch the world go by as you make your way to Italy.

If you can, indulge in a bite to eat and a drink or two, and even start a conversation with other passengers in your immediate vicinity.

It will also be the case that you’ll have to change trains along the way. If the connecting train is in the same station, and you have a lot of luggage, call for an official platform or station porter.

Yes, it will cost you a few pounds or euros, but so what? Why risk pulling a muscle or putting your back out at this stage of your journey!

Likewise, if your connecting train is on the other side of town – get a taxi! (Look, I might be a bit out of order here, but if you’re worried about the cost of a taxi, then you shouldn’t be travelling in the first place!). My own experience of travelling by train has been when holidaying IN Italy, and the train journeys have been a good experience.

Check out the Expat Essentials for Italy YouTube Channel for helpful insights to make your visit and stay in Italy truly memorable. Click here.

However, a word of warning, especially regarding the main station in Milan – be very wary of people offering to help you with buying tickets. THEY ARE NOT employees of the railway company or the train station.

Milan train station is as chaotic as any other in Italy, especially in the ticket booking centre.

Check out the Expat Essentials for Italy YouTube Channel for helpful insights to make your visit and stay in Italy truly memorable. Click here.

One solution is to ensure you have your tickets booked in advance, and you know which platform your train or connecting train is leaving from.

We arrived at Milan station without knowing which platform the departing train was leaving from – we spent the best part of an hour trying to find out!

So, when travelling by train in Italy, you need to be aware of the different types of train to travel by.

Rail travel in Italy is, generally, inexpensive. However, the faster the rail service, the more expensive it becomes.

The Italian (ES) Eurostar or the Treni Eurostar Italia is the premier rail service in Italy.

Then, there is the Inter-city and the Intercity Plus that stops at major cities.

Boarding the ES and Inter-city trains require mandatory seat- reservations. Train carriages are also split into second class and first class.

First class (primo) coaches are, as you’d expect, more comfortable than second class (secundo) ones.

Remember that you must buy your tickets and have them validated before you board your train.

The Diretto and Interregionali train service operates on local regional lines at a cheaper price.

The Interregionali tends to be faster than the Diretto trains, yet just as economical.

Check out the Expat Essentials for Italy YouTube Channel for helpful insights to make your visit and stay in Italy truly memorable. Click here.

To help you make your train journeys and experiences to and from, and in Italy, as enjoyable as possible, check out the following books from Amazon, by clicking on the titles:

Italy Explained: Italian Trains by Jessica Spiegel

Italy The Best Places to See by Rail: An Alternative to the Escorted Tour by Bob Kaufman

Above all else, take in the stunning scenery and quirky towns and villages as your train provides you with a great way to see Italy.

1.2 Travel Packing Tips Travelling to Italy is no different from travelling to any other country. Be sensible with what you take. It is better to travel with less than you need than with more of what you require. Why? Because there’s bound to be something that catches your eye which you will inevitably want to buy! As long as you have the essentials, such as your tickets, your passport and your credit cards, you’re good to go! And if you do have the highly unlikely misfortune of your suitcases disappearing en route, at least you have the ability to replenish your clothes and toiletries.

1.3 When’s the Best Time to Travel to Italy? The Spring (March to May) and Autumn/Fall (September to November) months tend to be the best. In the Spring, Easter is celebrated more so than in other countries, simply because of Italy’s string Catholic heritage. This is also the time of year when food festivities take place.

Check out the Expat Essentials for Italy YouTube Channel for helpful insights to make your visit and stay in Italy truly memorable. Click here.

Italians love their food as much as their wine and art and each other, and you will see all of this in abundance at this time of year. Autumn or Fall, in particular, is great if you’re a wine-lover, as this is when the grapes are harvested, with a number of festivals celebrated in the villages and towns. It is also the time of year when the truffles and porcini start to blossom. Italy itself goes on holiday in August! So, unless you’re a total 100% sun-worshipper, and you love crowds of people, avoid this time of year if you can. The Winter period is great if you are into skiing and visiting the mountain regions of the and Dolomites. Whatever time of year you go to Italy, you will not be disappointed. Just be aware of the purpose and reason for visiting Italy so you can plan appropriately.

Check out the Expat Essentials for Italy YouTube Channel for helpful insights to make your visit and stay in Italy truly memorable. Click here.

1.4 Business Travel

Many business travellers to Italy very often miss out on a great opportunity of sampling Italy, let alone giving themselves a chance of enjoying Italy. If you’re a business owner reading this and you want to keep your best employees happy or reward them in any way, here’s a few ideas you can seriously consider; (i) pay for them to spend an extra day in Italy; (ii) pay for their wife, husband, girlfriend or boyfriend to travel with them; (iii) hold your next board meeting or sales meeting in Italy. These events can be planned in a tax-efficient manner, so the extra cost to your business is minimal, whilst the benefit could be massive! Check out the following site(s) to get those ideas in motion; Airbnb

Check out the Expat Essentials for Italy YouTube Channel for helpful insights to make your visit and stay in Italy truly memorable. Click here.

HotelsCombined

1.5 Other Travel Issues to be Aware of

(i) Petty Crime:

Unfortunately, this is a way of life in some of the bigger cities, so it pays to be aware of your surroundings at all times.

This is not to put you off from visiting Italy. Far from it. Crime is a blight on the horizon for anyone in whatever city they visit around the world.

However, it is worth making yourself aware that petty crimes such as pick-pocketing, snatching, and thieving from parked cars are fairly common.

(ii) The Police:

Check out the Expat Essentials for Italy YouTube Channel for helpful insights to make your visit and stay in Italy truly memorable. Click here.

Tourists are required to register with the local Italian police within three days upon arrival, however, visitors booking into a hotel normally just leave their passports with the hotel management, and they take care of the whole process.

However, under Italian Law, those who are staying with friends or relatives should register at any local police station in person within three days from their arrival.

By the time you travel to Italy these rules and laws may have changed, so it is worth getting some up-to-date information on this aspect of your stay in Italy, if only for your own peace of mind.

(iii) A passport is required for travel to Italy.

Visits of more than 90 days require a visa.

Travel insurance is recommended in case of cancellation or interruption of travel plans, illness, accident, lost or damaged luggage, and travel delays.

Kindly note: rules and regulations on things like visas, passports, insurance and other essential requirements change from time to time and so you MUST ensure that you have all of the correct documentation and cover in place, well in advance of starting your journey to Italy.

(iv) Public is well served by both an extensive rail system and bus services.

Many small cities connect with the larger cities nearby via at least two bus trips a day.

Bus stations are usually found near train stations. As trains and busses are subsidised by the government, it is usual to

Check out the Expat Essentials for Italy YouTube Channel for helpful insights to make your visit and stay in Italy truly memorable. Click here.

find bus stations and stops very close to the railway stations.

Whilst there tends to be fewer trains on weekends and holidays, the cost of public transport tends to be cheaper than other European countries.

One other thing to be very aware of – and lots of visitors and tourists come unstuck with costly consequences at this – is to get your train and bus tickets validated i.e. date stamped at the various machines in the train and bus stations before boarding the train or bus.

Train and bus tickets cannot be bought on board and must be purchased before embarking from newsagents, tobacconists, ticket kiosks or bars nearby.

Don’t forget to check out the following from Amazon:

Italy Explained: Italian Trains by Jessica Spiegel

Italy The Best Places to See by Rail: An Alternative to the Escorted Tour by Bob Kaufman

Check out the Expat Essentials for Italy YouTube Channel for helpful insights to make your visit and stay in Italy truly memorable. Click here.

(v) Driving – there’s a number of issues to be aware of:

• Italians drive on the right of the road, although in cities like Rome you might be forgiven for thinking that different rules apply.

You will also learn that whilst Italians can be very welcoming, warm and engaging, it can become a worrying concern when their closeness becomes apparent whilst driving.

As always, keep your wits about you, especially when driving.

• Before setting off to drive in Italy, make sure you have the appropriate additional paperwork or licences and

Check out the Expat Essentials for Italy YouTube Channel for helpful insights to make your visit and stay in Italy truly memorable. Click here.

permits available to supplement your own national driving licence.

• Remember, if you get stopped by the local Police, on- the-spot fines are commonplace if you don’t produce the right documents.

• If you are planning to drive into Italy in winter, keep yourself up-to-date with local weather conditions.

Italy borders , Austria, , and France – the very heart of mountain country – and roads can easily be cut off owing to the poor weather conditions.

• The use of mobile phones is not allowed whilst driving.

• Speed limits are fixed at 50 kilometres per hour (30 miles per hour) in urban areas; 90 kilometres per hour (55 miles per hour) on secondary and local roads; 110 kilometres per hour (70 miles per hour) on main roads outside urban areas and 130 kilometres per hour (80 miles per hour) on highways.

• On highways, U-turns and stopping are only allowed in emergency parking areas or parking lanes.

• The use of snow tyres is allowed between November and March, and it is obligatory for drivers in some regions to keep snow chains in the car during winter.

2 Enjoying with the Italians Once you are in Italy and sampling the daily life, immerse yourself in everything you can to fully appreciate your stay there.

Check out the Expat Essentials for Italy YouTube Channel for helpful insights to make your visit and stay in Italy truly memorable. Click here.

Italy is an education in life itself. I can write reams and reams of paper about this and that, but the only way to enjoy life in Italy, either as an expat already living there, or as a one- week holidaymaker, or a two-night stopover business man or woman, is to be consciously aware of your surroundings and enjoy the moment. Here’s some useful insights to help your time in Italy to be that extra bit more gratifying and enjoyable:

2.1 The Culture Where do you start?

Check out the Expat Essentials for Italy YouTube Channel for helpful insights to make your visit and stay in Italy truly memorable. Click here.

Culture is the bedrock of Italian life. It permeates every aspect of Italian life. In some cases, people may argue that culture embodies Italian life. Before we share some of the culture with you, here’s something to be aware of in terms of modern-day Italy and how it is important to ensure Italy’s cultural heritage is not eroded by recent political events. Italy, as with the rest of Europe, is undergoing political upheaval that has not been seen since the outbreak of World War 2. The political has been fragmented for the last 100 to 200 years and so it is useful to be aware of how Italy has evolved as a nation and as a country. In recent times, Italy has become a target for migrants from Eastern Europe and Africa, partly because of its relative proximity to these regions, and partly because of the relaxed immigration policies dictated by the . This has polarised the political views of the Italian people, and so you have a country that can swing from those with strong right-wing views to those

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with strong left-wing views….and back again, and so the political pendulum continues to move from one side to the other! Either way, this should not erode the rich culture and history of Italy and its people. Anyone attempting to do so will be in for a very nasty shock! So what can you expect to marvel at when you visit and live in Italy? Here’s a tiny flavour to whet your appetite: (i) Art. Enjoy the works of: • Michelangelo; • Da Vinci; • Donatello; • Botticelli; • Bernini; and • Raphael. (ii) Poetry, produced by the likes of: • Castiglione; • Pirandello; and • Leopardi. (iii) Eminent philosophers such as: • Bruno; • Machiavelli; and • Gentile. (iv) Scientists and inventors, that we still hold a gratitude of debt to: • Galileo Galilei; • Leonardo da Vinci; • Volta; • Fibonacci; and • Marconi. (v) Musicians and composers, whose music will last into eternity; • Monteverdi; • Corelli; • Vivaldi; • Rossini;

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• Verdi; and • Puccini.

2.2 Opera

Originating in the 16th Century in Florence, opera is a mixture of music and drama.

Some would say that opera is an art form in itself.

Opera remains as popular today as it has ever been, and is one of the great ways to entertain people.

The 1990 World Cup football tournament in Italy helped showcase the magic of opera, with Pavarotti singing Nessun Dorma.

Check out the Expat Essentials for Italy YouTube Channel for helpful insights to make your visit and stay in Italy truly memorable. Click here.

In England, we had over a month’s exposure to the song…and its effect on many people has been ever-lasting since!

And talking of Pavarotti, he was, of course, one of The Three Tenors that brought opera to the attention of a world-wide audience.

Most of us don’t understand the lyrics, but then it doesn’t really matter. We just love the song, the music and the sheer drama. It epitomises everything you might dream of Italy!

Madame Butterfly is one of the best-known operas, and was written by Puccini.

Opera tends to be a seasonal indulgence, beginning in October through to early Spring (March or April).

Here are some of the best-known opera houses in Italy you can go to:

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(1) Bologna - Teatro Comunale di Bologna.

Whilst there, check out the stunning 18th century baroque architecture.

Visit: www.tcbo.it

(2) Milan - Teatro Alla Scala.

Probably the most well-known opera house in the world.

It has a chequered history. It opened in 1778 and was badly damaged during World War 2, re-opening in 1946.

Visit: http://www.teatroallascala.org/en/index.html

(3) Naples - Teatro San Carlo.

Dating back to 1737, this is the oldest opera house in Italy.

Visit: https://www.teatrosancarlo.it/en/

(4) Palermo - Teatro Massimo.

This is the main opera house of Sicily and provides performances throughout the year.

Visit: http://www.teatromassimo.it/

(5) - Teatro Regio di Parma.

This opera house dates back to 1829.

Visit: https://www.teatroregioparma.it/

(6) Pisa - Teatro Verdi.

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This is recognised as one of the most stunning venues in Italy.

Visit: https://www.teatrodipisa.pi.it/

(7) Rome - Teatro dell'opera di Roma.

Another iconic opera house, that is particularly busy during the summer months.

Visit: https://www.operaroma.it/

(8) Turin - Teatro Regio Torino.

This is a 19th Century opera house that was destroyed by fire in 1936 and rebuilt in 1973.

Visit: https://www.teatroregio.torino.it/

(9) Venice - Teatro La Fenice.

Dating back to 1792, this is another famous opera house venue that has had it’s fair share of being damaged by fires and then subsequently rebuilt and refurbished.

Visit: https://www.teatrolafenice.it/

(10) Verona - Arena di Verona. This is a Roman amphitheatre in the city where Romeo and Juliet is dominant. The opera house is used all year with the opera season starting in June.

Visit: https://www.arena.it/en

Check out the Expat Essentials for Italy YouTube Channel for helpful insights to make your visit and stay in Italy truly memorable. Click here.

2.3 Fashion, Art and Literature

➢ Fashion:

“Speak English, kiss French, drive German and dress Italian”, as the saying goes.

Fashion is a vast industry for Italy to dominate, and its national federation is made up of nearly 70,000 businesses employing nearly 600,000 people.

The skill-sets employed in clothing, furniture, fabrics and designs is rooted in centuries-old techniques and methods, closely guarded by ongoing generations.

It’s no wonder then that “” is as much about protecting and supporting Italian businesses and jobs as it is to promote Italian style, exclusivity and fashion.

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Famous Italian purveyors of fashion include Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, Armani, Gucci and Versace.

It was really only until after the 2nd World War that came to the fore, having always been in the shadow, as all other countries were, of France.

Whilst the French fashion houses continued to focus on high-end couture, Italian designers recognised, in particular, the wants of women, especially in America.

It is no coincidence that a lot of American money was invested in the Italian economy after the War, with the Italian clothing and textile industries being grateful beneficiaries.

The industry was very fragmented, made up mostly of small family-run businesses, but it paved the way for the massive production of luxury materials such as wool, silk, fur and leather.

With the emphasis based on practicality, clothes were made for the many, rather than the privileged few.

However, the twist in the tale is that the post-war era heralded the rise of female designers.

These were women from the Italian aristocracy and nobility who found themselves out of work after the war. Two things they knew a lot about was: • how to dress well; and • what other women wanted to wear.

Check out the Expat Essentials for Italy YouTube Channel for helpful insights to make your visit and stay in Italy truly memorable. Click here.

Italian fashion received a massive boost in the 1950s, when the Hollywood film studios were encouraged to invest overseas. Rome became known as “Hollywood on the Tiber”.

If ever there was a time to get free publicity for those sleek dresses and sharp suits!

The 1960s saw a sea change in social demographics, and Italian fashion rode the wave.

Milan established itself as the Fashion Capital of the world during the 1970s and ‘80s, and is now synonymous with high quality.

Having now had a brief history of Italian fashion, it should come as no surprise then to now have a fuller appreciation of why Italians take great pride in the way they dress and present themselves.

Check out the Expat Essentials for Italy YouTube Channel for helpful insights to make your visit and stay in Italy truly memorable. Click here.

The rest, as they say, is history!

➢ Art:

Learning about Italy’s art heritage is like veering into a window of its remarkable history.

There have been many influences, such as the Etruscans, Romans and Byzantines, coupled with the Early Middle Ages, Romanesque and Gothic periods, that provides us with the Italy of today.

Throw in the Renaissance, sprinkled with a helping of post- modern Italian and contemporary art, and you have a powerful combination as you’re ever likely to come across in the art world.

Art has different meanings to different people.

Check out the Expat Essentials for Italy YouTube Channel for helpful insights to make your visit and stay in Italy truly memorable. Click here.

It takes the form of mosaics and architecture in the form of amphitheatres, churches and other prominent buildings such as opera houses, as well as paintings and sculptures that can be found in numerous art galleries and statues.

Italy is the home of Donatello, Raphael and Michelangelo.

For many, obtaining an appreciation of is to show respect to Italian culture.

If you love art in all of its many forms, you’ll love Italy.

As a visitor to Italy, it will make your visit that much more worthwhile and memorable. If you’re planning on staying longer or are already living Lac Dolce Vita life-style, then you will be truly blessed.

➢ Literature:

Italy is steeped in classical literary art forms, notably written by philosophers and poets.

Getting to know some of the literary works is, for some, the gateway to getting a better understanding of the .

With its origins based on Latin, literature was taught in the ecclesiastical schools, and the more well-known works paved the way for Italians to be inspired and encouraged to write and learn.

Finally, it’s worth remembering that Italy is home to over 50% of Europe’s UNESCO-protected properties and monuments, which includes historical sites such as museums, sculptures and statues, churches and cathedrals, architecture, paintings and much more.

Check out the Expat Essentials for Italy YouTube Channel for helpful insights to make your visit and stay in Italy truly memorable. Click here.

2.4 Football And of course, we mustn’t overlook the Italian passion of football (often referred to as soccer in other parts of the world). Perennial World Cup winners of the 20th and 21st Century, this is a country that went into severe shock when they failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup for the first time in over 50 years. It is said that Italians “denied” that the World Cup tournament ever took place in June and July of that year. This is the same country where one of its clubs sacked a player from South Korea for scoring against Italy when the competition was staged in 2002. This story will give you an insight into how football is revered in Italy: The Korean player in question, Ahn Jung-Hwan was sacked by Perugia Football Club following his goal against Italy, which turned out to be the winning goal.

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The President of Perugia Football Club accused the player of making comments "offensive to me and the whole Italian nation" as he justified the Serie A club's decision to sack him! The President claimed the decision had nothing to do with Ahn knocking Italy out of the World Cup. He said: "…[Ahn] could have scored 10 and I wouldn't have felt offended. It was simply the comments he made…" "….he stated Korean football was superior to Italian football, when Italy is a footballing nation….” "…we have treated him well with all our love, but his comments were offensive to me and to the whole Italian nation…." Only in Italy does this happen - you have been warned! However, it does highlight an interesting lesson or two to be learned. Italians are passionate people, and could be easily offended, so it is important to understand that there is far more to just learning the language. By the way, when you’re in Italy and they’re playing a World Cup or a European Nations Cup match, you must go to a local bar, find yourself a nicely positioned table and chairs, and order a couple of drinks. You’ll be entertained in a way you’ve never been entertained before!

Check out the Expat Essentials for Italy YouTube Channel for helpful insights to make your visit and stay in Italy truly memorable. Click here.

2.5 Cities for Your Bucket List of Places to Visit

(i) The capital city, Rome.

This is a city blessed with ancient monuments, medieval churches, and renaissance palaces intertwined with modern city architecture and life.

Places to visit include The Vatican and St. Peter’s Square.

(ii) Bologna.

Often associated with its left-wing politics, Bologna and its surrounding areas are also home to the ultimate badge of

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wealth and Italian masculinity, such as the , Lamborghini and Ducati factories.

Go figure - but then, that’s Italy!

(iii) Florence.

Situated in Tuscany and famed for being the hub of renaissance art and architecture, you’ll never tire of the views and sights.

(iv) Milan.

This is the fashion epi-centre of the world.

It boasts the famous marbled Duomo Shopping Centre, housing the famous Italian fashion brands such as Gucci.

Then there’s the equally famous La Scala opera to visit.

Plus, you have easy access to the stunning and beautiful lakes of Garda, Como and Maggiore and the Italian Alps.

What more could you want?

(v) Naples.

The home of pizza!

Naples is surrounded by famous landmarks such as Vesuvius and Pompeii, and within easy reach of must-see places such as , Positano and the isles of Capri, Ischia and Elba.

(vi) Pisa.

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Most famous for the leaning tower, this is one of the most iconic images of Italy.

Aside from that, it’s a very nice place to visit, anyway!

(vii) Siena.

This is an old-walled city, that jostles with Florence to attract visitors.

Just as with Florence, Siena is teeming with visitors during the summer months, so you might want to visit in the early morning and in the evenings to fully appreciate its beauty and charm.

Check out the Expat Essentials for Italy YouTube Channel for helpful insights to make your visit and stay in Italy truly memorable. Click here.

(viii) Turin.

Based in the industrial north of the country, at the foot of the Alps, Turin is one of the lesser-visited cities of Italy.

However, in recent times, it is fondly remembered for the famous car chase in the iconic film The Italian Job, starring Michael Caine, with the equally inspiring sound-track performed by Matt Monroe.

Here’s a link to that famous opening scene to the film:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgJuVOrXv68

(ix) Venice.

For some, this is the jewel in the crown.

A series of islands built in a lagoon, the enchanting canals and narrow side streets add to its reputation as the most romantic city of the world.

That, plus the fact that Casanova is one of its famous sons no doubt helps add to its romantic appeal!

Whilst in Venice make sure you experience the following: • St. Mark’s Basilica and Square. • Doge’s Palace. • Bridge of Sighs. • Rialto Bridge. • Murano (for the glass-making).

(x) Verona.

Famous for Romeo and Juliet, the play written by England’s William Shakespeare, Verona has embraced the romanticism.

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In addition, its Roman amphitheatre in the city centre hosts an opera-filled summer festival each year.

2.6 The Weather

Italy’s temperatures throughout the year are:

(i) During spring and autumn (fall) it’s about 55-75°F; and (ii) 70-85°F during summer; and (iii) 40-55°F during winter. The hottest months are July and August. The coldest month is January. The wettest month is November. The driest month is July. Knowing this is ideal for packing the right clothing and footwear before you make your trip. There again, if you don’t happen to have a particular piece of clothing to hand, then you can always indulge in a bit of shopping!

2.7 The Currency

This is the euro, shown by the symbol €. There are 100 cents to the euro.

When it comes to tipping in restaurants and for taxis, for example, this is at your discretion, however, it will always be warmly appreciated.

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Be aware that some restaurants add a service charge to your bill. This is not the same as a tip for the waiters and waitresses who help make your meal a memorable experience.

2.8 Dress Code

Remember that Italy is a strong catholic nation, so be respectful when you visit churches and other buildings of historic interest, and cover up as necessary.

Beachwear should be confined to the beach, and this means that restaurants and bars expect you to be suitably (casually) dressed at the very least.

Please don’t embarrass yourself by being asked (by an equally embarrassed waiter or waitress) to cover up.

Check out the Expat Essentials for Italy YouTube Channel for helpful insights to make your visit and stay in Italy truly memorable. Click here.

2.9 Italian Wine – Probably the Best Wine in the World!

It is argued that Italy has been the largest producer of wine since time began! Not only that, but it is also claimed – and with some justification – that Italy produces the best wines.

This is because Italy’s climate, soil, and wine-making traditions make for a powerful combination.

Throw in the Italians own love affair with their vineyards, and it’s easy to see why their wines are, indeed, the best.

But of course, to confirm their justifiability as the best, you have to drink the wines yourself – welcome to Italy!

There are numerous wines from Italy including those produced in:

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• Piedmont; • Veneto; • Tuscany; • Sicily; and • Sardinia. Red or white or rosé wine; sparkling wine and aperitifs; excellent beers; and refreshing natural mineral waters and fruit juices all add up to one thing – you’re spoilt for choice!

2.10 Time Differences

Depending on the time of year that you are in Italy, the time in Italy is GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) +1, which means it is 1 hour ahead of the time in the UK; and GMT +2 from the last Sunday of March and the last Saturday followed by a Sunday in September.

2.11 The Language

Italian is the main language, however, many areas in the far north- west speak French, whilst in the north-east German is widely spoken.

Don’t take it for granted that English is widely spoken. In some areas, especially in the towns and villages, it is not.

English is not even understood in these areas, so anything you can do to learn some key Italian phrases and words is to be encouraged, especially when you realise how fulfilling it is to communicate with the local Italians.

Immersing yourself into the Italian way of life in this manner will improve your overall enjoyment of your Italian experience.

Check out the Expat Essentials for Italy YouTube Channel for helpful insights to make your visit and stay in Italy truly memorable. Click here.

2.12 Telephones

The international dialling code when calling Italy is +39 (or, 00 39).

Here’s a selection of emergency numbers to call:

113 Emergency Police Help;

115 Fire Department; 116 ACI (Italian Automobile Club) road side assistance; 118 Medical Emergencies.

2.13 Electricity The electrical current in Italy is 230 volts, 50Hz.

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Some wall sockets require 2-pin plugs so ensure you have adapter plugs for your 3-pins plugs on your hair-dryers, shavers and travel irons.

2.14 Health Risks Italy is not a country subjected to health warnings such as cholera, typhoid and other diseases.

However, don’t let this lower your commitment to maintaining high personal hygiene standards.

Plus, it is worth repeating here: in terms of your personal safety, keep your wits about you in respect of looking after yourself and your money and valuables.

2.15 Eating and Drinking Out

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One of the best ways to immerse yourself into the Italian way of life is to eat out and occasionally stop off to enjoy a coffee or a drink. Food and drink play an important part in the daily lives of Italians. Each region has its speciality dishes to share with the world, and different cheeses, vegetables and meats all play their part in creating mouth-watering culinary delights. When it comes to eating, food is a family affair! If you get the chance and are invited to an Italian family meal, say “yes!”. The experience will help you further understand how Italians are so passionate about many things that the rest of the world takes for granted. Do you have friends who have been to an Italian wedding? Listen to what they say about the event. Invariably, they will focus on the fantastic food and free-flowing wine! And if you’ve been to such a wedding yourself, recall which aspects of the wedding stick in your mind. Is the food one of them? There are many types of places where you can eat and drink in Italy, and here are just a few to get familiar with:

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(1) Birreria – a bar that provides beer and other alcoholic beverages.

(2) Locanda – an inn. If a birreria is akin to the saloon bar of a traditional English pub, then a locanda is the more basic public bar.

(3) Caffé – a café serving coffee, drinks and snacks.

(4) Paninoteca – a sandwich shop.

(5) Pizzeria – a pizza restaurant.

(6) Polentaria - a polenta restaurant found in .

(7) Spaghetteria – a spaghetti restaurant.

(8) Trattoria – a family-run restaurant.

(9) Tavola Calda – similar to what we know in the UK as a carvery, where you help yourself to local dishes served to you on a tray.

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(10) Osteria – a rustic-style restaurant, serving local cuisine. Often basic in both the food and the surroundings, but then for many this is what adds to the charm. There again, you will often come across many establishments that just refer to themselves as a ristorante – a restaurant. And then there’s one special type of eating place to keep an eye out for – the Agriturismo. These are working farms that offer hearty, local meals. An Agriturismo usually offers accommodation and the meals are part of your stay, however, some of these farms also offer the opportunity for non-staying guests to sample locally-produced and cooked food. Check out La Tavola Marche (under the heading of “Learning Italian cooking”), below, as one of the places to visit. To just highlight how important food and eating are to the Italian way of life, a starter, a main course and a dessert isn’t quite enough to fully appreciate Italian cooking. Here’s how a typical Italian dining experience follows: ➢ An aperitivo. This is the start of the meal. Aperitivo means “to open”. It is usually a pre-dinner drink (an aperitif) served with olives or garlic bread, for example.

➢ A primo. This is the first course (the starter) and usually includes pasta or risotto or polenta.

➢ The seconda. This is the second course (the main course). This is usually made up of fish and meat dishes, and served with vegetables and salad (often referred to as the contorno - the side dish).

➢ Afters or dessert is usually a selection of cheese and fruits (formaggio e frutta) and cakes (dolce).

➢ Finally, coffee and liqueurs are often offered after the meal.

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2.16 Learning Italian Cooking

It seems a whole industry has grown up on the popularity of Italian food, wine and cooking, and it’s not surprising to understand why.

Cooking schools can be found all over Italy, and many breaks and holidays devote a lot of their time to learning about local cuisines and cooking techniques.

This is a great way to also get to learn the language and history of Italy and the Italians, whilst meeting people with similar interests – ideal ingredients for a perfect holiday!

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Here is a list of just a few of the better-known schools, although you might find something far more to your taste by undertaking your own research on the internet, or by being referred by a friend or relative.

(1) The Cordon Bleu Culinary Art School (Scuola darte culinaria Alta Societa). Based in Florence.

Visit: https://www.cordonbleu-it.com/

Visit: http://aromaitalia.cooking/en-us/passion

(2) Cook Italy, run by Carmelita Caruana, based in Bologna.

Visit: http://www.cookitaly.com/

(3) Apicius, the Culinary Institute of Florence.

Visit: http://apicius.it/

(4) The Pope’s Fountain (Fontana del Papa). This is a bed and breakfast and cooking school based near Rome.

Visit: http://www.fontanadelpapa.it/

(5) Stirred Travel. This offers cookery holidays, with two sites in Veneto in the north of Italy, and in Puglia in the south.

Visit: https://stirredtravel.com/

(6) La Tavola Marche. This is a great example of the agriturismo farmhouse experience you can enjoy.

Visit: https://www.latavolamarche.com/

(7) Tasting Places. This has venues in a number of places in Italy, ranging from Rome to Sicily.

Visit: https://www.tastingplaces.com/

Check out the Expat Essentials for Italy YouTube Channel for helpful insights to make your visit and stay in Italy truly memorable. Click here.

3 Translating with the Italians

3.1 Why Should You Learn Italian? It’s easy to say that learning Italian enables you to: • Communicate with the locals; • Obtain a wider outlook on life; • Gives you a greater understanding of their culture and way of living. But then, the same reasons apply to any new language you want to learn.

Check out the Expat Essentials for Italy YouTube Channel for helpful insights to make your visit and stay in Italy truly memorable. Click here.

There are nearly 60 million people in 29 different countries who speak Italian, so it’s fair to say that there’s no shortage of people you can practice with! What follows are some more reasons that are more specific to Italy, Italians, and the language itself. ✓ You might have Italian relatives or are in some way connected to Italy via your family tree, and you wish to learn about your ancestors, including visiting Italy. Being able to communicate with long-lost relatives in their native language will make the whole experience more worth-while.

✓ Is your new girlfriend or boyfriend Italian? Showing a commitment on a communication level can work wonders for your relationship!

✓ Is opera a passion of yours? Learning Italian makes the whole musical experience far more enjoyable.

✓ If you’re planning to study in Italy, then learning Italian should be part of your wider learning experience. A better understanding of Italian is a great confidence-booster.

Learning a new language usually helps students with their studies, as it stimulates the memory and enhances the student’s listening skills.

✓ Does you work involve regular contact with Italian colleagues and clients? Pushing yourself to learn Italian and make yourself more amenable with those colleagues and clients could help you get that promotion you’ve wanted, or that secondment or transfer to your company’s Milan office you’ve so desired.

✓ Whether you’re visiting or staying in Italy to study, work and live, learning Italian will help you get a deeper appreciation and understanding of the music, art, fashion and communication skills.

✓ If you’re single and looking for love, what better place to go and visit and live, than Italy.

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Friends who have married an Italian woman were blissfully unaware of what they were letting themselves in for.

An Italian woman can be very attractive, fiery and passionate and yet they can be loyal to a fault. One friend in particular is treated to so much delicious food and waited on like a prince, that he still thinks to this day that he’s married to the ultimate Goddess!

As for the ladies looking to meet the Italian man of their dreams, then I can only rely on my girlfriends to recount their own experiences, and all I can say is fall in love with the Italian culture and way of life first!

That’s not to say that such relationships will go to plan. Let’s face it, they never do, but then dating an Italian should never be a dull and boring affair.

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✓ The Italians are masters at communicating with one another. When you next stop at a café, enjoy a bit of people-watching and see how the locals communicate with one another.

Body language is a very big part of their communication repertoire. The hand gestures and facial expressions literally say it all!

Plus, you’ll soon pick up words and phrases that you won’t necessarily learn out of a book.

Also, take note of how the Italians talk to one another. Once you get to understand this aspect of communicating, any initial language difficulties will no longer appear to be the great hurdle they initially appear.

✓ Here’s an interesting observation that should help put you at ease as you start learning Italian – apparently, 60% of the English language has its roots in Latin, which is the basis of the Italian language as we know it today.

This, therefore, is one of the reasons why Italian is one of the easiest languages to learn for English-speaking people.

Now you have a good idea as to why you should learn Italian, let’s now move on to how you should learn Italian.

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3.2 Learning Italian

Before you embark on anything that is new to you, it is vitally important that you approach it with the right mind-set. By that I mean that if you have an attitude of: • Keeping an open mind; • Accepting that you will make mistakes – many mistakes; • A willingness to learn and absorb; • Making a commitment to yourself to achieve what you set out to achieve; • Holding yourself accountable to someone to keep you on track (this is a great incentive for single people with an Italian girlfriend or boyfriend); and • Persevering, especially through the tough times (and there will be tough times)

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then there’s every reason why you should succeed. One other point to bear in mind is that you will not become perfect at speaking the language or understanding the language in its entirety. Even Italians don’t achieve that! Also bear in mind that we all learn differently. By this, I mean that some people prefer to read and listen, whilst others prefer to watch videos as well as listen. And then there are those who prefer to throw themselves into the deep end and learn to converse from day one! With all of that in mind, take a relaxed view of what you are going to learn, because of all the languages in the world that is the most rewarding to learn, Italian tops the lot. So, without further ado….

3.3 How to Learn Italian

✓ Immerse yourself in the culture and . Treat this as a vital part of your overall education experience whilst learning the language itself.

It will quickly help you to acclimatise yourself with your surroundings and the people you come into contact with on a regular basis.

✓ Make a point of listening to Italian music and to watch and listen to . Where possible, obtain an opera libretto (a booklet of the opera, allowing you to follow the songs in text format, often in both English and Italian).

✓ Use your spare time efficiently. Watch classic Italian films such as “La Dolce Vita”, “Life Is Beautiful”, “Marriage Italian Style”, “La Strada”, “Ladri di Biciclette” (Bicycle Thieves) and “Il

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Postino” (The Postman) to help enhance your vocabulary and comprehension.

In the UK, we watch a Sicilian detective series called Inspector Montalbano. The English sub-text is shown at the bottom of the screen, but to be honest, I hardly refer to it as much now, simply because you can follow the story and its sub-plots just by listening to what the actors are saying in Italian, and watching their body language.

✓ Undertake a language course at your local university or college (i.e. night school) classes, especially if you want to learn the basics.

✓ “When in Rome, do as the Romans do!”. This term couldn’t be any more appropriate. When in Italy, force yourself to converse and speak Italian. By all means have your trusted pocket diary with you or your translation app on your mobile (cell) phone, but for your own sake, please make the effort to engage with the Italians.

✓ Think Italian! It’s not just about learning the Italian language, but the way you express yourself and add meaning to the words you speak and the message you want to convey. Put yourself in “the mood” or “zone”. Italians will pick up on this and respond accordingly.

Check out the Expat Essentials for Italy YouTube Channel for helpful insights to make your visit and stay in Italy truly memorable. Click here.

✓ I mentioned one benefit of having a trusted pocket Italian- English dictionary and phrasebook and a mobile app on your phone earlier.

These are great tools that you can constantly refer to throughout the day, especially when you stop somewhere for a coffee break, for example, where you learn new words or go over phrases you’ve heard or come across during the day that you’re not quite sure what they mean in your own language.

✓ You can also use the time to practice the pronunciation of the words, phrases and sentences.

Here’s some clever ways to improve your Italian whilst expanding your vocabulary:

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✓ If you have an Italian friend, ask them if they can help teach you or converse with you in Italian. Yes, it might cost you the occasional meal and bottle of wine….so why not share it in an authentic Italian restaurant near where you live!

✓ For every new word that you come across, make a note of it, understand what it means, and then put it into practice!

✓ Use Post-It notes to stick on objects in your house so you are constantly reminded of what each term is in Italian.

✓ Try to read a magazine or newspaper that is written in Italian. To make this exercise worthwhile, buy one of these periodicals on a subject that you’re passionate about, for example, football or sailing or golf.

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✓ When visiting my parents in France, my son loved to buy a sports newspaper to read up on the weekend’s football fixtures. He never understood most of what he was reading in French, but he quickly got to understand how the game unfolded and eventually ended up.

✓ Pay for private lessons.

This is what my parents did when they located to France. My father took this quite seriously and within weeks was able to order quantities of wood from the local builders’ merchants store.

My mother didn’t take her private lessons so seriously. Her French language skills were somewhat lacking, much to the dismay of my father, but she never had any problems ordering her favourite wine and coffee and snacks from local cafes and bars.

✓ Start writing a daily journal in Italian. Include phrases you’ve heard or come across during each day. Try and understand the logic and meaning behind each phrase to help you understand what is being said.

✓ By applying pen to paper, finger to keypad, you are taking advantage of basic tools that will imprint words and phrases into your mind that have a much better chance of being remembered, initially on a conscious level, and then after time and repetition, on a sub-conscious level.

✓ Make a conscious effort to learn, say, 10 to 15 Italian words each day so that you remember them by recalling them in your mind, over and over.

The secret is to master the “everyday” words and phrases before moving on to a few more which you find confusing. This will help widen your Italian vocabulary in no time.

Check out the Expat Essentials for Italy YouTube Channel for helpful insights to make your visit and stay in Italy truly memorable. Click here.

✓ In your online or tutorial sessions, you will learn some methods in sentence construction. Practice by translating some English sentences to Italian. Repeat the sentences until you no longer struggle with the words. Eventually, you will be saying these sentences in Italian without giving too much thought to them.

✓ While stuck in traffic, or while walking to your destination, try to translate some short sentences in your mind. You should have a pocket dictionary for English-Italian words so you have an instant reference. Try going to an Italian restaurant and order in Italian. If you have a friend or lover who is Italian, talk to them using what you have learned.

✓ If you feel like giving up, just remind yourself of what it was that got you interested in learning the language in the first place… and before you know it, you’re back on track!

✓ Practice, practice and practice.

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Let yourself be corrected by the locals. Take it as nothing other than a compliment. They will quickly commend you when you eventually get a phrase right or pronounce a word correctly (and with the right meaning, too!).

This is all part of the fun of engaging with the Italians.

Remember, they are a very sociable people, and if you come across as someone being sociable, many doors can open for you!

Now, just think what that will do for your confidence.

3.4 Should I Pay to Learn or Can I Learn for Free?

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This is entirely up to you, however, I will say this about anything that you do in life.

The best investment you can make is the investment in yourself. So, taking the little matter of learning Italian as an example. If you have a choice of spending money on a language course at your local college or school, or signing up for an online course, or spending 3 months in Italy on an extended holiday, which one of those choices are you likely to get a greater return from? In other words, which one gives you the strongest chance of speaking Italian? Focus on the end result, not on the cost. Cheap usually costs more!

3.5 How to Use the Internet to Help You The days of buying CDs and audio tapes, and trawling through exercise books to learn a language are long gone to a large extent. However, the internet is now making it so easy to access all the tools you need to master any language. Today, you’ve now got access to online facilities by joining webinars for tutorials and lessons. You can download PDF files to your computer’s hard disk, or access files via your computer or mobile phone screen via the “Cloud”.

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Here’s some ideas for you to boost your Italian language skills.

✓ Find relevant websites by entering keywords like “learn Italian”.

✓ Join Facebook groups and online forums or communities like www.impariamo.com which is dedicated to people who want to learn the Italian language.

Remember that social media is synonymous with the internet, so it lends itself to being sociable when researching and joining relevant online communities.

Linking up with like-minded people can help enormously, especially as people love sharing tips and ideas that you can implement yourself.

Just one word of warning at this stage. Be diligent and wary of anyone you’re talking and “connecting” with online.

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By all means share tips and stories, but always keep it on a certain level. In other words, keep your wits about you at all times.

✓ There is a website called Italian.meetup.com that gives you a list of groups that you can attend and join in your local area. Here’s the full link: https://www.meetup.com/topics/italian/

These groups are great for getting to learn to speak Italian in a relaxed and informal – even a sociable - atmosphere.

3.6 What to Look for With Online Courses

Here’s a brief guide to follow when deciding which online course is likely to provide the best value for your investment: ✓ Be aware of the features of the program.

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Does it have audio exercises you can follow and practice with?

Does it have written exercises you can follow and practice with?

Remember the power of the written word to help you understand how the word is pronounced whilst also increasing your vocabulary.

✓ A help menu and easy access to customer support must be a pre-requisite of any good program and course.

✓ Can you monitor your progress? How is progress measured?

✓ Are there different competency levels to help monitor and measure progress, as well as providing encouragement to attain the next higher level?

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✓ Reading the reviews written by previous buyers of the program or course can be very helpful. Better still, are there any reviews on YouTube?

3.7 Tools to Help You Learn Italian ✓ Your car. Yes, use your car sound system to listen to your chosen program.

Even if you are not concentrating on the Italian lesson (because you’re having to concentrate on the driving!), the repetitive nature of playing the program over and over again will help reinforce the retention of key words and phrases.

There’s another benefit to listening to lessons in your car – it makes getting stuck in a traffic jam that more bearable.

Check out the Expat Essentials for Italy YouTube Channel for helpful insights to make your visit and stay in Italy truly memorable. Click here.

✓ Here are a few well-known websites you might like to check out to see which one suits your requirements and fits in with your preferred learning techniques.

• Mosa Lingua

• Rosetta Stone

• Berlitz International

• Talk Now Italian

There are many other sites to view. Do your due diligence including checking reviews and seeking recommendations, and then make a decision that you feel is best suited to match your wants and requirements.

Summary

Check out the Expat Essentials for Italy YouTube Channel for helpful insights to make your visit and stay in Italy truly memorable. Click here.

We’ve now come to the end of this journey that will enable you to make the most of your Italian experience, whether that’s as someone living or seeking to live for an extended period in Italy, or as someone keen to make the most of their short stay as a holiday or business trip. The ebook has been set out in a way so that you can use it as a handy reference book and as a reminder of key bits of information to refer to both before you travel to Italy and during your stay there. As a reminder, we’ve covered: • Travel; • Culture and lifestyle; and • The language.

Conclusion For many, the opportunity to travel to a different country always evokes excitement, and travelling to Italy to either holiday there or to work and live there is no exception. In fact, as the Latin temperament is something that can be described as “excitable”, then the experiences you are sure to enjoy can only heighten your anticipation of experiencing something very special. The Expat Essentials for Italy YouTube channel will be regularly updated with short, informative videos, so be sure to sign up as a subscriber to avoid missing out on important updates. Each video will also give you the opportunity to make comments and join in with other YouTube subscribers sharing their own Italian experiences and tips. You can access the channel by clicking here >>>> For now, go and create your Italian experience. Make it your own. Take control of your life, and enjoy! Arrivederci!

Check out the Expat Essentials for Italy YouTube Channel for helpful insights to make your visit and stay in Italy truly memorable. Click here.

Ciao for now!

Acknowledgements

With thanks to Unsplash for sharing images provided by: bailey-gullo; belinda-fewings; blake-kelly; bogdan-dada; bogdan-glisik; chris-holgersson; claudio-mezzasalma; daniel-corneschi; daniele- levis-pelusi; daniil-vnoutchkov; davide-ragusa; edgar-chaparro; edoardo-busti; fallon-travels; freestocks-org; igor-oliyarnik; isabella- mckenzie; ivan-bertona; joshua-earle; maria-teneva; marius-ciocirlan; mason-pohlman; matt-antonioli; max-libertine; michele-bitetto; mike-von; nick-fewings; park-street; philip-schroeder; riccardo-chiarini; robert-v-ruggiero; sara-darcaj; sarah-ferrante-goodrich; spencer- davis; thomas-haas; wesual-click; zoltan-kovacs;

Affiliate Commission Disclosure Notice: Kindly note that some of the links in this ebook are affiliate links which means that if you go on to buy the product or service as a consequence of clicking the link, we might receive – at NO COST to you – a small amount of affiliate commission, which helps pay for the production of this ebook.

Check out the Expat Essentials for Italy YouTube Channel for helpful insights to make your visit and stay in Italy truly memorable. Click here.

© 2019 Jeff Laming, author and owner of the Expats Essentials for Italy YouTube channel.

Check out the Expat Essentials for Italy YouTube Channel for helpful insights to make your visit and stay in Italy truly memorable. Click here.