By LearnItalianPod
The Italian Way of Life
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Have you ever wanted to play a musical instrument? A tradition now for hundreds of years, the piano has heavily influenced every major style of music since its first appearance, thanks to a great Italian inventor from Padua. Let’s learn...
One of the most magnetic and charismatic stars of the silent era, Rudolph Valentino, once said, “People are not in love with me, but with the picture of me on the screen. I am merely the canvas on which they...
One of the most magnetic and charismatic stars of the silent era, Rudolph Valentino, once said, “People are not in love with me, but with the picture of me on the screen. I am merely the canvas on which...
The word volcano comes from the name of the Roman god of fire, Vulcan. It is said that Vulcan built a blacksmith workshop under Mount Etna. Whenever Venus is unfaithful, Vulcan grows angry and beats the red-hot metal with such...
The word volcano originally comes from the name of the Roman god of fire, Vulcan. It is said that Vulcan built a blacksmith workshop under Mount Etna and whenever Venus is unfaithful Vulcan grows angry and beats the red-hot metal...
The air is filled with World Cup Fever, so let’s talk about a legendary Italian World Cup hero who, at the peak of his career, was said to be “more popular than spaghetti”. We’ll learn his ups and downs during...
Italy is famous for so many delicious wines. And who knew that choosing the correct glass for your wine was such an important aspect in relishing the flavor and enjoying that moment you take that first sip. So, relax and...
The importance of becoming fit and strong has long been an important factor to the general public. This time, let’s find out just how one famous Italian muscleman helped evolve the golden age of fitness and physical culture, all while...
Sara, who is studying in Siena, Italy, wrote us to tell us of a great field trip she went on to the “Parco di Pinocchio.” She tells us, “Pinocchio is truly loved and famous in Italy and now I know...
VIP Member Sara, who is studying in Siena, Italy, wrote us to tell us of a great field trip she went on to the “Parco di Pinocchio.” – She tells us, “Wow! Pinocchio is truly loved and famous in Italy...
Gianna just returned from Italy to visit family for the first time, and asks, “Why is it that Italians are so competitive when playing cards? Every night after dinner, we played a card game called “Scopa” and it was very...
VIP Member Gianna just returned from Italy to visit family for the first time, and asks, “Why is it that Italians are so serious when playing cards? Every night, after dinner we played a card game called “Scopa” and it...
The tradition of locking your love with a padlock on a bridge as a symbol of love and commitment is practiced throughout the world. No one is quite sure where this tradition has originated but love locks spring up on...
Italians, known for eating dinner quite late in the evening, call their Happy Hour “Aperitivo”. Literally, “aperitivo” is a pre-meal drink whose scope is to stimulate appetite, but in Italy it is in fact much more than that. Italians consider...
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” – How many times have people asked you that question when you were younger? Our little friend Marco is twelve years old: when he grows up he would like to...
There’s a well loved and widely popular Italian dish that’s easy and inexpensive to make, but it’s packed with flavor and healthy ingredients. The name of the dish is “spaghetti all’aglio olio e peperoncino” (spaghetti with garlic, oil, and hot...
If you like winter sports, and skiing in particular, you know the feeling you get by skiing in a perfectly groomed ski slope. Now, imagine being able to do it in the middle of the desert. Impossible, you say? –...
Did you know that the first living astronauts in history were a sheep, a goose and a rooster? They flew in 1783 in France on board of a big hot-air balloon. So, let’s celebrate the first flight in history with...
You are sure to “get a charge” out of this time’s lesson about the great Italian scientist Alessandro Volta, the inventor of the electric battery. Let’s learn all about one of the greatest scientist and idea finders, Alessandro Volta, and...
Let’s spend a day at one of the most famous Italian water parks: Aqualandia. Located near Venice, in the Veneto region, Aqualandia is much more than a traditional water park. With its shows, activities, and extreme attractions, the park is...
Lake Como is a magnificent lake located in the region of Lombardia, Italy about 25 miles north of Milan. Among the many noted lakeside villages, Bellagio has been a true favorite of most nobles throughout the centuries. Let’s discover why...
Believe it or not, once they came back from the moon, Apollo 11 astronauts had to go through customs and immigration, like regular people do. Apparently, this was done more as a fun ritual than as a requirement from the...
This story is really unusual. We’re quite sure that if we say the word “Palio”, your mind will immediately go to the world-famous horse race “Palio di Siena”. – Not so for the people who live in the small Italian...
This time’s story is a celebration of what is considered to be the most translated book in the history of Italian literature. With over 240 translations, “Le Avventure di Pinocchio” (The Adventures of Pinocchio) remains a world-wide classic of children’s...
This time’s news is about the so-called “Calcio Storico Fiorentino” (Historical Soccer from Florence). – Invented in the 16th century as a way to keep military troops in shape while waiting to go into battle, this sport is a brutal...
This time, the spotlight is on a man who is considered to be the tenor singer par excellence: the great Italian tenor Enrico Caruso. The warmth and sincerity of his voice and larger than life personality made Enrico Caruso a...
This time’s news is about a very creative way that an Italian travel agency has found to heal the so-called “mal d’amore” (broken heart): a bike tour for singles which they say it is the perfect cure for the relationship...
This time, the spotlight is on one of the most important and influential personalities in the history of Italy. His name is Giuseppe Garibaldi, an Italian general and politician who is considered one of the true founding fathers of Italy...
This time, the spotlight is on one of the greatest actresses in the history of cinema. Her name is Sophia Loren, a smart and talented actress – and a beautiful woman – who won numerous awards and honors, including two...
This time, the spotlight is on one of the most extraordinary women in the scientific world, a woman who dedicated her life to scientific research with extraordinary results. Her name is Rita Levi Montalcini, a great scientist who won the...
This time, the spotlight is on the ultimate Renaissance Man, one of the greatest if not the greatest genius of all times, Leonardo da Vinci. Let’s learn all about the genius and creativity of a truly wonderful mind, and let’s...
Federico Fellini, the Oscar-winning “Maestro” who masterfully explored the fantasies and dreams of the human mind, is one of the movie directors who have most influenced the history of modern cinema. Let’s learn all about one of the most creative...
Italy has an comprehensive list of famous people who have excelled in all fields imaginable by man. Actors, architects, composers, artists, scientists, engineers, chefs, athletes – you name it! – for each imaginable field there is or there has been...
This news comes all the way from China where a recently opened restaurant is using – unbelievable but true – a robot-waiter to serve customers at the table. The robot-waiter is the invention of the restaurant’s owner, who is a...
VIP Member Christine from Australia recently told us a story of a couple who bought an old Vespa, the famous Italian motorbike, and travelled all across Italy with it. They said they had the best time of their life! –...
Longtime VIP Member Angela, who is from Belgium, sent an interesting news about her country. Belgium is famous for its delicious chocolate so the Belgian post office took this love for chocolate to the extreme by releasing – incredible but...
Did you know that 60% of the world’s art treasures can be found in Italy and good part of that art is in the beautiful city of Rome? – Rome is famous for its museums, churches, art galleries, and magnificent...
VIP Member Carla from New York just came back from a wonderful trip to Italy. She believes that the best way to understand and appreciate a culture is to learn how to cook its typical dishes, so she spent two...
This time, let’s talk about… silence. It seems like that one of the most difficult things to do these days is to find a quiet corner where to unwind, relax, and reflect. After all, we all live in the so-called...
These days it’s all about smart phones or, as they call them in Italy, “telefonini intelligenti”. Italians love their smart phones and most of all they love their applications (in short, apps), which are fully functioning programs that run on...
Let’s talk about those traditions and customs that all over the world are believed to be Italian, but that in reality are virtually unknown in Italy. – For example, while in Italy, try ordering a cappuccino at the end of...
Since Christmas is just a couple of days away, let’s talk about the two traditional cakes that all Italians will have on their table on Christmas Day: the world famous “Panettone” and “Pandoro”. – Like every year, the competition between...
Let’s talk about a new trend, or better, an old activity that has recently become quite popular: knitting. – Jane’s grandma Rina is an expert in this craft, and she taught her how to knit, and so now Jane loves...
Let’s talk about superstitions and lucky charms. It is a well known fact that Italians are in general extremely superstitious: a newspaper reported that Italians spend about 8 billion dollars a year on fortune tellers and astrology. One of the...
Let’s find out what Italians’ favorite pets are. About a year ago, a major Italian association who protects animals run a survey asking Italians to indicate their favorite pet. You will not be surprised to hear that the dog is...
We are just a few weeks away from the beginning of the Holiday Season, and one of Italians’ favorite activities these days is to look for the “perfect” location where to spend a few days of well-earned rest with family...
