Postcards from Italy | Learn Italian | Beginner and Intermediate – Details, episodes & analysis

In the last episode of Season 1, Julie and Dani leave Rome on a train bound for new adventures in Orvieto. Small talk – and a little argument – with fellow passengers adds more local Italian flair to their Italian journey.

In our roundtable, Elisa shares a pair of idioms, including the Italian equivalent of Julie’s favorite – “When in Rome…” – and another about the Mona Lisa. In our premium version, we get a stack of useful phrases for train travel in Italy.

But there’s more to Postcards from Italy! To get the most out of Season 1, subscribe to our premium online course for full episodes, transcripts, roundtable notes and Italian-only audio to test your listening and comprehension skills.

www.PostcardsFromItalyPodcast.com

After visiting the Colosseum, Julie and Dani go shopping at an outdoor market in Rome, then shop for shoes at a boutique. They also have a bit of fun chatting with “ragazzi” dressed as gladiators.

In our roundtable, Elisa shares an idiom that tries to explain how your mustache can make you feel superior. In our premium version, we also learn all about shopping in Italy, from do’s and don’t’s to how and when to bargain for deals. 

As usual, the free version of this episode only scratches the surface! To get the most out of Postcards from Italy, subscribe to our premium online course for full episodes, transcripts, roundtable notes and Italian-only audio to test your listening and comprehension skills.

www.PostcardsFromItalyPodcast.com

Julie and Dani visit the Vatican, but first they have to get through security and learn the rules to follow in the Basilica. We also learn that being educated in Italy is not the same as being polite!

Elisa shares an idiom to express surprise, which is helpful when Erin describes how she almost got kicked out of the Sistine Chapel!

To get the most out of Postcards from Italy, subscribe to our premium online course for full episodes, transcripts, roundtable notes and Italian-only audio to test your listening and comprehension skills.

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Julie and Dani visit a tabaccheria, and learn all about this magical mystery store that sells much more than just tobacco. After they buy bus tickets, postcards and stamps, they run to catch a city bus. We also learn an Italian proverb that explains why good friends are like white flies.

To get the most out of Postcards from Italy, subscribe to our premium online course for full episodes, transcripts, roundtable notes and Italian-only audio to test your listening and comprehension skills.

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Julie and Dani eat breakfast at the hotel, where Dani meets a new friend and Julie samples the international buffet. We also learn the *single word* that makes an Italian language learner immediately sound like a native speaker.

Elisa also tells us how Italians use the word "fritatta" as more than a tasty breakfast food! Erin asks about Italian vs. American breakfasts and we drool over all the sweet treats that start a beautiful day in Italy.  

To get the most out of Postcards from Italy, subscribe to our premium online course for full episodes, transcripts, roundtable notes and Italian-only audio to test your listening and comprehension skills.

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Julie and Dani get their first taste of pizza in Italy… and Dani learns that Italians have very strict rules about pizza. 

In our roundtable, we discuss an expression of surprise or frustration that translates as “sheer madness”! We also begin a deep-dive discussion about the classic pizzas you’ll find in Italy… and in our bonus materials we dive even deeper into the ones you won’t. 

To get the most out of Postcards from Italy, subscribe to our premium online course for full episodes, transcripts, roundtable notes and Italian-only audio to test your listening and comprehension skills.

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Julie and Dani enjoy an aperitivo on the terrace after getting a recommendation for a pizzeria. While enjoying the views of Rome, they are treated to cocktails and snacks at the hotel's rooftop bar. 

In our roundtable, Elisa tells us why Italian mothers hate to hear that someone is starving, and we learn a phrase that means “to be hungry as a wolf.” While discussing another animal-related expression, Elisa explains why she is “Team Chickens.” Erin also asks Elisa to tell us about all the yummy food her Italian mamma might make if she were hungry.

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Julie and Dani go up to their hotel room and learn about its many interesting amenities, including an “emotional shower.”

In our roundtable, we learn how to live like the Pope, and also how Elisa’s own father can be mistaken for the Pope. We discuss the 2nd part of our list of useful hotel phrases and the many kinds of accommodations you can find in Italy.

To get the most out of Postcards from Italy, subscribe to our premium online course for full episodes, transcripts, roundtable notes and Italian-only audio to test your listening and comprehension skills.

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** Mille grazie a Laura Teso. Laura is the creator of My Corner of Italy and generously allowed us permission to adapt her useful hotel phrases for this episode. You can find her on Instagram @mycornerofitaly and more of her resources here: 

https://www.italiarail.com/accommodation/albergo-or-pensione-quick-guide-types-hotels-available-italy

https://mycornerofitaly.com/book-an-hotel-room-in-italian/

And: https://mycornerofitaly.com/italian-hotel-phrases/

Julie and Dani check into their hotel and meet a few hotel employees, including Luca, who takes an interest in Dani.

In our roundtable, we discuss the Italian idiom “venire alla luce” or come to the light and all the ways it can be used. We also explore vocabulary about hotel services and part 1 of our list of useful phrases and questions for hotel stays.

To get the most out of Postcards from Italy, subscribe to our premium online course for full episodes, transcripts, roundtable notes and Italian-only audio to test your listening and comprehension skills.

www.PostcardsFromItalyPodcast.com

** Mille grazie a Laura Teso. Laura is the creator of My Corner of Italy and generously allowed us permission to adapt her useful hotel phrases for this episode. You can find her on Instagram @mycornerofitaly and more of her resources here: https://mycornerofitaly.com/book-an-hotel-room-in-italian/

And here: https://mycornerofitaly.com/italian-hotel-phrases/

On their way to the Hotel Artemide, Italian driver Pietro teaches Dani how to count in Italian and Julie asks about directions.

In our roundtable, we cover two different expressions about being tired and a classic Roman insult that involves dead people (really!). We also do a deep dive into numbers and directions.

To get the most out of Postcards from Italy, subscribe to our premium online course for full episodes, transcripts, roundtable notes and Italian-only audio to test your listening and comprehension skills.

www.PostcardsFromItalyPodcast.com