Archive for 'Uncategorized'
A Letter To Babbo Natale Posted by Serena on Dec 22, 2017
When we were children, we used to write la letterina di Natale in the days running up to Christmas. We’d give our letters to mum and dad, who would (so we believed) post them on to Babbo Natale. In our letters we’d tell Santa what good little boys and girls we’d been, how well we’d…
Fiocchi Di Neve Posted by Serena on Dec 13, 2017
Domenica la prima neve è caduta in paese rinnovando l’incantesimo di un mondo fatato ricoperto di un soffice manto bianco. Mi è tornata in mente una delicata poesia di Umberto Saba, che descrive la magia dell’arrivo della neve. L’immagine che Umberto Saba presenta della nevicata mi ricorda la mia fanciullezza. Beh, ad essere sinceri io…
Una Splendida Villa Romana In Liguria Posted by Geoff on Nov 30, 2017
Imagine a rocky coastline rising from the verdigris waters of the Mediterranean sea. Now picture a perfect inlet between two sharp promontories jutting out like shear blades. Right there, at the pivotal point of the blades, at the apex of a steep inverted V, nestles a fabulous villa, la Villa Romana del Varignano. We’ve travelled…
The Pale Tower Posted by Serena on Nov 16, 2017
The milky mist of the Pianura Padana envelops the autumnal landscape. As we drive along the typically straight pianura road the majestic fortress of Torrechiara comes into focus like a pale ghost on the first low hills that rise up ahead of us. In order to preserve the magic of the moment we decide to…
Una Gita Culturale – Part 2. Posted by Geoff on Oct 24, 2017
At 10:30 on Friday morning, we successfully navigate our way into the centre of Parma and, leaving our car in the dark, narrow, and very expensive underground car park, emerge just a few meters from Il Palazzo della Pilotta, right on the edge of il centro storico. Price shock number one: “Quattordici euro per sei…
Beat It! Posted by Geoff on Sep 18, 2017
In Italian, you’ll often encounter groups of words deriving from the same root which have subtly different meanings. Battere, sbattere and abbattere are one such group. With three words all based on the root battere (to beat), it can be difficult to know which to apply in a particular situation. Let’s take a look at…
Come Dio Comanda Posted by Geoff on Sep 11, 2017
I’ve always loved to read, and feel lost without a good book around. In fact I’m reading a great one right now! For the last few years I’ve committed myself to reading in Italian, but it can be tough finding just the right books in your second language. Written Italian tends to be a very…