Explore Italy

The Italy Made Easy Blog

Italian language tips, culture deep dives, and everything you need to fall in love with Italy.

DISCOVER ITALY

Music tip for you: Marco Mengoni!

Are you ready to add an Italian song to your playlist? “Due vite” by Marco Mengoni! Marco Mengoni is a beloved and famous Italian singer-songwriter not only in Italy, but all over the world. He has won the prestigious Sanremo Festival not once, but twice! This highly anticipated Italian music festival, which takes place annually, […]

Read more →
DISCOVER ITALY

Little-known Italian recipe that will surprise you!

If you’ve been reading our Italy Inspired magazine, you may have discovered an amazing recipe: Parmigiana with prickly pear blades! Yes, you got it right…with prickly pear blades. It’s a typical recipe from Ponza Island, off the coast of the Lazio region of Italy. This place is truly divine and, like all of Italy, it […]

Read more →
DISCOVER ITALY

Italian red gold: saffron!

Are you ready to challenge yourself with reading an Italian text? Awesome! Here you will find a slightly simplified version of the article “The red gold of the Elba island”. This reading is best suited for Intermediate students… but if you are just getting started with the Italian language, don’t worry! You can still have […]

Read more →
ITALIAN LANGUAGE

Animal-Related Idioms in Italian!

If you find Sardinia’s animal-shaped rocks fascinating, wait until you discover how many Italian expressions about animals exist! We are here to showcase you 5 of our favorite fun and curious Italian expressions about animals. In bocca al lupo! This is by far the most common Italian expression involving an animal! “In bocca al lupo!” […]

Read more →
DISCOVER ITALY

Italians’ summer habits!

Are you ready to challenge yourself with reading an Italian text? Awesome! Here you will find a slightly simplified version of the article “An Italian beach tradition“. This reading is best suited for Intermediate students… but if you are just getting started with the Italian language, don’t worry! You can still have a great practice […]

Read more →
DISCOVER ITALY

A delicious Italian dish: Pappa al pomodoro

Let’s practice listening and comprehension with a recipe for “Pappa al pomodoro“! Recipe videos are great materials to practice your listening and comprehension skills even if you are a beginner, because they are very visual and often show step by step what they are talking about. Do not underestimate the power of context when you […]

Read more →
DISCOVER ITALY

The sound of Riccione!

Thegiornalisti is an Italian music group formed by Marco Primavera, Marco Antonio Musella, and Tommaso Paradiso. The band has achieved popularity in the Italian music scene due to their catchy songs and engaging lyrics. Thegiornalisti’s single “Riccione” was released on June 21, 2017 and features sounds reminiscent of the 1980s, mixing vintage elements with a […]

Read more →
DISCOVER ITALY

The authentic recipes of Roman cuisine!

Do you want to bring the Roman cuisine to your home? Watch these videos for authentic recipes of two dishes that you must try! Cacio e Pepe is a traditional Roman pasta dish that translates to “cheese and pepper” in English. To make Cacio e Pepe, you will need spaghetti, Pecorino Romano cheese, black pepper, […]

Read more →
DISCOVER ITALY

The meeting of two icons of Italian culture!

Antonello Venditti is a renowned Italian singer-songwriter from Rome. Born on March 8, 1949, Venditti has made a significant impact on the Italian music scene with his heartfelt lyrics and captivating melodies. With a career spanning over five decades, he has released numerous albums that have resonated with audiences across Italy and beyond. Venditti’s music […]

Read more →
ITALIAN LANGUAGE

Cat-chy Italian: 9 idioms… with cats!

Have you ever strolled through the charming streets of Rome and found yourself surrounded by graceful feline companions? Well, Italians certainly have a soft spot for these whiskered creatures! This is reflected in a delightful array of cat-inspired expressions that enrich and color the Italian language.  To celebrate their reputation of nine lives, we selected […]

Read more →
DISCOVER ITALY

Throwing the coin into the Trevi Fountain…and other secrets!

Are you ready to challenge yourself with reading an Italian text? Awesome! Here you will find a slightly simplified version of the article “The Tradition of Tossing Coins in the Trevi Fountain”. This reading is best suited for Intermediate students… but if you are just getting started with the Italian language, don’t worry! You can […]

Read more →
DISCOVER ITALY

Let’s delve into Italian folklore and music: la Taranta!

In the Apulia region there is a traditional dance you can’t help to know! Have you ever heard of Taranta? It is a traditional dance from Salento, a specific area of the Apulia region, that offers a mesmerizing and captivating experience for anyone who has the privilege of witnessing it. This captivating dance has ancient […]

Read more →