WARNING: this episode contains Italian insults and may not be suitable for sensitive ears! In the last episode of this season, we graduate from survival Italian into conversation starters so that we can make lasting friendships. Elisa also confesses the not-so-well-loved traits of her fellow Italians and gives us a healthy list of Italian insults and bad words, both polite and offensive, as a graduation present. But to get the most out of Italian for Travelers, head to our website and subscribe ...
Sep 23, 2025•48 min•Season 2Ep. 23
In today’s episode, we learn about WiFi, data plans, phones and staying connected while in Italy. We also practice asking for email addresses, passwords, phone numbers and internet access. But to get the most out of Italian for Travelers, head to our website and subscribe to our premium online course. You’ll get: A phone-friendly & clickable PDF of all our mini-glossaries ← the perfect travel buddy for Italian learners! Full episodes (we only stream a portion of our conversations!) Dialogue ...
Sep 16, 2025•28 min•Season 2Ep. 22
In today’s episode, we discuss tips to keep ourselves and our valuables safe while visiting Italy, and how to avoid theft and pickpocketing, with a special section on women’s safety. Just in case, we also practice a dialogue to ask for help and Elisa tells us about Italy’s various law enforcement agencies. But to get the most out of Italian for Travelers, head to our website and subscribe to our premium online course. You’ll get: A phone-friendly & clickable PDF of all our mini-glossaries ← ...
Sep 09, 2025•34 min•Season 2Ep. 21
In today’s episode, Elisa gives us vocabulary and cultural tips to help us prepare for any unexpected health hiccups while we’re traveling in Italy. We also learn how to ask for help with a long list of illnesses, body parts and medications, just in case. But to get the most out of Italian for Travelers, head to our website and subscribe to our premium online course. You’ll get: A phone-friendly & clickable PDF of all our mini-glossaries ← the perfect travel buddy for Italian learners! Full ...
Sep 02, 2025•31 min•Season 2Ep. 20
In today’s episode, we talk about one of our favorite parts of Italian life – the outdoor market – as well as grocery stores. Elisa gives us extensive vocabulary and cultural tips about what to buy, how and when to bargain, and that it’s usually NOT acceptable to touch the produce. But to get the most out of Italian for Travelers, head to our website and subscribe to our premium online course. You’ll get: A phone-friendly & clickable PDF of all our mini-glossaries ← the perfect travel buddy ...
Aug 26, 2025•32 min•Season 2Ep. 19
In today’s episode, we talk about the beautiful things money *can* buy in Italy’s department stores, artisanal shops and boutiques. Elisa also shares tips about typical store hours, VAT refunds and lots of vocabulary so you can literally shop til you drop all your Euros! But to get the most out of Italian for Travelers, head to our website and subscribe to our premium online course. You’ll get: A phone-friendly & clickable PDF of all our mini-glossaries ← the perfect travel buddy for Italian...
Aug 19, 2025•26 min•Season 2Ep. 18
In today’s episode, we head outdoors to the beach, hiking trails, bike paths, spas and more, experiencing Italy beyond its food, art and churches. Elisa also teaches us how to relax like an Italian and enjoy Italy’s famous beach culture and hot springs. But to get the most out of Italian for Travelers, head to our website and subscribe to our premium online course. You’ll get: A phone-friendly & clickable PDF of all our mini-glossaries ← the perfect travel buddy for Italian learners! Full ep...
Aug 12, 2025•30 min•Season 2Ep. 17
In today’s episode, we learn about visiting cultural landmarks and etiquette for enjoying the art, history and natural beauty of Italy, from its museums to its churches. Elisa also teaches us how to talk about what we see, as well as tips about tickets, opening hours, tours and guides. But to get the most out of Italian for Travelers, head to our website and subscribe to our premium online course. You’ll get: A phone-friendly & clickable PDF of all our mini-glossaries ← the perfect travel bu...
Aug 05, 2025•28 min•Season 2Ep. 16
In today’s episode, Elisa prepares us for ordering a wide variety of foods with mini-glossaries for Italian specialties we might find in different eateries. We also learn helpful Italian vocabulary to communicate any food allergies, sensitivities and preferences when ordering a meal. But to get the most out of Italian for Travelers, head to our website and subscribe to our premium online course. You’ll get: A phone-friendly & clickable PDF of all our mini-glossaries ← the perfect travel budd...
Jul 29, 2025•32 min•Season 2Ep. 15
In today’s episode, Elisa explains how eating in Italy is less about the food and more about the art, traditions and social aspects of the Italian culture. We learn about the categories of meals and snacks, as well as how to order food and coffee like an Italian. But to get the most out of Italian for Travelers, head to our website and subscribe to our premium online course. You’ll get: A phone-friendly & clickable PDF of all our mini-glossaries ← the perfect travel buddy for Italian learner...
Jul 22, 2025•41 min•Season 2Ep. 14
Italian for Travelers, Episode 13 - the EATING IN ITALY episode. In today’s episode, we finally sink our teeth into the first of three episodes devoted to our favorite sport: eating in Italy! Together, we explore the delicious world of Italian cuisine, from kinds of restaurants to the typical courses you’ll find on a menu. Elisa also gives us essential words and cultural tips to impress your waiter and enjoy your meals that much more. In today’s episode, we finally sink our teeth into the first ...
Jul 15, 2025•33 min•Season 2Ep. 13
In today’s episode, Kristi checks into a hotel, so we discuss a range of Italian accommodations, from farm stays to hotels and monasteries. We also learn vocabulary to ask about amenities and to resolve any issues that might come up during a stay, such as asking for more towels or fixing a broken faucet. But to get the most out of Italian for Travelers, head to our website and subscribe to our premium online course. You’ll get: A phone-friendly & clickable PDF of all our mini-glossaries ← th...
Jul 08, 2025•31 min•Season 2Ep. 12
In today’s episode, we take to the open road and learn how to fill up our tanks and find parking along our Italian adventure. We also talk about where and where NOT to park in and around historic city centers. But to get the most out of Italian for Travelers, head to our website and subscribe to our premium online course. You’ll get: A phone-friendly & clickable PDF of all our mini-glossaries ← the perfect travel buddy for Italian learners! Full episodes (we only stream a portion of our conv...
Jul 01, 2025•28 min•Season 2Ep. 11
In today’s episode, we learn all about driving in Italy and follow Kristi as she rents a car and stops for directions. Elisa also helps us decode Italian road signs and driving rules in Italy. But to get the most out of Italian for Travelers, head to our website and subscribe to our premium online course. You’ll get: A phone-friendly & clickable PDF of all our mini-glossaries ← the perfect travel buddy for Italian learners! Full episodes (we only stream a portion of our conversations!) Dialo...
Jun 24, 2025•33 min•Season 2Ep. 10
In today’s episode, we dive into public transportation in Italy and learn about train travel, buses and more. Elisa prepares us to buy tickets, read time schedules and handle the occasional worker’s strike, so that it won’t derail your trip, figuratively, of course. But to get the most out of Italian for Travelers, head to our website and subscribe to our premium online course. You’ll get: A phone-friendly & clickable PDF of all our mini-glossaries ← the perfect travel buddy for Italian lear...
Jun 17, 2025•30 min•Season 2Ep. 9
In today’s episode, Elisa offers some simple tips to avoid falling for common tourist traps. We also learn how to ask for -- and listen for -- directions in Italian, especially when all roads *don’t* lead to Rome! But to get the most out of Italian for Travelers, head to our website and subscribe to our premium online course. You’ll get: A phone-friendly & clickable PDF of all our mini-glossaries ← the perfect travel buddy for Italian learners! Full episodes (we only stream a portion of our ...
Jun 10, 2025•34 min•Season 2Ep. 8
In today’s episode, you’ll learn how to fill up your calendar with dates… literally! First, we follow our character Kristi through an outdoor Italian market and learn all about the days of the week, months, years and seasons. Then, Elisa teaches us how to make small talk about the weather. But to get the most out of Italian for Travelers, head to our website and subscribe to our premium online course. You’ll get: A phone-friendly & clickable PDF of all our mini-glossaries ← the perfect trave...
Jun 03, 2025•30 min•Season 2Ep. 7
In today’s episode, we learn how to tell time in Italian. Elisa shares typical opening and closing times in Italy and why travelers should get familiar with the 24 hour clock before an Italian getaway. But to get the most out of Italian for Travelers, head to our website and subscribe to our premium online course. You’ll get: A phone-friendly & clickable PDF of all our mini-glossaries ← the perfect travel buddy for Italian learners! Full episodes (we only stream a portion of our conversation...
May 27, 2025•32 min•Season 2Ep. 6
This one’s all about counting and money! Today, we learn to count from one to ten… and then all the way up to one billion. Then Elisa teaches us Italian vocabulary about money so we can spend those billions on fabulous Italian shoes and accessories. But to get the most out of Italian for Travelers, head to our website and subscribe to our premium online course. You’ll get: A phone-friendly & clickable PDF of all our mini-glossaries ← the perfect travel buddy for Italian learners! Full episod...
May 20, 2025•36 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Today, we begin to connect with Italians, both formally and informally, from exchanging names and phone numbers to basic questions. Elisa also teaches us the difference between the two popular ways of saying “I’m sorry” in Italian, and when to use each one. But to get the most out of Italian for Travelers, head to our website and subscribe to our premium online course. You’ll get: A phone-friendly & clickable PDF of all our mini-glossaries ← the perfect travel buddy for Italian learners! Ful...
May 13, 2025•32 min•Season 2Ep. 4
In today’s episode, we learn how to make friends and meet new people in Italy. Elisa gives us examples of informal and formal greetings, as well as the etiquette of hugs and kisses Italian-style. You’ll learn how to say hello and goodbye, introduce yourself, ask how someone is, and show off what a wonderful, curious traveler you are! Although these are basic niceties, they are the key to making a good impression on everyone you’ll meet in Italy, from hotel staff to shopkeepers and baristas. But ...
May 06, 2025•32 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Today, we tackle some do’s and don’t’s for learning and speaking Italian as a traveler. Elisa congratulates you on the extensive Italian vocabulary that you probably didn’t realize that you already know. (Bravo!) And finally, we share 25 expressions and words that EVERY traveler to Italy needs to know. But to get the most out of Italian for Travelers, head to our website and subscribe to our premium online course. You’ll get: A phone-friendly & clickable PDF of all our mini-glossaries ← the ...
Apr 29, 2025•39 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Our Italian adventure begins with the basics: the Italian alphabet and pronunciation. If you’re planning a trip to Italy or want to refresh the Italian you learned in college, today is step one! In today’s episode, we learn the alphabet and Elisa gives us a basic pronunciation guide for Italian so that you can begin to practice sounding out all the beautiful words you’ll see on menus, maps and signs. We also get familiar with the Italian place names of famous cities and landmarks. Lastly, we mee...
Apr 22, 2025•41 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Ready to live La Dolce Vita without getting lost in grammar rules? Your favorite Italy-loving friends Elisa and Erin are back with a fresh season of episodes about the language and culture of Italy, especially for travelers! Italian for Travelers (Season 2 of the Postcards from Italy Podcast) is your go-to Italian language guide, designed especially for travelers and beginners (and rusty returners!). Whether you're going to Italy for the first time or refreshing your Italian before your next tri...
Apr 08, 2025•2 min0
Send us a text 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 Po...
Aug 09, 2022•19 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Send us a text 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 scra...
Aug 02, 2022•20 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Send us a text Julie and Dani go to a pharmacy and learn about all natural Italian cosmetics to help soothe skin, repel mosquitos and much more. Later on, Elisa teaches us everything we need to know about disgusting things… namely, the word for “disgusting” in Italian: “schifo”! 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...
Jul 26, 2022•16 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Send us a text The Do’s and Don’t’s of eating in Italy! In this very special episode of Postcards from Italy, Julie and Dani enjoy a lively dinner discussion with their new friends that includes a hilarious idiom about why old chickens are preferable to young chicks and a strong warning about drinking cappuccini after breakfast. But things really heat up in our roundtable, where Elisa shares her insider knowledge as a born-and-raised Italian to tell us the top 37 food rules to obey while traveli...
Jul 19, 2022•21 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Send us a text Cuciniamo! Let’s cook! Julie and Dani join a cooking class in Rome and prepare classic Roman recipes that illustrate the Italian expression “avere l’acquolina in bocca,” to have water in one’s mouth. In our roundtable, Elisa gives us a long list of Italian verbs to use in the kitchen. We also learn that drinking like a sponge is not considered a positive thing in Italy, so drink responsibly! To get the most out of Postcards from Italy, subscribe to our premium online course for fu...
Jul 12, 2022•18 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Send us a text Julie and Dani shop for recipe ingredients with a local chef in Campo de’Fiori, where they learn that you must never touch another man’s fruit and that good wine makes good blood. Later, Elisa tells us about the more sinister history of the famous Roman food market piazza Campo de’Fiori, and we learn a fun (and often-used) way to contract the phrase “va bene.” To get the most out of Postcards from Italy, subscribe to our premium online course for full episodes, transcripts, roundt...
Jul 05, 2022•16 min•Season 1Ep. 16
