Learning Italian

I have been trying to learn Italian for several years. Pimsleur, Italianpod101, CD’s, and Duolingo. They all have helped me improve. Duolingo is one of the best products I have used. The free version is an excellent introduction to learning any language. Premium is a better way to speed up learning, no adds, nor stops after making several mistakes.

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This has worked well and I have used Duolingo for many years with both Spanish and Italian .

 

It has worked well, and I have used it daily for over two years. I realized on our trip last year to Cortina d’Ampezzo that speaking to Italians in their language was fun and made our trip so much more enjoyable. One night we had the owners of our Airbnb over for dinner. The conversation was 95% in Italian as Renato, and his wife spoke little English.

 

OUR LIVING ROOM IN CORTINA
At this point, I had reached the limit of my conversational abilities. It was a good conversation, but I wanted to go farther. One year later, I have started to take Italian lessons. Online Italian courses seemed to be the way to go in the ane of Coronavirus.

I searched several websites and looked closely at two of them. Lingoci appeared to be the best for me.

Lingoci 1

 

From the photo, you can see there are several languages to choose from.
Once you choose a language to learn, you see a list of instructors from whom you can choose.

Lucrezia from Milano

 

I chose a sample lesson with Lucrezia, who comes from Milano and now lives in Barcelona. She is fluent in several languages. I was a little nervous about the class, but she put me at ease quickly.

MY LESSON WITH LUCREZIA

Here is a screenshot of my introductory lesson in Italian.

She is very accomplished with all levels of Italian, and I felt very relaxed learning with her. I purchased a package of 10 lessons for $22.90 US dollars (each).  Each lesson lasts for 55 minutes. That is a bargain for a one on one learning experience.

LESSON PRICE LIST

 

Here is a link to the web site 

https://lingoci.com

 

I do not get any payment from Lingoci, and I do this because I enjoy languages and this had made my learning so much more enjoyable. I have scheduled my lessons for consecutive weeks and at the same time. I highly recommend Lingoci and will continue with my studies for the year.

Most lessons are on Skype which enables a student to get vocabulary and downloads of assignments and documents. This is very helpful. 

SKYPE SCREENSHOT

 

Give it a try. One on one is the best way to learn an language, and Lincoci makes it easy and affordable. 

 

Venezia

 

 

https://lingoci.com/italian-lessons-skype#tutors

 

Thie above like will open up the Italian tutors section for Lingoci. Take a look. 

 

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San Pietro at night

Lost In Rome, Again

Being lost in Rome is a treat, not a problem.  We dropped our rental car off in Venezia, how amazing  it is to drive to the edge of this cluster of islands. After leaving the car inform of the Hertz office, we walked across the street and closed a bridge to Venezia. IMG 1172

Next we walked to the Santa Lucia station to get our high speed train to Rome. Reserved seats and a great ride. IMG 0982

Italo provides fast and nice transport, It was a pleasure to travel by train.

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Beverage service was provided and restrooms were spotless.

After arriving at our Airbnb on Via Dei  Cappellari i, we head one block to the Campo Dei Fiori. We chose this location as it was near our last Airbnb and enabled us to walk to most of the destinations in Rome we wanted to see. 

 

IMG 1009Campo dei Fiori at night. The market is gone, now it is dinnertime and people watching. A full moon came to welcome us.

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Quick walk to the Vatican 

DSC00444We were located so close to so many wonderful sights ant things to do.

 

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The downtown market was filled with food and wines. 

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A Rome market. 

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This small Filetti di Baccala is a tiny space which specialized in Cod Filets which were delicousIMG 1059

One man runs the kitchen. Everything is prepared while you wait. 

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Find  at Largo dei Labari, near the church of Santa Barbara

 

Some more walking and another wedding. First of several we saw.

 

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A walk across the tiber to a new area of Rome. Trastevere, another jewell.  Trastevere translates to across the Tiber

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An uncrowded street in Trastevere. Via del Moro. 

 

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This post will be continued.

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Caico e Pepe, Osteria da Fortunata , Via  Pelligrino

Climbing Up To The Cupola Of St. Peters Basllica, Vatican City

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No matter how you decide to go, you will get a lot of exercise. Option one is to climb the entire 551 steps to the top. Option two ( my choice) you cut the trip down to 320 steps. Most people took the elevator to the 320 step route. Hours are from 08:00 – 17:00   from October to March 31st.  From April to September 30th, it is open till 18:00. Keep in mind, it is a climb and make sure you are in reasonable physical condition.

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It gets a little tight on the staircase.

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On the way up there are several viewing locations.

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This was an early morning visit in September..

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As I zoom into the mosaics the details will become visible.

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How detailed they are.

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Now on to the top.

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360 degree views of Vatican City and Rome

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Many details of the basilica become visible when you are on top.

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At the end of the trip catch the stairs to the elevator an complete your tour of the basilica at your leisure.  The rope serves as a handrail.

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Cost for your excursion is 5 Euros if you climb, and 7 if you wish to take the partial ride in the elevator. I arrived at about 08:15 with no lines. It was worth the climb. Look for the signs directing you to the cupola as you enter and there will be a ticket booth.

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