Tips in Chianti
Lodgings in Chianti
Go beyond Chianti hotels to castle hotels, rental villas, agriturismi (farm stays), and B&Bs
Sights in Italy
A surefire method to make sure you get to see and do everything on your list
Tips and advice for how to get the most out of seeing the sights, museums, and monuments during your Italy vacation
The minimum amount of time takes to see Italy's major cities and destinations
Lodgings in Italy
From hotel savings to better booking engines, alternative accommodations to lodging rip-offs, here is the best lodging advice around
Don't use the most famous booking engines; use the ones with the largest selection and lowest rates
Hotels' official star ratings have nothing to do with how clean, central, comfortable, or charming a hotel is—just how many (often pointless) amenities it offers
Hotel sites often feature special sales and promotions you won't find on the booking engines and aggregators
From B&Bs and farm stays to cottages, castles, and campgrounds, here are Italian lodging alternatives to the traditional hotel
Breakfast at a B&B can be lovely—but at a standard hotel, you probably won't be getting your money's worth
User review sites are handy, but take their advice with a grain (make that a shaker) of salt
All the steps you can take to find the lowest price on the perfect place to stay in Italy
Hotels try to pad your bill with overpriced extras and ancillary fees; here's how to avoid them
A room with "external facilities" (shared bath down the hall) always costs less for this minor inconvenience
Hospitality networks gather folks who are willing to put up fellow members in their homes for free or for a small fee
Dining in Italy
Planning for a trip to Italy
This wearable safe for keeping your passport, credit cards, and spare cash secure is the one indispensable accessory every traveler loves to hate
Italian road rules are similar enough to North American ones that you'll get by fine; here are the important differences
Stay in the slow lane (the rightmost one) on a European highway unless you are actively passing another car
Unlimited train travel in Italy, or Italy and some neighboring countries, or even all of Europe—Is a Eurail pass worth it?
Major festivals in Italy and public holidays (so you'll know when things will be closed)
How to get the most out of renting a car in Italy with the lowest cost and least hassle
A good road map of Italy can save you time and help you discover places and things not in your guidebook
Top shopping tips for a trip to Italy to help you bring home the best gifts and souvenirs from your Italian travels at the best price
A traveler's guide to learning how to pack light and love it—or, how to fit everything you need for a six month trip into a single, carry-on sized bag
Like the trains themselves, Italian train stations tend to be clean and user-friendly—with tourist info, hotel booking service, left luggage lockers or offices, and decent snack bars (in case you forget to pick up train picnic supplies in town)
London is the cheap airfares turnstile of Europe, so fly cheaply into here and then elsewhere in Europe or North Africa on a no-frills airline for far less
Advice, tips, resources, and tours for disabled, handicapped, and physically challenged travelers who want to take an Italy vacation
A traveler's guide to race matters in Italy and a frank rundown of what to expect if you're black, Asian, Arab, Indian, or otherwise not visibly of European descent
Information and concerns for gay, lesbian, transgender, and bisexual travelers in Italy
Topics in Italy
How to get an Italian codice fiscale for filling out forms
- Firenzeturismo.it (Florentine (Northern) Chianti tourism)
- Terresiena.it (Sienese (Southern) Chianti tourism)
- Comune.greve-in-chianti.fi.it (Greve civic site)
- Chiantiradda.it (Radda tourist office)
- Comune.radda-in-chianti.si.it (Radda civic site)
- Comune.gaiole.si.it (Gaiole civic site)
- Gazzettinodelchianti.it (Chianti local news)
- Comune.castellina.si.it (Castellina civic site)
- Comune.poggibonsi.si.it (Poggibonsi civic site)
- Barberinovaldelsa.net (Barberino civic site)
- Chianti.com (Handy private Chianti site)
- Chianti.it (Handy private Chianti site)
Useful Italian for rail travel
English (inglese) | Italian (italiano) | Pro-nun-cee-YAY-shun |
Where is? | Dov'é | doh-VAY |
...train station | la ferroviaria [or] la stazione | lah fair-o-vee-YAR-ree-yah [or] lah stat-zee-YO-nay |
ticket | un biglietto | oon beel-YET-toh |
first class | prima classe | PREE-mah CLAH-say |
second class | seconda classe | say-CONE-dah CLAH-say |
one way | solo andata | SO-low ahn-DAHT-tah |
round trip (return) | andata e ritorno | ahn-DAH-tah ay ree-TOUR-noh |
Just the supplement | Soltanto il supplemento | soul-TAHN-toh eel sou-play-MEN-toh |
Just a seat reservation | Soltanto una prenotazione | soal-TAHN-toh oo-nah pray-no-tah-tsee-YOH-nay |
I have a Eurailpass | Ho il Eurailpass | oh eel YOO-rail-pahs |
sleeping couchette | una cucetta | oo-nah koo-CHET-tah |
berth in a sleeping car | un posto nel vagone letto | oon POH-sto nell vah-GOAN-nay LET-toh |
track | binario | been-AR-ree-yoh |
train | treno | TRE-no |
car (carriage) | carozza | ka-RO-tza |
seat | posto | PO-sto |
departures | partenze | par-TEN-zay |
arrivals | arrivi | ah-REE-vee |
information | informazione | in-for-ma-tzee-OH-nay |
left luggage | deposito bagagli | day-PO-zee-toh ba-GAHL-yee |
punch your ticket | timbrare il biglietto | teem-BRA-ray eel beel-YET-toh |
Is this the right platform for the Rome train? | E questo il binario per il treno à Roma? | ay KWAY-sto eel been-AR-ree-yo pair eel TRE-no ah RO-ma? |
delayed | in retardo | een ree-TAR-do |
strike | sciopero | SHO-pair-oh |
Mon-Sat | Feriali | fair-ee-YAHL-ee |
Sun & holidays | Festivi | feh-STEE-vee |
Daily | Giornaliere | joor-nahl-ee-YAIR-eh |
City / Train station names | ||
English (inglese) | Italian (italiano) | Main station |
Rome | Roma | Termini |
Florence | Firenze | Santa Maria Novella |
Venice | Venezia | Santa Lucia |
Milan | Milano | Centrale |
Genoa | Genova | Porta Principe |
Naples | Napoli | Centrale |
Leghorn | Livorno | Centrale |
Turin | Torino | Porta Nuova |
Useful Italian for air travel
English (inglese) | Italian (italiano) | Pro-nun-cee-YAY-shun |
Where is... | Dov'é | doh-VAY |
the airport | l'aeroporto | LAHW-ro-port-oh |
the airplane | l'aereo | LAIR-reh-oh |
terminal | terminal | TEAR-me-nahl |
flight | volo | VOH-lo |
gate | uscita d'imbarco | oo-SHEE-tah deem-BARK-oh |
to the right | à destra | ah DEH-strah |
to the left | à sinistra | ah see-NEEST-trah |
straight ahead | avanti [or] diritto | ah-VAHN-tee [or] dee-REE-toh |
keep going straight | sempre diritto | SEM-pray dee-REE-toh |
departures | partenze | par-TEN-zay |
arrivals | arrivi | ah-REE-vee |
delayed | in ritardo | een ree-TAR-doh |
on time | in orario | een oh-RAH-ree-yo |
early | in avanti | een ah-VAHN-tee |
boarding | imbarco | eem-BARK-o |
connecting flight | la coincidenza | la ko-een-chee-DEN-za |
check-in | accettazione | ah-chet-ta-zee-YO-nee |
immigration | controllo passaporti | cone-TRO-lo pah-sa-POR-tee |
security check | controllo di sicurezza | kohn-TRO-lo dee see-kur-AY-tzah |
customs | dogana | do-GA-na |
shuttle | la navetta | lah na-VET-tah |
boarding pass | carta d'imbarco | kart-ta deem-BARK-o |
baggage claim | ritiro bagagli | ree-TEER-oh bah-GA-lyee |
carry-on luggage | bagaglio à mano | bah-GA-lyo ah MA_no |
checked luggage | bagalio | bah-GA-lyo |
Useful Italian for car travel
English (inglese) | Italian (italiano) | Pro-nun-cee-YAY-shun |
car | automobile | ow-toh-MO-bee-lay |
scooter/motorboke | un motorino | oon mo-tair-EE-no |
gas station | stazione di servizio | stah-zee-YO-nay dee sair-VEE-tzee-yo |
gas | benzina | ben-ZEE-nah |
diesel | gasolio [or] diesel | gah-ZOH-lee-oh [or] DEE-zell |
Fill it up, please | al pieno, per favore | ahl pee-YAY-noh, pair fa-VOHR-ray |
Where is... | Dov'é | doh-VAY |
...the highway | l'autostrada | lout-oh-STRA-dah |
...the state highway | la statale [written "SS"] | lah sta-TAHL-eh |
...the road for Rome | la strada per Roma | lah STRA-dah pair RO-mah |
to the right | à destra | ah DEH-strah |
to the left | à sinistra | ah see-NEEST-trah |
straight ahead | avanti [or] diritto | ah-VAHN-tee [or] dee-REE-toh |
keep going straight | sempre diritto | SEM-pray dee-REE-toh |
to cross | attraversare | ah-tra-vair-SAR-ay |
toll | pedaggio | peh-DA-jo |
parking | parcheggio | par-KEH-jo |
road map | carta stradale | kar-ta stra-DA-lay |
where can I pay the fine? | dove posso pagare la multa | DOH-veh Po-so pag-GAR-ray la MOOL-tah |
Typical road signs / terms » more
English (anglais) | French (français) |
Stop | Stop |
Exit | Uscita |
Staffic light | Semaforo |
One-way | Senso unico |
Dead-end | Strada senza uscita |
Parking prohibited | No parcheggio or parcheggio proibito |
Pedestrian zone | Area pedonale |
Limited Traffic Zone (you pay to drive in) | ZTL or Zona Traffico Limitato |
Basic phrases in Italian
English (inglese) | Italian (italiano) | pro-nun-see-YAY-shun |
thank you | grazie | GRAT-tzee-yay |
please | per favore | pair fa-VOHR-ray |
yes | si | see |
no | no | no |
Do you speak English? | Parla Inglese? | PAR-la een-GLAY-zay |
I don't understand | Non capisco | non ka-PEESK-koh |
I'm sorry | Mi dispiace | mee dees-pee-YAT-chay |
How much is it? | Quanto costa? | KWAN-toh COST-ah |
That's too much | É troppo | ay TROH-po |
Good day | Buon giorno | bwohn JOUR-noh |
Good evening | Buona sera | BWOH-nah SAIR-rah |
Good night | Buona notte | BWOH-nah NOTE-tay |
Goodbye | Arrivederci | ah-ree-vah-DAIR-chee |
Excuse me (to get attention) | Scusi | SKOO-zee |
Excuse me (to get past someone) | Permesso | pair-MEH-so |
Where is? | Dov'é | doh-VAY |
...the bathroom | il bagno | eel BHAN-yoh |
...train station | la ferroviaria | lah fair-o-vee-YAR-ree-yah |
to the right | à destra | ah DEH-strah |
to the left | à sinistra | ah see-NEEST-trah |
straight ahead | avanti [or] diritto | ah-VAHN-tee [or] dee-REE-toh |
information | informazione | in-for-ma-tzee-OH-nay |
Days, months, and other calendar items in Italian
English (inglese) | Italian (italiano) | Pro-nun-cee-YAY-shun |
When is it open? | Quando é aperto? | KWAN-doh ay ah-PAIR-toh |
When does it close? | Quando si chiude? | KWAN-doh see key-YOU-day |
At what time... | a che ora | a kay O-rah |
Yesterday | ieri | ee-YAIR-ee |
Today | oggi | OH-jee |
Tomorrow | domani | doh-MAHN-nee |
Day after tomorrow | dopo domani | DOH-poh doh-MAHN-nee |
a day | un giorno | oon je-YOR-no |
Monday | Lunedí | loo-nay-DEE |
Tuesday | Martedí | mar-tay-DEE |
Wednesday | Mercoledí | mair-coh-lay-DEE |
Thursday | Giovedí | jo-vay-DEE |
Friday | Venerdí | ven-nair-DEE |
Saturday | Sabato | SAH-baa-toh |
Sunday | Domenica | doh-MEN-nee-ka |
Mon-Sat | Feriali | fair-ee-YAHL-ee |
Sun & holidays | Festivi | feh-STEE-vee |
Daily | Giornaliere | joor-nahl-ee-YAIR-eh |
a month | una mese | oon-ah MAY-zay |
January | gennaio | jen-NAI-yo |
February | febbraio | feh-BRI-yo |
March | marzo | MAR-tzoh |
April | aprile | ah-PREEL-ay |
May | maggio | MAH-jee-oh |
June | giugno | JEW-nyoh |
July | luglio | LOO-lyoh |
August | agosto | ah-GO-sto |
September | settembre | set-TEM-bray |
October | ottobre | oh-TOE-bray |
November | novembre | no-VEM-bray |
December | dicembre | de-CHEM-bray |
Numbers in Italian
English (inglese) | Italian (italiano) | Pro-nun-cee-YAY-shun |
1 | uno | OO-no |
2 | due | DOO-way |
3 | tre | tray |
4 | quattro | KWAH-troh |
5 | cinque | CHEEN-kway |
6 | sei | say |
7 | sette | SET-tay |
8 | otto | OH-toh |
9 | nove | NO-vay |
10 | dieci | dee-YAY-chee |
11 | undici | OON-dee-chee |
12 | dodici | DOH-dee-chee |
13 | tredici | TRAY-dee-chee |
14 | quattordici | kwa-TOR-dee-chee |
15 | quindici | KWEEN-dee-chee |
16 | sedici | SAY-dee-chee |
17 | diciasette | dee-chee-ya-SET-tay |
18 | diciotto | dee-CHO-toh |
19 | diciannove | dee-chee-ya-NO-vay |
20 | venti | VENT-tee |
21* | vent'uno* | vent-OO-no |
22* | venti due* | VENT-tee DOO-way |
23* | venti tre* | VENT-tee TRAY |
30 | trenta | TRAYN-tah |
40 | quaranta | kwa-RAHN-tah |
50 | cinquanta | cheen-KWAN-tah |
60 | sessanta | say-SAHN-tah |
70 | settanta | seh-TAHN-tah |
80 | ottanta | oh-TAHN-tah |
90 | novanta | no-VAHN-tah |
100 | cento | CHEN-toh |
1,000 | mille | MEEL-lay |
5,000 | cinque milla | CHEEN-kway MEEL-lah |
10,000 | dieci milla | dee-YAY-chee MEEL-lah |
* You can use this formula for all Italian ten-place numbers—so 31 is trent'uno, 32 is trenta due, 33 is trenta tre, etc. Note that—like uno (one), otto (eight) also starts with a vowel—all "-8" numbers are also abbreviated (vent'otto, trent'otto, etc.).