About ER


Website: http://www.dreaming-in-italian.com
ER has written 37 articles so far, you can find them below.


Spotlight: Cinque Terre

Le Cinque Terre (CHEEN-quay TEH-reh) have exploded in popularity in recent years, and for good reason. The name of this area means “the five lands,” and it’s easy to feel like you’ve been transported to a different land when you visit. These five villages, Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore, feature great swimming beaches and virtually no “modern” development, and are perched very picturesquely on the shores of the Mediterranean.

hike vernazza small Spotlight: Cinque TerreThe Cinque Terre Coastline

This stretch of coastline has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also a national park. The villages are connected by hiking trails and trains, but cars are not able to reach any of the villages from the outside, and this adds to the charm of these villages. This area has become very popular with tourists, as you will notice when walking around the villages. Despite some of the crowds, the beauty and charm of these villages makes a visit definitely worth the effort.

One of the unique ways to experience this magical stretch of coastline is to hike from village to village using the centuries-old trails that link them. It might take all day and tire you out to hike all five in one day, but it’s certainly possible. I have only done the hike from Monterosso to Vernazza, but it was a great experience and I would highly recommend it. It took a couple of hours and was moderately strenuous. The best part is the views of the coastline and the view of Vernazza as it continues to get closer. Once you reach Vernazza, take some time to sit at an outdoor café and enjoy an aperitivo (aperitif/before-dinner drink). You can easily catch a water-taxi back to Monterosso or you can hop on the train.

hike monterosso small Spotlight: Cinque TerreView from the trail, looking back at Monterosso

vernazza small Spotlight: Cinque TerreView from the trail, as you come into Vernazza

vernazza close small Spotlight: Cinque TerreVernazza up close

I have been to Cinque Terre three or four times, and I have stayed in Monterosso each time. Monterosso is a great base for your adventures in Cinque Terre. There are some great restaurants in this town. This region of Italy, Liguria, is the birthplace of pesto, and I had one of the best meals I’ve ever had when I ordered fettuccine al pesto at a local restaurant in Monterosso. The focaccia in this area is great as well.

You can easily reach Cinque Terre by train through Genoa and La Spezia.

Learn Italian: Street Slang: Italian

Not only is learning how to swear and use slang in Italian a lot of fun, but it also adds to your fluency and can help you sound like a native speaker!

ital cover new Learn Italian: Street Slang: Italian

I wrote this ebook because learning these words made studying Italian very entertaining and fun. The words and phrases in this ebook, which you won’t learn in a classroom, are the language that real people in Italy use in everyday life to express a wide range of concepts and feelings. Street Slang: Italian gives you over 80 Italian slang words and phrases. It also provides pronunciation guides for many words, as well as descriptions of how to use the words in the right context.

If you have any level of foundation in Italian, then you’ll love this ebook. Here are just a few of the words and phrases you’ll learn:

Cazzo – the Italian f-word
Vaffanculo! – “F*ck off!”
Non rompere le palle – “Don’t bust my balls”

Spice up your Italian now! And the best part: it’s only $4.99!

Now available for free at http://www.italian-slang-dictionary.com!

x click but23 Learn Italian: Street Slang: Italian

Also available here:
Smashwords eBookstore: Street Slang: Italian – PDF & Other Formats
Amazon Kindle Store: Street Slang: Italian – Kindle Format

WARNING: THE CONTENT OF THIS EBOOK IS UNCENSORED AND IS INTENDED FOR MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY!

Learn Italian: Berlitz Italian Premier

Even if you are on a budget or don’t have a lot of free time, you can still build a solid foundation in Italian. Berlitz is a trusted name in language programs, and their Italian Premier program is a great way to get started.

berlitz italian Learn Italian: Berlitz Italian Premier

Here are some of the features you’ll get with this program:

  • Three ways to learn:
    1. On your computer: works with Mac & Windows, with audio and video to develop your listening comprehension, flash cards to build your vocabulary, and speech analysis to improve your pronunciation
    2. In your car: a complete Italian course on 4 CDs
    3. iPod & MP3 player: word lists and vocabulary building
  • Learn at your own pace with this versatile program
  • Slow down the dialogue to hear every nuance
  • Click on any word to hear its pronunciation
  • Interactive games help with reading comprehension
  • Advanced speech analysis to perfect your pronunciation

Click here to find out more and start your Italian adventure today!

Berlitz Premier Italian Learn Italian: Berlitz Italian Premier

Learn Italian: Learning Italian Like Crazy

Learning Italian Like Crazy is a comprehensive program that will help you develop a solid understanding of the Italian language. All of the course materials are available for digital download, so there’s no waiting for delivery!

Giovanna DVD Lessons 300x199 Learn Italian: Learning Italian Like Crazy

This program uses a unique approach to learning Italian:

  • The goal is to get you THINKING in Italian
  • Solid foundation in Italian grammar
  • Emphasis on natural conversation and real life scenarios
  • Stresses the importance of proper pronunciation
  • This program uses a method of reinforcement to help you think in Italian, so there’s no boring memorization or drilling
  • The program was developed by Giovanna, a native of Naples, Italy
  • Includes 30 lessons, with audio sessions
  • Get the first 3 lessons FREE to try it out
  • BONUS: 14 instructional videos covering several key aspects of the Italian language
  • BONUS: the entire Foreign Service Institute Italian Level 1 course, which is used by the US State Department to help diplomats learn Italian and includes 17 hours of recorded Italian by native speakers and the entire FSI coursebook in PDF format

Click here to find out more and start your Italian adventure today!

Learn Italian Like Crazy

Learn Italian: Rocket Italian

Rocket Italian is a comprehensive program that will cover all the aspects you need to know to master Italian. All of the materials are available through the Rocket Italian website, so there’s no waiting for delivery!

rocket italian premium Learn Italian: Rocket ItalianHere are some of the great things this program has to offer:

  • 33-lesson Interactive Audio Course builds your pronunciation and listening comprehension
  • 31 Language & Culture Lessons help you develop a fuller understanding of Italian language and culture
  • Build up your vocabulary with MegaItalian software games
  • Track your progress with interactive quizzes, Rocket Rehearsal self-tests, and Rocket Italian Certificate Tests
  • Unlimited access to the Rocket Italian Learners’ Forum means you’ll be able to find answers to all of your questions
  • All course materials are available online 24/7 so you can learn at your own pace
  • FREE 6 day course available to try it out
  • BONUS: 10 vocab-building audio sessions!

Click here to find out more and start your Italian adventure today!

Rocket Italian!

Learn Italian: Rosetta Stone

Rosetta Stone uses a different approach for learning a new language, one that utilizes an interactive software program to provide a full immersion environment. You’ll be on your way to speaking Italian in no time with this unique program!

rosetta stone italian 300x300 Learn Italian: Rosetta Stone

These are some of the reasons this program works so well:

  • Natural Approach
    The Rosetta Stone program features a full immersion environment where you learn Italian in the same way a child does. Their focus is on learning naturally, without boring memorization or translation.
  • Constant Interaction
    You’ll learn by hearing native speakers and replicating what they say. Learn quickly be matching words with images. Rosetta Stone uses an Adaptive Recall approach that allows you to easily commit the things you learn to long term memory.
  • Conversation Skills
    The program allows you to learn sentence development intuitively. They use special speech recognition technology to ensure your pronunciation sounds great.
  • Creative Approach
    Use your puzzle-solving abilities to learn intuitively. Their approach makes sure you have fun while learning your new language.

If you’re ready to learn Italian the easiest and most effective way possible, check out these links to find out more and start your Italian adventure today!

Rosetta Stone Italian Level 1 with Audio Companion Learn Italian: Rosetta Stone
Rosetta Stone Italian Level 1, 2 & 3 Set with Audio Companion Learn Italian: Rosetta Stone

Welcome to Dreaming In Italian!

Benvenuto! My name is ER, and I love Italy. I love learning and speaking the Italian language and I love traveling around in Italy. If you’re here, that means that you just might as well. I have traveled to Italy multiple times, I have studied Italian at the university level for over two years, and I lived in Milan for nine months.

italian flag21 Welcome to Dreaming In Italian!

I want to share my interest in all things Italian with those who feel the same, and that is why I created this site. Here you will find tips for traveling in Italy, articles on the best places to see, and articles and tips on learning Italian. And be sure to sign up for my free newsletter! (Opt out at any time; your email will never be shared with anyone else. I hate spamming as much as you do). If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to contact me at er(AT)dreaming-in-italian(DOT)com.

Viva Italia!


Page 4 of 4«1234