Benvenuti al Blog di Matta!

Welcome to the Matta Blog!

Esplora l’Italia attraverso articoli settimanali!
Explore Italy Through Weekly Posts!

Benvenuti al Blog di Matta!

Welcome to the Matta Blog!

Esplora l’Italia attraverso articoli settimanali!
Explore Italy Through Weekly Posts!

learning Italian

art & artists

culture & news

food & wine

history festivals

books media

travel events

piccola matta

Italian Language Learning, Tips, Motivation

From Passive to Powerful: How to Finally Start Speaking Italian with Confidence

Pensarci, pensare di, pensarne, pensare che: four ways to “think” without losing your mind

Era vs. È Stato: Mastering the Nuances of Italian Past Tenses

2026 Matta Study Opportunities in Italy! Small groups. Real Italian. Authentic Learning.

Sofia, la Piccola Matta Teaches Italian

Enjoy the language-learning adventures of Sofia, la piccola matta — Now on Amazon in print & epub!

Find Sofia, la Piccola Matta on Amazon

“Sofia, la Piccola Matta Teaches Italian!” By Melissa Muldoon

Art & Artists

Learn Italian in a Tuscan Villa 2026 – Art, Language & Culture with Melissa, Paola Testi & Artist Laura Ghezzi

The Secret Life of Sofonisba Anguissola Audiobook Now on Audible

The wisdom of Leonardo da Vinci

Arezzo: La Terra di Piero

Cultural Anecdotes & Current Affairs

Schianto: Italian Word That Packs a Punch!

Rimettiamoci in sesto! Let’s get back on our feet!

Ladri col cuore? Thieves with a heart? Only in Italy and only at Easter

“Da Mario”: How One Preposition Turns a Restaurant into a Home

Food & Wine

A Toast to the Negroni Cocktail: Discover its Florentine Origins, Legends and Fun Facts

Il cane ha mangiato il Panettone!

Tiramisu – pick up your cake dolce and eat it too!

Tacchino Arrotolato: Rolling Up Thanksgiving with Italian Flair

Grammar Lessons

How to Apologize in Italian: Don’t Confuse “Scusarsi” with “Fare un’Apologia”

Matta Reading Passport: 10-Blog Post Italian Reading Challenge (Earn a 30-Min. Lesson)

Pensarci, pensare di, pensarne, pensare che: four ways to “think” without losing your mind

Era vs. È Stato: Mastering the Nuances of Italian Past Tenses

Correre isn’t just sport: it’s a “two-gear” verb

DOVERE: Use it like a boss: obligation, advice, deduction… and even regret

History, Holidays, Festivals

Italian New Year’s Traditions: Lentils, Red Underwear & Lucky Superstitions

Between Christmas and New Year: When Time Slips Off the Wall Like a Dalí Clock

Una giornata da matti! The Race of the Candles in Gubbio

Ladri col cuore? Thieves with a heart? Only in Italy and only at Easter

Books, Music & Film

Il Barone Rampante by Italo Calvino: Plot, Meaning, and Italian Vocabulary

Le libere donne di Magliano: book, TV series, Mario Tobino and Lucca

Comics, Ghosts & Neapolitan Charm: Commissario Ricciardi returns in illustrated form!

2025 Fall Matta Italian Group Book Club “Commissario Ricciardi: “Il senso del dolore” di Maurizio de Giovanni

Traveling, Cities, Excursions

The Chimera of Arezzo – An Etruscan Masterpiece & Mythical Marvel

Announcing TWO 2026 Matta Italian Programs in Arezzo & Rigutino, Tuscany

Gaeta, charming seaside town: Where Sun, Sand, and Serenity Meet

“Walk in Italy Day City Experience” – Learn Italian While You Travel

Posts by Date

Vestirsi per fare colpo! Dressing to Impress in Italy

Florentine Marbled Paper – The Art of Carta Marmorizzata and Italian Language Immersion

Carmela’s Roman Holiday: Learn Italian in Garbatella with a Matta Homestay

2026 September Matta & ItalianME Florence Language Program

2026 June Matta Arezzo Historic City Italian Language Program. We are going back to Arezzo!

Two Homestay Teachers, One Unique Experience on Lake Como!

Jewels, Art, and Intrigue: The Louvre Heist and the Mystery of the Mona Lisa

2026 September Arezzo Villa Italian Program: Pricing Now Available!

Experience Italian Language & Culture on Lake Maggiore with Lucia!

Comics, Ghosts & Neapolitan Charm: Commissario Ricciardi returns in illustrated form!

Italian Homestay in Monferrato with Daniela: Learn Italian in Piemonte

2025 Matta Italian Language Programs Recap: Arezzo & Florence Adventures

When Italian Pronouns Collide: How to Combine Them Without Crashing!

Why are you learning Italian? Share Your Story on the Matta Blog!

Fall is in the air—let’s power up your Italian!

2025 Matta Fall Book Club “Commissario Ricciardi“ Reader Guide is posted for members. Sign up now!

Announcing TWO 2026 Matta Italian Programs in Arezzo & Rigutino, Tuscany

Announcing TWO New Italian Homestays! Stay in the home of your teacher in Treviglio near Milano & Foggia in Puglia

2025 Fall Matta Italian Group Book Club “Commissario Ricciardi: “Il senso del dolore” di Maurizio de Giovanni

Italian Combined Reciprocal, Direct and Indirect Object Pronouns — The Grammar Dessert!

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