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

International Nutella Day! Spread the good news

The Magic of Nek and His Blue Eyes: Discovering “Ci sei tu”

Parla, Scrivi, Sogna: A Message of Encouragement for Your Language Journey

Ricami d’Italia: The art of Italian embroidery

2011 – Auguri per l’anno nuovo! Non è dovere dover invecchiare

Italian translation of Clement C. Moore’s Night Before Christmas

Riding through the holidays on Christmas trains singing about roasted chestnuts

Sognando un Bianco Natale: Dreaming of a White Christmas

The Perfect “O” of Giotto: A Stroke of Genius

Buon Santo Sgeveno! Celebrating Thanksgiving with Italian Flair

Leftovers and Creativity: Come Trasformare i Resti in Deliziose Polpette di Tonno

David Decolla! Michelangelo’s David Takes Flight!

Roma: A Walk in De Sica’s Footsteps

Aspettando il grande cocomero / Waiting for the Big Watermelon

Una Giornata a Deruta: Exploring the Art of Maiolica

Cioccolato e Magia: A Day with Baci Perugina

Sette di Vino Osteria: Autumn Flavors of Pienza’s Ribollita Soup

Belle amicizie che ho trovato in Italia — Making friends everywhere I go!

Irene Fornaciari: Quando la musica tocca l’anima

Jovanotti in concert a San Francisco: Ombelico del mondo Tour!

Learn with Melissa

homestays

Travel Programs

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