Sardinia #5: Cagliari balconies

This is the final in the series of my posts about my trip to Sardinia.

The boyf and I both discovered a passion for balconies the first time we went on holiday together four years ago. Every time we go away now we end up taking many many photos of examples of balconies. These are a few examples of balconies in Cagliari:

Do you find yourself taking photos of the same thing every time you go away?

Sardinia #4: Cagliari

For our 10 day trip to Sardinia included a four night stay in the island's capital, Cagliari. The old town is lovely for a wander. Cagliari boasts the longest urban beach in Europe, at over 7 km!

Here are a few of our photographs from this part of our stay in the city:

Bastione San Remy affords views of the city, across the cathedral and to the coastline:

This is the church and alley right by our bed and breakfast in the old town:

Another church:

More photos on their way - but not too many more, I promise!


And remember, if you find yourself in Cagliari, don't forget to check out our favourite restaurant: here.

Sardinia #3: Fiat 500

If I could drive - and had the money - my dream car is a Fiat 500:

Source

But as much as I love the new model, nothing beats the classic Fiat 500. Everywhere we went in Sardinia, there were Fiat 500s, or so it seemed. Aren't they beautiful?

Sardinia #2: the seaside

Following on from yesterday's holiday post.

We spent the first six days of our Sardinian holiday in the north, by the seaside. To save money, we stayed in a youth hostel which was actually really fun. We had a private room with an en-suite shower and a large private terrace. We found a lovely secluded part of the beach for a couple of afternoons of reading which was paradise.

I love the colours that the buildings are painted in the Mediterranean. The oranges and terracottas are so sunny and warm. The lines of the buildings are simple and yet there is something elegant about the straight clean lines and curves:

The evening sun reflecting off the terracotta roof tiles was illuminating:

Still more photos to share, moving on to Cagliari tomorrow. Hope you're ready!

Holiday outfit post #6: dinner date

This is one of the few outfit shots taken during our few days in Cagliari - the capital of Sardinia. It was taken on the balcony of our room which overlooked the little street below. Lovely.


This particular photograph was taken before dinner at the most amazing fish restaurant that we discovered right next door to our Bed & Breakfast, talked about in this post, yesterday.


I am wearing: Primark maxi dress, Dorothy Perkins belt and Topshop ring.

Sardinia #1: food and drink

When the boyf and I go on holiday, our main activities are eating and drinking. Our recent trip to Sardinia was no exception.

Days began with caffè:

And days finished with birra:

Somewhere in between, a lot of gelato was inevitably consumed:

And in Cagliari, we discovered the most amazing fish restaurant: Lapola, on vico Barcellona, is a little gem. Vico Barcellona is a tiny hidden back street in the old town. The restaurant owners are two young Italians who are clearly passionate about the food they are serving. Because it is essentially a trattoria, there is no menu but the owners will be happy to go through the dishes of the day with you. They even speak English. You have a choice from six antipasti; either choose one or go for a taste of all six. We did both options on the two occasions we went and, I can highly recommend going for the taste of all six options. I even discussed that I love mussels. Then there are two (pasta) first course options and two second course options; you can either have one of each or just one of either. We had sea bass (from the second course options) on the first night and the second night we went for a pasta option, I had an amazing dish of pasta with cherry tomatoes and clams. Yum.


For dessert, we were presented with this very attractive dish. The dish contained a sorbetto for each of us. The sorbetto is a lemon sherbet melted sorbet which is a perfect pallet cleanser. (I've actually found a recipe for a sorbetto which I might try very soon. Watch this space.) There was also a bottle of mirto which is a typical Sardinian liqueur obtained from the myrtle plant. It is quite delicious.


A plate of Sardinian sweet treats was also served up with the sorbetti and mirto but I didn't want to get my camera out again as the restaurant is pretty cosy.

There are many more photos from the holiday that I want to show you but they will have to wait as I am still going through them myself. But make sure to check back soon.

Holiday outfit post #5

Oh, what a difference a week makes. This was taken on the beach in northern Sardinia a week ago. Wishing I was back there now.


I am wearing: H&M beach cover-up, Primark bikini and Topshop flip flops.

Holiday outfit post #4: a Very beautiful dress

We are now in Cagliari - the capital of Sardinia - for a few days but before we left the beach and our hostel in the north of the island we had one last evening out at the local pizzeria. Or rather, at one of the two local pizzerias in our little "locanda". 


For the occasion I decided to wear my beautiful new maxi dress, courtesy of the lovely people at Very.co.uk. When they asked me a month or so ago, if I would like to try out their site, I couldn't help but say yes. I hadn't actually been on the site before - very surprising for a shopaholic such as myself! They have a huge array of brands on the site. After an hour or two of checking out all possible options, I eventually decided on a Rare maxi dress that I'd fallen for almost immediately. I loved the pattern and wasn't disappointed when it arrived. The only slight disappointment was that it was about 4 inches too long but with a little nifty (hand) stitching, I soon sorted that.


What do you think of the dress?

Italian Phrase of the Day: la fine

Source

La Fine = The End

As I jet off on my holibobs, here is the last post in the learn Italian series:

I hope you've enjoyed the series. If you want a re-cap, you can find the entire series here.

Italian Phrase of the Day: B come Bambino

Source

B come Bambino = B for Baby

After everything you've learned so far, I have now realised that it is time to learn how to pronounce all of those phrases.

The Italian alphabet contains twenty-one. Five other letters are found in foreign words in Italian:

"A" like father

"B" like balloon

"C" like the "ch" in church, if before an "e" or an "i"

"C" like cat, for the rest of the time

"D" like debt

"E" either like bet or pay

"F" like fair

"G" like gem, if before an "e" or an "i"

"G" like goal, for the rest of the time

"H" is silent, is often used between "g" or "c" and "e" and "i", to change the sound

"I" like machine

"J" is a foreign letter

"K" is another foreign letter

"L" like liquid

"M" like machine

"N" like navy

"O" like ball, can also be like boat

"P" like pizza

"Q" has the same sound as a "c" in cat

"R" is always rolled. Not sure there is an equivalent in English

"S" is like maze when is single, or like snake when doubled

"T" like take

"U" like boot

"V" like vision

"W" is another foreign letter

"X" is another foreign letter

"Y" is another foreign letter

"Z" is "dz" when single, or "ts" when doubled

Italian Phrase of the Day: vorrei noleggiare un pedalò

Lago di Molveno, Dolomiti di Brenta, Trentino

Vorrei noleggiare un pedalò = I would like to hire a pedalo


Il lago di Molveno was my very first experience of Italian lakes when I arrived for my year abroad in 2004. I fell in love immediately. It was a balmy September and the lakes provided a welcome escape from the heat of the towns. The following summer, I spent most weekends at the different lakes in the region. The best way to enjoy the water of the lakes is to hire a pedalo and drift off into the water, before jumping off for a cooling swim.


Dov'è la migliore spiaggia? = Where is the best beach?
Vorrei noleggiare una barca = I would like to hire a boat
Posso fare immersioni? = Can I dive here?
Posso fare surf? = Can I surf here?
Avete ombrelloni? = Do you have parasols?
Avete crema solare? = Do you have sun screen?
Avete un tavolo fuori, per favore? = Do you have a table outside, please?
È caldo, non è vero? = It's hot, isn't it?


Have you been to the beach this summer? If so, where did you go? I'd love to hear all about your holidays!


For some truly beautiful beach photos, be sure to check out the Pics By Polka Dot.


And finally, remember to enter my giveaway which closes on Monday.

Italian Phrase of the Day: Vorrei un biglietto per Roma

Source

Vorrei un biglietto per ... (Roma) = I’d like a ticket to ... (Rome)


Today's lesson - which I realise is a little later than usual - is buying tickets. I have always been told that public transport in Italy is terrible - by Italians. My experience tells me this is not the case - I think that the Italian railway network is fabulous for travel around the country. The first thing to realise is that there are different "classes" of train: The regionale (R) which are the cheapest and slowest, in that they stop at almost every stop, however I have also found them the most reliable - they also, often, have proper old fashioned carriages, like those seen in Harry Potter! The interregionale (IR) trains are pretty much the same are the regionale with maybe a little more in the way of amenities. Intercity (IC) and Eurocity (EC) trains are one and the same really - they tend to stop less and be more expensive; the only difference is that the Eurocity trains connect Italian cities to "international" destinations, for example, Zurich to Florence and Verona to Munich. Intercity Notte (ICN) and Eurocity Notte (ECN) trains are again, the same but travel through the night and provide sleeping berths, which must be booked. Finally, EuroStar (ES) trains - not the same as those that connect London with Paris (!!) - are the creme de la creme of the Italian railway network, however, beware - I have only ever been late (i.e. once missed a flight!) due to the EuroStar service! These trains are, obviously, more expensive than the others and, as such, provide a clean and spacious carriage experience. These trains connect big cities and does not stop at any smaller stations. Now, you need to know how to buy tickets for your train journey:


Dov'è la biglietteria? = Where's the ticket office?
Vorrei due biglietti per ... (Firenze), per favore = I'd like to have two tickets to ... (Florence), please
Vorrei un biglietto per la metropolitana, per favore = I'd like to have one ticket to the subway, please
Posso comprare i biglietti per l'autobus qui? = Can I buy bus tickets here?
Un biglietto di solo andata per ... (Milano), per favore = A one-way ticket to ... (Milan), please
Un biglietto andata e ritorno, per favore = A return ticket, please.
Devo cambiare? = Do I have to change?

Italian Phrase of the Day: vorrei prenotare una camera, per favore

Source

Vorrei prenotare una camera, per favore = I would like to book a room, please


Today's lesson is in booking a room so that you can spend a night in the beautiful country that is Italy.


First, decide where you want to stay:


Un bed e breakfast = bed and breakfast
Un campeggio = campsite
Una pensione = guesthouse
Un albergo = hotel
Una locanda = an inn/budget hotel
Una camera = a room
Un ostello della gioventù = youth hostel


Now book the room:


Ho una prenotazione = I have a reservation
Avete una camera ...? = Do you have a ... room?
doppia con letto matrimoniale = double
singola = single
doppia a due letti = twin
Quanto costa per ...? = How much is it per ...?
una notte = night
persona = person
una settimana = week
Vorrei rimanere (due) notte ... = I'd like to stay for (two) nights ...
... dal (tre luglio) al (cinque luglio) = from (3 July) to (6 July)
Siamo (tre) = There are (3) of us
Posso pagare con la carta di credito? = Can I pay by credit card?


So what are you waiting for? Go book that room now!

Italian Phrase of the Day: dov'è il gabinetto?

Source

Dov'è il gabinetto? = Where is the toilet?


Directions is today's subject. You don't want to be getting lost on your holidays, so here I will give you the phrases and names of the places you might need to find.


Dov'è ...? = Where is ...?
la banca = the bank
l'albergo = hotel
police station = il posto di polizia
l'Internet point = internet cafe
l'ufficio postale = post office
la stazione ferroviaria = train station
la stazione d'autobus = bus station
il telefono pubblico = public telephone
la farmacia = pharmacy
l'armadietti per i bagagli = luggage lockers
il parco = park
l'ospedale = hospital
la drogheria = grocery store
l'aeroporto = airport
la fermata d'autobus = bus stop


È ... = It is ...
dietro ... = behind ...
lontano = far away
qui = here
davanti a ... = in front of ...
a sinistra = left
vicino (a) ... = near (to) ...
accanto a ... = next to ...
all'angolo = on the corner
di fronte a ... = opposite ...
a destra = right
sempre diritto = straight ahead
là = there


Remember to log on to Pizza Express's interactive twitter Italian class at 6pm tonight here.

Monday morning pic-me-up & Italian Phrase of the Day: week 2 round-up

La Piazza del Duomo, Trento, Italia

At the end of week 2, it is time to recap what we have learnt the past week.


Week 1 round-up


Last Tuesday we learned our numbers;


On Wednesday we discovered Pizza Express's very own interactive Italian language Twitter class which takes place every Tuesday evening - don't forget it tomorrow! 


On Thursday we introduced ourselves to new friends;


On Friday I gave you one of the most useful phrases you'll ever learn;


On Saturday it was time for breakfast;


And yesterday, I taught you another VERY useful phrase.


Buona giornata tutti.

Italian Phrase of the Day: parla inglese?

Source

Parla inglese? = Do you speak English?


This is probably one of the most invaluable phrases you will learn in Italian! Remember it.


C'è qualcuno che parla inglese? = Does anyone speak English?
Capisce? = Do you understand?
Capisco = I understand
Non capisco = I don't understand
Parlo un po' = I speak a little
Capisco un poco = I understand a little
Può ripeterlo per favore? = Could you please repeat that?
Può parlare più lentamente per favore? = Could you speak more slowly please?


You can find the previous posts in this series here.

Italian Phrase of the Day: buongiorno il mondo

Source

Buongiorno il mondo = Good morning world


Breakfast is - as they say - the most important meal of the day. This is no less true in Italy but don't expect "A Full English". The Italian breakfast light but well.


Unsurprisingly, coffee is the most important part of an Italian breakfast. And no one does coffee better than the Italians.


Until I spent a year in Italy I couldn't drink coffee. Now - as anyone who follows me on Twitter will know - I can't last more than a couple of hours without another mug of the stuff.


There are various "rules" when it comes to coffee drinking in Italy although I didn't find them to be too hard and fast.


Milk based coffees, like cappucino and latte macchiato - my favourite - tend to be breakfast drinks and most Italians will not drink them after 11am. They are "too heavy on the stomach" - due to the milk!


An espresso is probably the most popular of the Italian coffees. Drunk at the bar - where it is cheaper - and knocked back like a shot or after a meal. A caffè macchiato is basically an espresso with a dash of foamed milk.


For a more "normal" coffee, ask for a caffé americano which is an espresso served in a larger cup with hot water on the side to top it up. Ask for latte too, if you wish.


If, like me, coffee isn't really your thing, try a latte macchiato. Macchiato literally means stained or marked. So a caffè macchiato is a coffee marked with milk, whilst a latte macchiato is a steamed milk marked with a little espresso.


Of course, a coffee does not make a breakfast, even in Italy. Their most popular breakfast treat is similar to a French croissant but often come with a flavoured filling. These croissant are called brioche. If a plain croissant is more your thing, simply ask for una brioche naturale. But you may like to try - my favourite - una brioche con crema = a croissant with a sort of creamy custard. Or how about una brioche con marmellata = a croissant with marmalade (more of an apricot jam). Or maybe una brioche con cioccolata = a croissant with chocolate.


Does the Italian breakfast tempt you?


You can find the previous posts in this series here.

Italian Phrase of the Day: Uno così

Source

Uno così = one like this/that


If you only learn one phrase, learn this one. It will get you through many a situation. I use this phrase all of the time when I'm in Italy. In a bar for breakfast or in a pasticceria (= cake shop) or a gelateria (= ice cream parlour) and I'm not sure of how to ask for something, I just pull out this phrase and point at what it is I want. Works like a dream, every time.


It doesn't need to be just for food either. In a shop or a market stall and want something that you're not sure of the word for, just ask for uno così.


Buona giornata amici. (= Have a good day friends!)


You can find the previous posts in this series here.

Italian Phrase of the Day: Ciao, mi chiamo Shopgirl

Source

Ciao, mi chiamo Shopgirl = Hi, my name is Shopgirl


Now. You know how to shop and how to order something to eat and how to order something to drink. But what about if you're having that something to drink and a handsome Italian man - or beautiful Italain woman - catches your eye across the bar, what would you say? Today's lesson is all about introducing yourself:


Ciao = Hi/bye
Come ti chiami? = What is your name?
Mi chiamo … = My name is …
Quanti anni hai? = How old are you?
Piace = Pleasure (to meet you)
Ho … anni = I'm … years old (for the numbers, remember this lesson)
Da dove sei? = Where are you from?
Sono da … = I'm from …
Inglaterra = England
Scozia = Scotland
Galles = Wales
Irlanda = Ireland
Come stai? = How are you? (informal)
Come sta? = How are you? (formal)
Sto bene = I'm well
Sono stanco = I'm tired
Ho fame = I'm hungry
Che cosa fai qua? = What are you doing here?
Sono in vacanza = I am on holiday


You can find the previous posts in this series here.

Italian Phrase of the Day: know when someone else does it better

For all of you enjoying "learning Italian", I have found a wonderful resource from my favourite restaurant. Pizza Express have set up a twitter account to provide interactive Italian classes every Tuesday evening at 6pm for an hour. Fantastico! If you'd live to join the class, you can follow Pizza Express's Bite Size Italian here.


I'll try to remember to remind you next week, so that you can get involved in the class.



You can find the previous posts in this series here.