Postcards from Italy

Postcards from Italy takes a travel-first approach to teaching Italian that makes it perfect for anyone planning a trip. Co-hosted by Erin (an American Italian learner) and Elisa (a native Italian teacher), the show builds language skills around real situations you will face in Italy — ordering at restaurants, checking into hotels, asking for directions, navigating public transport, handling money, and understanding Italian menus without accidentally ordering something you did not want. Season 1 features scripted dialogues between American tourists and Roman locals, followed by roundtable discussions that break down the vocabulary and grammar. Season 2 shifted to absolute beginner content focused squarely on travel survival skills. A third season is planned for early 2026. Episodes run 27 to 41 minutes, giving each topic thorough treatment rather than a superficial gloss. Across 46 episodes and two seasons, the coverage is genuinely useful for trip preparation. The show holds a 4.6 star average from 97 Apple ratings. Listeners highlight the practical focus and the chemistry between Erin and Elisa. The learner-teacher dynamic works well because Erin represents exactly the kind of person listening — someone who loves Italy and wants to communicate better while there. Elisa provides native pronunciation, cultural context, and corrections in a supportive way. The story-based format in Season 1 is particularly effective because it gives you context for the language, making vocabulary stickier than flashcard-style repetition. If Italian travel is your motivation for learning, this podcast is built specifically for you.