Co-authored by Chiara Frecchiami , founder of Walkinita
Marta had only been in Italy for a few weeks when she realized she wanted something different. She didn’t want to sit in a classroom, memorizing grammar rules from a textbook. Marta wanted to learn Italian by walking—to listen, observe, taste, and experience the rhythm of everyday life.
She found it in the streets of Bergamo.
Anguria or Cocomero?
One morning, while wandering through the city, Marta paused at a colorful fruit and vegetable shop. A slice of red, juicy watermelon caught her eye.
“What’s this called?” she asked her teacher, who was walking beside her.
“Anguria,” the teacher smiled, naming the fruit that symbolizes the warmth of Italian summers.
From that day forward, Marta began learning with every step. She ordered coffee, asked for directions, and spoke to local artisans. Each new word was a small victory. Each mistake, a valuable step forward. Italian no longer felt like a puzzle. It became a friend—familiar, alive, and spoken.
A Word, a World
Weeks later, Marta visited Siena. At a local market, she once again saw that same red slice of fruit. But this time, her teacher said it was called “cocomero.”
That single word opened a door. She realized that in Italy, language reflects geography. One country, many voices. What’s called anguria in the north becomes cocomero in Tuscany. Vocabulary shifts, accents change, and even familiar things take on new life.
Marta began to understand Italy not as a single story, but as a mosaic of language, tradition, and identity.
Learning One Step at a Time
Each walk revealed more than words. It showed the habits, history, and flavors of different regions. A watermelon in Siena tasted like the one in Bergamo—but it carried a new name, a new memory.
Marta wasn’t just learning Italian. She was living it.
Real Conversations in Real Places
What started as a simple walk became a transformative learning experience. Today, this approach is growing across Italy. In cities big and small, passionate teachers are helping visitors learn Italian by walking—in piazzas, markets, museums, and neighborhood cafés.
These are not lessons in the traditional sense. They’re conversations, shared stories, and spontaneous laughter. They’re opportunities to experience language where it lives.
Walking Becomes Learning
- When you walk, you talk.
- When you talk, you listen
- When you listen, you connect.
This method is perfect for travelers who don’t just want to visit Italy but want to feel part of it. With personalized itineraries and teachers ready to match your pace and passions, every walk becomes a step toward fluency—and a deeper relationship with Italian life.
If Marta’s story resonated with you, know that this kind of journey is possible. Just take the first step.
Because sometimes, the best way to learn Italian… is to walk it.
Walk & Learn – Passeggiate in Italiano | Info
Vocabulary Table
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| Imparare | To learn |
| Insegnare | To teach |
| Camminare | To walk |
| Passeggiata | Stroll |
| Camminata | Walk (longer) |
| Anguria | Watermelon |
| Cocomero | Watermelon |
| Parola | Word |
| Mondo | World |
Read this article in Italian
