A quick lesson in Italian pronunciation: A "c" followed by an "i" or "e" makes a "ch" sound. However, a "c" followed by an "a" makes a hard "c" sound. Unlike Spanish, when you see a double "L" in Italian, you pronounce the "L" sound (as in mozzarella).

In Italian, a "g" followed by an "i" makes a soft "g" sound. Double "z's" make a "ts" sound, as in "pizza" or "piazza". And finally, an "e" at the end of a word makes an "ay" sound. So, for example, Cinque Terre would be pronounced "cheenk-way tare-ay".

Carnival isn't only for Brazil, you know. Italy's got a great Carnevale celebration in Februrary and March. Venice, Florence and Viareggio are great places to celebrate, complete with costumes, masks and people gathering in the streets to have some fun!