Help conversing in Italian
 

I am having a little trouble in an email exchange with a B&B owner in Venice. I;ve asled him some questions in English but his responses make me think he doesn't understand the question. I could use Google translate but don't really trust it for context. Can any Italian speakers help me with the questions in Italian?

The main questions I want to ask:

What is included in the double room?

Does the double room have an outdoor area?

Does the double room have a view of the Duomo?

What is included with breakfast?

Any help translating thee questions would be appreciated!!

Have you searched the forum for info about the B&B? What is the name of it?

No wonder he does not understand, these are weird questions, and there is no "duomo" in Venice.

You are right, the guy I am conversing with is in Florence, sorry for the confusion.

What do you mean by What is included in the double room - is is whether it is on B&B basis?

If you want to ask that, you write:

1st question - Prima colazione sia incluso nel prezzo della camera doppia?

2nd question - La camera ha un terrazzo o un balcone?

3rd question question - La camera doppia ha una vista del Duomo?

4th question: Che cibi sono offerti per il primo colazione?

I am not sure whether the above are perfect Italian, but the owner will understand you for sure.

Good luck and enjoy your holiday!!!

Anna_Galea, your first question doesn't mimic the OP's original in English (though I have no idea what he or she meant by "What is included in the double room?" Furniture, I'd guess).

And to the OP, how are you going to understand replies in Italian?

I'm sorry I can't help with the Italian but English is my native language and I don't understand the questions.

<< What is included in the double room? >>

Do you mean is there a desk or armchair, wardrobe, etc.?

<< Does the double room have an outdoor area? >>

Do you mean terrace or garden? Do you mean a private area directly outside the room or a common garden area?

Perhaps you need to clarify your questions.

Hmmm. I'm researching Italy, too, but every site I looked at---whether on Booking.com, Windows on Italy, VRBO.com---had many photos and gave lists of "features", map of location, etc. for every place. I booked Florence, Venice, and Rome accommodations thru Booking.com. Good luck.
Can you believe this, kybourbon . . . ME having the audacity to answer someone else's question about Italy. I'll expect to be reprimanded.(big grin)

perhaps you can post the owner's answers and we can interpret what he might mean in answer to your questions.

go for it, annettafly!

to the OP - perhaps you could tell us the name and address of the hotel - who knows, the info may be there on the website! [I'm not being sarky; IME, websites of small places, like B&Bs, often have more info on their italian website pages than they do on their english ones, for obvious reasons].

cdispoto,

You can use Google translate -- in fact, it may be the new lingua franca of Italian b&b owners! They use it themselves.

And you can use to translate any communication you receive.

By the way, I just read Anna Galatea's translation of your first and she is guessing that you are asking if breakfast is included in the price of the room. Are you asking about breakfast -- or are you asking about taxes?

Likewise, will you be happy if you get a terrace instead of a garden? Anna's questions make a huge amount of assumptions she didn't ask you about, so take your questions to Google, which will not do that, and certainly simply do not cut and paste her translations to send to the b&b.


Anna, I don't know what you think you are doing.


annettefly, most Fodorites responding to questions concerning Italy don't know what they are talking about either. That's why you're being encouraged.

Just humour us, we like to think we're being helpful.

My head is spinning now.

Basically, the website - and even Venere/Booking.com, etc. - are very vague as to whether or not the room I'm looking at (the double) includes a terrace or not. So that's my main qiestion.

I know breakfast is included but want some details as to what it is.

Too bad you can't give a link to the hotel. Perhaps others may be able to figure things out for you.

If you want to know if the room has a terrace you should use that word rather than the phrase "outdoor area."

I gather you are quite the expert on Italy, zeppole. Perhaps you could help the OP and translate her questions; that would be in the true helping spirit of Fodors.

The B&B I am looking at is here: http://www.alduomofirenze.it/

It does not reference which photos are which room. Also, when clicking to book the double on Venere, in the details, it says "The terrace area overlooking the Duomo is equipped with table and chairs."

However, it seems unlikely that the double room has a terrace. That's mainly what I'm trying to find out.

The problem is, your questions are confusing the English speakers here: for example, does ``what is included in the double room'' refer to: whether the bathroom is en suite or down the hall, or whether there's air conditioning, or to whether taxes are included in the price, or is it about whether breakfast is included?

When you ask if the double room has an outdoor area, are you asking about a private terrace (that other guests can't use)? Or do you want to know if the room has direct (step-out) access to any type of outdoor area, private or otherwise?

Re ``what is included with breakfast'': are you looking for a breakfast menu--a list of everything served? Or are you asking what type of breakfast is included with the room price?

Although I'm now retired, my primary job duty during career was ENCOURAGE. Old habits are hard to break.
Cdispoto, to me it reads like the terrace is a common area for all residents of the B&B. Sounds like you are looking for a private terrace or balcony, yes? And breakfast (let me try not to offend anyone) is "continental" with the basic courses of rolls/pastries, fruit/cheese, maybe cereal/yogurt. It is not a cooked-with-meat American or Irish breakfast that will hold you over all day. (Before I'm chastised . . . ) That doesn't mean it won't be good. My B&B in Rome next month has many items and is served on a lovely flower-garden terrace.

First, change 'duomo' to 'San Marco' if that is the church you are referring to.

In general, breakfasts are breads, cheeses and meats. Juice and coffee and yes, that's what Anna asked. Did you want to know about a toilet with the room as well? Italian speakers, please help but I think add E il bagno?

Stand your ground here!