I find it helpful to navigate Italy's cities and towns when equipped with some knowledge of how streets are
named.For example, in the U.S. we often use a classification such as boulevard, avenue, road, court, etc. This gives us some indication of whether we will be traveling down a large street, small road, dead-end street, or maybe even a country road. The same is true in Italy:
- Via (means way) is used for most roads and streets.
- Vicolo (means alley) refers to streets barely big enough for pedestrian or scooter traffic.
- Corso describes a main street, an avenue.
- Largo (means wide) may be used for a wide, broad street.
- Calle (used in Venice) is a narrow street--often no bigger than a sidewalk.
Street signs are often abbreviated: "V" for via; "Vc" for vicolo.
Pack these definitions with your map on your next trip to Italy. You will less likely get lost or miss an address with an understanding of street names
