Many Italians don't speak foreign languages, so it's unlikely that you'll find an English-speaking Italian on the street, so it's helpful to have a certain stock of Italian words.

Before leaving:

• Consider doing a self-study course or attending Italian classes
• Make a note of useful vocabulary for the kind of situations you expect to deal with and which aren't covered in the phrasebook.

Once you get there:

• Consider continuing your Italian studies at a local language school.
• Practise, practise, practise!

Getting there index