Advice for traveling to Italy?

Question

I might be traveling to Rome in October. What would be the best advice you could give someone who didn't speak Italian. My girlfriend is part Italian and took Italian for about 5 years in school. She is not sure how she would be able to communicate because it has been a couple of years. Any advice would be helpful.

Answer 1

If she is not sure if she is able to communicate in Italy, just ask her to send me an email (in italian).... then I can understand which level she is. My email is yahoo.it  Ciao

Answer 2

I've been to Italy. What a beautiful place.

Most places, e.g., hotels, restaurants have folks who can speak English.

Your girlfriend will get the best practice by trying to use her Italian.

People are wonderful, gracious and beautiful.

Answer 3

Bring an italian/american dictionary - try a language program before you leave - be polite - if you try to speak the language and slaughter it but are polite they will help you!

Answer 4

I moved to Italy with five days notice, not speaking a word of Italian.  You'll survive.  She'll survive.  Use body language, gestures, drawings and synonyms to get your point across.  Don't waste space in your purse with a phrase book- you'll always forget to pull it out when needed.  One great idea is to buy a second-hand copy of a guidebook and slice out the section about Rome using an exacto knife.  Use a paperclip to hold it together and carry that with you.  That way, you'll always be able to find good restaurants and little-known attractions wherever you are.

Answer 5

most people there also speak english because there are alot of engllish tourist over there you should be fine oh yeah gratsi means thank you in italian just incase your girlfriend forgot

Answer 6

Like everyone else said, in Rome you'll both be fine because English is spoken by most people.  If you need help at anytime, seek out a younger person because they're taught English in school now starting at a very young age.  The only advice I have is your girlfriend should brush up on her numbers.  When I lived there, the numbers were the first thing I learned - out of necessity.  Taxi driver rattle numbers off quickly and many of the older driver speak little English.  The same is true for some of the shop owners, street vendors, etc.  Now that they are using the Euro, at least you don't have to count so high!

Answer 7

In Hotels, airport, central shop you can find people speaking english. Young Italian people can speak english. So, enjoy your trip and enjoy Rome, very very very wonderful. If you want to have lot of explications or training in italian, please contact me. Bye.