"Buon giorno! Key phrases for use in everyday circumstances

From ordering calamari in Venice to making new friends in Tuscan hill towns, it helps to speak some of the native tongue.

After 25 seasons of close-to-the-ground travel through Europe, Rick Steves has learned which Italian words and phrases are important for independent travelers - and which ones are worthless outside of four-star hotels. This guide is packed with practical words and phrases designed to help you enjoy a better trip.

You'll find key Italian words and phrases covering:

• travel in Italy by train and/or car
• shopping, money, entertainment
• sleeping, eating, sightseeing
• travel talk, making friends, health, love, naughty words
• Italian tongue twisters and gestures
• a detailed Italian-English and English-Italian traveler's dictionary
• instructions for using Italian telephones
• an Italian menu decoder
• maps to aid in conversations
• phrases for reserving a room by phone
• enough words for a meaningful discussion of life, politics and social issues with your new Italian friends

Informative, concise, and practical, Rick Steves' Italian Phrase Book and Dictionary is an essential item for any traveler's zainetto. Who but Rick Steves would give you the phrases that you really need when traveling in Italy?"