Non Parlo Italiano...... Well maybe just a little!!!
 

I am going to Italy in April and am planning a few days in the rural regions of Tuscany and Umbria. As part of my planning I am attempting to learn some of the Italian language. I have the "Drive Italian" CD in my car and find it to be quite good.

For anyone how has travelled to rural areas of Italy, did you encounter many english speakers or were the majority of store owners, restaurant staff, and towns people just "Italian"?

Grazie!

In rural areas you will still find people know at least a bit of English. You'll be able to get your point across with basic phrases and a few useful words.

In rural areas, many people only speak Italian. They do try to be helpful in getting their message across.

My problem, was that I cold ask the question in my " broken Italian"...but I didn't always understand the answer.

With basic phrases for directions , numbers, etc you should be fine.

One shopkeeper who spoke no English, punched the price of an item into a hand held calculator and showed it to the customer.

Between your attempt to learn Italian and the friendliness of Italians, you ought to be fine.

Also Tuscany and Umbria are both firmly on the tourist trail (vastly popular with British tourists and 2nd home owners), so there'll always be someone in an establishment who speaks english (exceptions may be grocery stores and hole in the wall tobacconists)

I am slowly improving my Italian, and speak a few basic phrases. When I spoke and understood almost nothing, I still found Italians in general very, very helpful.

Several times when trying to use a phrase book, a local would gesture for me to point to the phrase, then once they had understood what I was trying to ask, would inevitably help me with signs, gestures, or on one occassion, dragging a friend out of his house to answer me in English.

be sure you know "how" and "where is.."
when pointing at a map