Learning Italian phrases for our trip

In the destination you are going in May, everyone you will be dealing with will speak English.

As a matter of fact you will be more likely to hear people speaking English in the streets than Italian, therefore all those who work in the tourism environment (restaurants, hotels, stores, etc.) will speak English (99% of them won't even be Italian, anyhow, since the entire workforce in those positions is filled by immigrants, largely from Eastern Europe and elsewhere).

It is however a common courtesy to first address the person in Italian, politely asking if they speak English, so all you need to learn is one phrase ("Scusi, parla inglese?"). I'm sure they will say yes, and then you can proceed to talk to them in English.

Since the level of English they speak may vary, you may want to make sure you limit your slang, and, above all, speak slowly and clearly, so that it will be easier for your interlocutor to understand.

Don't be afraid to use sophisticated English words, since they generally come from Latin, therefore they will be similar to the Italian word. So say automobile instead of car, sinusitis instead of cold, cardiac infarction instead of heart attack (hopefully you won't need to say that one).

You might also want to learn basic phrases like Buon giorno (Good Day), Buona Sera (Good Evening), Grazie (Thanks), Prego (you are welcome), Per Favore (please), and the like.

The most important words to learn in Italian (and, truly, in any language) are hello/good day/good evening, please, thank you, and good bye. Every person you meet should be greeted by a hello in Italian. While a lot of people in Rome, Florence, and Venice speak English, it's very respectful to greet them in their native tongue, no matter how badly your pronunciation sounds (believe me, mine was barely passable at the start of our trip, but was tons better at the end of the trip).

In Venice, I remember a rushed delivery man who was trying to wheel his hand truck down a passageway clogged with tourists. No one was heeding his increasingly exasperated calls of “Attenzione!” (Watch out!) So if you hear it in Venice, make way!

Rick’s Italy guidebook has a page of survival phrases with phonetic pronunciation. Of course the challenge is understanding the Italian spoken back in reply.

Most people in the tourist industry will speak at least some English and in many cases very good English indeed. Buon viaggio!

All of your locations are tourist destinations, so you will be fine just beginning with an Italian greeting. Do look up how to order coffee, though. Latte is a glass of milk, caffe is espresso, etc.

Some other basics:
Quanto costa - how much does it cost?
If conto, per favore - the bill, please.
Vorrei un gelato [flavor], per favore - this one should be used daily! : )
E delizioso - it’s delicious!
Mi scusi - excuse me.

Mi dispiace - I’m sorry.
Una buona giornata - have a good day.

Thanks so much for these responses and for relieving my concerns. I had planned to learn usual greetings, thank you, "I do not speak Italian" phrases but worried more might be needed. It sounds like if I can master these we should be able to enjoy the trip even with the limited Italian capabilities.

For years I've been packing around my 1996 RS Italian Phrase Book, still helpful except for the lira references. I almost always have it in my back pocket. I love the menu decoder. Your French experience will be the same with Italian. The translate app on my phone is heplful. English is widespread in your destinations.

Buon Viaggio Brad

Adding to Jeans’ comment on gelato—due gusti or tre gusti! Coppetta for a cup and cono for cone. Gusti are flavors plural! I could never have just one, so either due (2) or tre (3)! And yes, I agree, they ought to be your most familiar words after hello, please, thank you and goodbye!!

If you learn the “polite” words and “Dove il bagno?” you’ll be in good shape. All else fails, Google Translate is handy.
I’m going back to Italy in September (third trip). Languages are difficult for me and harder to remember words and phrases as I get older. I’m starting to watch YouTube Italian for Travelers on my daily treadmill walk as a refresher.

The problem you might run into by learning phrases, is giving the impression that you do speak Italian. Not much a problem with polite words and some basics, but even a query like "Quanto Costo?", How Much does this Cost?, must be responded with something, usually a cost and other commentary, in Italian, that you will not understand. Then you look a bit the fool explaining that, no, you do not speak Italian, forcing the person to repeat themselves in English.

Nothing wrong with using phrases, but make it clear you do not speak Italian, if they do not speak English, then some combination of phrases, writing, or Google translate will usually work.

@SJS, we’re speaking the same language! : )