Italy is a country known for its beauty, food, and culture. It's at or near the top of so many travelers' wish lists, but it can seem like a daunting journey, especially for those who don't know the language. However, Italian travel is actually quite easy to manage once you get the hang of it. With this simple introduction, you'll be hopping on and off trains, sipping espresso, and seeing all the sights of Bella Italia before you know it.

The first thing you need to know is how to get into Italy. There are several airports near major cities, including the Fiumicino-Leonardo da Vinci airport outside of Rome, and Malpensa, Linate, and Bergamo around Milan. It may also be a good idea to fly into a city just outside of Italy if it's closer to your destination than any major Italian city. For instance, if you want to see the Ligurian coastline, flying into Nice, France, may be a smart idea.

The major airports will have some sort of shuttle system to get you into the center of the city fast. In cities that offer it, it's usually faster to take a direct train, but a bus will save you money. You can usually buy tickets to or from the airport at a nearby tobacco shop if there isn't a designated ticket window ('biglietteria').

To get around between cities, trains are your best option. They're cheap and easy to use. If you buy your ticket far enough ahead of time, you can get a discount of up to 30 percent, and other discounts exist as well (just check when buying the ticket online or at a kiosk in a station, if you don't want to try your chances at the window). For regional trains, fares are based on the distance traveled. However, nicer trains, such as the new Freccia trains, cost more. They offer air conditioning, clean bathrooms, and an all-around comfortable journey. For overnight journeys, sleeper trains are not a bad option. You can reserve a cot in a room to yourself or share a room with others. Women can reserve a same-sex cabin for safety purposes. Make sure to validate your ticket before boarding a train with a non-reserved seat by inserting it into the yellow boxes around the platform, because not doing so can result in hefty fines.

If you don't speak Italian, don't worry. Just carry a phrasebook and make an effort, and most natives will try to meet you in the middle. Italians understand the importance of English as a global language, and foreign language education is improving in Italy. In the regions along the French border, many people speak some French, just as some in the north speak German. Around Naples, you have a better chance trying your Spanish, because the native dialect has borrowed some elements from when the area was occupied hundreds of years ago.

Above all, Italy is a beautiful country with outgoing, straightforward natives. Travelers, even those who may initially be apprehensive, will find it charming and enjoyable. Just keep an open mind and make an effort to appreciate the Italians and their culture, and you too will soon be addicted to Italian travel.