I am now learning Italian in preparation for a trip to Sicily this summer.

After much research I bought Pimsleur. They have a course with 6 CDs and another with 15 that includes the 6. I'd go and buy the more complete set.

I highly recommend Pimsleur because it emphasizes Italian spoken and can be used in the car. It is almost effortless, a lot of fun. I had tried other self study language approaches (I know I sound like a commercial) and they don't compare, at least for me. I found them frustrating. Not Pimsleur.

I also picked up a few books to teach grammar and written Italian, including a Berlitz phrase book, Berlitz practice book, dictionary, etc. You will want to supplement Pimsleur with these. I am so interested in these that I am almost finished with Italian 1 and will be buying Italian 2. I also plan on studying Japanese for a trip sometime in the future. I really like the Pimsleur approach and I will study Japanese using the same approach and Pimsleur.

I haven't tried out software because the only time I have is in the car but I doubt it is as effective, at least for me.

review at Amazon (although I bought mine at buy.com for $206, quite a saving over Amazon) http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...247014-2529615