Sounds wonderful, John! Will you be able to make use of your cell phone while over there? If so, why not try a language translation app. Given the technology today, one could possibly communicate pretty decently. Here are some iOS options: http://www.imore.com/best-translation-apps-iphone-itranslate-voice-ivoice-google-translate-and-more https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/translate-voice-free/id539941258?mt=8
Hope that helps. On Fri, Apr 25, 2014 at 6:46 PM, John Celio <neo.venator.com+p...@gmail.com> wrote: > I'm going to be in Italy next month, and I want to visit the towns my > grandparents came from, which are both in the Abruzzo region: Bugnara > and Giulianova. Hopefully our resident Italian PDMLers can help me > with these questions about the region: > > - I'm hoping I can travel around Abruzzo by train and/or bus rather > than rent a car. Is this feasible? I normally use Google Maps for > getting around, but it doesn't show mass transit options in Italy and > I'm not sure where to look for accurate maps and timetables. > > - How difficult is it to find hostels in the cities and towns of Abruzzo? > > - My parents visited the region a couple decades ago and said there > was a big problem with pickpocketing and bag slashing. Is this still > the case? What can I do to protect myself and my belongings? > > - My parents knew some Italian and were able to converse with people > when necessary. I don't know any Italian. Will this be a big problem? > I know a little Spanish, but I doubt that will help at all... > > - I'm told I have distant cousins in Giulianova and Bugnara, but none > of them speak English. Would it be worth trying to meet them, or would > it just be awkward because of the language barrier? > > - What are some hidden gems to see in Abruzzo? I'm thinking > churches/cathedrals, museums, historical sites, beautiful landscapes, > local landmarks, bars/restaurants, and other things like those. > > My itinerary starts in Milan, and then I'm probably going to go to > Venice and Florence for a couple days each before heading south. After > Abruzzo I'll head to Rome to fly home. > > Grazie, > John > > -- > PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List > PDML@pdml.net > http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net > to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow > the directions. -- Photographers must learn not to be ashamed to have their photographs look like photographs. ~ Alfred Stieglitz -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
