By: Cherrye Moore

 “Tell me somethingabout a travel challenge," Katie said.

“It can be anything… from speaking the language to renting a car, to ordering food to hiking …anything!”

So, I thought about it.

A travel challenge inCalabria?

Hmmm … and I can only choose one?

Of course, I joke … kinda.

I’m convinced traveling in Calabria is one of the best Italian experiences a vacationer can have in the bel paese, but that doesn’t mean it is easy. In fact, it starts the moment they decide to visit the region, the moment they turn on their computer, the moment they Google“Calabria.”

Go ahead and try it,you’ll see … it is all in Italian.

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It actually doesn’t get much better if you search several pages or Google terms specific for your destination.

Since I started my travel consulting business last year, I’ve become even more painfully aware of how difficult it is to find reliable English-language information on the Internet.  Just this week, I was helping an American client and his new wife-two outdoor enthusiasts, who love biking,mountain climbing and all things sweat-inducing-rent bikes and secure mountain climbing guides.

This was a challenge.

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Even though I speak Italian and can Google the correct search terms  in Italian, many of the sites were outdated, some of the phone numbers had been cancelled and when the numbers worked-and someone answered!-I was told they no longer had that service.

Umpha!

Still, we got around it.

If you can’t call on a perfectly bi-lingual marito for help (like I can!) here are a few other things you could try.

1)Use Word Reference.com and find the appropriate search terms in Italian.

2)Google the terms in Italian and translate the page using GoogleTranslator. It’s far from a perfect translation, but it will give you the gist of what you need to know.

3)Once you get the services you need, find an email address and email as many people as you can asking for help. It is even better if you can email them in Italian, but at least email in English and ask if they speak or read English … you know, for politeness’ sake.

4)When all else fails, feel free to email me. I have a list of questions I’m working on for the FAQ section of my website and who knows, your question might already be answered.

Just remember,Calabria is a one-of-a-kind place. Many travelers never venture this far south and you’ll find a land of authentic Italian treasures and true-world experiences. The trade off is that they don’t typically cater to tourists or necessarily make it easy for them to find what they need. But the information is out there and the reward is well worth the time.

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Cherrye Moore is an American freelance writer and Calabriatravel consultant living in southern Italy. She writes about travel for MNUI Travel Insurance and about traveling in Calabria on her sites, MyBella Vita, and Il Cedro B&B. her bed and breakfast in Catanzaro.