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Deat Listmates,

I gratefully received over 20 responses to my plea for advise on how to tour
in Italy with no Italian language skills.  I am sorry this summary has been
delayed by my being out of town for an extended period.

Some recurring themes:

* Use the Italian restaurant card found in "Against the Grain" by Jax Lowell,
or some version like it.

* Refer to the Italian Celiac Society web site at www.nettuno.it/fiera/aic
for information.  The e-mail address is [log in to unmask]

* Gf foods are available at all pharmacies (farmacia) and are said to be
expensive.

* Eat lots of risotto, polenta and antipasti!

* The words, "No glutano" will get me far.

* Have my tour guide translate for me.

* Italians are warm, helpful, accommodating people who will make it easy for
me.

* Definitely go and enjoy it!

Other helpful suggestions I received:

* Vegetable soup, green salad, fruit, broiled meat, cheese (except
gorgonzola), grilled fish, and gelati ice cream are safe bets.  Avoid sauces
and most meats, as breading and dusting with flour is the norm.

* Carry a water bottle filled at hotels to avoid the $3 charge in restaurants.

* Have an insulated bag to carry survival food and to collect leftovers along
the way.

* Contact hotels and restaurants used for my tour in advance for assistance.

* Take GF pasta, have it cooked in restaurants with specifications on how to
avoid contamination, and ask for recommendations for using the pasta.

For brevity's sake I will stop here.  I greatly appreciate all the responses
I received and will be following up with the kind offers extended to me for
more help.  I'm looking forward to my trip very much!

Jeanne in Ohio (USA)