How can I get to Aquilonia in Avellino, Campania, Italy?
July 1, 2011 8:06 PM Subscribe
Campaniafilter. My father grew up in Aquilonia, a very small rural town in the Avellino province of Italy (about two-hours drive from Naples). How can I see it on a budget from within Italy?
My father (and generations before him) grew up in the very small village of Aquilonia, Avellino—20km north of Calitri. My family has no surviving contacts in the region. I've been traveling in Italy and asking every Campanian I meet how to get there with little luck. According to much Google research, I can get there in three-hours bus ride from Avellino (the city) on an A.IR bus, but Avellino itself is already somewhat remote (and the schedule websites are only in Italian and feel like they may be outdated). And accommodation, if I need it, is hard to research on the English-speaking web.
While his specific memories of the town (1950s) are vague, he has given me a list of places to visit and photograph and family members to look for in the cemetery (and namedrop if I meet locals). I'm very excited for the pilgrimage as I've been hearing his stories about Aquilonia since I was young. And of course it is important to my father, who hasn't been back to Italy in these many decades. I'd like to spend a full day trip there if not more—but getting there isn't easy!
On the start/end of the trip (next week) I'm in Matera and then Naples. But I'm happy to add a night or more in the Avellino province if it makes things easier. Unfortunately, I don't speak any Italian and can't drive manual (plus I'm on a budget and renting a car looks prohibitively expensive).
Feels like a long shot, but are any Mefites familiar with the region and transport or lodging options therein?
My father (and generations before him) grew up in the very small village of Aquilonia, Avellino—20km north of Calitri. My family has no surviving contacts in the region. I've been traveling in Italy and asking every Campanian I meet how to get there with little luck. According to much Google research, I can get there in three-hours bus ride from Avellino (the city) on an A.IR bus, but Avellino itself is already somewhat remote (and the schedule websites are only in Italian and feel like they may be outdated). And accommodation, if I need it, is hard to research on the English-speaking web.
While his specific memories of the town (1950s) are vague, he has given me a list of places to visit and photograph and family members to look for in the cemetery (and namedrop if I meet locals). I'm very excited for the pilgrimage as I've been hearing his stories about Aquilonia since I was young. And of course it is important to my father, who hasn't been back to Italy in these many decades. I'd like to spend a full day trip there if not more—but getting there isn't easy!
On the start/end of the trip (next week) I'm in Matera and then Naples. But I'm happy to add a night or more in the Avellino province if it makes things easier. Unfortunately, I don't speak any Italian and can't drive manual (plus I'm on a budget and renting a car looks prohibitively expensive).
Feels like a long shot, but are any Mefites familiar with the region and transport or lodging options therein?
I was recently traveling off the beaten path in northern Italy - which I know is a whole different beast from the southern part of the country - but I found that most of the time the best way to do this sort of thing was just to show up at the train or bus station and do it, rather than trying to plan ahead intensively. People are extremely friendly, and the cultures aren't really that different. You can also accomplish a lot with a smile and an attempt at speaking Italian.
Your best bet for accommodations is probably to find the nearest town with a railway station and arrive early enough to ask around.
posted by Sara C. at 9:56 PM on July 1, 2011
Your best bet for accommodations is probably to find the nearest town with a railway station and arrive early enough to ask around.
posted by Sara C. at 9:56 PM on July 1, 2011
It may be worth your while to suck it up and spend the extra money on a cab from the nearest city. It won't be anywhere near as expensive over that distance as it would be in the united states.
The last time I was in your position in southern Italy, I rented a car so that I'd have the maximum amount of flexibility while visiting small towns that lacked frequent bus or train connections. I realize that in your case, this might not be possible, but don't discount the cab option if it's only one town off the beaten track that you want to visit.
posted by deanc at 7:16 AM on July 2, 2011
The last time I was in your position in southern Italy, I rented a car so that I'd have the maximum amount of flexibility while visiting small towns that lacked frequent bus or train connections. I realize that in your case, this might not be possible, but don't discount the cab option if it's only one town off the beaten track that you want to visit.
posted by deanc at 7:16 AM on July 2, 2011
Here's a website that may help on the lodging front. I'll look around some more about transpo.
posted by snsranch at 4:23 PM on July 2, 2011
posted by snsranch at 4:23 PM on July 2, 2011
Response by poster: Thank you all—your advice and research is definitely appreciated. As deanc suggested, in the end I rented a car (the one automatic they had at the Napoli airport!). It was expensive but gave me freedom to arrive early, stay late, and explore the surrounding countryside.
And explore I did: I saw all the ruins of the old town where my family lived. A distant relative recognized me on the street and called out to me by my surname, though I've never been to the village and my father hasn't been back in 50 years—strong genes! Despite the language barrier, she proceded to prepare me an enormous mid-afternoon meal of spaghetti, cheeses, fruit, and wine. Then in the local museum, I discovered my grandfather in a group photo of US immigrants from the region. When I tried my best to communicate this to the gentleman at the museum, he excitedly ran into the village to find an English speaker to translate... and returned with a childhood friend of my father!
posted by rafter at 7:16 AM on July 11, 2011 [2 favorites]
And explore I did: I saw all the ruins of the old town where my family lived. A distant relative recognized me on the street and called out to me by my surname, though I've never been to the village and my father hasn't been back in 50 years—strong genes! Despite the language barrier, she proceded to prepare me an enormous mid-afternoon meal of spaghetti, cheeses, fruit, and wine. Then in the local museum, I discovered my grandfather in a group photo of US immigrants from the region. When I tried my best to communicate this to the gentleman at the museum, he excitedly ran into the village to find an English speaker to translate... and returned with a childhood friend of my father!
posted by rafter at 7:16 AM on July 11, 2011 [2 favorites]
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posted by 3mendo at 9:46 PM on July 1, 2011