Re: dialects. This is a tough nut to crack, as there may be no way to learn them in advance, even if one knows the root language. I'm able to communicate in French when I am in Paris, Quebec City, or Geneva, but I'm lost when visiting certain areas of rural France and Quebec!

I think it's worthwhile to invest time learning a language before a visit. Before heading off for Ticino and northern Italy, I signed up for a 15-week introductory Italian course at a local school, and did my homework every week! On the tour, I was able to ask for directions, understand signs and menus, etc. Although I couldn't have "real" conversations, I knew enough to scrape by.

Even a little learning can go a long way. 35 years ago I hitchhiked through Turkey. On the day I arrived, I happened to meet another traveller who had spent significant time in the country. He taught me important basics about the language, e.g., when you think you need to communicate "yes" (evet) or "no" (hayir), the words you want to use may be "exist" (var) or "does not exist" (yok). This information proved to be valuable.

A truck driver who picked me up tried to induce me into having sex with him (while he was driving!). At first I feigned not to understand. He persisted. So I said "hayir" ("no"), but he was undeterred. Then I remembered my lesson, and said "yok!" ("doesn't exist!") The driver relented, zipped up, and left me alone!