Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

Looking for advice about 2 week solo trip to Italy

Looking for advice about 2 week solo trip to Italy

Old Feb 9th, 2016, 09:20 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Looking for advice about 2 week solo trip to Italy

This will be my first major solo trip. I'm a 30 year old male from the US, planning to go in late May and early June when it will be warm, but not quite the peak busy season yet. I've been to London, Tokyo, NYC, and few other places kind of solo, but have usually either had people I knew to meet up with there for part of the trips or they've just been very short trips. I've heard the pickpocketing can be really bad in Italy which will be a big change of pace from Tokyo, but I did get a little practice preparing for pickpockets during my short London trip. Hopefully wearing my backpack in front of me in crowded areas, a money belt and belt loop zip pockets will be good enough.

My big inspirations for going to Italy are food, history, and the scenery. I'm looking forward to trying some of the best pizza and pasta I've ever had, and visiting a lot of the ancient sites there such as the Colloseum, Pompeii, Paestum, etc. I'm not real big on art museums or particularly religious, but I do plan to visit Vatican City, some of the nice cathedrals, and major works of art. I'd also like to be able to see a lot of the beautiful countryside and coastal towns. I can't see the crowds bothering me too much since I loved Tokyo and NYC; part of what I loved about them was all the unique stores and shopping centers around, and something exciting to see on practically every block. It was great in Tokyo to get submersed in a whole nother culture, and all the little quirky things like maid cafes or the futuristic toilets. While I don't expect the food, history or scenery of Italy to let me down, I'd be open to suggestions of other really cool or unique things to do there.

My basic itinerary at this point includes possibly flying into Venice and spending a couple days there, then spending about 3 days in Florence, 4 days in Rome, and 3 days in Naples. It could be nice to visit St Mark's Basilica in Venice, but I'd be going to visit Venice more than anything just to say I was there, have heard that the food is expensive and mediocre, and get the impression it's a better city for couples to visit. I was planning to fly out of Rome since I've heard the Naples airport is bad, but am open to suggestions about which airports would be most convenient to fly in or out of. I don't plan to bring any major luggage with me; pretty much just a carry-on backpack and a slightly larger backpack on wheels. But the inconvenience of even having to carry a small amount of luggage on trains at risk of theft, and between multiple different hotels, worries me a bit.

Hoping to make day trips to Pompeii and Paestum, Cinque Terre or Amalfi Coast, maybe some of the countryside towns of Tuscany. Paestum might be a bit difficult to work in, since from what I gather there aren't too many quick bus routes there and hiring a private driver can easily exceed 300 Euros. I don't look forward to all the garbage and extra crime Naples purportedly has, but am drawn there for all the incredible pizza, the archaeological museum, and great local day trips nearby. I don't have a lot in particular planned so far outside of what I've already mentioned, except the Duomo and Uffizi in Florence, and the underground tour of the colloseum. I've generally preferred independently exploring places in previous trips I've made, but would be glad to hear about any highly recommended tours of the big attractions.

Any suggestions appreciated!
rcz77 is offline  
Old Feb 9th, 2016, 10:21 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Trains are the best way to go to cities and places you are - cars in cities are a problem as wide swaths of city centres are now off limits to private vehicles and city transports are so so great.

About trains - check www.trenitalia.com for fares and booking online - if you do way in advance you can nab the limited in number discounted tickets - you can always get on trains as there are so many by waiting until you get to a certain city to book a train out but you can save a ton by doing the online discounted ticket route.

For lots on trains check www.seat61.com - great info on discounted tickets and for general info - www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

You do not need a car anywhere on your list - train or bus to Paestum from Salerno (boat or bus there from the Amalfi base) - Pompeii by train from Sorrento (boat or bus there from your Amalfi base) - the Cinque Terre does not even allow cars in most of the villages but trains serve them all.

Venice - yes just to see what to me and many is the world's most gloriously unique and picturesque cities is enough to go there - you may wish you had if you never go back to Italy and a day in your case may be enough. Fly into Venice and out of Naples - ignore the stories about a bad airport - many here have reported no problems there or in Naples in general in spite of its dicey reputation - yes IME it can be filthy at places but no real worries as long as you are prudent as usual in any locale.
PalenQ is offline  
Old Feb 9th, 2016, 11:04 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you really don't care about seeing anything in Venice other than checking the box of "I went there", I would say skip it and put more time in your other locations where you are looking to take day trips. I stuck to only Rome and the Amalfi Coast on my first trip to Italy (11 nights) and do not regret it.

And I think for the number of day trips you are looking to make from Naples - Pompeii, Paestum, and the Amalfi Coast, you may want to put more time there than 3 days / 4 nights. Even just one extra night there would give you a bit more breathing room.
inspiredexplorer is offline  
Old Feb 9th, 2016, 12:24 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,534
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I agree that you could use more time in the Naples area -- it is wonderful you are going to Paestum and the food all along that stretch (Naples, Paestum) is fantastic. You might want to rethink how much time you spend in Florence if you are not going there because of its museums.

I wouldn't hesitate to fly out of Naples airport, but usually flights that connect to other flights to the US (is that home?) leave pretty early in the morning. Do yourself a favor and take the short taxi ride to the airport early in the morning rather than the bus. Just put it in the budget -- about 35 euros as I recall.

It's true that Italy is not Tokyo when it comes to pickpockets, but a solo traveler is often less easily distracted than one in a group, so you are not an easy target if you secure your valuables on your person and stay sober in the evenings! As for luggage on trains, there is plenty of room near your seat for a carryon and a slightly larger backpack. You can look online and find pictures of the interiors of Italian fast trains (which are the ones you will be taking) and you will see that your luggage fits over your head. The train trips you will be taking are not long in duration, so you if you plan ahead, you won't need to leave your seat during the journey.

But once you are in Italy I think you will quickly find it reassuring as a very safe place, and while it shouldn't make you complacent about your belongings, you needn't have anxieties.
sandralist is offline  
Old Feb 9th, 2016, 12:44 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 617
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I would recommend looking into smaller towns in tuscany to see if anything suits your interest, especially Siena and San Gimignano. do have a look at my trip report: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...n-december.cfm I too did a solo trip a few weeks back,
ashwinb is offline  
Old Feb 9th, 2016, 04:21 PM
  #6  
kja
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,089
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Should be a great trip!

I agree with the suggestion above to add a bit of time to Naples, since there are quite a few things you want to see there / from there. FWIW, I love Naples -- and I'm a woman who traveled there solo. And you can easily get to Paestum from there by train.

With 2 weeks, though, you probably need to trim a bit from your wish list, and given your thoughts, skipping Venice this time probably makes a lot of sense.

Although no one can guarantee your safety, taking some simple precautions should serve you well. I think I am probably safer as a solo traveler because my attention is always on what's going on around me. In fact, the only time I came close to being pickpocketed was one of the rare days when I was traveling with someone, and was absorbed in the conversation and so NOT paying attention!

I'm firmly committed to solo travel, which I find to be an incredible self-indulgence -- I can do what I want, when I want! Here's a selection of solo trip reports:
http://www.fodors.com/community/trav...collection.cfm

Enjoy!
kja is offline  
Old Feb 9th, 2016, 04:45 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'm concerned that you say you want to see the beautiful countryside and coastal towns but don;t seem to be spending any time here.

While I love Florence (but my goal is to see every museum, cathedral and palace) it may not be the place for you. If I were you I would stay in one of the more convenient hill towns and visit a couple of others from there.

As for Venice - another place that I love - if you really don't want to see it - add this time to the Amalfi coast and do a trip flying into Rome and out of Naples.

Finally I would make sure that your hotels have plenty of spaces, not just breakfast rooms, where guests can sit and relax and perhaps have a drink. This will give you the change to meet other guests you might want to have a meal or do a day trip with.

I have traveled a lot on business and often add 4 or 5 days after in whatever city I am staying with (naturally alone). I often meet people in the hotel and have ended up going put to dinner, the theater or once even a day trip with these people. Once I married I stopped doing this with single men to avoid mistaken impressions on their part, but always found couples or other single women to do things with.
nytraveler is offline  
Old Feb 9th, 2016, 11:15 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 25,426
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Of you concerns

pickpocketing is not that bad in Italy, but beware crowds and only carry what you don't care to lose

Naples airport is perfectly ok, flown in and out a few times

Venice food is not so bad, though I might focus on fish/seafood.

Emilia Romagna is a great place for food, so if Venice is off the list you might look at Padua
bilboburgler is offline  
Old Feb 10th, 2016, 12:01 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Re your concerns about Naples, a few links will show you your fears are unfounded (and stories like 'crime and garbage' are based on nonsense stories from people who have never been there, no nothing of the city and think the Camorra are around every corner and target tourists - it's a bit like Chinese whispers)

The pedestrian Lungomare
http://tinyurl.com/zynovqq

Via Toledo - main shopping street with metro stops and access to the historic centre
http://tinyurl.com/zm7czgo

Via Tribunali - heart of the Historic Centre
http://tinyurl.com/h4mx2pf

And just in case I should be accused of highlighting the 'nice' parts of town, here is the road between the main station and the port - one that many tourists see, say they've 'been to Naples' and proclaim it dirty. It's not the most attractive part of town but it's not drowning in rubbish.
http://tinyurl.com/jfgdgas

Those Google Street View images are from last August/September and it still looked like that last time I was there a few weeks ago.

Take a look at this website for a ton of information
http://www.napoliunplugged.com/

And the airport is fine - and depending where you stay - has fixed taxi fares to the airport with the most expensive fare from the Posillipo area (but I doubt you will want to stay there - it's too far from the sights). Enjoy your planning.
Blueeyedcod is offline  
Old Feb 10th, 2016, 07:41 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I was apprehensive too about Naples' dicier side but found nothing to worry about - in fact I, while eating some gelatos in a cone, stepped into a missing cobblestone and fell smack down on the square facing the train station and bloodied my nose terribly - I was stunned for a few minutes - anyone could have taken my day pack, I wasn't even sure where I was, etc but after coming to locals came to my aid - asked profusely could they help, etc.

I went to the first aid in the train station, leaving a bloody trail en route and they looked at me and called an ambulance to check ouy my head whether there was a concussion or not, etc.

One guy in the ambulance then accompanied me during the whole few-hour stay - pushing my gurney along and being with me until he called a taxi for me - even though he worked in the hospital what he did was way out of his way - he said he liked Americas from the Viet Nam era when many spent R&R here and he, as a kid, sold them cigarettes and booze.

So I found Napolese (?) so helpful and friendly
PalenQ is offline  
Old Feb 10th, 2016, 10:43 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,534
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
>>Emilia Romagna is a great place for food, so if Venice is off the list you might look at Padua
sandralist is offline  
Old Feb 10th, 2016, 10:50 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 97,137
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
<wearing my backpack in front of me in crowded areas, a money belt and belt loop zip pockets will be good enough>

You don't need to do all that. As long as your valuables are in your money belt(s), you can wear your backpack in the normal way!!

Don't skip Venice.
suze is offline  
Old Feb 10th, 2016, 12:10 PM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You don't need to do all that. As long as your valuables are in your money belt(s), you can wear your backpack in the normal way!!>

Yes that's what I do and several times over the years in crowded places have found my unprotected day pack zipper unzipped! Suze has the right way - besides wearing in front may imply to would-be thieves you may have something worth stealing! (Plus looking like a dork - that said in a few dicey areas I have actually done that! - Like at the Paris Flea Markets where one young lad of a booth owner stuck his hand in my empty front pocket - after that I did the dork thing there too.
PalenQ is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Sumanhm
Europe
7
Feb 28th, 2019 06:11 PM
welks_au
Europe
3
Apr 29th, 2018 04:19 PM
Brandi822
Europe
37
Nov 1st, 2017 05:01 PM
indiancouple
Europe
16
Jun 28th, 2013 10:11 PM
stephanie_p
Europe
10
Feb 24th, 2007 07:55 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -