Hey! I'm a 23 year old girl from North Carolina currently living in NY (aspiring actor woohoo)! The only place I have been abroad is Istanbul, which was incredible, but I'm ready to save and go somewhere else. My dream is Italy, but I have no clue how to go about it. I'm thinking I might just go to a city in Italy for a month, settle in, and do day trips or weekend trips to other places. I'd love to do a whole Europe trip, but I think I'd rather just really immerse myself in one place- thoughts? And if I were to do that, any city suggestions?? Florence? Rome? Or even 2 weeks in Italy somewhere and 2 weeks in another country?? I'm going to be traveling probably sometime July-September (which isn't always the best time I hear) but it's the time I have. Also- I have a very tight budget since I just graduated, but I figure now's the time to travel in my life so I'm going to save and I want to make it happen! Help would be greatly appreciated!

If you have a month, I'd choose September - a decent month to go to Europe in general. The weather is still decent, but you miss the summer family vacationers from North America, although in Italy there are still tons and tons of American tourists especially in the tourist spots like Rome, Florence, and Venice. Airfares should be lower than in the summer.

I well understand your dream to see Italy, but your US dollar will go further in other countries - for example, some of the Balkan countries like Slovenia, Croatia, and Montenegro. I've visited Slovenia and Croatia a few times as recently as just last year (click my name above to read my trip report). Not to say they are in any way exactly the same as Italy though you'll also find fewer tourists (except for Dubrovnik) and as I said probably cheaper prices than Italy. There's probably no city in Croatia I'd want to stay for a month, though, but you could certainly spend a few weeks along the beautiful Dalmatian Coast and in Italian-influenced Istria in northern Croatia.

But there's nothing wrong with going to Italy the entire time if that's what you really want to do. They have a fantastic train system and it's easy (and affordable) to use it to travel all over the place e.g. for day trips.

"My dream is Italy, but I have no clue how to go about it.'

My answer: research, research, research! Get a few good guidebooks (the Rough Guide, Lonely Planet, and Let's Go generally cover lower-cost options well), or consult a few at a local library.

Each guidebook should have a section on when to go. With the options you face, I'd aim for September -- a little cooler, and little less crowded, and maybe even a tad more affordable than July or August. That said, I encourage you to read what the guidebooks say and see what makes most sense to you. There may be a festival or celebration that you really want to see, or a special exhibit or performance....

Each guidebook should also give you a good sense of what each major city / area is like, and you will find that Florence and Rome are VERY different cities. I generally prefer to keep my travels within a country or region, in part because I am fascinated by the contrasts between areas that seem so close by modern standards, but were different domains separated by a long journey back when they began.

If Italy calls to you, I can't think of a reason why you should NOT go there -- IMO, it has some beautiful and fascinating areas, with great food and wine and options for all sorts of things that don't need to cost an arm and a leg. The guidebooks will have sections on food and how to keep food costs down; lodging, and how to keep lodging costs down; transportation, and how to keep transportation costs down. They will also have sections on the things you never even knew to ask.

Hope that helps!

I'd aim for Bologna, the place is heaving with student types (and Italian degree length means that hits your age group) the place is great for train visits to other spots live Verona/Venice/Ravenna/ Ferrara/Moderna/ Padua/ even Milan/Bergamo.

But you timing sucks, aim as late as possible so late August and early Sept would be far better.

Agree about timing.

Not only US tourists are flocking to Italy, some Europeans are also on holiday.

Disagree about Slovenia at least- not that cheap, I wish it had been cheaper.

Roma Firenze Bologna or Torino - less crowded and very beautiful too. Pisa is full of students but it is finally a relatively small city and not so much to see once you have seen the tower.

Trains are relatively cheap in Italy I've heard ?

If you have 3 or 4 weeks in Italy there is no way I would stay in one place and try to do day trips. Italy is way bigger than that.

I would center in 3 or 4 different places, staying in hostels both to save money and meet other young travelers to do things with, spending perhaps 4 or 5 days in the city and then doing a couple of day trips into the countryside or to other towns that catch your interest.

Agree that you need to do a lot of research now, both on where you would like to go (Michelin green guide is good for a LOT of info, rating sights and telling you how long it takes to see them) and building a budget. The Let's Go Student Guides are good for the latter, with many tips on saving money/living cheaply.

Do start looking at flights now - since you never know when deals will pop up - so you are ready to pounce when you see one.