thursdaysd

"especially if none speaks Italian and needs emergency health assistance"

Oh, please. You take your phrase book along to the pharmacy, and you probably don't need the phrase book (I don't speak Italian and usually use sign language if the pharmacist doesn't speak English). If it's more serious you go to the emergency room, ditto.

Plus, they shouldn't be traveling without medical insurance and medical evacuation insurance, and those policies come with numbers you can call for English-speaking assistance.

arf007

I think you guys will be fine! It definitely is more scary/intimidating when you have never done it before and don't know what to expect. It think you will likely find it to be surprisingly easy if you do a little homework beforehand. That was the first country I ever traveled to and it was easy to get around and communicate etc... Lots of people speak English in all the main touristy areas, if you are going far off the beaten path knowing some Italian would definitely be useful and it is always good to know the basics, please, thank you, words for questions, and things like that. Train travel is very easy there, just read up on how it works. You need to learn the Italian words for what they call the train cars/word for seat etc, then it won't confuse you reading the tickets. Just take the time to do the research on the places you want to visit and it will make you feel more comfortable. I like to cut and paste an itinerary together and keep it in my e-mail or you could even print a copy so you have flights/places to stay and their addresses/ and travel info organized. I find it very safe in the popular cities like Rome, Florence, Venice... Naples was the only place I would say I wouldn't walk around in at night alone. It definitely had different vibe, but the best pizza! I took a trip there from Rome there last visit just to eat pizza =) I traveled through Italy for 2 weeks as a female solo traveler a couple years ago (I was 35 so a bit older) and it was great. I have stayed in hostels in Italy, all over Europe, Brazil, Thailand, Argentina (traveling alone)....just try and pick ones that have some sort of storage locker you can lock up your valuables in (like your passport) and you may need to travel with your own lock in some cases. Hostelwold.com is a site I have used alot, I try to pick hostels based on user reviews and location in city to what I want to do see or easy access to public transportaion. Just read up on message boards/online for travel tips and experiences of other travelers so you know more what to expect or any scams etc to watch out for. I have planned all my trips myself and I used message boards/internet/Trip advisor/travel books etc...Keep a close eye/hand on your luggage at the airport and keeping bags/backpacks/purses close especially on crowded buses or metros. Keep backpacks on your front so no one can sneak in and unzip and don't hang bags on the back of chairs in restaurants like people tend to do here. Italians are great people, I have had very positive experiences on all 3 visits there. Keep your passport in a secure place, use some common sense and you most likely will be just fine! It's one of the most visited countries in the world! I just traveled to Thailand/Cambodia for the first time (alone) and I found even that to be very easy, no real issues with language barriers etc...and like someone else said.. get some travel insurance it is very inexpensive in the event you have a more serious medical issue.

arf007

oops...I didn't read through your whole post so I probably gave you too much information...lol... you guys will be just fine....hostels are safe but don't too trusting and leave valuable things in bags not in a locker... I have stayed places with no lockers and left suitcases out no problem...but for sure people get things stolen, just hang onto money/passports if no lockers keep them on you and don't leave in your luggage. you can try to stay in hostels that sleep 4 to a room and if there are 3 of you..then only one person could potentially be in the room with you...if you are really concerned..

tower

Vespa...you are some piece of work. Attacking me because you don't think anyone other than you has enough experience or judgment to comment on the young lady's question. Seems like your in the monority. How many married grandchildren do you have?