Hi! next summer im planning on taking a 2 month trip after i graduate.
I've decided on backpacking through Italy. Staying in youth hostels and purchasing a 10 day Eurail Pass. This will be my first trip alone/ to Europe/ Backpacking. any tips? should i plan ahead or just wing it (hostel booking, tickets to museums)?

I have narrowed down the places i want to travel, but its far from complete. please help me with it! I would love to here what you think! im interested in everything but after a while im sure ill get tired of museums and churches. i love hiking and scenery and metting new people. and nightlife! any great local resturants i should check out? I am planning on becoming a chef.

Heres what ive got so far.
these arn't in order of my route
My Must Sees: Rome, Venice, Florence, Cinque Terre, Verona, Tuscany (Lucca, Siena, San Gimignano, any more must sees here?) Capri, Sicily: (not sure what cities) Pompeii, Milan, Bologna.


Ive heard that these places are worth seeing but dont know much about them:

Lecce, Naples, Assisi, Turin, Sorrento, Genoa, Perugia, Pisa - (ive also heard its not worth going to)?

I'm sure you will get lots of help here, but Thorntree is a good place to also post as more posters are younger backpackers etc. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/index.jspa