Italy - Single Traveler
Dec 8th, 2012, 06:44 AM
#21
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SDee,
I travel solo frequently. Most often at home in the US, but I've also launched myself out to a new country with very little concern - but with an intelligent amount of preparation.
The first time I had a few more days vacation than my 3 traveling companions, so I flew to France and drove myself around the Loire for a few days before meeting them in Paris. I had never been to France before and don't speak French at all. Had a GREAT time and no big problems.
Second time, I did a 3 week trip to Italy where I again drove solo. That was my 3rd tirp to Italy and it was easy.
This April I'm traveling to Sicily for 3 weeks solo. Can't wait!
You can plan your trip here with the help of the Fodorites and you will feel well prepared. No need for a tour. I do like the suggestion of signing up for a couple of city tours once you are there. I did Context Rome's "Arte Vatican" and "Antiche Rome" tours on my last trip and thought they were worth every penny.
You will be surprised how many opportunities you have to meet others. I was in Rome for 5 nights and there were two couples in my hotel staying the same nights. We hit it off a breakfast and did a couple of dinners together during our stay. Great people! I also usually end up chatting with the people at the next table during dinner (if they seem inclined).
When you travel solo, you need to travel light and do your preparation so you can be self sufficient. Know how things work and how to buy your tickets, etc. Have good maps.
Off you go! If you would like to read my old trip report, just click on my name.
There is lots of excellent, detailed, practical information on the Slowtrav.com web page and in Rick Steve's guidebooks. Stuff like how to read a train ticket, etc.
10 days will go by like 3 - trust me. If you can take longer, do it!
I travel solo frequently. Most often at home in the US, but I've also launched myself out to a new country with very little concern - but with an intelligent amount of preparation.
The first time I had a few more days vacation than my 3 traveling companions, so I flew to France and drove myself around the Loire for a few days before meeting them in Paris. I had never been to France before and don't speak French at all. Had a GREAT time and no big problems.
Second time, I did a 3 week trip to Italy where I again drove solo. That was my 3rd tirp to Italy and it was easy.
This April I'm traveling to Sicily for 3 weeks solo. Can't wait!
You can plan your trip here with the help of the Fodorites and you will feel well prepared. No need for a tour. I do like the suggestion of signing up for a couple of city tours once you are there. I did Context Rome's "Arte Vatican" and "Antiche Rome" tours on my last trip and thought they were worth every penny.
You will be surprised how many opportunities you have to meet others. I was in Rome for 5 nights and there were two couples in my hotel staying the same nights. We hit it off a breakfast and did a couple of dinners together during our stay. Great people! I also usually end up chatting with the people at the next table during dinner (if they seem inclined).
When you travel solo, you need to travel light and do your preparation so you can be self sufficient. Know how things work and how to buy your tickets, etc. Have good maps.
Off you go! If you would like to read my old trip report, just click on my name.
There is lots of excellent, detailed, practical information on the Slowtrav.com web page and in Rick Steve's guidebooks. Stuff like how to read a train ticket, etc.
10 days will go by like 3 - trust me. If you can take longer, do it!
Dec 8th, 2012, 07:19 AM
#22
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I have traveled extensively, and about 80% of my travels is alone,im a female also,and i can say that even though i enjoy traveling with friends and family, but also you can truly enjoy traveling alone just as much, im traveling to Italy in February alone also.
Dec 8th, 2012, 07:47 AM
#23
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I'm also female and in my 50s. I also travel alone and have been to Italy several times. Have travelled both independently and with tours. I do enjoy travelling alone and find I can do most things very happily, except that eating alone can be daunting sometimes. Some find it very easy to strike up a rapport with other travellers. Think it depends a bit on what you want to do. I have enjoyed the two tours I have done to different Italian regions, they were for solo travellers and I felt very comfortable to be with similar people. I am also looking to go back next year with a solo tour group to a different region.
If you have only 10 days and have not been to Italy before I would stick to just Rome and Florence (and surrounding areas) as there is so much to see just there. If you do go independently for all or part of your trip you could book up one day trips so you would not be alone. I went for a week to Florence a year or so ago and booked a one day trip with Artviva that went to some hill towns and Siena, which was OK. I also took the train by myself and went to Lucca.
I think which way you go - tour or independent - depends on what you feel most comfortable doing. I dont think as a solo woman you're at any more risk than you would be travelling at home.
If you have only 10 days and have not been to Italy before I would stick to just Rome and Florence (and surrounding areas) as there is so much to see just there. If you do go independently for all or part of your trip you could book up one day trips so you would not be alone. I went for a week to Florence a year or so ago and booked a one day trip with Artviva that went to some hill towns and Siena, which was OK. I also took the train by myself and went to Lucca.
I think which way you go - tour or independent - depends on what you feel most comfortable doing. I dont think as a solo woman you're at any more risk than you would be travelling at home.
Dec 8th, 2012, 07:02 PM
#25
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Hi all,
Thank you so much for all of your advice. I now definitely think I will be ok going alone. I will start researching all of your suggestions and let you know my draft itinerary.
Have a great weekend!
Thank you so much for all of your advice. I now definitely think I will be ok going alone. I will start researching all of your suggestions and let you know my draft itinerary.
Have a great weekend!
Dec 9th, 2012, 02:06 AM
#26
Hi Sdee - hope that you enjoy your trip.
BTW I am never without the latest great invention for the solo traveller [the first being the book] - the Kindle!
you can slip it into your bag or even your coat pocket, it weighs virtually nothing, and if, like me, you go mad without something to read, it saves lugging all those books about.
just make sure that you remember to charge it up fully before you leave home.
BTW I am never without the latest great invention for the solo traveller [the first being the book] - the Kindle!
you can slip it into your bag or even your coat pocket, it weighs virtually nothing, and if, like me, you go mad without something to read, it saves lugging all those books about.
just make sure that you remember to charge it up fully before you leave home.
Dec 9th, 2012, 08:01 AM
#27
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in terms of harrassing females in public in various ways (not just catcalls, from what I've heard, but possible unwanted touching on some public transportation, for example)>
Well yeh Berlosconi when even a sitting PM was videoed simulating sex on a comely female Italian cop in the rear!
Well yeh Berlosconi when even a sitting PM was videoed simulating sex on a comely female Italian cop in the rear!
Dec 9th, 2012, 08:17 AM
#28
Pal - our italian teacher played us a very funny film as part of our last 2 lessons - it's called "lezioni di cioccolato" - and was clearly aimed at a family audience.
We [a not very young mixed class of brits] were rather surprised, and not a little embarrassed, when half-way through there was a rather steamy sex scene, whereas our teacher, who is herself italian, thought that it was quite normal.
Clearly Italians have different ideas about what is acceptable to brits and americans. [but IME even most italians drew a line at Berlusconi and his bunga bunga parties!]
We [a not very young mixed class of brits] were rather surprised, and not a little embarrassed, when half-way through there was a rather steamy sex scene, whereas our teacher, who is herself italian, thought that it was quite normal.
Clearly Italians have different ideas about what is acceptable to brits and americans. [but IME even most italians drew a line at Berlusconi and his bunga bunga parties!]
Dec 9th, 2012, 09:07 AM
#29
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Hey,
I'm also thinking of going solo Italy for the first time and over 50. I got a free ticket to Europe until the end of March.
I'm in great shape and also would like to go near some lakes to take pix of wildflowers. Otherwise, Florence would be a blast.
Not thinking of going any further north than that though.
You should know how exquisite are the 3 great lakes of Maggiore, Como and Lugano...used to live there.
I'm also thinking of going solo Italy for the first time and over 50. I got a free ticket to Europe until the end of March.
I'm in great shape and also would like to go near some lakes to take pix of wildflowers. Otherwise, Florence would be a blast.
Not thinking of going any further north than that though.
You should know how exquisite are the 3 great lakes of Maggiore, Como and Lugano...used to live there.
Dec 9th, 2012, 11:57 AM
#30
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"Italy in March or April" . Is it important to you to be in Italy for Holy Week and Easter ( March 31, 2013) ? If not, make sure not to include those dates in your trip, as it will definitely be more crowded everywhere you go and some popular tourist sites will be closed at that time.
After you decide what places you want to see in Rome and Florence, determine whether you want to do a tour of some kind, or visit on your own..if you do visit on your own, you can book in advance so that you spend less time waiting in line. You may also want to consider taking a walking tour in each city.
If you are interested, you can find one day cooking classes in Rome or Florence where you will undoubtedly be eating a meal with others.
you can easily travel by yourself by train from Rome to Florence;just be aware of your belongings as you would on any train trip by yourself.
"10 days" if that does not include the travel days to and from Italy, it would be enough time to see a lot in both cities. If you have more time and can stay for another 2-3 nights, go to Venice, and then fly home from Venice; or use additional days, so you can have a day to go to Pompeii while in Rome, or see a bit of Tuscany. You can take a train from Florence to Sienna for a day.
After you decide what places you want to see in Rome and Florence, determine whether you want to do a tour of some kind, or visit on your own..if you do visit on your own, you can book in advance so that you spend less time waiting in line. You may also want to consider taking a walking tour in each city.
If you are interested, you can find one day cooking classes in Rome or Florence where you will undoubtedly be eating a meal with others.
you can easily travel by yourself by train from Rome to Florence;just be aware of your belongings as you would on any train trip by yourself.
"10 days" if that does not include the travel days to and from Italy, it would be enough time to see a lot in both cities. If you have more time and can stay for another 2-3 nights, go to Venice, and then fly home from Venice; or use additional days, so you can have a day to go to Pompeii while in Rome, or see a bit of Tuscany. You can take a train from Florence to Sienna for a day.
Dec 9th, 2012, 03:06 PM
#31
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Clearly Italians have different ideas about what is acceptable to Brits and Americans. [but IME even most i\Italians drew a line at Berlusconi and his bunga bunga parties!]>
that don't seem to stop him from saying today he will be running again for PM next time and he must think Italians will not hold him having underage sex to be anything at all to worry about - nor his proven millions of dollars of ill-gotten gains from corruption.
that don't seem to stop him from saying today he will be running again for PM next time and he must think Italians will not hold him having underage sex to be anything at all to worry about - nor his proven millions of dollars of ill-gotten gains from corruption.
