Hi, I will be visiting Italy at the beginning of February 2010 and am stumped about what to include. I am a female in my 20's, will be traveling solo and it's my first trip to Italy. I'm flying into Catania on the 2nd of Feb. and out of Milan on 13th of April, taking 2- 1 week trips to other countries.

I also had a 4 day Malta trip planned (in Feb.) and my question is should I take it? There are plenty of things I want to see in Italy and those 4 days could come in handy in other places such as Matera, the Lakes, Elba, etc. Going in Feb. means no snorkeling and I don't know if going just for the sights is worth it. By the way I'm not looking for lots of night life, I'm not too big on ruins, I love architecture, like art, and don't mind museums. I like to do things such as kayaking and caving. So should I spend my 4 days on Malta?

My 2nd question: I have 1 day to spend on the Aeolians and was thinking of seeing Panarea and Stromboli in the evening. Is this worthwhile in February and are these good choices of islands to see?

Also, does anyone know if most of the thermal baths will be open on Ischia during this time?

And: is it easier to take day trips to Capri and maybe Ischia from Lipari or from Napoli/Sorrento area?

I know lots of questions, lol. Please answer what you can... it will be a great help to me!

February is winter. Average February temperature in Naples, Italy, is 48 deg F.

I think the Aeolians islands have limited ferry service during the winter, so quick daytrips to those areas are not easy to accomplish. Even Capri and Ischia may have limited ferry service due to weather.

What are the actual dates you're going to be in Italy (i.e., not the two weeks you're spending in other countries)?

Since most if not all of the terme on Ischia are located in hotels, I assume at least most of them are open year-round.

One of the things that would deter me from heading to Malta at that time of year is how windy it can be -- all around Sicily.

There are thermal springs and caves (and Etruscan tombs) all over Italy. You might consider sticking to the mainland. (Monsummano Terme? Saturnia?)

They've got snorkeling and kayaking near where I live, but I don't know if anybody offers anything in February. Try a google search for Recco and Camogli, plus diving, kayaking, snorkeling.

I wouldn't go to the Italian Lakes in february.

Also, you might consider reposting with Malta, not Italy in your title or tag. I've never been to Malta, and I'm not sure many Italian travelers have. What it offers in terms of sights, etc. is unknown to me.

But the mainland of Italy is rich in such treasures, and if you love architecture, you could have a fascinating time in Venezia (not so cold, and a carnival to enjoy) and possibly Perugia, where you'd have lots of company with people you're age.

At that time of year,for a young woman alone, I would likely plan any Italian trips around cities. Maybe given your youth, you want to think about university cities? The choices are still vast: Bologna, Rome, Perugia, Venice. This way, with the right planning, you can be sure of company in the evenings. For example, Rome has a great pub tour. Also, if you are hostelling you will meet like-minded companions. 10 weeks of solitude seems a little excessive...

I will be visiting all of Italy during this time. Starting in the South and ending up north. I have 70 days- 14 of which will be side trips to other countries. So by the time I get to the Lakes it will be late March... early April. I may hostel some of the time but will be in hotels for the majority of my trip. I have no problem meeting new people and I will spend the majority of my time in cities especially Rome, Firenzie, Torino.

This is the only time I will be able to get away... and people I normally travel with either don't have the time or money for this trip. My plane tickets are booked... although I'd love to go in May its not an option for me.

On Ischia I was thinking of one of the two gardens.

Thanks!

Not all the ferries to Ischia are year-round. There is at least one from Naples, though, that is.

You may want to break your post down into seperate threads to get specific answers...perhaps those that are very knowledgable about Ischia would be able to answer your questions about 'gardens'?

Double check your hostel info for seaside destinations, too, as they are not always year-round. (Vieste, for example, has a great hostel that is only open June to September.)

Good luck with this trip!

Let me try rephrasing - which 14 days (what dates) will you be in other countries? I'm trying to match your questions with potential weather issues in various parts of the country; hence the question.

We just spent 3 days in Cinque Terre before flying out of Milan (a 3 hour direct train). It was one of our absolute favorite places and we can't wait to go back! I definitely think it would feel safe for a solo female traveler, but not sure what the weather is like in April, so might want to check that out. We stayed at Camere Giuliano in Vernazza, which was totally amazing. More info and pics at http://patrinadoestheglobe.blogspot.com/

StCirq- I don't have any set dates yet. I will be in Tunisia in February for a week, I have to ferry from Palermo to Tunis... and sometime in late March in Montenegro/Croatia also by ferry and probably for a week. I'm pretty flexible on everything but I thought it would be nice to see Sicily while I'm in the area.

katrinab- thanks for the positive vibes.. Cinque Terre is on my list for 2 days))).

People on here seem more concerned about the fact that I would think to go to Italy on my own, then actually answering my questions. The truth is when I told my parents about my travel plans they didn't even blink.... they know me well). The reactions on here make me wish I hadn't said I was going solo.

I saw the same sort of reaction to the post about some girls wanting to train through Europe. The comments were more about how people thought it wasn't the right way to travel and less focused on actually providing insight. I know you all mean well. But not everyone has the time and funds for frequent trips to Europe and that's the reason for trying to fit in so much in a short span. And the reason for me going solo no matter how strange it may seem... is simple: I want to enjoy life while I'm young, while I don't have kids and a mortgage. I don't want to wait until someone has the funds to go with me or until I'm too old to hike a volcano or go caving in Maiella. I realize that some days I will be miserable from the cold, and some days I will be lonely because I don't have any of my friends with me... but that's my choice and I've already made it. It would be nice if people didn't judge me for it or tell me how much it will suck, but if instead they would just help me by answering some of my questions.... that would be lovely. I realize this board is dominated by an older well traveled crowd and maybe a little more conservative and that is precisely why I posted here.... I can really use the expertise you have to offer.... but I am going to Italy. In February. On my own.

Jenn,

Nobody suggested you weren't mature enough to travel on your own, nor did anyone tell you your trip will suck (but it might, sometimes trips do). Nor did anyone judge you. People very nicely asked you to clarify your stupid, inadequate post and offered you suggestions about where you might find people who shared your interests. You were treated no different than anybody else in having it pointed out to you that your travel time frame is not ideal for going caving, or that young women traveling alone on trains are more vulnerable to crime than other people.

What would be "lovely" is if you would put up a coherent post about your travel plans and desires. You are not going to Italy. You are going to Malta and Tunisia.

Your response really does make you sound like a child, whining. Like you said, you're on your own.

hey jenn, try not to be so reactive, in your travels you will meet many different types of people, many people say thefirst thing that comes to mind when asked a question and it doesn't necessarily mean they are judging you, they are just expressing their concerns and we are all entitled to a point of view. That said, I went to Italy on my own for 3 weeks and it was a great experience. I met other travellers and locals at various places, sometimes I missed having someone to say " look at that" to, but then because i was on my own i met people i never would have or gone in a random direction that i might not have. I went in January and loved it, but i am more of a sites and gallery type and would rather see an amazing art piece than do a sport that I could do at home, I walked a lot though. A good travel book applicable to your age group will give you advice on where to be wary, as these times will occur. Train travel was fun, I started from Munich, across the mountains into Venice, onto Florence, Perugia, Siena, Rome ( lots of side trips from there) and then up to Milan (which was my least favourite) and overnight train back to Frankfurt where I flew home from. All this in 3 weeks and that was not enough and i didn't travel as far and wide as you hope to. All the best, you can do it just be sensible.

There is nothing wrong with travelling solo through Italy and other places. Italy is a safe country and certainly much safer than the U.S. You will enjoy your trip.

However:

You start your trip in winter and hence expect cold weather and many attractions being closed. A quick internet search showed me that most spas on Ischia do not open before end of March. On the coast, e.g. Amalfi or Cinque Terre, most hotels will be closed too.

The good thing is that there is little risk that hotels will be fully booked. If I were you, I would be flexible. Do not plan your trip in detail, but see how the weather evolves (forget weather statistics) and make your plans accordingly. Italy has much to offer, and at the end of your trip you will catch some beautiful spring weather - a good opportunity to visit the beautiful lakes in the North - Lake Garda, Lake Como, Lago Maggiore and the others.

Your side trip to Tunesia will give you some warmth (although when we were in Tunis, we had 16°C and rain in early April).

I would not go to Malta - I personally found it rather boring and I cannot imagine what to do there this time of year.

Croatia, Montenegro - well, I am not sure if I should recommend it. Compared to Italy, these countries never overwhelmed me. And for a young solo woman, these countries are certainly more difficult. At least, my wife has been harassed there several times.

Rather consider a side trip to Cote d'Azur - it is mild and beautiful in spring and has zillions of attractions.

This board is very supportive of solo travel, especially for women. I think the response about going solo was to suggest that places with more activity would be better, not that solo travel was not a good thing.

Responders sometimes need more info than an original post offers therefore ask questions so as to give considered answers. Every person cannot answer every question. This is not a fluff board but one of serious travelers so please be patient with requests for more information!

<< I'm not looking for lots of night life, I'm not too big on ruins, I love architecture, like art, and don't mind museums >>

Based on the above criteria from you I would suggest not visiting Malta. It does not have as interesting architecture as you find in Italy as every building is made from the same natural stone - limestone - and the island appears to be all beige w/o much architectural diversity.

Malta is full of ruins and than is one of the reason folks visit Malta.

If by "art" you mean paintings and sculpture there is not a lot of this type of art on Malta.

The food is unexceptional on Malta (I realize that you did not state that food is a criterion but thought I would add this comment to help you out).

OTOH the churches on Malta are exceptional and many of them are highly decorated with Italian inlaid and carved marble. But you can see even more exquisite churches in Rome.

I cannot answer your other questions as I do not have the requisite experience.

I totally support solo travel and will shortly be taking another solo trip to Europe.

Hey, Jenn11, if it is me you meant with that hissy fit above, you've got the wrong end of the stick entirely. You sounded quite open and appreciative at 4:34pm...by 2:58am, you are ranting. What the heck happened?

I did more than 'mean well'. I tried very hard to be specifically helpful with information that I thought answered the questions you had asked including 1)suggesting re-posting for very specific questions rather than your large bundling of queries, 2)hostelling information and 3)Ischia ferry schedules.

I am one of the biggest boosters of solo female travel and youth on this board. I taught and lived in Italy and led travel groups of college-aged kids in Rurope. My own daughter traveled Europe extensively, solo, off-season, at far younger age than you are.

You asked for info, and that is what you go: if you are looking for a cheer-leading squad for your initiative, this is not the place.