Please help a FiftySomething Woman going to Italy
 

I am new here and have spent all day going through the messages, you give such good advice.

I used to go to Italy with my husband but we never got further south than Rome and now that he is gone I would like to travel anyway.

What would you suggest for me in the South of Italy? Friends say to be careful in that area because a woman alone will be afraid but I would love to visit the Amalfi Coast and some of the islands including Sicily.

Has any single woman of my age gone to Amalfi Coast or Sicily alone? Thank you for helping me.

What do your friends say a woman travelling there alone will be afraid of?

I can't think offhand of anything about the Amalfi coast which is particularly threatening, in comparison with the rest of Europe.

I'd recommend a trip just to Sicily. There's an enormous amount to see, but you can get a feel for parts of it in about two weeks and then can keep going back. I'm also a woman in my 50s and have been to Sicily four times, twice in recent years alone. I wouldn't hesitate to go there alone again. I did not want to rent a car alone, but then I don't want to rent a car anywhere alone; it has nothing to do with Sicily.

"They" (women who have only traveled with their husbands) say that the men are as aggressive as their driving and a woman would not be safe alone.

They mentioned that Sicily is barren and wild too and that a woman alone would be scared.

cmt, you have gone there and you weren't afraid. You even had a good time so I am getting conflicting stories. I tend to believe you though even though I am not very wild or aggressive myself.

Maybe this is the foundation of a Fodorites' trip?

What month do you have in mind?

May 2005 would be good.

Best wishes,

Rex

Minerva, I think it's very difficult to judge for another person. A travel situation or locale I find to be amusing or only mildly adventurous(because I've done quite a bit of solo travel), might be intimidating or frightening for another woman who is not used to being on her own.

Having said that... I encourage you to try it! in some form or other. If Sicily alone feels like too much for you on your first solo trip, what about joining a tour (I'm thinking Rick Steves or Elderhostel types) or maybe going back to the northern citites that you are already familiar with? Then work up to the Sicily trip a bit later when you have more solo experience and feel more confident in your travel skills.

I didnt realize that you have fodors trips. Do you travel together often?

How registered fodors are on this site?

I might consider a fodors trip but I had thought I could do one on my own. I was thinking of late this year or early next year.

Rex, are you the tour leader?

PS: I was reading some of your trip's reports and some of you seem like live wires, especially one I am thinking of.

I am not sure if my wires are still connected!

There have barely been Fodorites' trips (three that I know of - - and two of them were just two people traveling together), and none of the the three trips has been "conducted", condoned or sponsord by Fodors. I was indeed the leader of a trip of seven who went to Italy in 2001, and I would love to do it again.

It's just a matter of people corresponding by e-mail, setting a plan, an itinerary and laying out a plan for the logisitics and the finances.

Rex.

My husband and I are going to be in Italy in May of 2005 (just started planning) as our daughter will be doing a quarter in Sienna. We wouldn't want to do an actual "organized group", but it might be fun to meet up somewhere for a drink and to chat. So, keep in touch.

theregoesminerva--
I was in Italy with another women friend and yes, the men, approached and such, but it was no big deal. Now that I'm over 50, I might even be flattered if they did (LOL).

Now that my 20 yr. old daughter is going, I mentined this to a young woman who works in the International travel office and has lived in Italy, and she said, it's just part of the culture and is really quite innocent and all you need to do is ignore it.

If you want to go, by all means GO!

Well, I'm going by myself, leaving family behind, for an 8 day rental in Amalfi in Oct. So hope your info is wrong, because I am looking forward to being there by myself. I will add that Rome and south of Rome seems more, well, Italian in many ways, including such ways as you are probably thinking about, but also in all the ways that make Italy Italy to me.
Dee

Hi Minerva,

>"They" ..say that the men are aggressive ...and a woman would not be safe alone.<

As Sophia Loren said in one of her movies, "Keep your nose up and your skirts down".

I think that you would have a very pleasant visit if you did 3-4 days in Naples and a week on the Amalfi Coast.

See my trip report:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044

Minerva, go for it! You are only as old as you think you are. I know plenty of live wires your age. If a handsome Italian hits on you, how cool is that? You can always say "no thanks," and walk away with a smile on your face.

My best advice: Buy some new clothes that are flattering and stylish (not matronly) and get a really great hair cut (& color?) before you go.

I have opened a new tour service for lovely Fiftysomething woman who need an attentive and sensitive guide with refined manners and a flair for saying and doing just the right things.

And rest assured, you will have nothing to fear as we laugh and walk arm and arm into a wonderful italian sunset and our 6-star hotel.

When can I do your credit check and background investigation?

Best hurry - my fall schedule is filling up fast.

I would suggest that you get the clothes and the makeover after you get there.

ira, BAD idea for all sorts of reasons. I would not want to experiment with a new hair cut/color unless I could speak fluently and with nuance to the hair stylist. I'd also want to go somewhere recommended by someone I know.

Not everyone can buy clothes and wear them out of the store. (I always have to have pants shortened, for example.) Sizes are different. Etc.

If you are a gorgeous young thing with enormous self-confidence, yes, you can risk a new haircut and wardrobe in a foreign country. For me, I would be a mass of anxiety if I didn't have those things taken care of before I left.

>If you are a gorgeous young thing with enormous self-confidence, yes, you can risk a new haircut and wardrobe in a foreign country. <

OK. I admit to being a gorgeous young thing. :)

Thank you Rex, I will keep your offer in mind AND also yours Degas! How did you know I was rolling in dough? And not the pastry kind either!

Seriously, I am pretty low on the frumpo meter still and I guess I could jump start my wires and have a good time by myself.

Afterall, my lady friends think they are wild when they go to the theatre without their husbands! I think I will go for it like you, Dee.

Now I have to start planning!

Hi minerva,

You might find my trip report useful in planning your visit.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044

Minerva, sounds like you are right on track for a great time. Your own state of mind will be a huge determinant of how much you enjoy yourself! One more option to consider....in some areas, you can still be on your own and then sign on for just a day or half day tour of some sites. To tour or not to tour doesn't have to be an all or nothing decision.