Four adults in early to mid 60's want to spend several weeks in northern Italy around October.
Has anyone our age attempted to take a duffel bag on wheels and use the trains to visit the area. We need help in finding inexpensive accomadations preferably with private bath. Our main interest is to see some off-the beaten path sights. Advise is really needed since we are used to traveling with a tour group but since we have all retired we want to try on our own. Are we crazy? Thanks for all your help.

We are in our 50s and have taken 7 or 8 trips to Europe on our own. Wouldn't think of a tour group. Europe is extremely easy to do on yoour own. The research beforehand is a great part of the trip and helps extend the joys of the trip. We each have an Eagle Creek suitcase that is wheeled but will convert to a backpack if necessary. It also has a detachable day pack. We are fine with this on trains and buses. However, we have usually found that car rental is cheaper for even 2 of us. This would probably make even greater sense since there are 4 of you and you want to visit off the beaten track places which are the type of places we usually choose too. We have never had any problems driving. Do your research ahead and you'll have a ball. As far as lodging, most people who post here tend to stay in fancier places than you are looking for so their advice probably won't be what you are looking for. Lonely Planet, Rough Guide and Rick Steves probably have more the type of lodging recommendations you are looking for.

If you're travelling in Italy in October, you will have no problem finding accommodation as you go. In Venezia, go to the hotel booking office in Santa Lucia station as soon as you arrive (the earlier in the day you get there, the better the choice); in most other towns and cities, just go into a suitable-looking hotel and they'll almost certainly have rooms. I'm only in my 50s (though I prefer to say I'm close to my late-40s), but I have no problem using public transport and finding accommodation. Hotels are plentiful in Italy, but it's useful to take guide books that list suitable places.

Hi Moyah,

It is done all of the time. In Praiano, we were seated next to a couple who were planning how they would spend their social security money when they became eligible (this year).
They were each carrying a back pack.

May I suggest that for several weeks in October, you start in Tuscany and work your way down to the Amalfi Coast?

Although my husband and I are in our mid and late 40's, we found our duffle bag on wheels to be a pain, especially on the cobblestone streets. All our clothes would settle to the bottom and it was awkward to manouver on the trains. Next trip, we're travelling light and taking back-packs - hands free!

Hi Moyah - Congratulations on your adventurous spirit!

In 2002 I spent a month backpacking with my 60 year young mother in Italy. We both had backpacks and stayed in hostels or cheap hotels. Most hostels now adays have private rooms (for 1, 2, or 4 people) which can come with bath. Just do some research on www.hostels.com for reviews.

As another poster said - don't take the duffle bag on wheels. They are a pain to try to pick up and maneuver on cobble stone streets. My mother has used a wheeled duffle bag and back pack. She swears she'll never use anything but a backpack again.

One more thought or you. You may want to look into Untours as compromise option if you are intersted in staying in one location for 2 weeks and then doing day trips. They offer apartment stays and some local assistance.

Did the back pack route (no wheels-they really are a nuisance) last year to celebrate 50th birthdays and will be doing it 20 years from now, health permitting.

Would heartily endorse the route of as few but excellent "travel clothes" as possible and leave hands free. Unless you must go to the most expensive dining places, you don't need to cart around clothes that require coddling, especially in the out-of-the-way places you are keen to discover.

My husband is 60 and we travel with backpacks only. We too use the Eagle Creek brand with zippered day pack. As we travel in the winter, that's all we take - besides my big "purse". Hat, gloves, scarves and other items are in pockets so never get counted as baggage and neither is my gawd-awful fannypack (passport, camera, film, ATM and credit cards). Granted I look pregnant with it tucked under my clothes and coat.

In Italy we did everything by train and while we missed some possible small towns, we still managed to get to Santa Margherita, the Cinque Terra, Siena, San G., in addition to the major stops of Milan, Florence and Rome.

No you are not crazy--you are alive.
We have done 12 independent trips to Italy, but we are hardly backpackers and usually drive. And, half of those trips have been in Oct. The Lakes and the Dolomites can be a bit iffy after mid-Oct. Start north and work your way south. I would fly into Milan and start at Lago Como in early Oct., then down to the Cinque Terre coast, into Tuscany for mid-Oct. and end on the Amalfi coast and fly home from Rome. You may want a car for the Tuscany segment. Go to slowtrav.com for some more input on how to plan a good trip to Italy. Good luck !