I'm planning my first solo trip. Althrough I have traveled many times to a number of places with family and friends this will be my first solo trip. I've done some research and I am intrested in the provance Lecce in southern italy. I am very potite and in my early 20's so my mom has made some concerns about the dangers of traveling in the southern parts of italy as a solo women traveler. Although I have looked into it and what I have found is all said to be very harmless and have some common sence. I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on how dangerous this could actually be.

What dangers does you Mom say exist?

Though I'm a male I've traveled around Europe for centuries now and have never heard of any overt dangers to single women traveling alone anywhere. Now in Ialy I have seen immature young men doing whistles and catcalls, etc but I think that is dying out. Pickpockets and street scams exist everywhere but much more so in say Rome than Lecce. Keep valuables in some kind of money belt/device that does under your clothes, especially in crowded areas. Beware of anyone coming up to you for any reason on the street - lots of scams there all over Italy- the old diversion tactic - one person has a map and asks directions from your whilst another accomplice may be pilfering your bags, etc. These problems exist for everyone of all ages. Leave the royal jewelry at home, etc. Take proper precautions and put angst at rest. Muggings, sexual assaults, etc are rarer than in any U.S. college town no doubt. That said getting drunk and going home with someone, etc. could be unwise - there as here.

Good advice from Palenq, mei3. Use the same caution and good sense in Italy as you would anywhere else.

I have traveled in Italy many times, both solo and with friends, and have had only one bad experience in countless trips there. One time when I was young and traveling with a friend, I went out on a date alone with a guy I'd met earlier in the day. He was oh so charming and took me to dinner and to the Tivoli Fountains outside of Rome. On the way home he parked the car and got fresh but fortunately nothing happened.

So just use your head and you should be fine.

Awesome thank you! That is pretty much what I was readying online. I think its more just a mothers concern, with that being said i just wanted to make sure and ask around a little more.

I’ve traveled to Lecce and other parts of southern Italy as a solo woman, and was treated with nothing but kindness and respect. Take normal precautions (e.g., don’t get drunk and fall asleep on a train) and you should be fine. And yes, using an under-your-clothing passport puch for your passport, extra credit cards, etc., is a very good idea.

You, or your mother, might find some value in trip reports posted by solo travelers:
Goin' solo...nothing like it! (A trip report collection)

Have fun!

I've traveled to Naples, the Amalfi coast and Sicily as a solo woman traveler (although considerably older than you, alas) but saw no reason for concern. I do wear a money belt, and I don't wander down deserted streets late at night.

I've traveled all over Italy as a single woman, and would second all the great advice you've gotten here so far. The only thing I would add is to never, ever accept a date with a waiter. Anywhere, any time. And you will get many offers. Stick to that, and you should be fine.

Agree!

I too have traveled to many countries alone. Using basic common sense & doing your homework beforehand
will help you in having a good trip.

I sense a story!

BTW, Lecce has an exceptionally long lunchtime siesta, during which just about everything shuts down and the streets can seem (and actually be!) nearly deserted. If you aren't accustomed to that, it can seem a bit eerie -- but it's just the midday break, nothing more.

The only thing I would add is to never, ever accept a date with a waiter. Anywhere, any time. And you will get many offers.>

Not just waiters -why single them out?