heartofthesouth

I would highly suggest it! I stayed in Rome on my first trip and would walk the back alleys at all times during the night by myself and NEVER once felt unsafe.

litefoot

I've traveled alone but am not sure I would tell my kids to do this. It is all in how you handle yourself. You have to know (or appear to know) what you are doing, stay confident, don't look Italian men in the eye, or for that matter the street sellers. Also, learn some phrases in Italian. As much as people say everyone speaks English in Italy, they don't, or won't. I agree with those who suggest having a plan. There are other tours you can look up on viator, you can do walking tours or take the hop on/hop off bus which will help you get a feel for the lay of the land.

This might be something you really want to do, solo travel is great, however it may be more fun to find someone to go with you the first time to Italy. I've been to Italy w/tour groups, with a friend and alone. If I had a choice I would pick going with a friend.

caroline_edinburgh

I first went to Italy as a young woman alone.

It is absolutely safe as long as in big cities, you take the same precautions you'd take in a big city in your home country - New York maybe ? All the usual like keeping hold of your handbag, not carrying much cash around, generally being aware.

How is your Italian ? You will find it a lot easier & more enjoyable if you learn as much as possible before you go.

In 12-14 days I'd also recommend no more than 3 places. If you fancy some time at the Cinque Terre and Florence is a must, I'd just add Rome. If it was me, however, I'd go for Venice, Rome & Amalfi.

november_moon

I am soooooo not a true loner, and I enjoy solo travel. I started travelling alone for work and occasionally tacking on some extra days here and there. That's a lot different than 2 weeks solo, but once you get used to being on your own, it is cool.

In addition to the walking tours, I you find a lot of fun people on bike tours too. Even when my husband and I travel together, we like to take these tours for the social aspect - it's nice to talk to OTHER people Culinary tours are also fun - such as a tapas and wine tour I took in Madrid recently. The group was very fun and we had a fabulous evenning.

annhig

exwray,

i certainly do not qualify as a youngster, but I understand your misgivings [and excitement] about a solo trip.

if you really want to try this, my advice would be to go to ONE place, and use that as a centre to explore. Why? because if you go to the same cafes, bars and shops for 2-3 days running, the people will start to remember you, to talk to you, possibly to find out about you, and you will have much more fun than if you are moving about and never having this experience.

otherwise, do what others have suggested and do a tour which you are interested in. In May, i am going to Italy for about 10 days - the first week will be at a language school, the last few days in Florence trying out my hopefully improved italian. I have chosen to stay in a small pension where i have already been able to correspond with the owners to book my room, rather than book through an anonymous website. they have a bar and a garden where i hope that I'll be able to sit and chat to other guests, at least part of the time.

Plan well, and know yourself, and I'm sure you'll be fine.

PS - millions of young women live in europe their entire lives without incident. no reason why you shouldn't be able to visit for 12 days and do the same.

adjskip

My daughter is spending the semester in Italy right now. She has travelled with friends and alone and has found the people warm and helpful. (She does know some Italian-and says if they see you are trying to speak the language they are very helpful). Her experiences in hostels over springbreak in Paris, Amsterdam and Venice were all positive.--really enjoyed the people she met. Good travels to you!!! Enjoy.

beanweb24

This is all really great advice. I'm in my late 30s, female, and traveled around Europe solo a lot this past summer when I was working briefly in London.

I would like to pass on an important two-part lesson that I learned during a recent solo trip to Greece: 1) don't trust someone because they look like your grandpa, and 2) if you wouldn't take the risk at home, don't take it abroad.

I learned my lesson the hard way. I had rented a car on Naxos and was out exploring. I stopped at a tourist site and met an older man who was taking his lunch break on a farm next to the site. He offered to show me around the site, and I agreed, as he seemed to know so much. He earned my trust at the site, and I stupidly accepted his offer to hop on his little motorbike to explore a nearby church. The church was incredible, but then he wanted to explore a nearby ruin. The ruin wasn't so "nearby," and I finally convinced him to take me back to the tourist site where we met. Along the way, he stopped the motorbike, began trying to fondle me, and said in very graphic detail the types of things he wanted to do to me. I was out in the middle of nowhere and literally at his mercy to get back to my car. After 10 minutes of being very firm in resisting his advances, he FINALLY agreed to take me back to the tourist site.

Those were the longest 10 minutes of my life, and I was scared beyond belief. I was also furious at myself, as I would have NEVER gotten on the back of any stranger's motorbike at home... but I figured he seemed old and harmless, and that I was living an adventure and should step outside my comfort zone a bit.

I'm all for stepping outside your comfort zone, but please do it smartly. In all my solo trips, this is the only "bad" incident I have had...and I wouldn't have had it at all if I had used the same street smarts in Greece as I do when I'm at home.

So please...go and have the time of your life. Live outside your comfort zone, but not outside your safety zone.

sarge56

exwray- I also believe you will find this a fabulous first "independent" experience. (I depart for my 3rd trip in the last four years. Italy has become my drug of choice.haha)

I think you ought to hold off on the Cinque Terre for another trip. I just think hiking those hills really requires a partner. If you trip, fall, sprain an ankle...

My suggestion is Florence/Venice/Bologna. And I too recommend some walking tours. Context Travel is fabulous. Here is there website: http://www.contexttravel.com/city/Florence

Florence has SO much history. Think of it- Michelangelo, DaVinci, Galileo, the Medici. Blows your mind. Don't miss Michelangelo's David at the Accademia. And you must see the sunset from Piazza Michelangelo. The most beautiful site I believe I've ever seen.

On to Bologna- a real "university" town. Lots of history, great places to eat, wonderful architecture and lots of young folks.

Venice- amazing. Really amazing. And a perfect end to a perfect first trip. See the Frari church, San Giorgio Maggiore, St. Mark's. Shop the little shops all over Venice; take a vaporetto ride out to Murano to see glass blowers at work or Burano to find beautiful hand-made lace. Travel the back streets of the old Jewish ghetto of Cannaregio, the beautiful little streets in the Dorsoduro. Get lost in Venice- it is what Venice is for.

One hint- besides hostels, cheap and inexpensive are convents and monasteries. Check out these recommendations from the American Church in Rome:

http://www.santasusanna.org/comingToRome/convents.html

PS cost-wise, I bought an Italian "immersion" program from Costco for only $29 and I have learned a great deal of Italian in a very short time. I highly recommend it.

You will have a wonderful time. Go for it! Good advice above- if you wouldn't do it at home, don't do it in Italy. TRUST your instincts and you will be fine.

Buon viaggio!

sacc

Beanweb, I just wanted to say I'm so sorry to hear about your experience; that must have been so upsetting. I'm glad it ended without too much harm to you. And I appreciate your conclusion: live outside your comfort zone, not your safety zone.