4 nights in Italy - Female Traveling Alone

Kelly,

With only four days "to relax, experience Italian culture and witness some of the outstanding trademarks that distinguish Italy and their culture" that doesn't leave time for visiting too many locations (especially as you have to allow time to get back to Rome for your study program).

You could for example make a "loop" by travelling to the Cinque Terre, then Florence and finally back to Rome. The travel times are all relatively short and with only four days, it's a good idea to minimize travel times. That would provide you with some exposure to smaller towns as well as a significant city.

Instead of the Cinque Terre, you could substitute Orvieto or Siena and then Florence. There are LOTS of possibilities!

I'd suggest checking your local Libraries or Book Stores to see if you can find a copy of the Italy 2010 Guidebook. The book provides excellent information not only on towns and sightseeing attractions, but also lodgings, transportation, etc. Rick's "back door" accommodations would be perfect.

Regarding the "safety aspect" of a female travelling alone, I'm sure some of the female members here will have some comments. If you prepare well with good information, you shouldn't have any problems (be sure to wear a Money Belt though).

Happy travels!

I would recommend some time in Florence for sure. My daughter was studying abroad in Florence the fall semester of 2008 and she LOVED it. As far as a winery tour, we took the bus from Florence to Verrazzano Winery and it was one of the highlights of our 13 days in Italy. They have a wonderful website. The tour included a 4 course wine tasting lunch. The scenery was beautiful and the food and wine delicious!! I don't think you would regret going there if you so choose. Have safe travels and a wonderful experience. Susan

4 nights will not give you all that you hope for. But you will get that in your study abroad program as you actually experience living in Italy day to day. Use the free time to do the touristy things that are popular for a reason.

Going on a tour is the farthest thing from your stated goals of relaxing, experiencing the culture and getting off the beaten path. Go solo.

I'd pick a couple places in proximity to each other and focus on that. Pick places that won't be covered through your program later. Florence and Sienna with day trips in the Tuscan countryside can't be beat. Or the Cinque Terra combined with Pisa or Milan. Or the Amalfi Coast combined with Capri and Pompei.

Though I'm not a woman, I sincerely doubt you need to worry about your safety traveling alone. Italy is very safe and as long as you remain cautious and alert, you have little to worry about. You may get some unwanted attention, but just learn a few Italian phrases to brush it off.

I think Cinque Terre is a great idea of something to do before your program starts, and I would have felt completely comfortable going there alone to just relax, soak in the scenery, and hike a bit. If you're studying in Rome, you'll have plenty of "city time" during your studies! If you think the class work will keep you too busy to hit the tourist sites of Rome, maybe take 1-2 days to do that stuff so you will have it crossed off your checklist, but otherwise I think CT fits in well with what you are describing.

Take the normal precautions you would in any large US city and you will be fine. I am older than you, but have traveled alone in Rome and Venice and never felt uncomfortable/unsafe. I would agree with the others that to make the most of your pre-class time (which includes getting over jet lag), pick a spot or an area and concentrate on that. What time of year are you going? CT gets VERY crowded in the summer months.

I stayed at the hostel in Manarola a couple years ago (am mid 30's myself) and really enjoyed it. There were quite a few solo travelers there. Its a neat place and a good way to meet people from all over the world.

Also, if you can handle Chicago, I can't imagine even Rome giving you any trouble. (I typically live by the nothing good happens after mid night rule and have no issues)

Thank you all for these helpful ideas. I am actually going next week, but have been slammed with exams & moving apartments. Now is the time for the fun planning!

Can you recommend accommodations in Florence & Sienna? I like the idea of day-tripping to the Tuscan Countryside. A few have recommend asking around about winery tours where visitors are bused from Florence & the tour takes you to a couple of vineyards & returns to Florence that night. Does anyone have a vineyard tour recommendation? I have been to Napa Valley & enjoy white & red wine with no preference over either.

Thanks!
Kelly

If you are trying to keep the budget down, I would look at Hotel Giappone.. I loved the location and the rooms are very inexpensive. (and fairly basic). My only warning is that its a long climb up the stairs. I didnt mind that a bit but I know some people have an issue with it.

On another trip, I stayed at Ostello Santa Monica and found it ok at best. Its cheap and they are nice at the front counter but thats about it.

hi Kelly, I've been a solo female traveler in Italy, had no problems. As someone said, take the usual precautions you would in Chicago. Be alert for pickpockets and petty theft, use a money belt, etc. You might get some unwanted attention as a solo American woman (men coming up and trying to engage you in conversation), but that's generally manageable. Finding accomodations at the last minute could be tough, so good luck! I haven't stayed in Florence for years but for Siena, travelers have recommended Alma Domus, Albergo Bernini, Albergo Cannon d'Oro, Hotel Piccolo Il Palio; I stayed last year in a B&B, La Casa di Antonella. From Rome, it's easy to get to Orvieto (smallish town) and Florence (big city). For wine tours in Tuscany, try Tours by Roberto, recommended by Rick Steves. Enjoy your time in Italy!

You might see if Casa dei Tintori in Florence has room for you. It is a bed-and-breakfast run by an architect and his wife. They have a single room (the "yellow room") as well as one with twin beds (the "blue room") which can also be a single.

This is in a nice area of florence, close to the Arno and not far from the Uffizzi, etc.

http://www.casadeitintori.it/