Any advice for this SOLO traveler?

Seems to make sense to me! Just make sure you allow yourself the time to enjoy your meals, have coffees and gelati, etc. I found Rome really exhausting and in retrospect, I know that I tried to do too much without taking time to rest and take in my surroundings. It sounds like you've carefully thought things out and it makes geographic sense. I assume you've intentionally left out the Vatican because you are either not interested or saw it the first time you went?

The RomaPass is great, for skipping the lines if nothing else. for Borghese, can't you just book in advance before you leave home? Or are you trying to play it by ear?

the stuff you'll missing, you'll just have to catch the next time you go! ;) That's what I did, and I am already planning a return trip and staying even longer the 2nd time around (6 days vs 5).

Besides walking around confidently and splitting up your cards and cash, I don't think there's anything particular that you need to keep in mind about being a solo female. The main streets in Rome seemed perpetually busy, I was never walking around alone even though i was a solo traveler.

Have a great time!

Andrea, this itinerary looks pretty do-able. Largo Argentina intersted me too but my first trip to Rome in May didn't afford enough time, so I plan on going back to Rome and then hit the Amalfi coast. Some new solo travelers might feel a little insecure and lonely eating meals in a restaurant. I found it to be very enjoyable - I met so many wonderful people from around the world. I shared a table with friends from South Africa @ Mario in Florence and with some very handsome young soccer fans in Sienna. Seek out those restaurants that have communal tables. Have fun and enjoy your trip. Ciao! Linda

@ Debra.. thanks! That is what I was thinking, to plan geographically so I'm not running all over the place. I do have the Vatican planned for my first day, in the afternoon after arriving. And yeah, I want to play the Borghese by ear because I stress out way too much if I have to be someplace at a particular time. I'm watching the online website for ticket sales.

@ Linda... awesome! someone else that is interested in Largo Argentina. Last time I was in Rome our hotel was outside the city and their was a shuttle bus. I wasn't familiar enough at the time to find it. I'm used to traveling in the states solo and usually make temporary friends easy and know the queues when someone isn't interested in chatting.

I'm planning on going back to Rome and other places in 2013 after my 40th birthday. This trip is just to tide me over so I don't go stir crazy. Plus it was my New Year's resolution.. to go to Rome before the end of the year. I've been saving up all year for this!

Andrea,

Your Itinerary looks somewhat "busy", however it's certainly feasible. One point to mention is that you'll have to allow adequate time to travel from place-to-place, and you may find that fatigue could be an issue (especially for the first few days when you're jet lagged).

You're obviously a more energetic traveller than I am. There's no way I could handle the Vatican Museum and the "Dolce Vita" stroll on arrival day.

Happy travels!

@ Ken.. thanks! Not sure what my energy level will be yet, that is why I might do the stroll or not. I know I've done NYC more aggressively and I remember my last trip to Rome I didn't suffer from jetlag (but I did when I returned home) maybe because of the hours I work (I work when Rome is awake).

If I don't structure my short trip in some way I know I will fall victim to an "OH SHINY!" mentality and miss something I might want to see.

And I'm fully intending on taking full advantage of the Roma Pass. I figure that a mile in Rome, which in most place takes about 15-20 minutes, takes about an hour to walk LOL

I also strongly suggest you book ahead for the Borghese. Othewise on a Sunday it will most likely be fully booked several days in advance. You'd waste your time walking there. If it's not that important to you, then I'd skip it altogether and spend your time in Trastevere.

Speaking for myself (always advised!), I'd rather be dragged off by a pack of wild wolves than attempt the Vatican Museum on my first day. I would do some of the 'strolling sites' like piazzas, fountains, churches I happened to walk by, etc. And making a point to investigate my new neighborhood - potential places for food/aspirin/replacing broken hairdryer, drinks (bottled or otherwise), restaurants (check out their menus), looking for bus stops, etc. 'Possibly' going to Vatican City, but not counting on it.

@ Douglas... I've been watching the ticketing website and debating pre-purchasing. I'm still on the fence. I'm actually thinking of the last entrance time (5pm) to give me more time to explore during daylight. I'm really torn about this one.

@ Eileen... yeah, that is something I struggled with but reading comments throughout the message boards scared me from going to the Vatican museum on Mondays so I thought I would go Friday (would be after lunch regardless of which day I go). Friday and Monday afternoons would be extremely easy for me to flip so I guess I will play that one by ear.

Thanks so much for the feedback. This is exactly the reason I threw my itinerary out there.

Haha, i did totally miss the Vatican on your first day. I blame it being early in the morning on Friday :) But I do agree with the others that I can't imagine concentrating on that upon arrival. Last year when i landed in Florence all I did was get a gelato to put something in my belly, and wander around taking some photos, enjoying the fact that I was back in Italy. Swapping sounds like an easy, and good, solution.

I think it's fantastic that you've saved and made it a goal. After my first big long trip to Europe which was a gift for graduating law school, I did that. I started saving every penny and it only took me just over 2 years to go back to Italy. Now, just another year later I am already planning a third trip back for next Spring. If you make travel a priority with your savings, it can happen! So good for you! You will have a great time and it is a really great feeling to have that sense of accomplishment.

As for dining alone I too have never had a problem. Especially in Rome where you have people from all over, you're bound to sit next to or near someone interesting with whom you can strike up a conversation. And if not you can just enjoy sipping your wine and people-watching!

Yep, I think its really important to save for a trip instead of putting it all on a credit cards and paying for it later. I save for a variety of things (for this trip I've been loading money into Paypal) but as I've read throughout this message site I've realized it would definately be a good idea to have a back up (my checking in this case) and a couple of credit cards for emergencies. I'm also going to get some euros before I leave (not a lot) and carry some US money. I do remember last time very few places would take credit cards unless it was a large purchase.

My last trip to Italy was with a tour group. I found a tour that was 1/2 price about the same time I came into a very small amount of money (my father died and my grandparents split his money between his 4 children) and was incouraged to finally go to Rome. The tour daytripped to Florence, Naples/Pompei, and Assisi. We did hit the 4 major churches of Rome and the catacombs on the tour but I want to revisit a few that are close together. It was so last minute I didn't have time to plan what to see and do on our "free" days (Sunday and our last day after Assisi) but did see all the usual things such as Piazza Navonna, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, etc. But this time I've googled almost obsessively which made me realize that a few of the times we were given an hour to explore I really could have but I was afraid to getting lost.

This trip I did try to gather up some friends but it was like herding cats so I gave up and decided to go alone.

I'm already planning my next visit in Spring 2013 after my 40th birthday. I'm thinking 2-3 weeks hitting more cities and spending more time in Rome. All depends on my life situation

Your itinerary sounds fine for someone with lots of energy. You can "do" the Vatican Museum quickly, as many do, by making the forced march thru to the Sistine Chapel. There are signs along the way to "Capella"; just keep going. If you should happen to glance right or left and see some art that looks good you can just come back when you have more time. Honestly, I've done it that way. And I've done it with a guide. The main gallery leading to the chapel can be so crowded it's hard to appreciate a guided tour.