Female Traveling Alone

The more you look like a local, the more you'll be left alone. I suggest some big sunglasses. Seriously. Go to this picture that I took in May in Venice to see what I'm talking about:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24408597@N02/2573796312/

Also, do you know any Italian phrases? A handy one, in case someone starts pestering you is "Basta! Sparisca!" It means "Enough! Go away!"

Hello Ingrid, I am a 53 year old female who traveled to Italy alone twice last year. I did not visit the cities you are going to, but traveled to Rome, Florence, Venice, Como, Zurich. I had a wonderful time walking and exploring with no harrassment. Once, a young gentleman looked at me with a big smile and said Ciao Bella as he walked by. I smiled as I walked passed. I always carried myself with confidence, had my valuables secured. You will have a great time with no worries.

Ingrid you won't find it really any different to being at home. I pretty much always travel alone to Europe as I generally go for business and then have a few days vacation. I've never had a problem. Just be aware of your surroundings and be confident. Go with your gut instinct if you don't feel comfortable in an area at night then get out of there. In June there will be heaps of people around day and night and I think you'll be more than OK.

As for unwanted attention from the locals I've never had a problem either. You may get comments but they are usually good natured, if not just ignore them and walk on, don't engage them in anyway as that just encourages them. If you don't respond they will just hassle someone else. If at all concerned go into a shop or hotel for a few minutes until they move on.

You will have a great time, just relax and enjoy.

Hi Ingrid: I am 55 years old and last year I traveled to Italy (from Barcelona) with my 2 teenager daughters and had no problems. We stayed out until late at night walking the streets of Venice, Florence and Rome. Italian will probably say something to you as you walk by but just don't pay any attention. Walk confident and aware of your surroundings. In 3 weeks, I'll be traveling again with my 18 year old daughter to Sorrento (my favorite place on the face of the Earth) and then to Madrid. We will be by ourselves. Should be no problem. Have fun! You will love Sorrento and Capri. While you are in Sorrento, do yourself a favor and taste the Aranci di Riso. You will love these risotto fritters.

Ingrid,
I have traveled extensively as a single woman and not had any problems. I spent last November in Italy and much of the time I was walking around alone. No problems.

In the evenings I would walk to a nearby small restaurant and have a wonderful meal. Where you are going, there are many wonderful places to enjoy the great food of Italy.

I do not go into night clubs, not even in the states.
I've gone to concerts, movies, plays - all with no problems.
I hope you have a wonderful trip.
Frances

I'm 41 and I've traveled to Europe solo many times. I go out in the evenings all the time, with no trouble. One of the great joys of these beautiful towns is evening stroll through town, viewing the sunsets or the nightime skyline. Take simple precautions and be aware of your surroundings (like you would in New York, for example) and enjoy yourself. Ask your hotel front desk if there are any areas to avoid. Do not cheat yourself out of great experiences because you are afraid. You can take organized walking tours in the evenings if you want company.

Ingrid,
I am a 53 year old female. I travel a lot to europe with my husband, but he is on business, so I spend many days by myself wandering around and sight seeing (as a matter of fact, that is how I saw the Louvre for the first time). As has been said, just take normal precautions. You will be better served if you dress more like a native than an American Tourist. I don't wear jeans or tennis shoes in europe. I too love to walk the neighborhoods to get the flavor of a country. Keep the camera out of sight as much a possible, it is a dead give away. I have read many things about tourists being targeted by thieves and scam artists. In 10+ years of european travel, I have only had 1 minor incident when a man offered to take my picture using my camera. I just walked away and there was no issue.
Enjoy your trip, you will love Italy.

Debby

I am getting information that I should dress like the locals to help avoid being harassed. What are some things I need to know about dressing like the locals?

I made the mistake of wearing my cute little white shorts in Rome a couple of years ago. Although they were perfectly acceptable at home, the blonde hair and shorts apparently were mistaken as a solicitation and I was causing a bit of a traffic jam on the street. Once I put my shorts away, I had no issues.
I did have a problem in Madrid where two women were working together. One made an obvious gesture toward my purse. In the disturbance this caused, the other woman tried to pick the pocket of my travel companion. Nothing was lost, but it made us aware of how quickly it could happen.

Ingrid hate to say it but dressing like a local is pretty hard. I think basically just avoid really obvious tourist clothing like perhaps shorts. Running shoes and baseball caps don't tend to be something a 'local' would wear either from my observation. However having said that, on my recent trip to Rome I noticed that gold or silver Nike type shoes are all the rage, even with the men, and the more glitz the better for the women. I really wouldn't worry too much about what you wear but remember to visit churches you need to have your knees and shoulders covered.

Ingrid, I think it is much easier to be a solo woman traveller over 40 as opposed to the young ones( say under 30) .
I find age frees us a bit from constantly being hit on, its like some of the Italian males don't get that an attractive 25 yr old is perfectly happy travelling on their own, they figure you must want company, but once you get to a certain age its like they " get" that you really are there to see the sights ,not them! LOL

Don't dress like you are going to the beach in the cities. No shorts( or wear the long ones that cover your knees) , and no spagetti strap tops( this also prevents admittance to many churches if knees or shoulders are bare) .

Don't try and look Italian( it will not work and comes off as pathetic) , concentrate on being comfy in the heat and having comfy feet, ,, try looking like a traveller which is what you are!

Hi Ingrid,

I am 25 and traveled alone in Italy last September for 2 weeks (Rome, Florence, Venice, Siena, and the Cinque Terre). Some things that worked well for me were sunglasses (when someone is staring at you penetratingly, sometimes you can’t help but look back =) The sunglasses help disguise this), and wearing an ipod. Even when I didn’t have it turned on, it still kind of helped.

I did find visiting the piazzas in the evening to be some of the times I got hit on most; especially when you’re just sitting and people watching. But one great thing is that Italian men tend to leave you alone if you just tell them to, it doesn’t make much sense but I usually just said, “no thank you”. A few times I had to say “vi via per favore” (which is spelled wrong I’m sure) – it means like, leave me alone please. And that always worked. Have a nice trip!