Italy Adventure for Senior

Just a quick reminder in case you have not thought about it but your undetermined amount of time will be limited to 90 days without a special, long term stay visa. Of course, that assumes, that you are a US citizen and do not hold an EU passport as a dual citizenship.

Formerly homeless Frank beat me to it and is absolutely right.

Thanks. Appreciate the reply. Yes, I'll be returning home to the U.S. within the 90 days allowed.

Diana: I would suggest you go on AirBnB.com or Booking.com to find accommodations. AirBnB is really coming on strong, and many inexpensive rooms are in individuals' houses. That gets you really close to the locals. The Tuscan countryside south of Florence is best seen with a rental car, but that gets very expensive for one person. You would do best to take bus trips into the countryside to Siena, Volterra and San Gimignano. You can get all over Northern Italy in nothing flat from Florence on the train system.
We stayed in an agriturismo and B&B's for E70 (double) last year. OliveTreeHill.com is a great B&B just south of Rome, and they'll feed you well and get you to and from the train station into Rome. There are as many interesting tourist sights to see outside of Rome as there are within the city.

Hi, Diana! I'm also 60 and I've been going for the last 5 or so years or so with girlfriends, and have loved every minute of it. Not yet gone solo, but thinking about it. I use VRBO got a great apartment in Florence that I loved, but it's probably too big for you, VRBO 68776. I understand airbnb is also good. In Rome, Hotel Alimandi has a BnB, but anywhere near the Vatican (Prati) neighborhood would be good. I stay away from the Termini (train station) in Rome, because the people who wander around at night make ME feel uncomfortable, but some people don't think so.

I'm your same age and have gone to Europe once or twice a year for a number of years... usually on my own, by choice. You'll be fine. I stay in a very central location, and treat myself to a taxi from airports/train stations to my hotel so I'm not trying to find my way around with my luggage. Those are really the only changes I've made in my travel in recent years. And as you'll hear over and over, pack very light, particularly if you're taking trains with your luggage. I take the lightest wheeled 22" that I can find. What a great opportunity... an undetermined stay in Italy. And Florence is wonderful. Enjoy your trip.

I just got back from my second longish trip to Italy, alone. Everyone is different, more so as we get experienced, but I found that this trip was wonderful in no small part because I honored my need to work out daily in order to be fit to do what I wanted. In September it is likely still warm enough in your southern spots to swim, but if you can't do something, you might want to look into the many great spas. I bought weights at an Ipercoop and discarded them when I came home. Traveling alone in Italy is no different from any place in the States. It's never wise to take out your map and step into an alley to pause and look at it! I found that people are as helpful as I let them be. My Italian is pretty good, but there is usually someone at every spot who can speak English well.
I'm glad that I found out that Sudafed isn't available - bringing my own was simple. There might be a creature comfort like that that you want to be sure of. I'm impressed with all of us who travel when it's no longer simple. You'll have a wonderful time.

Ive generally been a solo traveler most of my life. Don't be shy to start up conversations with strangers. I used to look for other people who were alone, then I found out that very often couples are just as eager, if not more so, for someone to talk to. When 2 people are alone together 24/7, I guess after a few days. . . well, you get the idea. Most tourists enjoy chatting whether it's in a museum or a cafe or a ticket window line (but only if it's a long one). I've spent everything from a 15 minute chat to an afternoon'sightseeing and lunch to a wine-tasting adventure to an all-day trip with with people I chanced to speak with. And I've received a wealth of information on what to see and do. Be sure to visit Verona, one of my favorite places in Italy. Try to visit Ravenna for the superb mosaics, perfectly preserved, in church after church. Ask for senior discounts everywhere. Sometimes it works. I put audio books and podcasts on my iPod and listen to them when I'm eating alone or on buses and trains. I also have all of Rick's audio guides on them, there are quite a few for Italy. When you download them (free), be sure to print out the maps. Sometimes it's nice to listen to music when I'm in a museum or strolling around. Eat gelato at least once a day.

Hi Diana, I second Chani with her suggestion of Verona. I've been going there for the last 4 years, it's a beautiful place with a lovely, laid back atmosphere. In the same area and easily accessible by train from Verona, are Vicenza, Padua, Venice and Mantua. This year, I hope to get to Bologna for a day trip. I usually rent an apartment and if you decide Verona is where you want to stay, send me a message and I'll give you the address.
I hope you have a wonderful trip!

Thanks to everyone for all the advice! I'm SO excited about traveling alone so I can really learn more of the language and more about the culture. Since retirement I've been planning for this adventure and can't believe it's now within 2 mths.! You've all given me lots to think about; now I just need to do my research!

Diana, I am older, but not yet retired. I have traveled solo some and hope to do what you are doing either next year or in 2015. Please post trip reports every week or so and let us know what you are up to, how you like your apartment, favorite excursions, etc. I tend to plan extensively, because I like to (I've never met a spreadsheet I didn't like), but my best tip is to allow space in your timeline. Take plenty of breaks from the schedule, enjoy sitting in a bar or café sipping wine or coffee. And, every few days take a break from your vacation and run errands (stock up on supplies, do laundry, find a quiet place to read a book.)