Senior lady in Italy

Pack light so you can handle your luggage easily on your own.

Keep valuables in a "deep storage" neck or waist wallet/pouch.

Walk with purpose in big cities, then sit at a cafe for people-watching and gawking.

Keep electronic devices in your hands when sitting outside.

Always keep your daybag either attached to your body (messenger bag) or on the floor between your feet.

Don't sign any petitions.

Stay hydrated (helps with fatigue and alertness).

Know your bus or tram stop, they can be fairly far apart.

"Senso Unico" is a one-way street, not a unique sensory experience. (A fellow tourist once asked me how to find it.)

Have a wonderful time!

I don't know what your comfort level with public transportation is generally, but just about everyone in Europe uses it. It's nothing to be feared. It's a very normal part of everyday life, no different than running errands, going shopping, etc. I think you can mitigate your apprehension by doing research on what routes/trains you need to take, how much they cost, how to protect your valuables while traveling, etc. Closing any knowledge gaps tends to build confidence, so read up on all the things that you're not sure of. I think any safety fears about being on your own are overblown, just take normal travel precautions (including steering clear of any scam artists). I travelled solo since my 20s (I'm in my 40s now), including Italy. It was helpful to know the language enough to get around (it makes everything easier, but it's not totally necessary as you can easily work around it).

When you are there, on the street and on public transportation, you'll see plenty of senior Italian ladies going about their daily business without giving a second thought to being out alone. Just maintain awareness of where you are and what's going on around you, and you'll see that you are safer than almost any big city in the US.

Jane-The unknown is always a little scary, that is what I love about Travel, going outside of my comfort zone and challenging myself. Once you do it, you will look back and say "what was I so nervous about". Just be aware and be cautious of those who try to "help" you. I believe there are kind people all over and trust your gut on who is trying to take advantage of you and who is sincere. We have accepted "help" from young girls at Termini Station, who I had read over and over not to trust, but my gut told me this was okay, I was in a very busy terminal and it turned out great. They took me right to my departure platform. Have fun!!

I'm also a senior woman who travels solo and I know it can be a bit overwhelming when you first encounter the public transportation in a new city, especially when you don't know the language. I had those feelings on my first trips to central Europe (Krakow, Prague, Budapest), but doing the necessary research and accepting the help offered by locals when needed (as the other poster noted), goes a long way to relieving the stress. If you haven't already read them, read the tips on this website about transportation, especially the section on City Transit (https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation). For information about intercity travel on trains be sure to read the relevant sections for Italy on the man in seat 61 website (http://www.seat61.com/).

Just know that you'll only be nervous the first time, after that it will be a bit more stress-free. The more you do it, the more you'll enjoy it.

Jane:

My wife and I are well-past retirement age and will be in Italy in August. We rarely use anything but public transportation and will do so while Rome and elsewhere. Public transportation is efficient, and for the most part runs on time (unlike here in the US), and is inexpensive. With a 1, 2 or 3 day pass (cards go by different names) you can travel the entire time without purchasing tickets for each trip. Familiarize yourself before you go with the metro, tram and bus routes so you have a general idea of which way you're going when you board transit. If you miss a stop, get off, and get back on going in the other direction. In our visits to over a dozen big cities in Europe, we've had only one "event"; this when traveling on a tram in Prague. My wife keeps one of her hands inside her hand bag (pardon the pun) when in a crowded situation and she felt another hand in there with hers. She let out a screech, and the other hand, along with the entire female body jumped off the tram. She didn't thing about any more.

One other situation to be cognizant off; If there seems to be a "minor mishap/commotion” of some sort on the street next to you (or in the metro); at the risk of sounding harsh, let someone else come to the rescue. Oh yes, don't wear expensive jewelry, a high-end watch, or obviously expensive clothing/shoes, etc. Check other threads on RS about what type bag to carry; a back pack isn't the best choice. You'll be fine.

...Know your bus or tram stop, they can be fairly far apart......

I would alter this recommendation slightly. Know the stop before so that you are ready to get off when the stop occurs. Sometimes because of the spelling the stop may be hard to remember or confused with another so I tend to write the final stop and the stop before on a small note so I can see it if I need to refresh my memory.

Also I would add, Carry a business card from your hotel. That way if totally lost, find a taxi, hand the driver the card and say, "Take me home." We have done that more than once. One time showed it to a shop keeper who pointed us in the correct direction. Most people are friendly and helpful to lost tourists.

Rick's guide books are very good about covering the nitty-gritty details concerning use of public transportation. Read about the local buses/subway so you know whether tickets or passes need to be validated. If so, be sure you know how to do it. Failing to validate a ticket means you are traveling without a ticket and are subject to a substantial fine.

See more tips for solos, seniors, and senoras in three articles at https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/trip-planning. I assume that you also have Rick's guidebook and can find a lot of city-specific detail there.

If a city sounds big and overwhelming, remember that you only have to take it one street and one step at a time. Allowing yourself some time flexibility can be less stressful than having a lot of deadlines. Most tourist sites will be full of people just like you, as well as some who know their way around.

The city centers of Florence and Bologna are both very walkable. In Rome, if public transport seems full to capacity and overwhelming, a taxi can be a reasonable choice, e.g. to cross between the train station neighborhood and the Vatican for about €15.

The only reason I would worry about being a senior lady on Italian public transportation is that standing up on buses, the metro, and some regional trains is common. Don't count on air-conditioning. Stairs and broken escalators are common. So the real question is, are you reasonably physically fit. You don't need to be an athlete, but you do need to handle stairs and standing on moving vehicles.

Plan in advance. Learn the words for exit and track. Make suse you know the Italian name for your destination. Florence is Firenze. Make sure you get off at the right Firenze Station.

In Rome, consider taxis where there is a long walk from the bus or metro station.

Use Florence buses only to go uphill, i.e. out of the old town area.

Don't be afraid to ask for help. Be wary of volunteers. Don't sign petitions.