Single woman in Italy- what neighborhoods recommended?

You're going to have to help us out here with a list of the cities you plan to visit.

As a 63-year-old woman I wandered all over Rome and Palermo (plus many smaller cities and towns) in 2015 without ever feeling threatened in any way.

Right, Italy is a country with a fair amount of cities so you'll have to tell us which ones you're going to.

You're also asking about some things to do that are outside of what most tourists concentrate on (shopping, street art, thrifting) so more versus less information is helpful.

As a general comment about traveling solo in Italy, my first couple of times I was apprehensive because I'd heard stories about guys trying to pinch you as you walk by, and (decades ago) about a hotel clerk making an off-the-wall marriage proposal to my aunt.

I did find there was a certain amount of whistling and "ciao, bella" commenting that I just had to ignore. A guy on a train tried very hard to convince me to meet him after work that evening, and I just had to keep saying "mille grazie, ma non."

As in any big city, decide where you're headed and plan your route before you set out, then walk purposefully as if you know where you're going. If some friendly person asks you where you're going, give them a vague answer. Otherwise you might be followed, or the person may meet you at your destination with nefarious intent.

I once had a passer-by smear a substance resembling melted ice cream on my jacket in a ploy to distract me and get me to take off my backpack. I didn't fall for it, though my jacket had to go to the cleaners later. If all else fails, keep an eye out for nearby women or couples and quickly ask to walk with them until you are out of sight of any individuals who make you feel threatened.

Less desirable (poorer) areas in Europe tend to be in the suburbs (at least some of them) or at the periphery of big cities. City centers are always good and safe. The total opposite of what happens in the US.

However even in the city centers, which are generally very safe, some neighborhoods may be better than others in terms of proximity to sights, amenities, transportation, etc.

Before we can give suggestions you need to tell us which cities. There are 8000 municipalities in Italy, you need to choose where you want to go.

Pinching a woman's behind without her consent is a crime contemplated by art. 609bis of the Italian Penal Code (art. 609bis "Sexual Violence"). I don't know where the American myth that Italians pinch women left and right came from. I am not saying it never happens, but when it happens and gets reported, the perpetrator goes to jail. As such, it is not a likely event. I know that there are lots of foreign migrants these days that seem to have a total disregard of the law in Italy, but I don't think you will find Italians willing to take that risk, even if your behind looks like J. Lo's.

I traveled in Europe for three years as a solo female and spent a few months in Italy and I never had any problems.

There were a few times where I felt uncomfortable, but it wasn't based on the neighborhood and I was always able to get myself out of the situation easily.

As a solo female traveler, I'd echo the above comments:

• Walk purposefully
• Know where you're going, especially how to get back to your hotel/B&B
• If you feel lost or uncomfortable, pop into a shop or cafe until you've got your wits back and feel comfortable again
• Don't talk to strangers you don't feel comfortable with
• Keep electronic devices tucked away, especially at night and in quiet areas
• Ignore catcalls (they are rare)
• Know how to ask for help in the local language; in tourist areas, you'll usually find people who speak English

Most importantly:

• If you feel uncomfortable, leave and if you need to, tell someone

In my experience, the more you worry about something, the more there is to worry about. As long as you keep your wits about you (know where you're going, don't take off your backpack if someone smears something on it, ignore catcalls), there's not much to worry about!

Have a great time in Italy!

I think the single most important thing you can do is travel light as a solo woman. I travel with a RS 20-inch roller carryon bag that weighs a total 15 lbs., and a RS Euro Flight Bag where I put my Apple Travel laptop. I leave both bags in my hotel room.

But the point to traveling light as a solo woman is that your bags are under your control and easily managed at all times, hoisting up and down bins on planes, going up and down steep narrow train car stairs and storing the bag on train racks.

The next important thing I do is wear a neck wallet and/ or money belt. Remember to put these inside your carryon before going through security at airports or you will have to put them on trays where they will be exposed. I never wear a purse, not even in Chicago where I live.

I wear a light scarf around my neck to hide the ribbons of the neck wallet and i wear the wallet long enough to tuck inside my panties. When I'm out and about I usually opt for the neck wallet.

It's hard to pick and choose neighborhoods, so I won't, e.g., I like lodging near Roma Termini, I've also lived for a time in Rione Sanita' in north Napoli, I also live in the notorious Englewood Hood of southside Chicago, so I'm Not the one to speak on areas!

There is one more thing I do, I travel first class on Italy trains where available, works for me as a solo traveler, 71, alone.

Sandra and others gave great advice about traveling light. About the neck wallet, I wear one crossbody, tucked inside clothing (skirt or pants).

Rick's got another money belt that looks good to me.

This one gets looped through your belt and tucked into your trousers. There are two loop colors to match your belt so it's not too visible. Pretty nifty (if you're wearing a belt).

Also as a solo traveler over many years, I've tended to use Rick's guidebooks for most of my lodging and neighborhood advice and never had any issues with those. His strategy is to focus on a few areas that are both safe and central, convenient to transport and sightseeing, rather than covering every neighborhood. I've also never had any issues when going off-book, but you would want to consider whether the location is convenient.

See more tips for solo travel at https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/trip-planning.