Traveling alone in Italy as an older woman

I don't know about Italy but when my 80 year old parents went to Czech Republic to visit my fathers small ancestral hometown, they hired a driver for the day. It wasn't cheap but the man was great and took them to the town and helped with translating.

Perhaps someone here will have the name of an Italian driver or service.

I'm a 67 year old woman and have been traveling solo to Europe and Asia for the last 25 years (and have been to Italy twice). I have never had any problems getting around in Italy and would not hesitate to continue doing so. If you feel more comfortable hiring a driver, then you can certainly do so, but I used public transportation in Italy to get around. It is easy to use and can get you most destinations.

I don't know Varzi but it looks like there are trains and buses there, so it should be easy to get to. You could potentially rent a car to get from Milan to Varzi, which would give you more flexibility but some rental agencies have age cut-offs, ranging from 70 to 75, so you should definitely be aware of that.

My suggestion would be to look for a local guide who can do some research on your town and family before you get there. Try tours by locals That way they may be able to find points of interest ahead of time, maybe identify some relatives, etc. We did this to visit my father-in-law's birthplace in Sicily, and the guide set us up with appointments with the municipal records office, showed us his birth home, the church he was baptized in, and a couple of local businesses run by relatives.

I am in my 70s and have always been treated well in Italy. I travel solo. Italian men are very good to their mothers and that might account for all the help I have been given in coffee bars, etc. when I had a question or required direction. Have a wonderful time, smile and try to use a few words in Italian. You will be received well.

You shouldn't hesitate going. It's about a 100 miles down to Varsi, and the easiest way to get there is by bus. You'll have to get into Milan from the airport and ride the metro closest to the train station.

Varsi must be very small as there are just 2 listings in Booking.com.

I strongly suggest traveling very light--with a rolling bag you can handle.

Good idea to find a knowledgeable contact person in your family town so you can maybe meet people. You didn’t mention if you have traveled before? Solo or otherwise.?
It is not unusual to travel solo, older or not. Read some guidebooks (RS is a good one), and determine your transportation needs. Public transportation is easy in Italy, and yes, take a bag small enough and light enough that you can lift and carry (overheads and up and down stairs).

When my sister-in-law and I went to Italy pre-covid, we drove from Naples to the tiny Calabria village her grandparents were from. It became the highlight of our trip. Yes, you should go. You will regret if you don't.

I'm only slightly younger than you and doing my first solo trip in 6 weeks (but who's counting) and my next solo is planned for June. Solo is a little scary, but I'm planning tours to fill my time and for companionship and trying to be super organized.

Have a great trip!

I'm now 68, and often travel either solo for a whole trip, or solo till friends can meet me.
It's great!
Lots of good suggestions already, especially contacting someone in Varzi ahead of time.

Our friends’ son was backpacking in Italy quite a few years ago…he visited his father’s family’s small town in Calabria. Having made no advance plans and speaking no Italian, he found an older woman in the town piazza and mentioned his family name. Without a word, she took his hand, they went down a narrow street and stopped in front of a door. The woman looked up and called out…a lady popped out onto a balcony, came downstairs and the woman put their hands together. This still brings tears to my eyes. I hope you find some magic in your visit!

Thanks to everyone who replied! All of your suggestions were great & will be taken advantage of by me. I can’t wait to start a new adventure.

Hi there --- Just turned 76 and am planning a solo trip to Puglia in the Fall. Everyone seems to rent a car, but you can't see the sights when you drive anyway and parking can be a drag, so I will rely on public transportation up and down the coastline (Bari to Lecce). I'm having trouble finding hotels -- most accommodations are B&B's or rooms/apts. I prefer to have a Front Desk that is manned 24/7 and a breakfast room and a bit more security -- especially for returning after dark. Anyone have any thoughts? I've traveled solo a lot and recommend it highly, so I'm happy for you that you are going to have this adventure and learn more about your roots.