My good luck .... I stumbled upon this amazing board. What a wealth of valuable information!
I am planning a solo trip to Italy in June (unfortuantely I only have two weeks) and would appreciate any advice that you folks might be able to offer.
I'm interested in the following places. I would like to fly into Rome, daytrip (or maybe two) to Florence and back to Rome. Next, I'd like to visit the Amalfi Coast - - specifically Positano, Sorrento and Ravello. As a beach lover, I would enjoy visiting Sardinia for a few days. I've been reading that La Maddelena is very beautiful, good place to swim, snorkel, and relax. I'm not sure how many days I should spend in each place? I am willing to fly from Rome to Naples (not sure how to get to the coast from Naples -- Only bus service?), and then from Naples to Sardinia. I just want to know what is the best form of transportation in terms of saving time.
Some of my concerns are related to traveling alone as a female to Italy. I know there are many women who travel to Europe (I was in Barcelona last summer), but for some reason the trains unnerve me a bit because I get so confused and then I'm also attempting to have my wits about me. My colleagues cannot believe that I want to travel to Italy alone (they believe that I should wait until I have a boyfriend / husband to accompany me), but I refuse to wait until (or if) Prince Charming comes into my life.
I apologize for the length of this post, but I have so many questions (so much wonderful info on this site). Please feel free to email me directly at pd36fiesty@yahoo.com with suggestions, advice, etc.
Welcome, advisorbarnone! You are a woman after my own heart since I've been traveling to Italy alone every chance I get for years. I do suspect you are spreading yourself too thin. Believe me, you will return again and again. And you may well wish you had a car if you're outside the cities at all. Could you bear to limit yourself to three places? Four days in Rome, four or five in Florence, and the rest in Sardinia?
Stay here on the board rather than on your e-mail and you will find lots of answers to questions and dozens of suggestions. We are a noisy and opinionated crew (and terribly civil, too).
In fourteen years, I've probably been annoyed three times but never threatened (and I don't think I look too shabby). What I do enjoy is that even women of a certain age are appreciated. Have fun!!!
Don't fear for your safety. There is not a lot of violent crime in italy, and i feel much safer there than i do in major cities in the U.S.A. Don't fly to naples from Rome... it will take way longer than going by train. Get on the website for the italian rail system www,trenitalia.it---- it will give you schedules and prices and travel times. I haven't taken the train to naples in many years, but my memory tells me it's only about two hours or so, maybe a bit more. getting to Fiumicino airport from rome takes 45 minutes, then you have all the security, etc. So i think you can see how much more opractical the train is. Are you staying in Rome at all? It's the best!! You should consider giving yourself three days there (more is better, but if you hurry around, you can see a lot of good stuff). I will give you Rome info if you need it, just let me know. I have a great itinerary i worked up for a three day stay that i pass out to my friends, and I will send one to you if you will be staying there.
Posts: 109 | Location: Redding, California, USA | Registered: 15 July 2003
Joanna: After I actually wrote down my sample itinerary, I agree that I am spreading myself much too thin. As much as I want to see Florence (I was there four years ago), I might want to concentrate my "big city" efforts on Rome. I have done so much reading about the Amalfi Coast (especially Positano) that I would be disappointed if I didn't see these places this time around (I know there is always next year). There is just so much of the southern portion that I would like to experience ..... I have to play around with another itinerary. Thank you for sharing your experience of traveling alone. Believe me, it certainly helps to her from other women. It would be nice to share this experience with another person, but for now, it is what it is.
Robert: Thank you for providing another look at the trains versus the planes situation. I will look into this further. I would love to take you up on any information on Rome that you might be able to give me - - Places to see, places to stay (I've heard that the area around the train station is not the most desirable neighborhood), restaurants, nightlife, and the itinerary.
I think Joanna's comments are right on target - do a little bit less during your trip ... enjoy it much more!
There are several of us here on SlowTalk who've traveled solo (to Italy and elsewhere) and have had very rewarding experiences. I always come home feeling 'stronger' and thinking, "Now I can do anything!
Don't forget to look at the Trip Reports section of Slow Travel. You can read other members' experiences and suggestions for Rome, and you can search for "Solo Travel" reports.
When I've been on my own, I've only traveled by train (not rented a car) and have had no problems. We have some information about train travel in the FAQ forum. Is there something in particular about them that you're worried about?
Brava to you for stepping out of your comfort zone to follow a dream.
And here is the agency that actually handles the reservations and takes your money (at the time of your email reservation): info@fortiviaggi.com
They communicated in English. I gave them my credit card # by email, and they sent the tickets back by email and I printed them out. Went very smoothly. Be at the ferry place early, as they can be very crowded.
Charity
Posts: 1484 | Location: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: 11 May 2003
I chime in here with the others. I've travelled to Italy several times on my own, and have never had a problem. I did it before I was married, and have done it again now that I am a widow. It's preferable to not travelling and, as Joanna says, makes you realize how well you can manage on your own. Well, not simply "manage", but get to do what you want and have fun!
Have never yet driven in Europe on my own, although I may this trip. My concern would be driving in the evening on unfamiliar roads without a navigator. If I could clone myself, I would get rid of this problem!
Our experience in many a trip has been that visiting any spot for less than 4 nights leaves us feeling very unfufilled by the visit. Yet we still had not learned our lesson on our lat trip and had 3 nights outside Lucca and 2 in Roma. These were necessitated by opera performances we wanted to see yet it made the end of the trip hectic. Given that, I would suggest 3 or 4 stops max.
If you skip Firenze, you could do Napoli (meaning anywhere from Amalfi to Positano to Sorrento to Napoli itself or any of the islands), Roma and Sardinia or Sicilia for example and have a wonderfully rich time.
quote:Originally posted by dean: If you skip Firenze, you could do Napoli (meaning anywhere from Amalfi to Positano to Sorrento to Napoli itself or any of the islands), Roma and Sardinia or Sicilia for example and have a wonderfully rich time.
Basically I agree with you, but if advisorbarnone is really thinking of fitting a piece of Sardinia into her trip, than I would scale it down to Rome and Sardinia alone. Getting to either Cagliari or Alghero from Rome is but a short flight, but Sardinia does not have the extensive railway network that makes moving across Italy easy and fast, and staying there for less than 5 days might turn out really hectic. So, IMHO, her best options would be to spend thre-four days in Florence, three-four days in Naples/Costiera amalfitana and one week in Rome, or spending one week in Rome (maybe split in two 3-4 days chunks) and one week in Sardinia.
Let me join in as another woman who has travelled many places, by train, car, and foot alone. In Italy, the main thing that is difficult is eating -- especially dinner. Many restaurants are reluctant to give the solo diner a good table, and want you to eat early.I have occasionally resorted to making a reservation for two and then arriving to claim that my husband felt unwell, but usually I settle for an earlier (and this means 7:30 - 8:00) meal. I also gravitate towards restaurants that seat a lot of people at the same table, which has sometimes been awkward but more often lots of fun!-gedlin
Posts: 461 | Location: Philadelphia, PA | Registered: 11 November 2003
quote:Have never yet driven in Europe on my own, although I may this trip. My concern would be driving in the evening on unfamiliar roads without a navigator.
I agree about the daylight. In June it is quite light until fairly late, which helps a lot. I did my driving in October (thus after dark, a lot) and missed a lot of turns with no navigator to help. Spotting parking places is also a challenge. And signage often doesn't allow much time for changing lanes to put yourself on the right road. I was glad to turn in my rental car and go with public transport. A more talented driver than I might have managed beautifully, though.
Posts: 2054 | Location: Suburban Philadelphia | Registered: 08 July 2002
I travelled to Italy solo last September. Here's my trip report.
My homebase was Rome. I did do an overnight in Naples. I understand your concern about the trains being confusing. I actually got on the wrong train when I went to Naples. I didn't really mind. I met some nice people and it was an adventure in itself. My advice on train travel is to arrive at the station early so that you're not rushed. You can use the electronic ticket machines, which have an English language option. Give yourself plenty of time to find the correct platform. Your hotel will be able to look up the train schedule for you.
Otherwise, do you have specific questions?
I would like to plan a trip to Spain this year. Perhaps we can share info You can email me or start a private topic, whichever works for you.
I have already done my best. I have no regrets. Willie Hung
It is absolutely pouring here in Los Angeles this evening! Just arrived home .... it is a mess out there on the 405 freeway.
I wanted to thank you all for your wonderful suggestions and words of encouragement. I promise to address your emails tomorrow as I am freezing and am in need of a HOT bath.
Mizz Eve, I would be happy to provide you with some information regarding Barcelona and the island of Menorca (I'm not sure how to post a private message?).
Again, thank you all for responding to my questions. This is a wonderful board!
You can send a private message by - Going to the new menu and select private message - Add Mizz Eve as a buddy - Add her to your invite list and confirm - Now you will be able to compose the message
You may also want to turn notifications for Immediate notification by email on the message so you will know when Mizz Eve replies.
Good for you to Go For It on your own! I have traveled in Italy many times on my own since 1984 when I first started coming here (now I live in Florence with my husband). I echo the other women in saying that I have never had a problem.
Unlike gedlin, I have never had a problem getting a table for one for dinner and have often been graced with a visit from the owner who might sit down and chat during one of the courses. Or, as happened in Orvieto, a German couple mistook me for an Italian (Hah!) and joined me for dessert.
Topic Closed
. I'm a pretty good navigator.
