I doubt a railpass will be worth it unless you qualify for a youth pass (age 25 and under). The 10 day trenitalia youth pass averages out to about $30 per day (with shipping) — you could buy one and use if for any train trip that costs more than $30 (or any day you’re taking a couple of trains with total cost over $30) and buy point to point tickets for any trip that costs less than that. You can price out point to point tickets at trenitalia.com — click on "buy" to find the price. I don’t think the "buy" function is available 24/7 so check at different times if you don’t see a buy option. Remember that the fastest trains in Italy require a reservation which is usually the difference in cost if trenitalia.com gives different prices for the same route. A railpass doesn’t cover the cost of reservations so use a train that doesn’t require a reservation when making your calculations.

East coast isn’t a big deal as you go to the most beautiful places on the west coast.

Thanks! Yeah, I am only 23, so the pass might be a good bet. I’ll check that site out & weight the different options! Thanks oldlady!
Andrew, would you recommend that I go south, down the west coast from Florence first or up & over to Venice first? Thanks!!

If youre in Sicily, more specifically, Palermo, then it’s definitely worth your time to take a hydrofoil over to the Isle de Ustica. It’s a small Island about and hour and a half ferry ride from Palermo. It was one of my favorite locations to visit in all of Italy. Be sure to check out the bar, Carpie Diem, when youre there, ans well as the 5 grottos…you wont be let down!

quote:
I doubt a railpass will be worth it unless you qualify for a youth pass (age 25 and under). The 10 day trenitalia youth pass averages out to about $30 per day (with shipping) — you could buy one and use if for any train trip that costs more than $30 (or any day you’re taking a couple of trains with total cost over $30) and buy point to point tickets for any trip that costs less than that. You can price out point to point tickets at trenitalia.com — click on "buy" to find the price. I don’t think the "buy" function is available 24/7 so check at different times if you don’t see a buy option. Remember that the fastest trains in Italy require a reservation which is usually the difference in cost if trenitalia.com gives different prices for the same route. A railpass doesn’t cover the cost of reservations so use a train that doesn’t require a reservation when making your calculations.

I need some serious advise on traveling alone in Italy. Female, first time alone, dont speak the language, am having a heck of a time finding a hotel in Rome not sure where to stay =- blah blah blah. Suggestions, soup to nuts would be appreciated.

Once again, thanks for the answers. Are there any out of the way things or wierd things that one should see that anyone could recommend. I loved the catacombs in Paris, so creepy things like that are of interest to me in addition to the art history stuff & cultural things.
Also, defer when are you going to be in Italy? I’m also going be on my own, 1st time ever, and am kinda wary of being a female traveling alone, but also totally psyched. In the advice for women travelers folder there’s a good bit of advice, so I’m not nearly as freaked as I was when I started toying with the idea of this trip! Good luck!

quote:
East coast isn’t a big deal as you go to the most beautiful places on the west coast.

I beg to differ, but I may be biased. My folks live on the east coast, and I’ve always enjoyed the towns and beaches of Le Marche region. Although I’ll admit touristy things are fewer and further between on the east coast.

As far as trains go, point to point tickets are the way to go. And all of the larger stations have the electronic machines that have english menus that let you buy all you tix and reservations. Think about reservations on long trips, I’ve had a couple of 3+ hour trips in Italy sitting in the corridor on my bag. Not as much fun, but I did meet some nice folks.

As far as the itinerary, what you have for 6 weeks looks not too bad. Although getting back up from Sicily to Venice will be a long haul. Can’t offer much advice on hostels, I tend to stay in 2* hotels or pensiones.

A creepy highlight for me in Rome was the "bone church". Can’t remember the name of it, not far from the Spanish steps from what I remember. It is in the Lonely planet book. Anyhoo, it has all these cool grottoes underneath it made of human bones. Capucin monks I believe.

Most things in Florence are easily walkable, in Rome you may want to take the Metro to some areas.

Any other questions, I can try to help. Unfortunately only have been to Rome, Venice, and Florence on your list. Spent more of my time in Umbria, Tuscany, Veneto regions up north.

Am heading back myself in late May for another month. Just starting to get excited.

I would like some less touristy places to break up the barrage of more crowded places. I keep getting lists of different places to check out, and my list of cities keeps getting longer. Is it worth it to go all the way down to Sicily? I don’t really want to cut out anything, but feel like I might have to. I heard recommendations of Lake Como, thoughts on that anyone? Any other good cities/towns to check out? I am eternally grateful for all the advice…
and am totally anxious for May to get here already!

The Lake Como region is still reasonably touristy though probably more with European tourists. It’s definitely a beautiful, relaxing spot. A bit out of the way from everything else in Italy though. If you will be spending a lot of time in the far north or going to Switzerland at all, it would be worth it.

As far as some other places to go, I like Siena and Assisi. On my first trip to Italy, I took 3 days in Siena to just chill out and relax. There were some sights to see, but just hanging out in the centre of town and watching the world go by was very mellow. Assisi is very spiritual and quiet. Not sure about getting to either by rail, but the bus to Siena from Rome was very straightforward.

There are also some fantastic towns in the Veneto region, near Venice. Bassano del Grappa and Asolo are nice. Asolo is a very old hill town, surrounded by some of the most achingly beautiful countryside I’ve ever seen.

If by some chance you are interested in the East coast, there is a nice strip of beach towns from Rimini down to Fano (and a bit further south even, but the names escape me right now). Rimini is the party spot, lots of discos. Pesaro and Fano are great beaches, a range of hotels, and not much else.

I’ve definitely heard good things about Siena… & also Rimini. more places to add onto my list of places to go. I think I’m just going to have a list of places I NEED to hit, like the big 3, and then ones that I want to see (which will probably number well into the double digits) but will have to whittle down depending on time. I want to keep my plans loose so I can adjust depending on how much time i want to spend in each place. Is Naples good to see, or better off avoiding, especially as a solo 23 yr old chick? Rockies, where are you headed in Italy & when are you staying till? I’m flying out of Florence the 2nd to last week in June. I definitely have problems now wanting to see everything… but I’ll just have to suck it up & make decisions & see what I can in what time I have!

egos – I’m into Rome on the 26th of May and out 4 weeks later. my plans in Italy don’t extend much beyond laying on the beach in Fano, it is all of a 5 minute walk from my parent’s place. although I will likely go to Florence for a couple of days, because I can’t resist Florence. and hopefully up to Trieste, mainly for the coffee.

am really planning on just using Italy as a base of operations this trip, going up to Paris for a week and Barcelona for a week. my pace of travel is a bit slower than most on this board. I try to go for 1 month every 18 months or so, rather than one long trip.

I like your idea of needs and wants, sounds like what I did the first few trips. I came to the realization that I’ll be back someday, so I can relax and really enjoy things. getting rail tickets is so easy, you can decide that day if you want to leave or want to stay for another day. first time I went to Rome, I planned on going for 3 days. ended up staying for 5 because I met some cool people in the hostel and was having a great time. meant I didn’t get to Bologna that trip, but I’ll get back there eventually.

unfortunately can’t say much about Naples. many of my Italian friends don’t have much good to say about it but you have to recognize that there is a good amount of north-south prejudice in Italy. the area around Naples is supposed to be very beautiful. it kinda bugs me I’ve never been south of Rome. someday, hopefully.

I don’t know why, but the goose really tasted weird to me….

rockies – sounds like you have an awesome month &quotlanned". Your parent’s house being a 5 minute walk from the beach is pretty superb. I need to make sure that I have a nice balance of running around to see all the sights & museums & things and relaxing & being able to people-watch & absorb the atmosphere. The last thing I need to feel is pressured.
I’ve definitely read that there’s a fair division between north & south. Strong regionalism eh? guess it goes with the history. I don’t know any italian. Will it be really tough to get around? I’m planning on picking up a phrasebook, & at least knowing the please & thank you & do you speak english & similar key phrases… I got around France without knowing more than that fine, but I was with a group…. May seems so far, but is really rapidly approaching! Thank god!

Nah, a few key phrases should serve you well if you are in the bigger places. Like most countries I’ve visited, if you make an effort to speak the local language even folks who speak good english (and most do, especially under 35s) will be appreciative. One thing to remember, especially if you have any french, is that there are no silent letters in italian. Everything is pronounced. This has caught me up a couple of times. Run your syllables up and down too.

Ahhh, I love speaking Italian. I always seem to be out of practice though.

I’ve been doing a little planning for my trip lately too. Am thinking of maybe venturing down to Positano or Amalfi for a few days. Looking forward to la dolce vita.

hey i’m 22 female, travelling with sis…will be roaming around italy second week of july to celebrate getting out of uni AT LAST!! any fellow female travellers??

defer- I am a female who went on a solo trip to Europe last summer. I had a blast and wouldn’t change a thing. I stayed in a hostel in Rome. I met tons of great people. You will too. The other backpackers were very friendly.