Traveling Solo In Italy
I recently got back from a solo trip to Italy and wanted to share all the goods with you guys: what to do, what not to do, what I loved, etc. I've gotten tons of questions about people wanting to do the same thing, so I've put it all in one place...but my biggest piece of advice is just GO! You'll learn along the way.
I based myself out of Rome and then went on day trips to other regions. I got everything I wanted and more out of my trip and was so happy with the way I did it! I had something planned every day, whether that was a few hour local tour in Rome or an entire day trip somewhere else. I'd recommend alternating between day trips and local tours. I loved this schedule because I had a lot of free time to explore on my local days in Rome, and had a bit of a break from the early mornings and long days of the day trips. However, getting the opportunity to see places like Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast, and Pompeii during the day trips was invaluable to me. I booked everything, local tours and day trips alike, on Viator before I left. They made it super easy and reasonable, and you just add your tickets right to your mobile wallet. There's tons of options! These day trips were extremely reasonable, lasting about 12 hours and costing around $130 which included transportation, guided tours, and often lunch. The shorter tours in Rome were usually around $50.
Tips...
1. Get some Euros beforehand just in case, but most everyone took a card. I only ran into one little shop that only took cash, and it's helpful for tips on the tours. A hundred euros was perfect for my week trip, and I used my card the rest of the time.
2. Don't bother bringing heels. With the uneven cobblestone roads, heels will ensure an unpleasant and untimely death.
3. I had fun practicing my Italian, but every person I came into contact with spoke English well.
4. If you are planning on visiting the Vatican or any of Rome's 900+ churches, be sure to bring clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. It was a requirement in many of the basilicas.
5. Bring VERY comfortable shoes. There is a ton of walking involved on the tours, but also just navigating around Rome.
6. Tipping at restaurants is not customary in Italy, and at most, people tip 5-10%. Don't fall for the tourist trap restaurants that ask you to tip like 25%. They know an American when they see one.
7. I did share my location on my phone with family back home, but as a 29-year-old woman, I always felt completely safe.
8. Be mindful of your belongings, definitely, but I had zero problems or even almost-problems with pickpockets during my travels.
9. The men on the street will try to sell bracelets to you and feed you sob stories about their families back home. They are lies and illegal vendors that often get chased by the police. Do not buy from them. The locals absolutely despise them.
10. Along that same vein, there's similar men selling bottles of water. They are also illegal vendors, so when the cops come, they stash their full water bottles they are attempting to sell in trash cans. Don't buy water that has already been in the garbage. Oof.
11. If you get car sick easily, be prepared for the drive to and from the Amalfi Coast, especially Positano. Hairpin turn after hairpin turn. Beautiful, but rough.
12. Tours were an amazing way to make friends as a solo traveler. I found traveling alone, people were extra nice and went out of their way to make conversation. I still keep in contact with many of them today!
13. As far as accommodations, AirBnb was by far the best option. I found a perfect studio right near Piazza del Popolo in the heart of Rome that offered more than a hotel room and was much cheaper. The hosts were incredibly gracious and I was so happy I chose to stay where I did.
14. Don't take the taxis that charge a flat fee. That's how they get you. If you're going to taxi somewhere, which I didn't even need to, use the ones with a timer.
15. Rome was extremely reasonable with their prices, whether it be souvenirs, food, clothing, etc. Bypass anything on the Amalfi Coast unless you're prepared to pay up.
16. I opted for the bus vs. taxi to get to and from the airport. A one-way ticket was $8 for about a 30-40 minute ride depending on traffic, which I also bought beforehand on Viator. Cheap, easy, and well worth it!
I never wanted to leave, but whether it's Italy or not, I so highly recommend traveling solo at some point in your life. It was the most amazing trip. I loved being on my own schedule, not worrying about others, and learned a lot about myself along the way. I'm passionate in the belief that everyone should do it at least once. Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk. Ciao!
