Italy solo

[piccolo]

OK, I have to go to Italy for 3 weeks next Sunday and I'll be on my own pretty much the whole time.

This sucks 'cos I really don't travel well alone (I can't stand being on my own in any situation) but if anyone has any advice, I'd love to hear it.

Spending 4 nights in Ostia, 3 in Rome, 5 in Naples and another 3 in Rome.

[Scary Monster]

I'm dead jealous.

What kind of advice are you after? Things to go to, what to take? If your on your own I'd pretend to be married, but that's just me.

[HanHan]

I'm dead jealous.

What kind of advice are you after? Things to go to, what to take? If your on your own I'd pretend to be married, but that's just me.

:lol: I was just about to say the same! Italian men can be VERY persistent....don't think they'll care that you're gay either!!! :p

Also...as well as going around and looking at stuff, Italy in general is a great place just to lounge around, sit outside a cafe having a coffee, and soaking up the atmosphere....sooo jealous...it's just gorgeous!! Have a great time!!! :thumb:

[purplebutterfly]

I travelled for three weeks on my own and was okay. Use internet cafes if you can find them to keep in touch with people, and if you stay in hostels you do meet people to talk to and sometimes socialise with. Take books/mp3 player/anything else to keep you sane on your travels. Doubling checking your travel plans and leaving plenty of time to get there helped me a lot.

I second the agreeing to pretending to be married. Get a cheap wedding ring and if you have a photo or two (or can get them done before you go) of one of your male friends, take them with you and use him as your "hubby"

[Thunderstruck]

Spending 4 nights in Ostia


Why? What is there to do in Ostia?

At least you've got a decent amount of time in Napoli and Roma. Should be a reet laught. I'm quite envious.

[piccolo]

Well, it's an archaeological trip.

To be honest I'm staying in Ostia so that I don't have to be in Rome at night on my own until I've got used to it. I'll be in Rome or visiting sites in Lazio.

[_guest]

You lucky, lucky thing :thumb:

I haven't been to Ostia but I've been to Naples and Rome twice respectively and they are just fantastic cities.

I especially love Napoli, though it gets a bad rep for being rough and pretty uncouth afterdark. Anyway, I assume if it's an archaeological trip you'll be visiting (or digging up) Pompeii and Herculaneum. I think the latter is more fascinating than the former but visitor numbers don't lie I suppose. They blew my mind, anyway, and I didn't even complain about the sweltering heat (and it really was) because I was so chuffed to be there! I don't know if you'll have time to do as you please but a boat trip to Capri is divine. All narrow, winding streets and spectacular clifftops. Plus you can ogle all the summer houses of Valentino etc and feel a bit pissed off that you'll never be able to afford one. Maybe that's just me, haha!

All of the Amalfi coast is divine, Amalfi itself, Ravello and especially Positano though I imagine it's even more touristy now then it was when I was there. I only wanted to go because of its Steinbeck kudos but, honestly, it is like someone's imagining of a beautiful, coastal village in Italy. Pity about all the street traders etc now, but you've got to earn a crust somehow I s'pose.

In Naples itself in the summer there are a lot of open air cinemas, which kept us entertained when we were trying to budget! Unfortunately they insisted on showing 'Meet Joe Black' three nights in a row and I despised that film even when I could understand the dialogue :p

You will more than likely be told all these things about Naples, but it's really important to keep jewellery inconspicuous (not that I thought you'd be running 'round Italy Sophia Loren-style dripping in diamonds) and your valuables secure in the hotel and concealed when on your person. On the train my ex and I watched - and challenged - two pickpocket kids trying to get into someone's rucksack. Unsuccessfully, might I add, because of my crime-fighting skills. The shocker was that it transpired they were with their mum, who started giving ME an earful for telling her kids off. Jeez. Just be aware and make sure you can see all the zips etc on your luggage if you use public transport, and make sure you keep your passport and dollar secure. I don't know if you're going to try out speaking Italian when you're over there but in Naples and Rome English is widely spoken, so don't let that be a worry to you. First thing we heard on arriving at our hotel in Rome - "it must be chucking out time in Chelmsford!".

Budget well in Rome, I went for a week and found myself running out of money on the 5th day etc. It is quite expensive if you just dive into shops and restaurants willy-nilly but if you think about it and look around then money can really stretch! I'm going to find the last post I made about Rome as I couldn't bear typing it all out again. Edit: found it! (http://vbulletin.thesite.org/showpost.php?p=1689197&postcount=3) That whole thread is pretty useful/informative.

Oh, one last thing - you must eat your bodyweight and more in gelati. No one makes ice cream like the Italians and I had cravings for it for months after I came back. It's an order! Have fun :D

[_guest]

Oh, as for the men, as long as you're firm that you're not interested they do eventually piss off. They are a bit like a dog with a bone though (:razz:) and I didn't find that being with my boyfriend who was a big, intimidating bloke made much difference.

They just seem to chance their luck with everyone - I tried to look at it as a sport, though when you're alone you just have to give them really short shrift. It goes without saying that you'd be wise not to wander around Rome or Naples after 11pm on your own, certainly not away from the well-lit, well-populated areas.

[piccolo]

Hurrah! sounds fab. Expect the men are no worse than French or Spanish men - from whom I've had the same.

The plan has changed now, so my gf is joining me after the first week. Hooray!

Very excited. We're having to stay in the hostel I booked in Naples (6 beds, no sex, sigh) but there are a couple of other people from our friendship group who've just booked in there, too, so that's kind of exciting!

:hyper:

I'm now very, very excited, and we've found a lovely B&B in Rome for the last 5 nights (including the gf's birthday). So not only do I not have to spend a whole three months without her, I have company in Italy and I get to spend her birthday with her.

La vida e bella. (No, I don't speak Italian. Yes,I made that up).

The next challenge is 3 weeks on my own in Greece in August... Ah well, I'm sure I'll find another companion!

[Girl_gunner]

I stayed in Nice last week for a few days on my own and it was great. I shared in a dorm so met people and yeh loved it

[Mila]

I think Italian men are geniunely awful-awful. And much worse in small towns than big cities, where at least there are clubs and good bars in which to meet people properly. In small places there's nothing and you literally can't shake them off you. I found I got much less hassle in busy places where you didn't really see the same people more than once. I'd say if you're going out at night, try not to go to the same place often, because they'll recognise you, see you're always alone and latch on. I met some nasty people by not getting this and by getting lonely and wanting to talk to people. Be careful!

Apart from that, Italians are generally quite rubbish at English- they're not snooty about speaking it like some French people are, most of them just aren't that great at it, which you'll probably notice more the further south you go (that was my experience anyway...) and the less touristy the place you're in. So if you don't speak Italian, learn stuff like directions, explaining you're lost, stuff like that.

Also with guys:
Ho un fidanzato.- I have a boyfriend
Vaffanculo- fuck off
Che cazzo stai facendo- what the fuck do you think you're doing?
Come sei stronzo!- what a cock you are!
Mi rompe le palle- you are really pissing me off

Italian swearing is hilarious- it's also the only way I ever managed to get anyone to go away. Ever. Just say it like you mean it.

[piccolo]

Thanks! I'm not getting harrassed (but then I look very butch in my tanktops and combats!!!) and I'm having a fabby time.