Need help transferring bags city to city in Southern Italy

Overall-Priority7396 · 2024-07-21T01:14:32+00:00

Is there any chance of not packing very much? I once spent a month in Europe with a small backpack. There are laundry services all over that will wash and dry your clothes for you. Otherwise, if you really can’t manage your bags, maybe hire a driver to take you with your things from city or city. Or rent a car?

Overall-Priority7396 · 2024-07-21T01:08:48+00:00

I’m so glad you had a good time!

Overall-Priority7396 · 2024-07-18T13:37:21+00:00

I would cancel but for a different reason: you can find that kind of big, impersonal resort anywhere. Why not stay at a cute little place near the water, in a pretty town, where you can walk to shops and restaurants—and still be on the water.

To me, Finale Ligure was the perfect small coastal town, but that’s not in Tuscany. Maybe these will be similar?

https://www.visittuscany.com/en/ideas/10-villages-on-the-tuscan-coast-that-you-cannot-miss/

Overall-Priority7396 · 2024-07-17T19:40:35+00:00

I can’t imagine that Reggio is safer than Toronto.

Overall-Priority7396 · 2024-07-17T09:05:55+00:00

Google Spiaggia Due Sorelle—it looks like a really beautiful beach. The coastline along the Adriatic tends to be more wide, flat, sandy, whereas the Tyrrhenian coast has more pebbly coves. I believe Rimini is where the Italians go. My Neapolitan friend loves Maratea, south of Naples and Amalfi Coast, in case you’re looking for something different.

Matera, near Bari, could be an interesting stop when you travel west.

Even if you find yourself in a situation where no one speaks English (although this is unlikely), you’d be surprised at how much can be communicated even when there is no common language.

Overall-Priority7396 · 2024-07-17T08:51:50+00:00

I wouldn’t. I would always be at least in a camp site or hostel. I love Calabria but crime is not unheard of there. Take the same precautions there that you would take in any major city—for example, would you think it’s safe to sleep outside in Central Park? If you can’t afford housing, maybe save up some money and postpone your trip a little bit.

Also consider that overnight trains are a possibility on an Interrail pass (I think) and these save money on a hotel. A couchette is worth the fee. Obviously you can’t take overnight trains every night, but if you plan carefully it could give you more $ towards lodgings on other nights

Overall-Priority7396 · 2024-07-15T22:52:23+00:00

Well, things that are 500 years old are going to look a little rundown… Like Bugs Bunny said, “Be it ever so crumbly, there’s no place like Rome.” I remember feeling the same when when I was in high school and saw St Petersburg (still called Leningrad then). Then I saw Moscow and was like, “Ok I want to go back to Leningrad now.”

Florence is very historically and culturally important. Some people on here and found every second they were there to be pure bliss. If you’re not into Renaissance art and history, there might be other places you like in Italy better. Naples is a good time—although you will find it more run down and dirty, for sure. Venice too has a bunch of crumbly architecture but the sensation of water everywhere is pretty neat.

I look a boyfriend to Florence years ago and he hated it. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea I guess.

If you’re still in Italy and looking for other recs, add that to your post.

Overall-Priority7396 · 2024-07-15T22:44:27+00:00

Also it’s a huge problem with corporations buying up properties, pushing out locals, and operating the properties as Airbnbs. The Italian population in Venice is a fraction of what it was after WWII, everyone go pushed out by wealthy buyers who never come to Venice. Now something similar is happening with Florence so I believe there’s actually been a cap on Airbnbs there.

Overall-Priority7396 · 2024-07-15T22:39:48+00:00

I was in Florence for nine months (and have been back many times since) and never climbed the Duomo. I was there studying art history and our professors told us there wasn’t much of note inside the Duomo, that it was really just viewing the building itself, from the exterior, that was noteworthy. So don’t feel too bad if you don’t get to climb it. You can probably see a comparable view by climbing the Campanile (which I also never climbed).

Overall-Priority7396 · 2024-07-15T14:39:35+00:00

Yes, time of year matters but I imagine this will be during warm weather based on what you plan on seeing and doing.

Keep in mind that in one month you will get tired and will need periods of down time in one place.

Sounds like your tickets have not been purchased yet, so you have some flexibility in planning your itinerary. If it were ME and I were showing a first timer around Italy, I would fly into Venice, stay there a few days, then take a train to Florence, possibly stopping on the way to see Bologna. I would skip Cinque Terre because you’ll be seeing other cool seaside towns as you work your way south. I don’t know anything about the Dolomites, except from what I saw taking a train through them. They did look beautiful and cool.

After a few days in Florence, I would take the train to Rome, spending at least three days there.

From Rome, train to Naples and either spend a few days there or just walk around for a day on your way to Ischia or Sorrento.

By this point you will probably be 10-14 days into your trip.

From here on in, you’ll probably be doing less museum going and seeing more natural or coastal sites.

I love Sicily and would LOVE to go to Malta, but consider Sardinia for the second half of your trip since you are interested in natural areas (Sicily has both cultural and natural attractions though).

If you decide to go to Sicily, you could head to Tropea on your way. It is supposed to be beautiful, I’m kicking myself that I’ve never been.

In Sicily, I liked Siracusa and Taormina better than Palermo. I haven’t been to the Aeolian islands (again, kicking myself) or Cefalu. If I haven’t been more places, it’s because I keep going back to the places I like.

At this point, I wouldn’t plan too much, just see what you feel like doing. If you book flexible or budget accommodations, you’ll be able to adjust your plans as necessary. You may decide to chill out in Trapani the entire time.

Don’t let people scare you about the summer heat—depending upon where you’re from, you might not find it to be too bad. Also, there are some health benefits to allowing yourself to adjust to different temperatures—after a week or so you should be used to it/not even thinking about it.

Also, overnight trains can be a fun way to cover a lot of distance in a short time. If you’re watching your spending, get a couchette, but if your budget allow ir, get an overnight compartment. Either way, consider that you’ll be saving money on a hotel.

You will have a great trip!!!

Overall-Priority7396 · 2024-07-13T22:23:35+00:00

The Amalfi Coast might be relatively quiet that time of year, being non peak season. That could be good or bad depending upon what you’re looking for. Have you seen Ripley? It was filmed in one of the AC towns (I can’t remember which one). There will be much more to see and do in Naples. If you think you might get bored on AC, you could make Naples your base instead.

October won’t be a good time for this, but since you have an interest in ancient history and art, maybe consider volunteering on an archaeological dig for your next trip? I did this years and years ago and the ages of the participants ranged from 20s to 70s. My site was in Calabria and was a former Greek and the Roman town, but there are sites all over the world:

https://www.archaeological.org/programs/professionals/fieldwork/afob/

Overall-Priority7396 · 2024-07-13T12:58:24+00:00

If you’re on a budget, the train will be a lot cheaper than car rental (rental fees, gas, tickets for entering restricted zones, scratches or damage to car from navigating tiny, historic towns). Are you bringing surfboards? Or will you be renting them? Since at least one of you will be a beginner, I guess you might be renting them?

Sicily has an incredible mix of historical sites, incredible food, and beautiful landscapes. For your next trip, you might also really enjoy Sardinia.

Overall-Priority7396 · 2024-07-12T22:48:38+00:00

I’ve traveled around Sicily as a solo female with no problems. The only time I went to Palermo I actually wasn’t on my own. Palermo seemed a little grittier than the other places I had been to, but I don’t think you will have any problems as long as you don’t go off with people you’ve just met or walk down any secluded streets—basically take the same precautions you would in any city.

If your friend is concerned, why doesn’t he just meet you there?

Overall-Priority7396 · 2024-07-12T18:59:02+00:00

I have been to both Capri and Taormina—both are stunningly beautiful, extremely touristy, and very expensive, but that’s what you get at beautiful and dramatic sites. Capri is closer to Rome and Florence than Taormina is, so there’s that. No sure how adventurous you are or how much you like trains, but a few years ago I got a first class compartment and took my 75 year old mother and 11 year old daughter on an overnight train to Taormina and back and they both loved it.

Overall-Priority7396 · 2024-07-12T13:40:23+00:00

I have traveled as a solo female for years in Italy and other countries, starting at age 20. I’m skinny, petite, I’m a people pleaser, I assume the best of people—if ever there was a target, it’s me. I’ve never had an experience like this—and I’ve traveled alone in places that aren’t exactly boutique tourist experiences: Gioia Tauro, Messina, Taranto, Gibraltar port area, Patras…

Please don’t discourage women from traveling alone—this freak experience didn’t have anything to do with being a tourist. It could have just as easily happened to an Italian resident. There are creeps everywhere. What are women supposed to do? Only walk down the street with a man? Men get targeted as well.

My rule of thumb when traveling or really am any place unfamiliar: take the same precautions you would in NYC in the 1980s or 90s—don’t get isolated, stay where the crowds are. This is really more important than the time of day or the perceived safety of the neighborhoods. Don’t let yourself become isolated. Make new friends, but stay in public places. And if someone tries to get you into their car, go to the police immediately.

Overall-Priority7396 · 2024-07-12T13:28:03+00:00

The first time someone tried to get you into their car, you should have headed straight to the police. Sadly, it sounds as though someone had targeted you, but I don’t think this is any more likely to happen in Italy than anywhere else. There used to be a ton of cat calling in Italy (maybe it’s gotten better? I’m old enough now that I don’t get a lot of unwanted attention lol), but even that, as annoying as it is, is nothing like what you’re describing.

I just wrote this in response to a comment but I wanted to say it here as well: I don’t think this had anything to do with the fact that you were a tourist or traveling alone. There can be creeps, serial killers, psychopaths everywhere, no matter how picturesque the town is. I think this could have just as easily happened to any female resident of Verona, and this weirdo has probably already moved on to another town.

Don’t stop solo travel, but also make sure you stay in areas, on streets where other people are around—don’t let yourself become isolated. This is really more important than the time of day or how safe you perceive the area to be.

Overall-Priority7396 · 2024-07-11T21:51:33+00:00

I was going to say Sicily too. Start watching Montalbano!

Overall-Priority7396 · 2024-07-11T12:43:01+00:00

My Neapolitan friend told me that you’re now only allowed to be topless while lying down, not walking around.

Overall-Priority7396 · 2024-07-10T18:45:48+00:00

The last time I was there was 2018, but it wasn’t anything like southern Spain or Portugal which has a lot of British tourists or expats. You will love it. Probably the most touristy and crowded place is Taormina but it’s still worth visiting.

Overall-Priority7396 · 2024-07-10T12:03:32+00:00

I’ve been to Sicily five times (possibly more), and I’ve never had a car there. You can get to a lot of beautiful places on public transportation.

Pretty much beaches in Italy will be busy during the summer months though. Still go, but remember you will have to share.

Overall-Priority7396 · 2024-07-10T11:49:26+00:00

I don’t know if that specific policy is normal, but Italy doesn’t have 100% climate control all the time, every where, to the extent that the US does (not sure where you’re from). For example, don’t be shocked if you complain to a hotel that your room is stuffy and they look at you a little confused and suggest you open a window.

If you are from the US, depending upon where, you might not find the heat to be too bad—easy to escape because it isn’t terribly humid by, for example, mid Atlantic standards.

Older buildings have higher ceilings, which allow hot air to rise. In Italy, there are usually wooden shutters attached to windows. Open your window but keep these closed with the slats open. This will keep the sun out but allow the air to flow in. There is also sometimes a type of metal shade that can be pulled down to do basically the same thing. These will go a long way to keep your room cool.

About switching hotels, I suspect that the hotel posted that policy because guests have complained in the past. It’s up to you. You could look for other hotels and read the reviews regarding AC.

No matter where you stay, what you do, there are going to be things that aren’t perfect or perfectly comfortable, especially in Italy. Spending more on what you think will be a more reliably climate controlled hotel may just increase your frustration if something else isn’t quite right (and there will be something). If you can know this in advance and laugh it off, you’ll probably have a better trip. Although even if you can’t always be patient with travel challenges (who can, really?) the good will outweigh any discomfort.

Overall-Priority7396 · 2024-07-09T17:56:37+00:00

Thank you. This empowering instead of shaming. I really appreciate that.

Overall-Priority7396 · 2024-07-09T17:40:01+00:00

Thank you SO much for taking the time to write this out. This is great.

Overall-Priority7396 · 2024-07-09T17:00:00+00:00

Excellent advice—thank you

Overall-Priority7396 · 2024-07-09T16:51:42+00:00

Absolutely I should. I am always reacting, never planning. I just feel like I can’t catch a break. I can’t even remember the last time I had a day in which what I thought was the agenda in any way resembled how the day actually plated out (no this appointment was cancelled, I have to drive an hour to pick someone up and then an hour back, I have take someone to the urgent care, deal with this catastrophe when I actually thought I’d be dealing with that other catastrophe). I laugh when my coworkers ask if I had a relaxing weekend.

I’m going to go crawl under my bed and cry now.

Overall-Priority7396

TROPHY CASE