SOLO TRAVEL - INSPIRATIONS - DESTINATIONS
MARGHERITA MARULLO
6 January 2023
Traveling can be a stressful time for anyone. From booking flights to your bucket list destinations to finding accommodations that are within your budget, and figuring out how you’re going to get to all your favorite sites is enough to create some frustrating moments along the way, whether you’re traveling as a family, a couple, with friends, or even solo: Especially when you’re a female traveling solo. Concerns about safety, not blending in, or whether you’ll have as much fun traveling on your own may come to mind.
However, traveling solo has become a popular choice for many, and it comes with many significant advantages and has a few minor disadvantages, and it can also be one of the most rewarding, relaxing, and momentous experiences of your life. If traveling to Italy has always been your dream destination, but you’ve been waiting for the opportunity to travel with your best friend or companion, we’re here to tell you that Italy is a great country for solo, female travelers, and we’ve narrowed down our picks of the top destinations for exploring the country known for art, architecture, history, fantastic food, and gelatos, alone.
Tuscany
Who doesn’t dream of visiting Tuscany while planning their vacation to Italy? Rolling hills as far as the eye can see. Vineyards and olive groves stretch across panoramic landscapes. Fascinating architecture, exquisite art, and boundless history. Stunning sunsets that even bedazzle the locals. Toscano is the epitome of Italian culture and heritage. And, within Tuscany, large cities such as Florence, Lucca, Pisa, Prato, and many more, beckon visitors to partake in everything they offer.
And, for females traveling on their own, there is no shortage of things to do in these major cities laden with museums, art galleries, and ancient monuments. Cities like Florence, afford solo travelers a host of options. Let’s not also forget all the amazing tours travelers can experience: Food, wine, walking, cycling, and unique adventure tours are available day and night and can be a great option for those traveling alone for the first time.
Bologna
Should you decide that you want to spend your entire vacation in Italy eating food and drinking wine, well then, Bologna is the culinary destination for you to go to! Known as the top tourist destination for foodies in Italy, the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region is the ultimate place for solo, female travelers to visit who have a taste for great Italian food and intriguing history.
This fascinating medieval city offers something for every solo traveler who visits and doesn’t disappoint when it comes to sampling the incredible food, cheeses, and wine it's famous for. If you’re interested in learning how to prepare some of these delectable dishes, there are a host of cooking classes available throughout the city. Bologna is also home to the oldest and most beautiful university in the world: Università di Bologna (University of Bologna). Open to the public to visit, it's also home to stunning architecture and fascinating history, which is best enjoyed at a leisurely pace.
Rome
The capital of Italy, this historic, magical, and romantic city that has been featured in movies, and songs, and draws millions of visitors each year, is a favorite for solo travelers. Traveling alone to the Eternal City is not only safe, but there are also many things to do and see while there: Rome has a plethora of ancient sites, museums, and historical buildings to venture to on your own.
Strolling through this ancient city’s cobbled streets, and open-air markets or just sitting in one or more of its 2,000+ piazzas sipping an espresso, enjoying a meal or a gelato is the highlight when visiting Rome, and it’s no different for solo travelers, especially women traveling to Rome alone. The internet is full of informative how-to guides for females traveling to the Eternal City, all affording positive and encouraging advice about traveling through Rome on your own.
Puglia
Puglia's legendary, southern region has the most stunning, panoramic views of both the Adriatic and the Ionian Sea. Turquoise blue waters against rugged coastlines beckon individuals to dive into the warm-tempered waters and admire the exotic scenery. It also has the longest coastline in all of Italy, offering some of the most dramatic beaches. And, this captivating area which forms the heel of Italy’s boot-shaped country, is the perfect destination for solo, female travelers.
Known for its olive oil production, Puglia has some of the most diverse landscapes for exploring on your own. Stroll through the famous town of Alberobello, known for its hobbit-like, stone Trulli huts, and be amazed by their construction and simplicity. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, these fascinating structures are as old as time itself, and Alberobello has a host of intriguing sites to see, and things to do for everyone. Or, head off to the city of Lecce, and take in its beautiful Baroque architecture and fascinating history. Both locations are unique places and both are completely different in their architectural composition.
Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is known for its jaw-dropping scenery, and colorful towns and villages perched high atop its jagged cliffs that jut precariously into the Tyrrhenian Sea and Gulf of Salerno. It’s also one of the most romantic areas to visit in Italy. So, you ask, why would we advise female travelers to venture to an area filled with such extreme beauty that evokes love and passion upon its immediate gaze? Because, the Amalfi Coast and all its picturesque, charming villages and towns is a top destination for solo travelers, particularly for women traveling alone.
From its stunning coastlines and beaches to its bustling outdoor markets, breathtaking piazzas, seaside vendors, tantalizing restaurants, and historic gardens and buildings, the Amalfi Coast — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — is quite literally heaven on earth. And, with so many places to visit and experience, traveling on your own to this magical paradise along Italy’s coast will fill your days and nights with epic adventures, historical wonder, and breathtaking views.
This article originally appeared published here by the same author.