As an adverb their meaning would be equivalent to the English adverb "only" (as in solely, merely or exclusively). For example: Parlo solo/soltanto/solamente inglese. I speak only English
As a conjunction their meaning would be equivalent to the English conjunction "only" and convey an adverse meaning by describing a negative quality to something otherwise positive. For example: La pizza e buona, solo/soltanto/solamente un po' salata. (The pizza is good, only a little salty).
Are you dreaming about a solo adventure in Italy? With so many incredible places to explore, dishes to try, and sights to see, Italy is a fantastic destination for anyone new to solo travel. Besides having so much to see and do, Italy also offers the perfect stepping stones for adjusting from a total solo travel newbie to advanced solo traveler.
Whether you want to stay in one, walkable city for a simple first-time solo trip or take multiple trains and buses to reach far-flung corners of Italy, there are some important tips that will help you get the most out of your solo adventure in Italy!
Remind yourself at one point you were back home feeling SO excited to be there, then find something to focus on that makes you feel happy and excited. Most of all, know that the loneliness fades. The more you travel solo, the less loneliness is part of it.
Italy is the perfect place to explore solo especially if you love great food, history, beautiful architecture, and more! Italy has so much to offer. In one country you will find amazing beaches, mountains, city life, and hidden picturesque villages. So, for whatever traveler you are, Italy is surely not to disappoint. As a first time solo traveler to Italy, you may want to pick destinations that are more touristic as many of these places will know likely know more English.
The best time to visit Italy is in April or May if you want to avoid peak tourist time and very hot summers. Another great time to visit is September to October when the weather is still mild and fewer people are around. You will also benefit from lower travel costs during this time which is perfect for a solo traveler. August might be a time to avoid travel as this is when Italians also go on holiday and things will be super busy.
These are the best travel destinations in Italy for solo travelers. I have personally visited all of them solo and can attest to the fact that they felt safe. Also, they are major cities so that means there are more English Speaking Italians in these areas.
Hopefully, this post inspires you to travel to beautiful Italy solo and gives you some inspiration for where to go and how to navigate the amazing country!
I'm Jackie of Jou Jou Travels, a London based travel blogger. I'm addicted to travel, finding the most undiscovered and colorful places. Follow my adventures here and I will be sure to keep you informed about the best places to travel as a female solo traveler. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Many travel experts recommend that first-time solo female travelers start in an English-speaking country, but I actually think Italy can be good for first-timers. There are three primary reasons for that.
If your trip to Italy is your first solo trip ever, you may be more comfortable sticking to the tourist trail. Luckily, there are plenty of tourist trails all over Italy. You can also join a group tour.
The other major risk for solo female travelers in Italy is intoxication. Getting drunk lowers your inhibitions and leaves you susceptible to theft or assault. This can especially be challenging in a country like Italy where wine is part of life.
In Italian, the words solo, solamente and soltanto all translate as only in English. When used as adverbs and conjunctions, they are completely interchangeable.
The only small differences is that solo tends to be used more frequently in speech as it is shorter and a little more colloquial. According to Treccani, soltanto can have a stronger emphasis when talking about limitations. For example:
When used as a noun, solo translates as the only one, the one, or the only person in English. A close synonym in Italian is unico which also means the only one. Solo is used exclusively for males, whereas sola is applied to females. For example:
Italy solo travel is one of the most unique travel experiences you can have. Traveling solo requires a different mindset and preparation list than being with companions, and doing so in Italy gives the whole experience a special flavor.
This same sentiment goes for a lot of the best foods and drinks in Italy. Gelato, coffee, pasta, and even seafood can be really affordable if you know where to look. A good rule of thumb is to go searching for food a bit outside the main tourist zones when you solo travel in Italy.
Personally, I hate taking photos of myself as a solo female traveler. So, I always look for an opportunity to snap a few shots away from all the crowded attractions. As I did in the photo above that I took with a self-timer on my phone during a day trip to Lake Como.
Everyone thinks they can handle solo travel until they think of having to eat alone in restaurants. Before I started traveling alone, I totally resonated with this worry. However, after spending so many years and so many meals dining by myself, it has become one of my favorite parts of solo travel.
A solo trip to Italy means iconic food, so there is never a better time to embrace dining alone. I also found it was easier to get tables at busy places on a whim as a solo traveler in Italy. A practical benefit!
A solo trip to Italy will cost around $160 per day or around $1,100 per week not including airfare. These prices can be lower or higher depending on the season, the type of accommodations, and the chosen experiences or tours. During the low season, budget-conscious travelers can spend as little as $60-$75 a day in some parts of Italy.
Hello,
I am planning a solo trip there and wanted to know if you experienced the nightlife at all (i.e. cocktail bars, clubs, etc) if so, what were your thoughts? Also, I know it is an expensive town, were you able to find affordable meal options?
I believe that traveling solo doesn't have to be scary. In fact, it should be fun and seamless! Sign up for my solo travel resource library to get everything you need for total peace of mind on your solo adventures.
I was slightly nervous about a solo trip to Italy as I spoke no Italian, but I should not have worried for an instant. The trains and airports were extremely easy to navigate and the ticket-sellers, workers and other passengers were extremely friendly and helpful.
The trail sloped up, up, up and then along a bit of a flat ridge that came close to challenging my apprehension of heights. However, one positive aspect of traveling solo to Italy or anywhere is that some times you just have to tug on your big girl drawers, suck it up, and move through your fears. After walking precariously along the ridge, stopping occasionally (as far back from the edge as I could get), to scan the view back to Manorolo, I felt just like a mountain goat. The trail then went into some woods and started down into the town of Corniglia.
In recent years, the city has invested heavily in tourism ensuring the jaw-dropping historical center is clean, safe and easy to navigate around. This makes it the perfect destination for solo travelers.
In Siena, there is a wide range of great accommodations well suited for solo travelers. The B&B La Terrazza Sul Campo is absolutely wonderful and in a fantastic location at the main square.
If you are interested in learning more about the local history and culture, I would recommend going to the tourist office in Piazza del Duomo and asking for a local guide, especially if you are a solo traveler.
Brescia is a great city for solo travelers because it is both safe and easy to navigate. The city center is compact and walkable, making it easy to explore on foot. The city also has a good public transportation system, which allows solo travelers to get around with ease.
Even though Bari is a port city, it feels safer for tourists and solo travellers, compared to other port cities in Europe. Bari is also perfect for solo travellers as you can never feel alone in a city that vibrates with southern Italian temperament.
Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in Tuscany and is perfect for solo travellers. As the capital of Tuscany, Florence is easy to get to by train from Rome in about 3 hours or from other well-known cities in Italy.
When it comes to solo travel, Pisa in Italy is one of the best destinations you could visit. The reason is simple, Pisa is one of the largest University Cities in Italy. That means many young people, coming from all around Italy and Europe, willing to connect.
If you are looking for somewhere great to stay on your solo adventure through Italy, try Ostello Bello. It is a great place to meet other like-minded people and its location is fantastic!
There are many fun things to do in Matera Italy for solo travelers, like exploring the unique rock churches, hiking the trails of Parco della Murgia, sleeping in a cave hotel, dining in cave restaurants and relaxing in cave bars.
To immerse yourself in the food scene here, a good idea for solo travelers is to take a food tour of Bologna. You can learn about the local delicacies and also meet other like-minded travelers if you wish to.
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