Backpacking in Italy?

Question

I am thinking of going backpacking around Italy at the end of august just for 2 weeks, where should i go? what should i see and how should i travel? im finding it hard to find information on the net about this. Is it best to hire a car or take the train? is driving difficult in italy?

Answer 1

Hi Mel,

I'm Italian and live in northern Italy.About your first question,I'd say it depends on what you want to see.You may want to visit cities,or mountain places,or anywhere by the seaside.You have to make a choise because even if Italy is a small country,believe me,there are several places worth a visit.Here it's not difficult to drive,but consider that we drive on the right and that Italians don't follow the road rules like British people.In particular I wouldn't recommend driving in southern Italy or in big cities.The railway sistem normally works well and at the end of August it shouldn't be very busy.Of course they're often on strike though.

If you need anything more specific just write me back.

Answer 2

Well there is not much to add to what other have said, I do agree with Genius plan, here I am adding the railway train table, http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html.

The south of Italy maybe a bit more chaotic, but, Napoli, (with the Amalfitan cost and Capri) Pompei/Ercolano, Sicily with its temple, and the sea , just to mention few places are all worth a day or two

http://www.enit.it/default.asp?Lang=UK

This is the link to the Italian Tourist Board

Answer 3

Two weeks is not a whole lot of time, so I would recommend you do the 'basics'. When I went to Italy several years ago, I went to Rome, Florence, Pisa and Venice. I found that I had just the right amount of time to see everything that there was to see. I would have liked to have seen more, but I had a limited time frame, and a limited budget. I spent more time in Rome than the others and a day trip from Florence to Pisa was enough for me.

I would recommend taking the train rather than driving. Driving outside the cities would be alright, but in the city...you have a death wish. Italy does not seem to have any traffic rules once you enter a city limits! Also, if you take trains, you don't have to worry about finding somewhere to park the car and pay parking fees while you are in a city!!

There are some good websites available which will give you an idea of what to see/do and how long stay in each area for:

http://www.destination360.com/europe/ita... - I quite like this one

http://www.italy-map.net/bahn_italien/it... - Rail info. There's some passes that you can get if you live in Europe or iif you live elsewhere that can make train travel even more cost effective. If you are outside Europe, go to http://www.raileurope.com/us/rail/passes... for more info on that :)

Answer 4

We went to Italy for 10 days in March.  We didn't backpack per se, but we did travel to Venice, Florence and Rome via Eurostar.  The rail system was very reliable and easy to negotiate.  We also used public transportations once we were inside the cities.  Because we went through an online travel agency that sold us a really great deal we were a little bit limited by where we could go.  I have to say though the 10 days were enough to feel like I had been to Italy, I didn't get to see much of the country.  I have to also say that if you don't speak Italian and plan to go off the beaten path you should definitely brush up.  I found in Venice many of the locals did not speak English, in Florence it was better and in Rome just about everyone we met at least spoke rudimentary English.

Answer 5

It will be hot as h**l in August.... if you like cool then back pack the pre-alps.

Don't rent a car.... the train and bus system is pretty efficient in Italy. Two weeks? Where will you fly in to? Venice, Milan, Rome or Palermo? If it's Milan then spend at least a full day there to see the cathedral and the museum in Brera.... then Rome (by train). You'll need at least 3 days in Rome (get yourself a good guide book and start reading it now). From Rome go to Naples / Pompei. See the archaeological museum in Naples - head out to Pompei. You'll need some 3 days in the South. From Naples you may either take a ship to Palermo (to visit that wonderful city... and make the side trip to either Erice or Marsala) OR head out to Florence.... eat drink and meet Mary! From Florence go to Ravenna to see thye mosaics (for the day) and then to Venice. You'll need at least 3 days in Venice.

There are hostels in all of the cities I've mentioned. Enjoy yourself, learn much and take home great memories.

Answer 6

Travel around by train it is quite cheap and much better than driving.

What to see and where to go there is so much that 2 weeks will only give you an insight.

Decide where you are going to arrive in the country and leave from if you can return from a different airport if flying.

The lakes in the north are very good but can be expensive but if you arrive in Milan not a bad place to start.

Venice is a must but stay outside the city then head south.

Florence and Rome are both good and whilst in Florence Pisa is a pleasant day trip.

From Rome head south to Naples (if they have cleared the rubbish) or Bari.

If you return from Rome this would be the area to finish in.

Try booking. com for hotels as they can be quite good and the national railways for travel information but remember there are lots of independent railway companies in Italy.

Source : Booking.com www.booking.com

               Italia rail http://www.italiarail.co.uk/tickets/IR/I...

Answer 7

how many questions!!!!!!

I tell you that it's better coming to north of the country, like to Turin. I live here. In my opinion it's the best.

You have a lot to see here. Remember that the Olympics Games have taken place here the last year. And this year there were the Universiade, for people with a handicap who practise winter sports.

you better hire a car but there's a lot of traffic in 3 moments of the day. you'll have to drive in other hours.

you can also use the train. sometimes is better for long trips.

the best places to visit are in Piemonte, Piedmont.

It's heaven to me. Good food, low prices, very nice people. everything good.

Answer 8

If you do the adriatic coasts from Marche up to Puglia at the end of the land that will be a different exciting unforgettable summer...no worry about the driving just try to avoid to go inside the city centers  and park outside....enjoy

by the way you can do that by train is more simple and it does all the adriatic coast long

Answer 9

I'm Italian so if you happen to come to my town in Southern Italy I'll be glad to show you around.

Answer 10

since when did backpackers hire cars? effectively you are just going on a holiday. i dont recommend driving in built up areas if you are not used to driving abroad. the italians drive like maniacs and there's no way you'd get an insurance claim like you would here(ireland). the bus and train network are excellent, on time, cheap, run all day and go to even remote parts. i think this would be easier for you.