How can I make the most of my year in Italy?

Question

I'll be in Rome for a year....I want to explore as much of beautiful Italy as possible. I've been to Rome, Florence, and Assisi before but definitely would love to go back to Florence and Assisi. But, I want to visit other places also. What cities do you suggest? Now, I'm young so I do not have much money to spare so I need some tips on how to do travel Italy on a tight budget. I'm self reliant and I use my common sense so I can get along well I think...like I said, the only problem will be money.

Thanks for all the help!

Answer 1

Definitely speak Italian as much as possible.  I lived in Italy for about 18 months and it was only when I moved back to Canada that I realized I spoke more Italian than I thought, and I should have made more of an effort to learn even more!

In terms of great places to visit, I would definitely suggest exploring the Amalfi Coast area.  The island of Ischia is so beautiful, and Sorrento makes a great home base for exploring Capri, Pompeii and Naples (don't miss Pizzeria Trianon in Naples).  Paestum was one of the highlights of my time in Italy as well.  It's about an hour from Salerno (or two hours from Naples by train) and it's home to amazing Ancient Greek temples!  Who knew there were Greek temples outside of what we now call Greece?  

I lived in the North, and I really loved Piemonte.  In the spring and fall it is so beautiful!  One of my friends from the UK came to visit, and she said that Torino was her favorite Italian city because it was so untouched by tourism, yet still big and interesting.  Around Torino there are little towns famous for their food, like Asti (Spumante!) and Alba (truffles).  Torino is also the Chocolate Capital of Italy.  Torino is also great for anyone interested in contemporary art.

I wish I had visited Matera and more parts of the extreme south.

See my personal website for more of my Italy recommendations!  I'll start with a link for Sorrento and you can explore from there.

Answer 2

You can't lose four regions: Veneto, Campania, Sicily and Tuscany. They are the best.

Answer 3

You have to go to Venice...yes it is full of tourists,but you still have to go there.Do not return home without doing so....Pisa of course is another you need to visit.

Answer 4

Take the trains-they are inexpensive and fun.

Almost anywhere in Italy is worth going to. Be sure to explore some of the smaller hill towns and villages, not just the big cities, so you can get a real taste of Italy.

Answer 5

i think u are already on the right direction if u want to go around as much as possible keeping an open mind, and not acting like a tourist everywere but as a traveller.

if u are going to spend a year in rome please dont do as the majority of the americans that only stick around with other americans and have little or no contact with italians and at the end go back to the states and only know a couple of phrases in italian. if u manage to make friends with people from the place, they will give u the best suggestions for your trips, also for keeping a low budget,  and u will see sites that most tourists never heard about!