How to Backpack Through Italy
Buy a Eurail pass to get the most travel for your money., Pick the one that works best with your travel plans, and compare the price for individual train rides before using your Eurail stamps up., Check out the famous landmarks in Venice first, but...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Buy a Eurail pass to get the most travel for your money.
Another option is the TrenItalia pass, an intra-Italy train pass
- be sure the check the travel restrictions to see which rail pass is best for your trip. , It is easy to get lost, but once you accept this, your visit will be a lot more fun.
Embrace the winding paths and mysterious turns! Be sure to purchase some Murano glass, made on an island nearby.
Take the water taxi for a cheap tour of the city, while actually cruising the canals! By the way, if you don't stop and get gelato, don't even bother telling anyone you went to Italy. , See the grand Cathedral (which recently underwent a massive renovation). , Do not miss Da Vinci's Last Supper painting, housed in a nearby church.
Tickets can be hard to get, so it is best to purchase a bus tour of the city in your language, then make sure the tour includes a visit to the church! That is the easiest access, though treasure your time with the art, as it is a constantly rotating crowd, portioned and monitored by security guards.
You get one look, and no photos... the gist shop is great and has all the image reproductions you could want. , Look for the cute boutiques, which have something for all wallet girths. , It may take time to get to by train, but it is worth it.
These five seaside villages are the realization of the quaint picturesque scenes Americans envision.
Most importantly, the best things about these cities are cheap or free.
One can spend evenings watching the sun set on the rocks with a bottle of wine and a group of new international friends.
And for only a few Euros, you can try the incredible pesto, which was created in this region.
The fresh seafood is amazing as well, though beware most places charge by the weight of the fish.
By far, the most famous attraction in Cinque Terre is the trek across the four mountains that separate the cities.
The climb gets harder as you go North and the third mountain is a two-hour trial.
But, the magnificent views, sights of the towns, and sense of accomplishment make the walk well worth it. , The Florence flea market is a great place to pick up your mementos and Euro fashion at the best prices in Italy.
Unfortunately, the museums are costly and there are many of them (even many churches charge entry fees.) , One of the city's best kept secrets is the Piazza Michelangelo.
A simple hike or bus ticket takes you to the hilltop Piazza, just outside of the city, which gives way to beautiful views of the city.
This trip is especially worthy at sunset.
A hip hangout seems to be in front of the Duomo, so head there at nightfall to see all sorts of locals and internationals alike.
There is a great pizza shop, which sells by the slice across the street from the Duomo, great for the budget traveler! Siena, another city very close to Florence is also a gorgeous city. , The great thing about Rome is that most of the monuments are free.
Some of these include the Pantheon, Roman Forum, Circus Maximus, Victor Emmanuel Monument, Spanish Steps, and Trevi Fountain.
The two big ticket items frequented by tourist are the Coliseum and the Vatican museums.
The Colosseum is overpriced and underwhelming, and is usually accompanied by a long line.
The Vatican museum does contain some famous masterpieces, including the Sistine Chapel.
But, for those who are averse to spending money, you can still see most of the Vatican including St.
Peter's Basilica for free.
At night, the Piazza's are a flurry with activity.
Camp di Fiori is fully of bars, many with Americans, and pub-crawls.
The Piazza Navona is filled with street performers and artists, as well as outdoor cafes.
The most beautiful sights in Rome are those of the monuments at night. , -
Step 2: Pick the one that works best with your travel plans
-
Step 3: and compare the price for individual train rides before using your Eurail stamps up.
-
Step 4: Check out the famous landmarks in Venice first
-
Step 5: but keep an eye out for incredible finds.
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Step 6: Milan is beauty incarnate.
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Step 7: Check out La Scala Opera House (said to be the most acoustically perfect theatre ever).
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Step 8: Go shopping!
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Step 9: By all means do not miss a stop in Cinque Terre
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Step 10: on the northwest coast.
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Step 11: The next city down the road is Florence.
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Step 12: Research ahead of time and pick one or two places if art is important to you.
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Step 13: Making your way down the country
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Step 14: the next stop is Rome.
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Step 15: Travel back through the Trevi Fountain and the area from the Victor Emmanuel monument to the Coliseum to see the beauty of the monuments in lights.
Detailed Guide
Another option is the TrenItalia pass, an intra-Italy train pass
- be sure the check the travel restrictions to see which rail pass is best for your trip. , It is easy to get lost, but once you accept this, your visit will be a lot more fun.
Embrace the winding paths and mysterious turns! Be sure to purchase some Murano glass, made on an island nearby.
Take the water taxi for a cheap tour of the city, while actually cruising the canals! By the way, if you don't stop and get gelato, don't even bother telling anyone you went to Italy. , See the grand Cathedral (which recently underwent a massive renovation). , Do not miss Da Vinci's Last Supper painting, housed in a nearby church.
Tickets can be hard to get, so it is best to purchase a bus tour of the city in your language, then make sure the tour includes a visit to the church! That is the easiest access, though treasure your time with the art, as it is a constantly rotating crowd, portioned and monitored by security guards.
You get one look, and no photos... the gist shop is great and has all the image reproductions you could want. , Look for the cute boutiques, which have something for all wallet girths. , It may take time to get to by train, but it is worth it.
These five seaside villages are the realization of the quaint picturesque scenes Americans envision.
Most importantly, the best things about these cities are cheap or free.
One can spend evenings watching the sun set on the rocks with a bottle of wine and a group of new international friends.
And for only a few Euros, you can try the incredible pesto, which was created in this region.
The fresh seafood is amazing as well, though beware most places charge by the weight of the fish.
By far, the most famous attraction in Cinque Terre is the trek across the four mountains that separate the cities.
The climb gets harder as you go North and the third mountain is a two-hour trial.
But, the magnificent views, sights of the towns, and sense of accomplishment make the walk well worth it. , The Florence flea market is a great place to pick up your mementos and Euro fashion at the best prices in Italy.
Unfortunately, the museums are costly and there are many of them (even many churches charge entry fees.) , One of the city's best kept secrets is the Piazza Michelangelo.
A simple hike or bus ticket takes you to the hilltop Piazza, just outside of the city, which gives way to beautiful views of the city.
This trip is especially worthy at sunset.
A hip hangout seems to be in front of the Duomo, so head there at nightfall to see all sorts of locals and internationals alike.
There is a great pizza shop, which sells by the slice across the street from the Duomo, great for the budget traveler! Siena, another city very close to Florence is also a gorgeous city. , The great thing about Rome is that most of the monuments are free.
Some of these include the Pantheon, Roman Forum, Circus Maximus, Victor Emmanuel Monument, Spanish Steps, and Trevi Fountain.
The two big ticket items frequented by tourist are the Coliseum and the Vatican museums.
The Colosseum is overpriced and underwhelming, and is usually accompanied by a long line.
The Vatican museum does contain some famous masterpieces, including the Sistine Chapel.
But, for those who are averse to spending money, you can still see most of the Vatican including St.
Peter's Basilica for free.
At night, the Piazza's are a flurry with activity.
Camp di Fiori is fully of bars, many with Americans, and pub-crawls.
The Piazza Navona is filled with street performers and artists, as well as outdoor cafes.
The most beautiful sights in Rome are those of the monuments at night. ,
About the Author
Walter Roberts
Walter Roberts has dedicated 11 years to mastering education and learning. As a content creator, Walter focuses on providing actionable tips and step-by-step guides.
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