Italy Women Travelers

Women exploring on their own inevitably face additional safety concerns. Single women can consider staying in singles that lock from the inside in hostels or in religious organizations with single-sex dorms. It’s a good idea to stick to centrally located accommodations and to avoid traveling alone at night.

Always carry extra cash for a phone call, bus, or taxi. Hitchhiking is never safe for lone women, or even for two women traveling together. Look as if you know where you’re going and approach older women or couples for directions if you’re lost or feeling uncomfortable. Generally, the less you look like a tourist, the better off you’ll be. Dress conservatively, especially in rural areas. Wearing a conspicuous wedding band may help to prevent unwanted advances.

Your best answer to verbal harassment is no answer at all; feigning deafness, sitting motionless, and staring straight ahead at nothing in particular will usually do the trick. The extremely persistent can sometimes be dissuaded by a firm, loud, and very public “Vai via” or “Vattene” (“Go Away!”). Don’t hesitate to seek out a poliziotto (police officer) or a passerby if you are being harassed. Memorize the emergency numbers in places you visit, and consider carrying a whistle on your keychain. A self-defense course will both prepare you for a potential attack and raise your level of awareness of your surroundings (see Personal Safety). Also, it might be a good idea to talk with your doctor about the health concerns that women face when traveling (p. 24).