Hostels in Italy

Lucca is a beautiful medieval city, surrounded with the beauty of the Toscana landscape, truly a living fairy tale town.

I absolutly loved the town. It left Florence looking like another overcrowded, dirty metropolis by comparison. Siena has everything you could ask for, more history in a mile than you could imagine.

If you're in Verona in the summer don't miss the "Arena di Verona" summertime outdoor operas. Even if you're not into opera, it's an experience.

I have visited Sorrento twice. I absolutely love it there, it is one of my favourite places in the whole world. I would strongly reccomend anyone to visit Sorrento and the surrounding area, as it is beautiful and the culture is fantastic! I can't wait to go back!

Salerno is definitely less dangerous than Naples. I duly recommend it to use it as a base for touring around the area (1 day in Pompei, 1 day on the Amalfi Coast, 1 day in Capri). Salerno has nothing really special to offer, but is quieter than Naples and from the train station to the hostel is a nice walk. From Salerno Harbour leaves boats to the Amalfi coast and Capri (2 different boats leaving from 2 different parts of the harbour). The train to Pompei is a 20 minute journey.

I found plenty to see in Milan. The Duomo, the Castello Sforzesco, an array of museums, galleries, exhibitions. I stayed 2 weeks in Milan, and still didn't have time to see everything. I advise anyone planning to visit Milan to allow at least 5 days if they want to see the majority of the sights. Book Leonardo Da Vinci's Last Supper painting viewing well in advance (before your trip). Plenty of shops, fashion outlets, parks, gardens. I went to the Planetarium too. There's also the San Siro Football Stadium.

Positano is glamorous -- just as it is in the movies.

I wouldnt say there is a whole lot to do in Genoa, but the town itself is pretty vast and nice if you just want to do a little exploring. Traveling along the rocky coast is a must, and if you go far enough, the rocks turn into large flat stones that people sunbathe on in the summer. The water is amazing in color, although I would not recommend swimming. Genoa has a lot of festivals in the summer too, if you can time it right. And you must try the foccacia, they're famous for it.

Arezzo is the city where the famous film "La vita è bella" by Roberto Benigni was filmed. Around the city there are around ten to twelve panels telling which scenes have been filmed there. For those who like that film and for those who do not know it but are looking for a marvelous, quiet, Tuscan city -- Arezzo is the place!

Most hostels in Rome are located near the train station. It's a very touristy area, but it's a reasionably central area in the city and it's nice to be able to walk directly to your hostel from the train station. If you stay somewhere not near the train station, there's also a metro stop at the train station, so you can usually get to your hostel that way.

Perugia is a wonderful place to visit. The people are very friendly and there is a lot to do both in town and in the surrounding areas. I can not wait until I visit again.

I have been to the Cinque Terre two times and I cannot get enough. Hope to return next year.

Florence is sort of a little-Rome. It has a similar feel, with several museums, cathedrals, and other assorted old stuff, but on a much smaller scale than the overwhelming abundance that Rome has.

If you are travelling on your own, do ALL you can to avoid staying close to the station - it is an extremely seedy area. The rest of Naples is beautifully chaotic, and feels much safer. Great food and great people.

I like Trent becouse is a beatuiful city and becouse it's Chiara Lubich's hometown.