It began as a casual joke between two friends, daydreaming outloud while looking at an advertisement in this very newspaper back in October, shortly before Halloween. Cheap student airfares, the neon green flier boasted. London, Paris, Rome. Discussions were rushed, as the sale ended in less than 24 hours. Decisions had to be made.

In the end I found myself making a phone call to my parents, explaining that what they were about to hear was not going to be easy. I had booked a backpacking trip to Italy ? the one place in the world I wanted to see if I could see anything ? and I was going alone.Reactions were mixed. There were those who simply saw me as what I was ? a 19-year-old female with absolutely no traveling experience outside of the U.S. ? and advised me against going. But there were also those who supported me when there was no other alternative. I had made my choice and spent $462 of my own money doing so, determined to make my winter break the most memorable.

No second guessing

The anticipation of a trip like this one can drive anyone into a nervous wreck if given half the chance. I had no idea where to start, but soon realized that after my ticket was purchased I was in better shape than I had originally thought.

For starters, I had booked my trip for January, a fantastic time to visit a country and truly experience life the way locals enjoy it. The pace is slower in winter, when there are few tourists and the prices are much cheaper. Lines are also short, if not altogether nonexistent, for museum galleries and famous monuments.

While still coping with classes at the time I began planning the trip, I enlisted the help of people whom I knew had backpacked around Europe. I was also surprised to learn how many student travelers were in my classes, all of who were eager to help in any way possible ? from giving me a good traveling tip or the use of their backpacking equipment.

Preparations

Many things, however, have to be considered when going on a backpacking trip to a foreign country. I made a point to learn as much common courtesy Italian as I could, which I later found to be one of my best short-term decisions in preparing for the trip. Although not necessary in nine out of 10 cities in Italy, you will go farther with the locals, who take even a handful of spoken words in their language as a sign of respect. Research also played a role in my preparation. Whether talking to other travelers or reading facts out of “Lonely Planet,” an extremely helpful guidebook, I learned the ins and outs of what it takes to backpack on a tight budget. Hostels, for example, provide a cheap alternative (about $20 a night) and a great place to meet fellow travelers.

Although often just a few pages read by flashlight the night before hitting the next city, knowing where you want to go next and what you actually want to see really helps, cutting down time and often saving money. The day trip system was also useful, in which you arrange to base yourself for a few days in a big city, like Florence, and then make day-long trips to nearby smaller cities like Pisa and Siena. This tactic will save money, as the hostels in big cities are almost always cheaper because there are more selections for the traveler. You?re also able to experience more of the big city nightlife.

The Italian way of life, although the envy of many Americans, can be quite a hassle for the tourist. With shops (and hostels) not opening until around 9 a.m., and then closing for a three hour lunch in the middle of the day, trying to schedule anything can be quite difficult, so calling ahead is a must.

But beyond the planning and fretting, Italy offered up everything that is promised on its postcards, from a breathtaking view of the Grand Canal in Venice to staring up at the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City.

Artful sites

Venice, a city of slow-paced pleasure and atmosphere, is one of my favorites. With its narrow streets and many bridges, this romantic city was easy ? and enjoyable ? to get lost in. The Piazza San Marco is especially beautiful, with it?s cobblestone front lined with old-fashioned lanterns that emit a soft glow onto the streets along the Grand Canal.Only a short trip away is Verona, the very city that inspired Shakespeare to write many of his classics. Casa di Giulietta (Juliet?s house) stands as one of the major tourist attractions, with it?s tiny balcony now covered in “love graffiti” of all colors and languages.

Florence, I found, offered the best blend of atmosphere and sites. If you do one thing in Florence, let it be the Uffizi Gallery, a collection of the world?s greatest art. “David,” however, is in the Galleria de Accademia, which houses Michelangelo?s unfinished sculptures. As for the atmosphere, Florence has the best nightlife ? with clubs that offer exotic drinks and the best European techno-music without the cover charge. Irish pubs are also worth the visit, centering around the Duomo (the church of the city named for it?s dome-like shape).

The gem among day trips was Pisa, often overlooked as only a place to see the Leaning Tower. I made a day of it and was not disappointed, finding that a comprehensive ticket (admission into the key monuments and museums for one low price) was well worth the buy. Pisa has some of the most interesting small museums that I found, and was often alone in, but seeing the Leaning Tower for the first time is enough to knock you off balance.

Rome, the eternal city, is better known for its monuments than its nightlife, but is essential to a visit to Italy for that reason alone. It?s well worth the $6 to enter into the Colosseum, which is as amazing as history books proclaim it to be. I took advantage of a $15 “walking tour” given by Australian students studying in Rome, which allowed me a fabulous opportunity to see the best sites in Rome (Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Pantheon) while getting all of the tour facts.

Friendly people, good food

Farther south, past Naples, is Sorrento, the heavenly coastal town that offers spectacular views of the Amalfi Coast and is only minutes away from the ritzy island of Capri. I stayed in Sorrento, a beautiful town with some of the nicest people and best food, while making day trips to Capri and the ruins of Pompeii, the ancient city preserved after being nearly destroyed by an eruption of Mt. Vesuvius.

As a lone traveler, you?re never really alone. I met people each day from around the world, all willing to talk about their travels and share their time, whether on a short train ride or out walking around the city streets of Milan. Your experiences carry you day to day and bring you back as a more appreciative person, aware of just how much culture and history exists outside the United States.

Now, when I tell people of my trip to Italy alone, there are still varied reactions. The one that never ceases to amaze me, however, is actually my own: Why did I ever doubt myself?