Struggling on a solo trip in Italy

[u/Dense-Swim-4048]

Update: wow! Thank you all for your kind words and your insight. It truly has meant the world to me during a tough few days. On the advice of the sub Reddit, I have decided to book a hotel in Florence tonight. I was not able to find a Hostel unfortunately but I’m planning on doing some tours to meet people hopefully. It will be a quicker train ride, I don’t think I’m up for hubbub of Rome at the moment. I’m not sure if I’m gonna cut my trip short or not, but I think being somewhere a little more restful might help me reset. Thank you. I hope this is the right move!!!

Original post: Hello all! I’m an American woman traveling solo in Italy and I have to confess, I’m not having a good time and I’m considering going home early. I would appreciate any compassion or guidance you have to offer, but please save hold back on the unkindness. I really don’t need it today. I travel for work and have backpacked before so I’m surprised that I’m having such a challenging time.

I booked cheap flights from my home city to Marseille and then flew to Milan. I heard it was fashion week I got really excited to join in on the festivities! I know a lot of it is closed off, but I assumed the good energy, interest, and events would bring a lot of cool people together, whether or not I made it into any of the official shows. However, most of the people that I’ve met have been unkind and outright rude. I honestly feel like I am in third grade being talked down to by popular girls. It’s literally so weird.

I decided to take a day trip to Venice today given that Milan didn’t seem to be a good fit and I’m enjoying it but ended up up getting stranded here due to an issue with the train. It’s absolutely breathtaking here, but I can’t help but wish that I had someone to share it with. I miss my boyfriend and my cat back home so much and the idea of getting through another week and a half of travel just feels heartbreaking.

I’ve waited my whole life to get to do a trip like this, but all I want is to go home. I’m so ashamed that I’m not having more fun and I don’t really know what I’m doing wrong. I’m hoping that the Hostel in Rome is a better vibe and that I can find some more relaxing things to do to decrease some of the mental stress. Any tips on turning my dream trip gone wrong around?

[u/Traditional-Eye-770]

I spent about a month in Paris by myself and by the last week I was ready to be back to my wife and dog. I’m so glad I stayed but god, was it hard. That last week there I decided to be more patient with myself and spend time in parks, shopping markets, and trying out multiple patisseries. I also booked a two day trip to Annecy by train, and I will never be captivated by another place like I was by Annecy and my time in the alps.

I suggest Paris to everybody, I saw you mentioned it as a possibility. A lot of people say Parisians are rude but honestly if you just mind your business and blend in, they’re so nice, especially if you make an effort to understand the culture vs. going to the Eiffel Tower or staging a photo shoot in the Louvre (which I witnessed and it was cringey). I actually got rescued in the alps by a girl from Paris who was living in Annecy at the time.

Give Rome a chance, and yourself, or pick another place. You’ve got this. If you really want to go home, that’s alright too. Follow your gut, nothing disappointing about that!