Decide on your budget. Nothing ruins a vacation faster than running out of money. Be sure to factor in the cost for your passport (if you don't already have one), airline tickets, food, hostels or hotels and transportation. Even though you are backpacking, you will still need to take a train to get most places.
Purchase a Eurorail pass or a Trenitalia pass. Trenitalia is the inter-Italy train system, which is ideal if you aren't leaving the country.
Bring an ergonomically correct backpack. You are going to be lugging it around with you for several days or weeks and you certainly don't want back problems at the end of your backpacking vacation.
Pack clothes for all weather and comfortable walking shoes. If you plan to stay in hostels you should bring your own sheets. That way you know they are clean.
Keep a supply of calling cards handy to check in with the folks back home so they aren't worried.
Start your backpacking trip in Italy in the North, in Venice. After the obligatory gondola ride, explore the winding streets of this ancient city.
Take the train west to Milan. Here you will find a bevy of churches and cathedrals, including the Church of San Maurizio and the Basilica of San Satiro.
Travel south to the Renaissance capital of Europe, Florence. Revel in the magnificent architecture of the church of San Lorenzo and Canon's Cloister.
Continue on to Rome, the capital of Italy. Here the Ancient World comes alive. Visitors can see the Coliseum and the Pantheon.
Head south to Naples, a rough and tumble city on the Amalfi Coast. Here you snap pictures of Mount Vesuvius in the distance and enjoy an authentic Italian pizza.
End your trip at the toe of Italy, Messina. Enjoy the balmy Mediterranean Climate and magnificent ocean views.
