My work is sending me to Italy for a week, so I'm wanting to go down early and spend 3-5 days bumming around.  Work is based out of Turin, but I can fly into wherever and make my way that directions.  I'd like to see Florence, Milan, Venice, and maybe Rome and Bologna.  I will be solo, so I'll have to travel with everything I need for both work and play on my back.  I have concerns with safety and logistics of having to carry everything with me everywhere, and also with staying in Hostels alone.  
I'd appreciate any advice anyone has.  I've backpacked latin america a good bit, but Europe is going to be different, plus I can only read a bit of Italian and not speak/understand it, so any tips on doing this solo as a woman would help. Is there a way I can send my work baggage ahead of me that is safe and secure so my carrying load would be lighter?  
Thanks!