Eastern Europe or Western Europe? I have 6 weeks on a backpacking trip. I for sure want to do all of Italy.?

Absolutely! Do southern Europe and the Mediterranean. After Italy, you can EASILY make you're way to Greece, which is a country with as much history as Italy and might be even more beautiful!

Absolutely, do Western Europe, the South mostly, And like the person above who gave you one great answer. do Italy and Greece, you will love both.

I would take Eastern - it's more wild, unknown - but you can discover it. This part of continent is pure and not so full of tourists - as western - and there are many wonderful places ful of history. Go somewhere, where normally you wouldn't go.

To visit properly the old world (Europe) you have to visit:
Belgium (North) France (south) Italy (West) Greece (mainland) Spain (East) This the best of the best for a start.

It's safer, richer, cleaner, nicer to Americans, and the water is safer ( except for france )