This is going to sound like the places are hot beds of thieves and cut throats… they really aren’t, but forewarned is forearmed…
You might get children approaching you, seemingly in distress. Ignore them, put up one hand , palm forward, , and say , in Italian, “No! Va via!” And then turn and walk away.
Some pickpockets use children as a distraction technique, and it is also the children who are the pickpockets.
But please, don’t get too hung up by all this. The police are well aware of the dangers to tourists, and they don’t want tourists to be threatened in any way, and so they keep a lid on it.
However, it pays to be aware of the various techniques, and keep your hand on your bag, etc. at all times.
To be honest, these are things I do everywhere, even in my own home town, which is pretty safe! It’s just common sense!
By the way, I did use a backpack, but one with a double zip, so I could padlock it. However, I didn’t keep anything valuable in it! That was in a money bag under my clothes next to my skin!
I have to say that I didn’t bother with bumbags or worrying any more than I would in the Uk about handbags. It was different in the 80s but last time I was there I was perfectly safe. I’ve never seen armed police in a cafe in Italy. The only place I saw a soldier’s rifle on the table in a cafe was Jerusalem. They look after tourists, it’s good revenue. I was last in Italy in 2016. The earthquakes were the only worry.
Good safety precautions indeed! Having traveled to Russia, Mexico, and a few other high-risk countries and cities, I’ve hopefully learned to be vigilant when it comes to petty crime. Handling my own luggage, knowing how to stave off would be petty criminals (including seemingly innocent children and older women), and like to think that I look confident and blend in without looking touristy. Thank you for the phrase in Italian, Pyxell! You all will laugh, but I never go to another country without having a mental map on how to get to my own embassy. I am ever aware that I am a guest in someone else’s country.
The only time I knew of a situation in someone had a bag stolen was when a friend had her cross body back was cut cleanly away from her body in France. The ones with hooks attaching the straps to the bag are not good either for similar reasons. I like to carry a purse in my hand or right under my arm that has nothing more important in it than lip gloss, a comb, a guide book, and an umbrella, which a distraction from my essential items that I carry in a small thin hidden pocket under my clothes that is even smaller than a money belt. That’s a very good design in that link, SF and prefer the wallet shape over the more common money belts.
It’s interesting what you all said about guns. The only time I witnessed open guns here was right after 9-11. Refusing to back down to the terrorists, I immediately flew commercially with my then very young children. National Guard soldiers were stationed everywhere in the three major airports I visited. Even though I knew they were there for our safety, I made a conscious effort to always stand between the guardsmen and my twins.
I admit to feeling like a an excited school girl about to leave for Europe. It’s been months in planning, but I am ready to take everything as it comes. You all have heard me say that a holiday becomes an adventure the first moment something goes wrong, so adventure is what I am expecting. I am most excited introducing my well-deserving and healthy daughter the world!
I appreciate all very helpful suggestions and kindnesses.
Though I am late to cruising, your input helped with the decision to go with this ship and its itineary
If you have 16 minutes to kill:
I will reciprocate (when I have internet) with all of the great photos you all have shared.
Hi Surfermom…you will love Azamara I have sailed on Quest before and on Journey both lovely ships I believe they have just purchased P&O Adonia too the smallest of the P&O fleet…I’m in Rome 31st Aug but just on my way to Civitavecchia…then moving onto Greece and the Dalmation coast.
You will have a lovely time it’s difficult not to on Azamara …take advantage of the port lectures on board the speakers are experts on what to see and the history of the places on the tour…have fun!
Oops…I just checked and actually Azamarza Pursuit is in fact what used to be P&O Adonia…a lovely ship you will love it
I’m amazed I missed this thread, and I didn’t even know Surfermom was in Italy.
I went there numerous times on detachment with the RAF, staying in a town called Pordenone near the Aviano U.S. Air Base. Venice was just 40 miles away and I was there almost every day collecting and despatching AWACS spares.
We had visits to verona, the Dolomites often and Lido de Jesolo.
Love the place.
Hope you’re having a great time Surfermom
Italy exceeded my expectations ten-fold. The people are friendly, tolerant of the tourists, and very helpful. I just can’t say enough about how lovely they were. The architecture was breathtaking and the art…well, I was reduced to tears when I saw the Pieta. The geography is stunning, and the transportation, including driving on the autostrada, was a snap!
It really was a trip of a lifetime. I will get to all that city stuff later, but for now and hopefullybetter late than never:
(I’ll post different locations when I can get to them.)
One from our first night in Rome just to get things started, and the rest were during our last days in northern Italy, hiking the Dolomites:
Having traveled to Russia, Mexico, and a few other high-risk countries and cities, I’ve hopefully learned to be vigilant when it comes to petty crime. Handling my own luggage, knowing how to stave off would be petty criminals (including seemingly innocent children and older women), and like to think that I look confident and blend in without looking touristy. Thank you for the phrase in Italian, Pyxell! You all will laugh, but I never go to another country without having a mental map on how to get to my own embassy. I am ever aware that I am a guest in someone else’s country.
