Peter

Hi,<BR><BR>I have read all the responses to my question on avoiding pickpockets in Barcelona, and I am slightly (just slightly) concerned.<BR><BR>I can deal with losing cash or a credit card to a pick pocketer, but cannot afford losing my passport ! What does everyone recommend about safeguarding our passports ? Should we leave them in the room\hotel safe or is it better to carry it in a money belt on person ?<BR><BR>And folks, before someone starts slamming me, I realize the risks of getting robbed are the same in all big cities, and I am not singling out Barcelona. However, the difference between US and Barcelona would be that I dont carry my passport around while in the US ! ;-&gt;<BR><BR>Thanks all,<BR>Peter

Steve

If you're staying in a respectible establishment, leave it in the room. Just make a photocopy and keep it on you (or somewhere separate from the real thing), in the event someone actually does swipe the passport.<BR><BR>Or, just keep it under your clothes in one of those travel wallets. No one is going to strip you down for a passport in Barcelona

Peter

I am staying at the Hotel Continental La Ramblas. <BR><BR>Would this be a safe place to keep our passports in the hotel or room safe ? <BR><BR>Thanks and please pardon the paranoia. Its our first time to Europe and I am slightly concerned about the language handicap (we dont speak a word of any other language than English).<BR><BR>Thanks,<BR>Peter<BR><BR>PS. Whats a travel wallet ?

Steve

Peter, <BR><BR>A travel wallet is basically a belt-like or necklace-like device you wear under your clothes to keep money, documents, etc. concealed.<BR><BR>check out this link.<BR>http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/search?startRec=1&amp;numWanted=20&amp;loggedIn=0& amp;page_type=&amp;hotBG=0&amp;searchTerms=travel+ wallet<BR><BR>If that doesn't work, just go to www.llbean.com and search for &quot;travel wallet&quot;

Maggie

Hi Peter,<BR>We stayed at The Continental in March this year.<BR>We left passports, cash, credit cards and cameras in the room safe. Nothing went missing.<BR>As previously advised, make a photocopy of your passport and carry that around with you and just one credit card.<BR>I always use a belt wallet for the credit card and large denomination notes, keeping only small change and notes in a pocket.<BR>Don't worry, Barcelona is safe if you have your wits about you.<BR>Enjoy your trip.<BR>Regards<BR>Maggie.

anon

I think a travel wallet is just what is called a &quot;money belt&quot; by some others. YOu can get these in a variety of styles now -- for example some with velcro attachments that you can wear on your lower leg, just above ankles. That might be more comfortable for some than around the waist.

John

As mentioned above hotel safes are safe . I was in Barcelona in 2000 and left all valuables in the hotel safe but kept a copy of my passport in a money belt. Go to your local Wal-mart or JC Penny store and you will find a variety of so called money belts.<BR>Have a great trip and don't worry!!!

Mr X

People actually leave their passports in hotel safes? I can't imagine going anywhere without them on my person - not because I'm afraid of having them stolen, but what if something happens and you need your passport and you can't go back to the hotel?

Maggie

Dear Mr. X!<BR>As aforementioned, you just keep a photocopy of your passport on your person. Leave the original in the hotel safe.<BR>A photocopy is good for getting foreign exchange and proving who you are.<BR>Regards<BR>Maggie.

Ed

I wouldn't trust the hotel safe. I left something there once. It wasn't stolen, but I saw how lax it was kept. They didn't close the door of the safe!<BR><BR>Someone told me that room safes are not completely safe either.

traveller

I wouldn't walk around Barcelona without my passport - I was only there for three days and was stopped by police and asked for it twice. I saw them put a couple of Japanese tourists in a police car at the Stadio because they couldn't produce theirs. Myabe because they couldn't communicate, who knows, but I had mine out of my bag and ready for inspection when the cops walked up to me. Get a money belt and carry it with you.

frank

The risks of getting robbed is not the same in all big cities.<BR>In Barcelona robbery of tourists is a traditional local sport encouraged by the police.There is even a special website for scams operated there!(search..)<BR>I watched as 2 young German tourists had their money, passports, everything taken just off the Ramblas. <BR>You'd be crazy to carry a passport if you have a safe to leave it in - a photocopy is fine in the very unlikely event of you being asked for ID.You don't NEED your passport with you.<BR>If you use a travel wallet money belt, make sure it is well concealed, otherwise its like saying &quot;I've shown you where all our money,cards &amp; passports are, now its up to you...&quot;<BR>My girlfriend's father had his moneybelt torn from his body in Ronda, a comparatively quiet place.He made the mistake of using it in public, after which he was followed until he was alone then attacked.<BR>I am totally amazed at the story (above) about the Japanes tourists being put in a police car.It is common for tourists to have to leave their passports at the hotel for registration, sometimes for the entire first night.The police know this, perhaps they were trying to rob them/extract bribes.

europetraveler

The risk of theft (pickpockets) is a valid concern in any major city. You definitely do not want to lose your passport while in Europe. However, theft is always a possibility from your own hotel room.<BR><BR>The easy solution is to make a photocopy of your passport to carry with you so you can leave your passport in the more safe confines of your hotel room. Be sure to either lock your passport in the hotel safe (along with other valuables), or better yet, hide it in your suitcase (e.g. in some shoes, socks, a jacket pocket, etc.) and LOCK the suitcase. Problem solved.

Julie

So hypothethically speaking, let's say my passport is stolen and I DO have a copy of it, what good is it to me? Anyone find themselves in this situation and what did you do?

Christina

Use common sense. If the hotel is safe then leave the passport at the hotel. If you’re worried, then keep it with you in a money belt. <BR><BR> If your passport is stolen then you go to the US embassy with your copy and they will get a temporary one for you. The point of the copy is to make it easier to get a replacement. <BR> I just returned from Barcelona (New Years). I must say I was more worried in Barcelona than any other major city in Europe I've been to about Pick pockets. Again though, if you use common sense, and are aware of the people around you, you should be fine. I would suggest however you learn some Spanish phrases before you go. They Speak Castilian in Barcelona and most of them speak Spanish, however I did not find many that spoke English well including the 5 star hotel I stayed at. Maybe it was because I was there in late Dec early Jan but I did not find Spain to be English friendly like Paris is.<BR><BR><BR>The only time I was asked for it was when I was purchasing a coat at a department store but they shurgged it off when I told them I didn't have it with me.

xxx

I never feel at ease leaving the passport in the room safe; therefore, it goes into the money belt. I believe it's legal for the police to stop you and ask for identification in many cities. I doubt a passport copy will suffice-only the original.

sally

FOR JULIE <BR>My experience says definitely leave it in the hotel safe!<BR><BR>Last January after checking out of the hotel we had lunch before going to the airport.<BR><BR>We were in a quiet restaurant opp the Cathedral, no hustle and bustle.<BR><BR>When we came to leave my bag had gone from under table - passport, car keys, house keys, wallet, mobile phone ie all valuables GONE.<BR><BR>Two hours to flight time! In short it was remarkably easy to get home to the UK without passport but I always travel with photocopies now!<BR><BR>Re the theft the only thing we can think is that it was the waitress, she shuffled past the back of my chair for no reason a couple of times (restaurant was empty)think she slid the bag to an accomplice on table behind us!<BR><BR>despite this experience would go back to BCN tomorrow, a wonderful place!<BR><BR>