Obviously, the thief wasn't a discerning thief ;)

Then again, most thieves aren't. Take what makes you happy, but safeguard it like you're at your normal stomping grounds. Thieves don't take vacations, but they do take advantage of opportunities. Don't give them a chance.

And to all Fodorites, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Season's Greetings. :)

Don't worry about the handbags. Everyone will assume that you bought them from one of those enterprising chaps with their blankets.
My wife usually leaves her 12 carat diamond ring and very heavy gold necklace at home when we go to Venice.
She worries that the weight will cause her to topple overboard into the canal/

I own the Alma and Riviera in Epi Leather and I don't see my bags everywhere. Many people ask me where I got both bags because they don't immediately recognize the understated LV logo but the refined style seems to catch the eye of certain strangers.

I love diamonds and always travel with my favorite pieces. When I go out with friends I like to look my best. However, I do look European. A common thief would have a challenge pegging me for an American tourist. Even so, there's always a risk when you step out of your house and that's life. At a certain point you have to decide how much fear will control your actions.

Smart, sophisticated women know how to handle wearing expensive accessories in public. Even though your question seems terribly naive and appears "showy," I'm disappointed that some posters, probably female, felt the need to be so catty. I'm afraid catty behavior among women is far more common than any LV bag I've ever owned.

On the other hand, humor is far more charming and oldie's post made me laugh.

Louis Vuitton makes white patent leather bags?

But of course... ((@))

;)

I'm sorry. I don't get it. WHY do you want to take the "good stuff?" Why add that element of worry to what should be a relaxing vacation? If you have to even have a discussion about whether it's a good idea, then mention "turning the diamond to the inside" in certain areas, why are you wearing it? Surely you don't care about impressing strangers (and, as mentioned many times, Italians are very chic and won't give your bags or rings a second glance). Pickpockets, however, will see that burnt orange C from a mile away. So why take it?

I have several really good handbags but I take a $10 Old Navy nylon bag with lots of compartments and a strap that goes across my chest--and I relax.

Several years ago I had a big Burberry purse (and lots of other stuff) stolen from my luggage. I had only taken the darn thing because it was so big it made a nice day pack. Well, that taught me how foolish I was.

I just returned from a cruise and the second day I noticed my diamond was a tiny bit loose. It drove me crazy the rest of the trip. Next time it stays home.

I got to say when my wife and I travel we don't worry much about our or her jewelry! We usually have our bodyguards a step behind. If we want some private time and don't want to be bothered or noticed. We will relieve them of their duties. We will have George V Rolls service drop us off in a safe Paris neighborhood. While walking the streets of Paris; If we see someone that looks a little sketchy I immediately tell my wife to take off her 4.67 vvs g color stone and we put it into my black with gold lock YSL european mens across the shoulder satchel. I really love that one!!!! Oh I forgot about the Gucci I usaully wear that I got in Florence last September. (Gucci outlet) It's beautiful black suede with beige Gucci stripes and what a great price.

I decided I may just buy one there so I'm going to bring an inexpensive leather handbag and my small white patent leather Louis Vuitton bag for the evening. And yes, the white one is a new bag for LV :o) I think they call it the Houston Bag in monogram vervis, whatever that means :o)
http://www.louisvuitton.com/web/flas...p;langue=en_GB

Jewelry? I'll just bring the regular stuff I usually bring when going to Florida or anywhere else. I'll will be careful with it!


I certainly didn't post this topic to be flashy as one poster suggested, I was just curious as to what I should do. Hope no one took offense.

Who cares?

The thing is when you're traveling, you may be jetlagged, confused, and/or lost. You may have stumbled into an unsavory area. You have to keep track of your luggage, your camera, etc. None of this is true at home. And none of this is true for Italian women.

So play it safe. The same argument holds for using a money belt.

Good Lord. Is all of this for real? I'd be embarrassed if my wife's self-esteem was wrapped up in handbags.

faa-lalalala-trollll-lololo-lololo

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34620221

Mrs Stever, are you the wife of this STEVER ?
Does he know you are posting with his screen name ? LOL

Yes, that's the Steve R. I haven't created my own screen name yet, but perhaps I should, and soon!

Julia R
Silver Spring, MD.

I would say take everything you want to take. I've traveled all over Europe with my "good" purse and some nice jewelry and never had a problem. Although my first impulse would be to leave the LV at home and buy a nice Italian bag while there.
As for your rings, I'm a bit mystified about all the worries over stones falling out. I don't know anyone whose diamond has tumbled out of their engagement ring while doing ordinary traveling. You can always pop into a jeweler before leaving and ask to have your setting checked to make sure it's secure.
The odds of an engagement/wedding ring being stolen are highly remote if you're like most women who wear their rings all day except perhaps for showering. And you're not likely to forget to put them on afterwards.
As I noted on another thread, my nice diamond and gold engagement/wedding ring made it through all our travels with no problems, but then disappeared at home down a crack in the floorboards! And don't you have insurance for your ring? If not, perhaps you should get it.

Leaving your favorite nice things at home while you're traveling to a fashion-aware place like Italy reminds me of people who are always saving their "good" clothes for special occasions that almost never come up.

Btilke: Great reply. I'll just bring what I want to bring then. The only reason I started this thread is that I just wasn't sure if it was a smart move to bring the "good stuff" ($1200 purse and diamond rings due to perceived crime risks) or just a cheap handbag and a silver ring, due to travel in Rome, Florence and Naples, but apparantly it doesn't matter.
I certainly would miss my pretty handbag!

That's it! Thanks everyone for your comments, whether they were questioning, answering or just stupified at my initial question :o)

Julia R
Silver Spring, MD

I guess it was for real. Wow.

Maybe I could suggest getting a IN STYLE subscription! This past May issue an article " what bags and diamonds to wear when traveling abroad" It said to wear Gucci in Italy and LV in France! Also you cannot enter Europe if you have a Dooney& Burke because the thieves know it's american along with your Levi's. They will just drag you into an alley take your bag steal your Levi's and beat you with a big unsalted loaf of bread!!!! Diamonds out! Topaz in!

I'm sorry to all my Fodorites. I have not been very nice, but I just couldn't help myself. Please forgive me thou I have sinned.
Wishing everyone a safe and Happy NewYear!