We have reserved a mid-size station wagon - two couples, husbands tall, need a bit more room than some.<BR><BR>The plan is to take 1 suitcase per person plus a couple of carry ons between us. My questions is this --- when we travel from place to place, since our luggage will be in plain sight, are we just asking to be robbed? Is this something we need to rethink and try to get a regular car? <BR><BR>And if so, what type car is large enough for 4 adults with 4 suitcases?

Never leave something visible in the car, especially not suitcases or other cases. We also have a stationcar and when we are on our way to a destination, we put a black foil against the windows to keep everything out of sight and we cover the lugage with a blanket. When we have to take a break and stop on a parking lot on the highway, there is always someone that stays at the car(especially is Spain!).<BR>Maybe we are to cautious, but forewarned is forearmed!

There are always those who say you have to keep everything in the car out of sight, or well covered. Those who make blatant attempts (such as blocking windows) to hide what's inside, should realize they are only making a statement that there is something inside worth hiding. <BR><BR>I have never tried any of these tricks. I have almost always had a hatchback, station wagon, or van when traveling in Europe and have NEVER had anything taken from my car. However, I hasten to add that I do not rent a car in Spain and I never leave a car unattended anywhere in Naples. I have been in every large city in Europe, and dozens of small towns, over the past 20 years, and nothing has ever been taken from any rental car. I believe the probability of having something stolen depends primarily on where you leave the car, not on how well you hide what's in it. That doesn't mean you shouldn't take any reasonable precautions; it just means that you are much less likely to have something stolen than you might think.<BR><BR>But there is an issue with the car you will be renting; you need to be sure it's big enough. Hopefully, you know how large the car will be, and what its luggage capacity is. If not, you should find out, because some of the mid-size wagons probably could not hold all the luggage you want to take. "Mid-size" means different things to different people; get the auto rental company to tell you a make and model of a typical mid-size wagon (if you haven't already).

I agree with Wayne about car size. We rented a "station wagon" in Provence a couple of years ago for 4 of us. It isn't your father's station wagon! You may want to go up one level.

On our last trip to Europe (June 2000), we rented a Ford Mondeo station wagon which was considered a midsize...very close to the size of a VW Passat. We traveled for 3 weeks and had no problems with size. We were fine with 4 adults with each passenger having a normal sized suitcase and a small carryon (back pack size). Most station wagons come with a nylon cover that will rolls over all cargo, which may offer some protection.

Our experience in May was the same as Joy's above. I did a whole lot of research on this before we left because I had the same concerns as you. I almost went with the full-size SW but it was so much more expensive. And, in reality, a "regular" car didn't seem to have any more (and probably less) room than the SW.<BR><BR>We ended up reserving a mid-size SW and were told we would get a Ford Mondeo "or similar". What we got was a new Fiat Station Wagon that was quite comfortable for 4 adults plus our four (4) 22" rollaround suitcases and carryon's. It also had a cover that rolled over the cargo section so our things weren't in plain sight.<BR><BR>I think you'll be just fine.

Hi<BR><BR>European station wagons (break in France) virtually all have a cover for the luggage area these days.<BR><BR>Peter<BR>http://tlp.netfirms.com<BR>

If you are thinking about a "fullsize car" (and you don't say what country), then I can share with you a very positive recent experience with Avis, renting the newest model in the Renault line: the VelSatis. Very roomy and confortable for passengers in front seats or rear seats, and we were never teribly challenged to accommodate our four rollaboards and four (medium-sized) carry-on size bags. 34,000 &euro; for these cars in manual transmission on the show room floor today.<BR><BR>Here's a chance to see what one looks like - - a little funky at first glance, and "bigger than they look".<BR><BR>http://www.renault.co.uk/RenaultSITe/cars/vn_car_home_4bt.jsp?car=Velsatis<BR><BR>Warning: this webpage was very, VERY slow to load for me.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

A thief wants your valuables not your dirty clothes and probably not your actual luggage unless it's very expensive with a good resale value.<BR> But time is his enemy, so he'll just pop the lock, grab the bags and escape.<BR> Once he pops your lock he's a criminal and alittle rushed at this point.<BR> Go to a hardware store and get a few meters of *small* linked chain, it will fit in the palm of your hand. Also get 2 *small* but strong locks.<BR> Run one end of the chain thru all your luggage handles and lock it, the other end to something in the car and lock it. Open all the bags and display your clothes.<BR> Even if they do break-in the worst they will do is rummage thru your stuff. It's highly unlikely they will have boltcutters. <BR>Regards, Walter <BR> <BR>

We had a mid-size station wagon for about 18 days in Italy. It had a cover for the luggage area which worked wonderfully well. No problems at all.

We rented a "wagon"(?) in Florence. It was actually something called and Elf(? - Renault, I think). It was a cross between a Honda Civic, and SUV, and a Van. Small, but probably a good 4-person car with about 2 or 3 feet of luggage room. Had other nifty features, like the drawers under the front seats.<BR>Like the other posters mention, it had a luggage/trunk cover, that snaps in level with the top of the back seat. Honda Civics and other hatchbacks have this too...<BR><BR>A NOTE ON EURO-SECURITY:<BR>We own an Audi and a Beemer (sedans). These are designed against Euro-sneakthievery. The trunk does not have an interior release; use the key or the remote. The fold down seats are secure. On the Beemer, you must release the seats from inside the trunk; the Audi has key locks on each side of the back seats. This is probably enough to discourage anyone. (Except the gypsies - they probably push their little kids thru the ski bag passthru.)<BR> <BR>Both also feature secure locks. You cannot open locked vehicle doors from inside, after breaking a window; you must use a key.<BR><BR>(BTW - the gypsie comment was a Fodor-forum joke. Duhh!)

Oh yeah. We also got one of those bycicle cables and chained our luggage together in the vehicle. The theory being, nobody wants to try to lug 3 suitcases in a chain gang while making a getaway. Just use someting not easy to cut - metal links or handles, that don't have a simple leather loop that the thief can cut. We thought this was a good idea for train travel too. Chain the bags so that a sneak getaway is harder.

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It is very simple: act the same as you would do in your own country.<BR><BR>We recently rented a car in Florida and this were the advices:<BR><BR>Always keep doors locked and windows up when driving or parked. Keep valuables in the trunk or locked glove compartment. Do not leave bags, briefcases, purses or luggage unattended.<BR><BR>Well, it is the same here in Europe.<BR>No need to be frightened,but lots of tourists who avoid warnings get robbed on parking lots, especially in touristic areas.