First Trip to Europe & a little concerned
 

My husband I leaving for Europe (London, Paris, Rome, Venice) in a few weeks. Neither of us have been to Europe, though both have travelled in the states and Asia.

We're reading guidebooks and boards such as these, but what I'm worried about is personal safety in these places. People have said to watch out for pick pockets everywhere and to especially be careful of the "gypsy children" in Italy. Both of us are cautious and aware while travelling. I just wanted to know what other people's experiences have been. I want to be prepared, but I'm finding I'm obsessing over this, maybe too much.

If anyone has any tips or would share their experiences for/with us, we'd be very appreciative. Thank you!

There was just a thread on this: "How to prepare for pickpockets." Do a search on this sight, and it will come up. The general consensus was, be aware of your surroundings and don't take chances you wouldn't take at home. Some people suggested a moneybelt and to be especially careful getting on and off of subway/tube/metro.

Guy18--Thank you. One can find anything on the internet if they only know how to seach. Some, like me, need help. I should have typed that in on the search instead. I will read the wisdom that has come before. Thank you again for your direction.

You're welcome. That's what we're here for :)

I've been to Europe around 18 times, as well as occasional trips to every other continent except Antarctica. In all of my traveling life I've only been robbed once, and can you guess where that was? Canada. It wasn't a big loss, nothing of much value was taken, and it only happened because we let our guard down. What happened was we made the foolish mistake of leaving items visible in the car so those things got stolen.

Of course you should enjoy your trip without feeling paranoid while you are there. But just be aware of your surroundings and you'll be fine. Please do not obsess about this any more, just go and have a blast.

As Guy18 said, use a money belt (not a waist pack) and keep it underneath the clothes. In Rome be extra diligent not only on public transportation especially bus 64 that goes to the Vatican that has the worst reputation for pickpocket activity, but at popular tourist sites.

Keep your whits about you, watch each others backs and you will be fine. A good friend lived in Rome for years and was never pickpocketed.

The only time I was ripped off in Europe was by a Roman cab driver, they are ruthless about not giving change, make sure you get into Italy with small bills. They were still on the Lira last I visited (how sad it was that long ago) and it was brutal getting change.

If approached by gypsy's move away from them, and don't be afraid to yell and make a scene if they are presistent, that will usually scare them off.

There are tons of threads about avoiding pickpockets, type it into the search and you will find plenty of other hints.

P M & amor,

Thank you both for your kind advice. I did do a little more reseach on the site, searching for relevant threads, and they made me feel much better--and more prepared. I think we'll be fine and we'll have a wonderful time.

Thank you again!

Use moneybelts and be mainly aware when you are in heavy tourist areas. That being said, go and enjoy! I have heard of too many trips being spoiled by people constantly worrying about being robbed.

Operaman,

Thank you for your reassurances. I believe that we'll use some kind of moneybelt for peace of mind. And I will try not to let the worrying ruin my trip. I feel less anxious and can enjoy researching other things.

Thank you again!

Yes, you are obsessing. If you're American your chances of being a victim of a crime - and one far worse than pickpocketing - are a great deal higher in your own country.

As a veteran of 85+ trips to Europe and someone who has in the past 15 years spent a couple to a few months there every year, I've never been the victim of even a petty crime, unless you count the Rom ladies who relieved me of my breakfast sandwich at a sidewalk café in Bordeaux about 10 years ago.

On the other hand, I was mugged in broad daylight in DC at a bus stop when I was about 25, had two apartments burgled and ransacked, had a next-door neighbor tied up and raped, and another paraplegic neighbor shot to death on Capitol Hill by burglars...

Let's get a grip, ok?

Good for you! The key thing to remember is that you will actually be visiting such wonderful places. Once you shrug off the worry, you will find such memorable experiences that you will return home with. I've felt more nervous about crime in Eugene, Oregon than I've ever felt in Europe.

StCirq,

I thank you for sharing your experiences. And for putting things jarringly into perspective. I count myself extremely lucky that the place I live in is much safer than DC, even though it leaves me somewhat naive, it seems.

Operman,
Thank you again for your encouragement. If you say you feel safer in Europe than in Oregon, it makes me feel a little better! What I didn't mention is that this is going to be a slightly belated honeymoon for us. But if we're careful, there should only be good memories that we take away from this trip.

Thank you, again, for your concern and caring!

I travel to Europe frequently, always with my family (3 children), which always, makes us a target. We stick out like sore thumbs. (and we stick out like sore thumbs mainly because we have 3 kids, not because we act in any way boorish or rude). We like to use public transportation and every year, eyeing the apparantly vulnerability of our group, my husband is targeted for apickpockeing.

tenshinokiss;
Relax and enjoy that honeymoon! Now tell us what things you wish to see and do while you are in Europe. Wherever you are over there, find a small cafe and sit watching the world go by while sipping some good wine.

brennynp,

How wonderful that you travel with your family! My husband and I do want children and we love to travel, so we plan to take them with us when they're old enough. I give you a lot of credit, not only for having 3 children, but for using public transportation! I've travelled in Japan on their train and subway systems and I cannot imagine using them with one child, not to mention three. I guess vulnerability is the key. We'll be careful not to look like easy targets.

Thank you!

All the crime that you see talked about on this board is petty theft. You don't need to fear for your personal safety in Europe any more than you would in the US--and perhaps less, depending upon where you are talking about.

Having said that, you have to understand that theives are looking for easy, rich targets. Say you are in the Paris metro. Who makes the better target--you the tourist, carrying a couple hundred euros in cash, an ATM card, a credit card (or two), and a passport, or the guy who is commuting across town, and has 20 euros, one credit card, and some kind of ID? The tourist is the bigger payoff, so that's who the theives will target, IF the tourist presents the opportunity.

Use a money belt or some other inaccessible method of carrying large sums of cash, your passport, and anything else you would hate to have to replace on your trip. Carry only enough cash in easily accessible places in order to make whatever routine purchases you are anticipating that day--that way, if you are pickpocketed, you won't lose very much. It's all about minimizing risk. The only way to avoid risk is never to leave your domicile.

Operaman,

Now that I can think about something besides our safety, hm, let's see . . . I really want to see Stonehenge. The hubby is thinking about driving out there rather than catching the train. Any thoughts on that? Someone told him that it would make a better trip since we can stop off and see other things.

Besides Stonehenge, there's nothing in particular I have to see--I know we're not going to be able to see everything. What I'm really looking forward to isexperiencing a different place and culture. And the food, oh, the food!

If anyone has any recommendations, I'd love to hear them. We're going to have some time on our own to fill and while guidebooks are nice, real experiences make the recommendations more special.

Thank you again!

I travel to Europe frequently, always with my family (3 children), which always, makes us a target. We stick out like sore thumbs(and we stick out like sore thumbs mainly because we have 3 kids, not because we act in any way boorish or rude). We like to use public transportation and every year, eyeing the apparant vulnerability of our group, my husband is targeted for an attempted pickpocketing. None have been successful to date. They usually try to crowd around him at the door to the metro and block his way out or some such thing. Be on guard on both the Prague and Barcelona metros. Always wear a money belt under your shirt and believe me they will eye you to see if you have one under your shirt. The pickpockets can be very sophisticated in their operations and will look like ordinary students or tourists. We like to play a game called "catch the pickpocket". We see a female "student" at the Granada Cathedral taking a quick "glance" to see if I am weaing a money belt, only to see her the next day at the Alhambra casing the rest of the tourists with her accomplice. Just be very careful and leave all of your valuables in your hotel room. Enjoy Europe, just be extra careful in large cities. I am not an expert on crime rates in US vs. Europe but I lived in NYC and Brooklyn for years and traveled the subway all the time and have never felt that systematic pickpocketing was as prevalent as it is in Europe. THe NYC cops seem more effectual at this type of law enforcemtent it would seem. Europe is great just be careful and enjoy.

twk,

Thank you for your response! As you mentioned, we weren't concerned so much with danger to our health and bodies so much as to our belongings. We will be minimizing the risk to both our persons and our belongings with the advice given here by all the kind, wonderful people who have responded!

I must say, though, that with so many reassurances, I do feel so much better and I'm glad I posted this question, even though it does seem very minor.

I keep saying it, but I really mean it, thank you all so much!

brennynp,

Thank you especially for describing what to look for. This is what the guidebooks don't tell you and what is so important. I'm sorry, I couldn't quite understand, do you think a money waist belt (under the clothes) is better or one that goes around the neck under the shirt? That's another thing I'm thinking about, which one to get. Though I know that there are differing opinions, I'm not sure what would be safer or best for me.

Thanks so much for your advice!