We are looking to go to Rome the first weekend in Dec. 99. I have been hearing bad things about Rome, Is it any more risky that going to Amsterdam? I have been there 4 times and was relieved of my purse oncel, but otherwise feel safe there. <BR>

Janice, I don't know what kind of bad things you are hearing, but we just came back from a two-week trip to Italy, including 6 days in Rome and never once felt any kind danger! We barely said any of the so-called gypsies or other alleged dangerous people. Like any other place, if you're alert, careful and aware of your surroundings, you'll be fine. Go, and have a great time, as we did!

Oops, a correction on the previous post. The second sentence should read, "We barely saw...," not "We barely said..."

I have to agree with Howard. I've been to Italy twice (last time was 1998) and never had any problems. I never travel with expensive jewlery (just the wedding band and simple gold earrings) and keep my money, passport, and airline tickets underneath my clothes (carry only what you need for the day). As Howard said, be alert and aware of your surroundings. Rome is a wonderful place to visit. Enjoy!!!

Rome is a great city, but be very very careful when on the streets. We had one person in our group get picked. I had a friend get picked a few years ago plus another friend before that. Be on the lookout for young girls nursing a child and holding a newspaper to cover their other hand. They are pickpockets. I told this to a friend of mine before he went to Rome and he saw the same approach I warned him about. Bottom line: Leave all your good watches and jewelery at home. Be on the alert and you will be okay. If you do get picked, call your credit card company first, then the cops. Another idea. Take two separate credit cards. You carry one card, your spouse the different card. If one of you gets picked, you kill that card, but still have the other one. Enjoy the city though, great place.

We returned last month from Rome and had no problems. We were prepared probably because of the posts on this forum. My husband wore a money belt all the time and when I needed a card or money I wore small leather holder around my neck and tucked inside my pants. YOu can buy these at luggage shops. I was on alert to these things and we were prepared. No back packs, no expensive jewelry, Had a purse that went across my shoulder to carry water, umbrella etc.. I felt safe.

My own opinion after many trips and many tales is that Rome is safe in regard to muggings and assault but not safe in regard to crossing the street and petty thievery. Forget the "purse." Check past postings. The anecdotes of loss add up (including, alas, mine). Percentages of pickpocketing are high. Don't count on luck alone in Rome; be alert and forewarned.

Reports much overblown. Tourists, with their minds on sights, finding their hotels, etc., are pickings _everywhere_, Europe, home or elsewhere. We feel very much safer in Rome than in the Port Authority Bus Terminal in NYC. <BR> <BR>That said, there are some things to watch for. Certainly around crowds and places frequented by tourists, assume there are pickpockets about. Watch particularly for packs of young girls, and begging children. <BR> <BR>Extensive comments on on tourist safety in Rome at http://twenj.com/romesafe.htm

Wear a money belt so you can relax. We just got back from a wonderful Roman holiday. We wore money belts and carried a bag for our guide books. We did see gypsy begars at the train station. By the Colossum metro stop, we heard a Japanesse lady tourist saying "gyspy, gyspy", warning her group of a gyspy presence. My wife, alerted, noticed a gyspy women (in tennis shoes and a Nike jacket) working her newspaper on a man with a backpack on the stairs down to the site. He tried to brush her off; he was successful, but the gyspy was fairly persistent. I did not even notice the "event". I don't think my wife would have had she not been alerted by the Jap. tourist. My advice, if you are approched, expouse them by yelling "gyspy" (seems to be understood in several languages), then say "via gyspy" and wack them with your tour guide. Try Eyewitness- they are really heavy.

Few minor things to watch out for. As mentioned above, gypsy girls approach you to ask for money or to sell you newspapers. But look out when they come too close, they will shield their stealing hand from you by raising the newspaper. I had a moneybelt so nothing happened, but they will surely try!

My experience was with two girls about 10 or 11 wearing lots of lipstick who grabbed my arm and started kissing it saying, "handsome American". Then I saw the second girl with the newspaper over her arm and realized that while the one girl was tugging my right arm, the other girl was going for my front pocket, where she had probably seen me put my wallet just a few minutes before. Luckily, it is nearly impossible to get my wallet out of my front pocket, so I was saved.

I do not think the reports are overblown. Despite no purse I often get hassled (or obvious attempts at it) in Rome--and have lived in and around NY for years and never been pick-pocketed, even with a purse and briefcase. The theft is petty and prevalent in Rome--a long-time reality. Big-time crime is more a thing in US cities--but that's a relative rarity (thankfully!!). I travel for a living--all over the world--and gotta say in my opnion pickpocketing is worst in Rome. Yes, there are many people who have no trouble--but there are many who do. This forum is invaluable in alerting people to reality.

Hi Janice <BR>I am just back from a week in rome and I too had read all about pick pockets etc in Rome. I approached it like any other major city and wore a money belt. my father-in-law kept his wallet in the inside pocket of his jacket and I was very anxious anytime he was with us on a bus. On one occasion on Route 64 he was standing and hanging onto a rail when a Romanian girl with a baby attempted to pick his pocket - she was her hand inside his jacket before he even noticed and that was only because i saw her. One of our fellow hotel guest had 1800,000 litra taken when he was on the metro so take the advice on the other postings and wear money belts - underneath your sweaters and carry only as muvch money as you want to spend that day - remember you can always go back to that shop if you was to purchase that Roman present. Enjoy yourself