Italy with older mom
Jun 22nd, 2015, 12:22 PM
#1
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Italy with older mom
Traveling with my 70 yr.old mom to Italy in early July.( She is very active.We just went on a nyc trip in April and she was fine as far as walking) I plan to go to Siena for a few days but other than that, I would like to take my mom to places that are safe. She tends to worry too much so I would like to stay away from places where there are lots of pickpocketers/thieves. I last went to Florence 5 years ago so can't remember if it isgenerally safe? We would be taking the train from Milan to Tuscany. Will we be safe from thieves on the trains? Any suggestions for safe cities to visit in Tuscany? Day trips from Siena such as wineries? Is air-conditioning a must for hotels due to the heat?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Jun 22nd, 2015, 12:33 PM
#2
Wherever there are large crowds you will find pick pockets. But generally all the places you have mentioned will be safe. Intercity and regionale trains will be safer than commuter trains but even commuter trains will be very safe.
Keep you eyes open and agree a code word with your mother. "Ahoy" means trouble and move together. Leave your valuables at home and keep serious cash in a deep pocket with just rubbish easy to access.
I'd sat just about every town in Tuscany with the points above are very safe.
Keep you eyes open and agree a code word with your mother. "Ahoy" means trouble and move together. Leave your valuables at home and keep serious cash in a deep pocket with just rubbish easy to access.
I'd sat just about every town in Tuscany with the points above are very safe.
Jun 22nd, 2015, 01:07 PM
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Just to add to the previous post, yes you will find pick-pockets where there are large tourist crowds. And, always be aware of your surroundings, and the people around you, as you would in any large city in your home country.
I always carry my credit card info separately, in case it's lost of stolen. That way, it's much easier to contact the company and get it sorted out, if it gets lost.
You may feel more secure wearing a money pouch. You wear them around your neck, under your clothing, and just keep small bills in your pocket or purse.
We have encountered women asking for money on trains, and elsewhere, but don't engage, and be mindful that they might be working in pairs.
Simple precautions will help make your vacation more enjoyable. BTW...I have NEVER feared for my safety in Italy,even in cities that have a reputation as being "gritty" so enjoy!
And...I'd say yes to the AC in July!
I always carry my credit card info separately, in case it's lost of stolen. That way, it's much easier to contact the company and get it sorted out, if it gets lost.
You may feel more secure wearing a money pouch. You wear them around your neck, under your clothing, and just keep small bills in your pocket or purse.
We have encountered women asking for money on trains, and elsewhere, but don't engage, and be mindful that they might be working in pairs.
Simple precautions will help make your vacation more enjoyable. BTW...I have NEVER feared for my safety in Italy,even in cities that have a reputation as being "gritty" so enjoy!
And...I'd say yes to the AC in July!
Jun 22nd, 2015, 01:14 PM
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Let me make many assumptions and answer based on assumptions.
>>> fine with walking... in nyc <<< Are you talking about casual U.S. type of walking? I have gone to trips with others who indicated they don't have problem with "walking". What they meant was ok on flat smooth paved sidewalks up to about 2 miles. For them, that is a lot of walking. If you see locals in their 70's and 80's briskly going up uneven cobble stone streets uphill as if they have been doing this all their life, you would understand the discrepancy in your assumption. Many Tuscan hill towns are like this. It is possible to choose accommodations carefully to minimize, if not eliminate, strenuous walking in some cities. Also, elevators in accommodations are not given. Don't assume. Even if they say there is an elevator, it does not mean that it would bring you up to your room level.
>> places that are safe <<< In terms of what you have indicated, that seem to be thefts. This is more of the function of the area in the city, not entire city, as well as how prepared you are. The thieves are more experienced in doing this than you are in preventing it. They expect you to be carrying all your valuables in one expected easily accessible place - your purse. What you do it to counter this assumption - all valuables not kept in one place and not in expected easily accessible locations. Places without pickpockets are usually places not frequented by tourists. If you have special interest, this strategy might work for you, but if not, you will forego visiting places you have heard about. Do you want to do this?
Unless you are using credit cards or debit cards from institutions charging minimum or no foreign transaction fess, your bank could be the guaranteed source of "loss" exceeding what petty thieves have gotten away from you from pocket change you might have kept in easily accessible places.
>>> air-conditioning a must? <<< This has to do with what is comfortable to individuals. For some, summer in Italy is just like at home. For others, it is considerably less comfortable.
>>> fine with walking... in nyc <<< Are you talking about casual U.S. type of walking? I have gone to trips with others who indicated they don't have problem with "walking". What they meant was ok on flat smooth paved sidewalks up to about 2 miles. For them, that is a lot of walking. If you see locals in their 70's and 80's briskly going up uneven cobble stone streets uphill as if they have been doing this all their life, you would understand the discrepancy in your assumption. Many Tuscan hill towns are like this. It is possible to choose accommodations carefully to minimize, if not eliminate, strenuous walking in some cities. Also, elevators in accommodations are not given. Don't assume. Even if they say there is an elevator, it does not mean that it would bring you up to your room level.
>> places that are safe <<< In terms of what you have indicated, that seem to be thefts. This is more of the function of the area in the city, not entire city, as well as how prepared you are. The thieves are more experienced in doing this than you are in preventing it. They expect you to be carrying all your valuables in one expected easily accessible place - your purse. What you do it to counter this assumption - all valuables not kept in one place and not in expected easily accessible locations. Places without pickpockets are usually places not frequented by tourists. If you have special interest, this strategy might work for you, but if not, you will forego visiting places you have heard about. Do you want to do this?
Unless you are using credit cards or debit cards from institutions charging minimum or no foreign transaction fess, your bank could be the guaranteed source of "loss" exceeding what petty thieves have gotten away from you from pocket change you might have kept in easily accessible places.
>>> air-conditioning a must? <<< This has to do with what is comfortable to individuals. For some, summer in Italy is just like at home. For others, it is considerably less comfortable.
Jun 22nd, 2015, 03:08 PM
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Any American (like me) who wants AC in the states and would never consider staying in a place w/o it, will feel the same in Europe.
I am guessing that the pickpocket worry may be something to hang her hat on, so to speak. If she was not overly worried about pickpockets in NYC, then worrying about them in Europe suggests to me that it may be a way of expressing some unease about being in a foreign land.
The only time I ever felt truly uncomfortable about the idea of pickpockets in Italy was in the Rome train station, when groups of young kids tend to swarm around you all talking at once….so just be prepared to ignore them and attend to your belongings….
Try to travel as light as possible, so that there is not so much luggage to have to keep an eye on when traveling by train.
We always go to Europe w/only a carry on roller bag and a tote bag.
I am guessing that the pickpocket worry may be something to hang her hat on, so to speak. If she was not overly worried about pickpockets in NYC, then worrying about them in Europe suggests to me that it may be a way of expressing some unease about being in a foreign land.
The only time I ever felt truly uncomfortable about the idea of pickpockets in Italy was in the Rome train station, when groups of young kids tend to swarm around you all talking at once….so just be prepared to ignore them and attend to your belongings….
Try to travel as light as possible, so that there is not so much luggage to have to keep an eye on when traveling by train.
We always go to Europe w/only a carry on roller bag and a tote bag.
Jun 22nd, 2015, 05:27 PM
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All of these places are basically safe. BUT, large train stations (not trains themselves) do tend to have a lot of pickpockets. If you mother is a worrier have her wear a money belt - and do be sure that each of you has cards that belong to the other, as well as copies of passports.
But do stress to her to NEVER take her hands off her purse of luggage, even in a restaurant or the breakfast room of the hotel. (By the way, this rule is no different that at your local mall - but probably your mom deosn't do that - and walks off leaving her purse in her grocery cart - both really asking for trouble.)
You absolutely need AC in Italy in summer - and you need to make sure its is american style AC that runs 24 hours a day (some places turn it off at night) - not the euro "air cooling" that lowers the temps about 5 degrees. 90 really isn;t any better than 95.
As long as she can do a couple of miles I wouldn;t worry about Italy - you can just grab a cab for longer distances.
But do stress to her to NEVER take her hands off her purse of luggage, even in a restaurant or the breakfast room of the hotel. (By the way, this rule is no different that at your local mall - but probably your mom deosn't do that - and walks off leaving her purse in her grocery cart - both really asking for trouble.)
You absolutely need AC in Italy in summer - and you need to make sure its is american style AC that runs 24 hours a day (some places turn it off at night) - not the euro "air cooling" that lowers the temps about 5 degrees. 90 really isn;t any better than 95.
As long as she can do a couple of miles I wouldn;t worry about Italy - you can just grab a cab for longer distances.
Jun 22nd, 2015, 05:54 PM
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Good advice above. I'm wondering though, it is late June and you state you are going in early July. Since you are asking about a/c in hotels, I'm wondering when you expect to book accommodations. It is quite late to be doing that if you are going in a few weeks.
Jun 22nd, 2015, 06:55 PM
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My policy, carry most money and a credit card in a tiny flat cloth bag, basically a cheap passport holder, on a string around my neck under my shirt. It must be super, super lt. wt. nothing heavy on my neck.
In a lt wt. purse or throw over one shoulder nylon backpack, water, umbrella, guide book, etc. absolutely nothing I would fret over if lost or stolen. I can't be bothered to worry too much on vacation.
The only exception might be a camera, phone or i-pad. Sometimes I do carry one of those, but the phone is a cheap one, the camera is small on a cross shoulder strap. The i-pad would be the only problem and I take it only if I will need maps or downloaded guides in more rural areas. Then, just hang onto my purse or pack.
Tell your Mom, I am older than her and still go to Italy and Spain, and give it very little thought.
Going out in the evening, sometimes I carry a nice purse, just as I would in the states. If an area feels unsafe at any time, grab a cab.
However you would travel in NYC, same in other major tourist areas. Have a great time.
In a lt wt. purse or throw over one shoulder nylon backpack, water, umbrella, guide book, etc. absolutely nothing I would fret over if lost or stolen. I can't be bothered to worry too much on vacation.
The only exception might be a camera, phone or i-pad. Sometimes I do carry one of those, but the phone is a cheap one, the camera is small on a cross shoulder strap. The i-pad would be the only problem and I take it only if I will need maps or downloaded guides in more rural areas. Then, just hang onto my purse or pack.
Tell your Mom, I am older than her and still go to Italy and Spain, and give it very little thought.
Going out in the evening, sometimes I carry a nice purse, just as I would in the states. If an area feels unsafe at any time, grab a cab.
However you would travel in NYC, same in other major tourist areas. Have a great time.
Jun 24th, 2015, 09:46 AM
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Great advice thanks! Anyone have suggestions for an itinerary? So far my plan is to go from milan airport to florence; stay there a few days then go to siena for a week and hang out in siena/ day trips to nearby hill towns( suggestions?) as we desire. Would it be too much to add on a trip to cinque terre before florence so milan airport--> cinque terre for 2-3 days then --> florence 2 days then siena? I just want a relaxing time withouth much travel stress but I dunno if florence /siena is going to be enough or we will get bored?
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