Museum Security-corkscrew a problem?
#1
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Museum Security-corkscrew a problem?
I have purchased, for obvious reasons, a travel corkscrew tool that also has a small knife. Do they check your bags for weapons as you enter a museum (Vatican, Borghese, Uffizi, Accademia, etc)? Will this be confiscated? In case of an impromptu picnic I'd like to carry it with me (and the knife will be handy to separate watercolor pages from a block), but if it will cause me trouble at museums I will leave it at the hotel. (I ask because I live in DC and here they inspect your bags as you enter.)
#2
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I had a picnic knife confiscated from me at the Vatican a few years ago. The guard took it away and gave it back to me when I left.
I would not count on being able to get through any museum these days with a knife, even a small one.
I would not count on being able to get through any museum these days with a knife, even a small one.
#3
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Many museums search bags. I never carry a bag when going to a musuem so it is not necessary to stand in a long line to go through security. If the item is small enough to fit in your pocket, you might get by. I have never had my pockets checked.
#5
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It's been a couple of years since I was there and perhaps things have changed, but you won't be able to take anything into the Borghese Gallery. All purses, bags, cameras, etc., have to be checked (they have lockers). They were very strict about it.
#7
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Sam--the obvious reason is that one may be carrying the knife and corkscrew all the time for picnicking. One could visit the Vatican in the morning and decide to have a picnic lunch without going back to the hotel.
#9
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I remember a hilarious question on Sept 12. A security guard at Chateaux Chenanceux(?) refusing us entry carying small daypacks. I asked if it was okay to carry a water bottle, a camera and a sweater. She said 'Yes of course but don't joking with me' We are worried about what happened in America. You know with the planes'. I could not convince her that I could not fit an airplane in my pack.
No sense of humour with security guards sometimes. They may fear you will spontaniously open a bottle of chardoney and spray the paintings.
No sense of humour with security guards sometimes. They may fear you will spontaniously open a bottle of chardoney and spray the paintings.
#13
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Thanks, Sam. Maybe our picnics can't be as spontaneous as I'd hoped.
I remember reading not long ago that some good wineries are now bottling with twist-top caps, so thanks for that suggestion too, degas. Any personal recommendations?
I remember reading not long ago that some good wineries are now bottling with twist-top caps, so thanks for that suggestion too, degas. Any personal recommendations?
#14
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I carry a Swiss army knife with a corkscrew. In 2003 in Florence, Venice, Bern, Caen, and Paris we visited every major museum and many others, and the only time I had to surrender it was at St. Chappele in Paris. They gave me a receipt and returned it when I left.
#19
It's not that hard to get a bottle of wine opened! I never carry a corkscrew anymore, for the reasons mentioned above.
Especially in whites many local varieties do come with a twist off top, this is not necessarly a sign of cheap wine but only that whites are not meant to age but be enjoyed sooner than later.
Or if you buy from a wine shop, ask them to uncork it for you there. I've done this successfully in both Paris and Venice.
Especially in whites many local varieties do come with a twist off top, this is not necessarly a sign of cheap wine but only that whites are not meant to age but be enjoyed sooner than later.
Or if you buy from a wine shop, ask them to uncork it for you there. I've done this successfully in both Paris and Venice.
#20
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beachbum, I agree with Suze, that many good wines (I know, I know, its all subjective) now come in a twist off top. But I'd be the last person to suggest a wine on this forum - the howls of laughter would be heard in China!