Re thursdaysd comment on Access: Probably poor planning on my part.

Also, I am not against these items (waist belt, neck things). If it takes away extra worry and you feel more comfortable wearing one, you should. It doesn't make sense to be stressed out. If having your valuables in what you feel is a secure place makes your trip more enjoyable, wear one. Don't feel you shouldn't.

Thank you for the responses. I really don't have buyers remorse about the product. Its quite good and thin but I guess I was thinking twice when someone mentioned thieves yanking it and trying to choke people with the string. Intense, but I really feel being that with my mother and I are traveling together its a very very slim chance and quite frankly I would be ready to attack to make sure that doesn't happen to her. Better in numbers I guess. Having lived there at one time though, thieves really just try to do it on the sneak or be "discreet" from what I've noticed.

Most days, I use the same money belt that thursdaysd uses, also worn to the back (LOL, thursdaysd - yet another commonality! :-) ). For days when I need to have my passport handy and "only" want to stash a spare credit card and some cash, I use this little pocket, which I pin to a suitable undergarment:
http://www.zappos.com/eagle-creek-si...140409061930:s
(I'm sure the snap is secure, but I like the extra security of a safety pin.)

And I underscore what thursdaysd says: DO NOT try to access a money belt or other under-clothing storage system once you leave your lodging for the day unless absolutely necessary, and then do so only in a safe, secure place (like a locked rest room).

One of the things I always carry in my money belt is a copy of my passport. I also carry a list of information I might need in an emergency -- how to contact next-of-kin, insurance companies, & credit card companies; medical alerts and prescription info; etc.

Carry what you reasonably expect to need during the day in a purse or whatever, preferably something with which you are familiar, that you find comfortable, and that you can carry in a way that increases the chance that you'll be aware if someone is trying to get into it. Be mindful of your surroundings. If you can't afford to lose something, think about whether you need to take it with you. Take reasonable precautions.

And finally, if worries are nagging at you as you prepare for your trip, write your worries down, put them in a sealed envelope, and give them to someone for safekeeping while you are away. I'm sure those worries will still be there for you when you return and you won't need to give them a second thought during your absence. :-)

I agree with what Kja (and Thursdays) said. I wear the waist money belt every single trip to Europe.

It is NOT that I think Europe is less safe than the US. Actually I think it's the opposite. There may be more pickpockets but there is less muggings and other kinds of crime. But the reason I take precautions when traveling to Europe that I don't take when I travel to large cities in the US is the amount of time and trouble it will cost me if I do get robbed (or loose something) - needing to replace a passport in order to get home, having my bank and credit card companies far away and on different time zones, language barrier, etc. The extremely minor inconvenience of having a money belt around my waist is nothing compared to loosing a day or more of my precious vacation by having my passport replaced and trying to get a new credit card/ATM sent to me at a hotel somewhere.

I have the Pacsafe portable safe and I love it. I can leave all valuables in that safe in the hotel room and carry just what I can afford to lose during the day. My husband has the pacsafe bag and backpack protector because he carries expensive and bulky photo gear. The protector allows him to safely leave the backpack locked to a palm tree on the beach and go have fun in the water.
http://pacsafe.com/travelsafe-100-portable-safe
http://pacsafe.com/pacsafe-85l-backpack-protector

The neck wallet however makes me nervous for all the reasons already mentioned. A cross-body regular handbag and a general awareness of your environment is all you need to be relatively safe anywhere.

That neck pouch looks awfully uncomfortable, and yes like someone could grab it and choke you with the non-slash cord.

I just travel with a regular leather pocketbook same as I use at home every day. But one with a thick strap that can go across the torso and a medium size that fits close against your body.

IF you feel the need for something like that pac-safe thing I would go with a traditional money belt worn under your clothes.

I suggest you check E-bags siteand look at the Travelon brand; I purchased the anti-theft hobo bag 2 years ago for Spain; it is plain, and both large enough for my daily essentials plus scarf, cap, thin layer as you need not pack a wallet; there are inside pouches for that. The zippered top is secured by a lobster clasp; the strap is slash proof. I use it all the time on city outings as it's handsfree; it's small enough to take out to dinner but does not say "theft proof neck pack" which looks totally inaccessible. We four (two couples) were so worried about theft in Spain and it was a total non-issue, we strolled the Ramblas in Barcelona day and night (but not late, perhaps 11:00, still very busy on the main streets). We kept extra credit cards and passports in personal combo hotel safes and felt totally fine about that. We travelled on trains from Barcelona/Madrid/Cordoba/Seville. My husband sometimes uses a underclothes waist pack and has to access the restrooms to use it, I would find it too inaccessible. My daughter's open large tote was attempted to be invaded in the turnstile at a Paris metro years ago, I intervened. Our tiny small camera was stolen from last open bench in Rome cathedral (Travestere) which was not valuable except for pictures on it-- put nothing down -- keep in pockets. Assume you wear cargos or pants w/ lots of pockets, same for jackets. The confusion of what you keep where foils would-be thieves. Have a wonderful time and don't worry!

I've been using the Eagle Creek silk waist wallet for years. I can hardly feel it and sometimes touch my stomach just to be sure it's still there. I also have a slash-proof purse that I wear across my chest. It's difficult for me to get into but I view that as a deterrent for a would-be thief. Weather permitting, I wear a sleeveless vest with several deep and secured pockets. So far I have not been a victim. I'm off soon to Spain and Portugal and am concerned about petty crime, but I'm not going to let it stop me from getting out and about. Unfortunately, it will be too warm for me to wear my vest during the day on this next trip.

I agree with many of the posters here to make a copy of your passport and give it to your travel companion. Take a photo of it and have it in an electronic device. Carry small amounts of cash with you. The price of additional ATM withdrawals is a small price to pay for peace of mind. Leave jewelry at home. Never, and I mean never, put your purse down on the ground. That's like giving out an invitation. These people who steal for a living have been trained to do so and they are very, very good at it.