I am concerned about the rumored increases in theft/pickpockets in Italy since my last visit 15 years ago. I'm not obsessing but do know being a victim of this could be a huge trip spoiler so would just like to optimize my approach to safety. I'd love some opinions from seasoned Italy travelers on what things are most effective from among the ideas I've gathered or others. Also, what ideas re: renting cars, parking lots, etc. Here's what I've heard: <BR> <BR>1) Don't dress like a tourist.. Well, OK but my camera and speaking English to my husband two kids in public might give me away. <BR> <BR>2) Use money belts, round the neck/inside shirt, or inside trousers? OK, but how can my husband and I fit all this: passports for 4, plane tickets, travelers checks, credit cards,ATM cards, etc. into money belts. <BR> <BR>3) Use the hotel safe - is this REALLY safe? <BR> <BR>4) Use a fanny pack - heard these are easy to remove, esp. when gypsy kids swarm you. <BR> <BR>5) Carry shoulder back across the chest. Don't use a back pack. <BR> <BR>6) Don't stand near the street edge to avoid purse-snatching Vespa riders. <BR> <BR>7) Extra caution at the train station, metro, on crowded buses. <BR> <BR>8) Keep purse on lap while dining. <BR> <BR>9) Don't let street urchins touch you. Be wary of the newspaper in the face or ice cream spill on your jacket ploy. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

10. Stay alert. Your holiday? Thieves'workday. <BR> <BR>11. Enjoy. Don't obsess.

I wouldn't use a fanny pack, or at least I wouldn't put anything in one that would present huge problems to lose. As for the items you mentioned -- yes, you could easily fit that into two money belts without needing larger pants or loosening your normal belt. Mine has two 4"x10" zippered compartments, plus a smaller zippered compartment and a velcro-closure card pouch. It's made of sturdy, but rather thin, supple leather. It's fastened with a stout nylon web belt with a very good closure device and the belt conceals easily under clothing. Because of the size of the compartments, it's not necessary to thickly stack passports, money, cards, tickets, etc. I carry no more than, say $50, in local currency equivalent in a front pocket. Simply put, I try to see to it that pickpockets can always find a better target than me. After that, it's more a matter of common sense than anything else. Always be alert to the environment that you are operating in. This is not something to be paranoid about, but simply a risk that you can and should minimize to the greatest extent that you possibly can because it's a hassle you don't need. Go to the very best luggage store in your area where they carry travel accessories and ask about what they have available. If they know their stuff, they should be able to help you out and show you some options.

Excellent advice above. I had no problem in fitting those things into my cloth moneybelt. I do wear a fanny pack for my camera les's but turn it around to the front. I's really no worse there than in the US. My son, his wife and 2 grandchildren were here at the local mall last week and while they were distracted for a minute some grabbed her purse and was gone.

i have a suggestion if you are traveling with another person. get them to carry a handbag with a good shoulder harness. you now how much it cqn hold and ssecurity is not a problem if one is aware and reasonable alert. i have been carrying a bag(purse) for men for 15 years. no more ripped pockets and good security. its easier to share the "load"this practice is very common in europe and men should be at ease doing this. good trip

Leslie, <BR>I just returned my money belts because I found a larger money belt/document holder that can accomodate the things you've mentioned especially if you and your spouse split passports etc. They are by Eagle Creek and I have not seen this particular one in the travel catalogs but instead found them at a travel store in the mall.

Right, mbb -- Perhaps "document holder" is a more apt description vs. "money belt" because it's really much more than what most people think of as a belt.

There's a nifty security pouch with a loop that your husband would wear over his belt with the pouch between himself and his slacks that would hold everything you've listed. HOWEVER, an added precaution would be for you to carry your passport and one of the kid's and have him carry the other two. Be SURE you have extra passport photos and photocopies of the first two pages of the inside of each. In the unlikely event that you need to get them replaced...Also, except when you are in-transit, leave your tickets, extra credit cards, passports (carry photocopies), etc. in the hotel safe, rather than have them with you while out and about sightseeing. I think the hotel safe is more secure than the alternatives. While out and about, a SMALL security pouch, just large enough for your valuable essentials, worn under your clothing is best. A tote bag for your maps, tour guides, water, snacks, etc., is better than a fanny pack, back pack and so forth. No one's as likely to bother with a tote full of "stuff". Your best first line defense is to be alert at all times. Pickpockets go after what's easily accessible on folks who just aren't paying attention. So, the idea is to ensure that they go after an easier "target".

Great suggestions! Donna, where do you buy the security pouches?

Security pouches are available at any store that sells luggage. There's a huge variety nowadays. You can shop online at Magellan's, TravelSmith, Travel2000, L. L. Bean, etc. For the ladies, one of my favorites is a very small satin pouch which attaches to your bra straps with ribbons and snaps. It's virtually invisible and is just large enough for a copy of your passport, a few plastic cards, and some cash. When I MUST carry a purse (for dressier occasions or due to lack of pockets), the best kind to have is small (no larger than around 8x8) with an inside zipper pocket, DOUBLE zipper pulls (you twist tie these together) and a shoulder strap specifically designed so you can wear the bag over one shoulder and under the other arm.

1)I find hotel safes OK. <BR>Dont have more cash than you can afford to lose.ATMs give good rates even across a multitude of withdrawals. <BR> Whenever you have to carry valuables eg travelling spread the load across your own luggage & that of your group. <BR>That way any losses wont be catastrophic. <BR>Take special care in bus stations, change offices, anywhere tourists can be seen secreting their loot.Knowing where the money is is rule 1 for thieves. <BR> <BR>2)Put yourself in the place of the thief.Look at a group of people & decide who you would dip if you needed money to get home. <BR>Are you one of them? Change that. <BR> <BR>The thing reminds me of lions watching zebras, they select the easiest prey, then decide to attack based on how hungry they are. <BR> <BR>3)Notice you decided to go for people who clearly were carrying money/passports in obvious places! <BR> <BR>4)Cars : never put stuff in the trunk for safekeeping then wander off.If you plan to do this, put it there before you park at your destination, don't let anyone see you stash it. <BR>There are thieves who wait solely for this cue. <BR> <BR>5)You are right to take precautions, if only so that you can enjoy you trip without worry.

30 years ago my wife's pocketbook was stolen in a restaurant in NYC. Since then I carry her lipstick and she does not carry a pocketbook. We are both happy. I use a money belt for passports when abroad, a little cash, and a credit card.

First of all, be aware but not nervous. My husband hates to wear a money belt around his waist, so he found a shoulder holster type, in which he carries his passport, our back up Visa and some cash. <BR>I carry my passport in a pouch around my neck, my purse goes over my shoulder and usually is stuffed with Make-up disposable camera's and hand sanitizer. <BR>We lock our return plane tickets in hotels safes or if none is available, we tuck them under dirty clothes in our luggage and lock the luggage. <BR>Never leave bags or purses looped around the back of your chair at any outdoor cafe, I usually just keep mine wrapped around my shoulder and put the purse part in my lap, or I loop the strap around my ankle and keep my foot on the bag. <BR>Likewise, don't sit on a bus and put your purse or camera behind you, (In DC I saw a theif reach in an open bus window and steal a woman's purse, don't leave anything unattended. <BR>Don't wear a ton of jewelry... (as in, nothing you can't afford to loose). <BR>Don't worry it sounds like a lot of crazy stuff, but it becomes second nature to you if you travel enough... You will have a great time.

I was recently in Rome and was amazed at how many pockets were being picked right in front of me! I had my money and important stuff in a large money belt under my shirt and pants, and nothing in my pockets. I carried my cheap camera and the few things I'd bought in a European mesh shopping bag that showed the world I had nothing of value. I wore no jewelry and was dressed decently - in fact, an Italian got out of his car and asked me directions at a traffic light and seemed amazed when I told him I could not speak enough Italian to help him! <BR> <BR>I will be returning to Rome next month and hopefully I will again avoid bad experiences. (Frommers.com had a horrible story on its website about a man who required 55 stitches when his money belt was actually cut off him in Rome!) But I really think the mesh shopping bag is what showed everyone I wasn't worth stealing from!

Thank you all for your kind replies. This has been most helpful!