Such great ideas..and I forgot all about notifying the credit card companies! eliztrav-I'm so glad you mentioned that. You sure don't want any delays traveling-time is far too precious!

Check with your bank to make sure your ATM card will work in Europe and has a four-digit PIN. If necessary, increase the daily limit on an ATM withdrawal.

Forget the fannypack. Its a dead giveaway for I am an American tourist with lots of cash....please rob me.

Sew pockets to the inside of your pants or, I'm serious, underwear, for your passport, larger amounts of cash and travelers checks. Nobody will know it is there.

Always carry extra cash in a pocket besides your wallet. Punch a hole in your credit card (avoiding the magnetic strip of course) and secure it to the inside of your jeans pocket with a safty pin. Buy a light jacket with an inside pocket that zips up.

grogger69, that's an excellent idea about punching a hole. I have never heard of it, and I think I might try it.

I always wear money belt. But keep it up around chest so I can get to it more easily.

Also keep billfold in front pocket.

The fanny pack is a moving advertisement saying "take me."

As a solo traveler my backup backup is a $100 wrapped in Saran under the innersole of my shoe.

Fannypacks?? You Americans have big enough behinds without adding those ridiculous contraptions to your physiques. May I suggest carrying your purse or bag bandolier-style across your chest? This way no one can snatch it away from you. You could also carry a small knapsack and secure it with a lock (like the ones on Louis Vuitton luggage). Keep the key in one of your pockets and keep a spare somewhere else. Most good hotels have a room safe. Use it. Only carry what you need and leave everything else in the safe. I have been everywhere from Sri Lanka to Rio to Kathmandu and I have never been robbed.

Keep photocopies of all your credit cards (both sides, important phone #'s), passports, driver license etc.

I live in the UK and have been travelling around mainland Europe and Asia for over 30 years. I've never used anything other than my normal handbag and have never been robbed.

The only time I carry things like passports and tickets with me is when I'm in transit between stops and then I just stay alert and keep a tight grip on what I'm carrying.

Unless you happen to live in a tiny village with zero crime rate, just use the same precautions you would when you're walking around busy towns at home.

There seems to be two kinds of bandits. One, the opportunist and the other the stalker. The opportunist grabs what is available. Maybe a purse set down for a second, maybe the fanny pack. The stalker waits until he sees someone pay a bill from a wad of cash. The train trio preselects their victim based on traveler characteristics. Train people told us that there was more crime on intercity deluxe carriers than on second class ones. I have yet to here of a back pack being snatched; bury valuables in it. European law seems to regard pickpocketing as a minor crime. Pickpockets in Warszawa, Polska, work on major trams. They surround the victim, in and out of pockets, strip the cash and discard the wallet or purse. Friend told me that on a tour to Turkey, only two of the group were robbed. RE: Travelers Checks..If they are stolen they can be replaced. Credit cards..check expiration date.

Hi mom,
We purchased two travel wallets which have a long string that you can put on your neck or loop through your belt.

My wife wears hers under her top. I put mine down my pant leg.

This is where we keep our passport, credit cards and extra cash.

Walking around money goes in my front pants pocket, with a safety pin to close the pocket and her small purse that she wears across her body.

I'll bet I have the wierdest solution. I don't like anything around my waist and find that a moneybelt shows as a bulge. So I bought one of those beige lightweight cloth holster sling type moneypouches and added a ribbon to make the strap longer, with a snap to take it on and off. It goes around my waist with the pouch hanging just at my crotch (yes, I'm female so there is nothing else there). I wear full skirts or dresses traveling and it is invisable and comfortable, and I only have to go to the ladies room or store dressing room to have access. I don't use it for every purchase (I carry a small purse across my chest) but its great for passport, extra credit card and large bills.