Travel safety is a vital consideration to make before every trip if you’ll be crossing uncharted territory. Although Italy is a relatively safe destination to visit, it’s still a good idea to take some measures before leaving home – and to be aware of specific classic travel scams to try and prevent once you arrive. An emergency call system is also a must, especially when traveling and your not with elderly family members.
Don’t be concerned that taking precautions during your trip to Italy would distract you from enjoying the guide’s speech on the history of Tuscany and your trip in general. The following measures proposed aren’t outrageous, and once you’ve become used to them (assuming you haven’t already), you won’t even realize you’re doing them.
Petty thieves and pickpockets are common in big Italian cities, but they’re no different than huge cities in any other region of the world in that regard. This is attributable to the fact that there are so many easy targets with so many travelers.
It’s simple to forget to close your handbag after you’ve taken out your camera while we’re in strange surroundings. It’s pretty easy to be caught up in the beauty of the scenery and forget that your bag is slightly open.
It’s all too tempting to go back to the old practice of keeping your wallet in your back pocket. When traveling, there will always be someone who appears to be an easy target in a crowd; your job is to ensure it isn’t you. Before reading more travel tips, make sure to play the best italian casinos first.
Traveling to Italy? Here are some essential safety tips:
Don’t Flaunt Your Wealth
If you leave your hotel wearing a Rolex or other valuable jewelry, you’re a dead giveaway to a burglar. Leave the pricey items at home, and avoid wearing accessories, making you appear valuable enough to steal from.
Always Be Aware of Your Surroundings
This must be a rule of thumb in any situation, but especially when traveling abroad. If a neighborhood gives you the creeps, get out. If you’re not sure where the “bad neighborhoods” are, check with the tourist information center to see if there’s anywhere you shouldn’t go without a guide.
Keep an Extra Eye Out on Public Transportation and in Crowded Markets
Pickpockets are especially prevalent in congested areas. You believe you will sense someone attempting to take your wallet, but you are mistaken. It won’t hit you until it’s gone.
Make It Difficult to Get Their Hands on Your Purse
Make your travel bag a compact cross-body purse, or ensure the shoulder on which you’re carrying it isn’t immediately near to the street. That way, a passing robber on a scooter won’t be able to take your luggage and flee.
Keep Your Wallet in Your Front Pocket
Most of you will find it strange, but reducing the contents of your wallet to the bare minimum and going for a money clip instead will do you good.
Make Use of a Money Belt
Make sure you have a money belt and understand how to use it. That way, if your pocketbook or wallet is stolen, they won’t be able to take everything.
Make Use of a Purse Hook
When traveling, you can rely on purse hooks. At an outdoor cafe, throwing a bag well over the back of your chair is an open invitation to thieves.
Things to Do If Your Property Is Stolen
Make photocopies of your passport’s photo page or signature and keep them somewhere else than your genuine passport before you go. You’ll need all of that information to receive an emergency replacement, and perhaps a photocopy will speed things along. Also, write down the phone numbers for “in case of emergency” on the backside of your credit cards. You can’t call the number on the back of your card if they’re taken.
Take multiple credit cards (one in your money belt and another in your wallet) in case one is stolen or lost. It’s also an excellent idea to keep most of your cash inside your money belt instead of your wallet, so you’ll have some money if your handbag is stolen.
If your credit card has been stolen, take the following steps:
Make a Phone Call to Your Bank(S) Right Away
Smartly write down or photocopy the necessary information ( phone numbers and card number), so you can access it even if the card is missing. In an emergency, most cards include a phone number that customers can call from anywhere in the world.
Contact the Banks That Issued Your Debit Card Immediately
Because disputing charges on a credit card is far easier than disputing direct withdrawals from your bank account, you should deactivate any cards linked to your bank account as soon as possible.
Notify the Police of the Theft and Get a Police Report
They may insinuate that it’s not a serious enough infraction argument, or there’s nothing they can do about it to warrant a police report but insist (bring a translator if needed). You could use that police report later if you have issues with identity theft.
To report a fraud, contact one of several credit reporting agencies. You don’t have to call everyone (they share information).
Scams Targeted at Tourists
Pay careful attention to the different scams perpetrated by minor criminals in Italy to trick tourists. It would help if you avoided men peddling bracelets or other things throughout Europe. They might put one on your wrist to trick you into buying or distract you so that one of his accomplices can pickpocket you.
People offering flowers to couples and demanding payment from the boyfriend is another scam to be aware of. If he returns the rose, he will appear unromantic, and he will be forced into giving the fraudster some change. Don’t get taken in by it.