This thread reminds me of the advice that Mrs. B received before our first trip to Italy from her mother "Don't wear those earrings, the gypsies will snatch them right off your ears!" (Funny part was my mother agreed with her). .... Umm well maybe in an earlier era but not these days.
Originally Posted by
Perche
I agree with Sciamano. I do not understand the paranoia with Rome. There are no lurking thieves carrying around sharp knives to slash open your purse, or to pick the lock on your backpack to steal your wallet on a major street like Via Condotti, or even on a train or a bus. That's not going to happen.
Agree. I've been to something like 50 countries and Italy has to be one of the safest. We had no problems in Rome, Venice, Milan, etc. You are more likely to have your technology snatched from your hand in a major US city. Just use common sense, put wallets in front pockets, passports & extra credit cards in safe, etc. There is only one place I was ever pickpocketed, and that was in Tijuana. Which these days is not a good place to visit.
Originally Posted by
TravellingJames
I've read a lot of good info in the six pages. What are yalls thoughts about walking around with a backpack? During the day, I have a medium size day backpack that I throw my wallet, phone, bottle of water etc, in.
I would never throw my wallet & phone in a backpack unless I'm at a resort pool. But as a man I get that women may not have shorts or pants with deep pockets. IMO the best solution is to use a scott-vest or similar product, assuming the weather is not too hot.
That being said I would not hesitate to walk around Italy with a day pack - nobody is going to slice it off your back.