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I travel to Italy often,
and I am planning a trip this spring, so I have been reading quite a
lot of "travel forums". There seems to be increased 'chatter' about
thefts and pick-pocketing against tourists in Italy (and elsewhere).
My best tip (and strategy) is to try to blend in to the population
as much as possible, so as not to appear as a target in the first
place.
(1) ALWAYS appear to 'know' where you are going, even if it is just
to go somewhere ELSE to consult your map or guide book.
(2) I pick up a local newspaper (or free "Daily Shopper"-type paper)
and keep my map/guidebook wrapped inside of it, and carry it openly.
Make Xerox copies of your book before you leave home, so you only
have a few pages at any one time to conceal.
(3) Unless you are a college student (and in some cases, even if you
are) avoid the obvious American clothing, like baseball caps, shorts
& sandals (men); funny t-shirts, 'loud' and or flashy clothing - the
kids love American athletic stuff (Adidas, Puma, etc.), but it is
generally not worn beyond the teen years.
(4) Try a messenger bag or small backpack instead of a
purse/fanny-pack - a couple can take turns carrying, and you only
have one thing to look out for - I say NEVER the fanny-pack.
EVERYONE can be a potential target, anywhere, but there are ways to
decrease the theives' opportunities. Always be aware of your
surroundings and the people around you. Use the same general safety
rules and common sense that you would at HOME.
- Mike Joyner, USA
In
certain countries, knowing from which direction the traffic is
coming is very important. This may sound obvious, but depending on
the country we learn from childhood to look to the right, then left
before crossing or to the left then right. If hurrying to cross the
street, old habits may take over. Looking to the left first in
Australia, for instance can get you killed if stepping in front of a
fast moving Lorry, coming from your right. Sydney has addressed this
issue on some intersections by painting 'traffic coming from right'
on many sidewalks or foot paths.
Please be careful during your international travels. Look the
correct way before crossing the street. That is my travel tip. Thank
you.
- Paula Bowden, USA
When travel takes you to Iceland and you bathe at the Blue Lagoon do
not put your hair in the water.
- Pamela Shadwick, USA
Men, do not carry your wallet in your back pocket, if fact, do not
carry it at all, why do you need all your life history on holiday.
My husband got his stolen out of a back pocket that had velcro, I
suggested for many years not to, we were waiting for a airport bus
in London, they were very late and 3 guys had lots of time to set us
up, when he went to get on the bus, 2 guys jumped in front of him,
blocking his way, another pushed from behind and lifted his wallet.
They took his Visa card to a bank 100 yards away and got under 2000
pounds in less than 15 minutes.
I went back into the hotel and they contacted Visa for me, that was
after they had taken the money out. We were lucky that we leave
early for our flight, when we got to the airport the girl was kind
enough to call a policeman and we reported it. We did not lose any
money except a few pounds that he keeps there, Visa charged back the
money to the bank that cashed it.
One of the hassles was he did not have his driver's licence for our
next car rental, the girl again took pity on us and gave us the car.
He also had to replace everything when he came back home, many days
of running around and a few dollars.
- Shirley Franklin, Canada
Really, REALLY be careful of taking camel trips around the pyramids
in Cairo. I had read all the advice in the guide books, but still
had a very nasty experience.
In spite of warnings from my husband, I insisted on climbing up for
a trip, after carefully bartering and thinking I had an agreed
price.
My driver began by being over-familiar about the sitting
arrangements, then took off at some speed to a point where we were
out of sight of people and the 'tourist police'. At that point
another man appeared on a horse and demanded money.
I was about to hand over the agreed sum, but he pushed it away,
saying that was 'photo money' only and demanding dollars. I said I
had none and if at that point my husband had not appeared around the
corner and demanded that I be put down (you are sitting very high up
on a camel!), I feel certain the 2nd man would have wrestled the
purse out of my hand.
So - if you do go, don't go alone, and especially if you are female.
- Barbara van Schaik, Egypt
Driving is on the left side of the road in India. So, any driver who
wants to allow the vehicle behind him to overtake should switch on
the left signal. Normally a truck driver stretches his hand out and
gives 'go' signal. I have observed some drivers switching on the
right signal. They think that the blinking light represents their
hands for giving 'go' signal! So, one must be very careful while
overtaking since it may mean 'I am turning right' also, who knows!
- G. Mruthyunjaya, Bahrain
When traveling in Indonesia, do NOT lay claim to any baggage until
you have seen inside it!
- Michael Honan, Australia
Single lady visitors to India or young couples backpacking in INDIA,
please beware of the lecherous Indian male population. Here are a
few tips :
1. Never take a hitch or a ride from any male, however well dressed
and prosperous looking.
2. Beware of taking rides on taxis and auto-rickshaws at night,
especially if you are alone.
3.Avoid staying at very cheap hotels in the downtown areas, such as
Paharganj in New Delhi.
4. Never wear revealing or body-bearing/hugging clothes at night or
day, however warm and hot you may feel. It indicates a certain
'availability" to Indian men.
Rapes of single western women has risen in recent times. Recently a
Swiss diplomat attending an International Film festival show at
night, an Australian 50 year old tourist alighting at the
International Airport at New Delhi at night and a German tourist (47
years old) coming back to her hotel in an auto-rickshaw at Jodhpur
were raped.
Take Care.
- ABHIJIT ROY, India
When you are taking taxi in Philiphines, remember to lock all the 4
doors. This is to prevent the beggars and robbers entering the car.
Do not give $$ to 1 beggar as the whole group will come to pester
you.
- Steven Tay, Singapore
Don't do as I did! On a Moonlight Rainbow tour of Victoria Falls,
Zimbabwe, step off the concrete path, fall into a prickly bush, and
nearly fall into the falls themselves! Covered in mud, we made it
back to our resort, where I spent a sleepless night with a throbbing
poisoned finger!
-Mary, Australia
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No matter where, no matter what, if it looks dodgy -- it is!!!
- William Dorricott, UK
After my recent travel to Egypt, I found that Egyptian is very
cunning about money. Take care whenever you have monetary deal with
the Egyptian. Count before you leave is the motto!
- David Wong, Hong Kong
Avoid the taxi 'touts' arriving at bus stops who offer cheap taxi
fares to destinations but take you to various places on the way that
try and sell jewellery or clothing, the taxi driver presumably being
on commission. Other than that, Singapore is a lovely place to
visit.
- Mike Murphy, UK
This tip applies to all major cities in the world for solo
travellers: I was sitting in a cafe enjoying a refreshing beer
toward the end of an exhausting three week European business trip.
Three English speaking locals started a conversation with me and
bought me a drink. Two hours later I woke up without wallet,
passport and hotel key. Stumbling back to the hotel and obtaining
another key, I found an empty room, no luggage or the Christmas
presents collected en route for the kids. My tip is to buy your own
drinks and better still, make it a bottled drink you view being
opened!
-Karen Bretagne, Australia
While visiting the important touristy places in North India ,like
Agra, New Delhi, Jaipur, Khahuraho, Varanasi particularly do not get
taken in by the many "friendly-sounding" people who will volunteer
to help you with train, air tickets and reservations and booking for
taxis, buses etc. The Government of India and the States have all
made arrangements for Tourist Information Centres, Pre-Paid taxi
service facilities and air and rail booking counters at all major
rail stations and airports. There are no chances of getting fleeced
there. And, always demand a receipt from whichever agency you
purchase anything!
- ABHIJIT ROY, India
MY LAST JOURNEY WAS DELHI TO GOA, MUMBAI. I STRICTLY INFORM ALL
TRAVELERS: DO NOT PLAY GAMES ON BEACHES OF GOA AND MUMBAI (PLAYING
CARDS OF RED AND BLACK). ALL GAMES ARE VERY FRAUD-FILLED AND ALL
PLAYERS ALREADY PLAYING ARE IN LEAGUE WITH THE PERSON HOSTING THE
GAMES. THANKS!
- PUNEET AGGARWAL, India
If you’re going to climb Uluru "Ayers Rock" in Australia, apart from
walking shoes with grip, take a good pair of leather gloves with you
to protect your hands. The chain that is in place to assist your
climb can make a mess of your hands (cuts & blisters) and ruin the
next few days of your holiday.
- Karl, Australia
Ladies, when travelling alone and in their hotel rooms, should take
a door jam implement to put under the door to avoid intruders coming
into the room while they are asleep. These rubber jams are available
at most hardware stores.
-Christine Crossingham, Australia
Keep your hands in your pockets when in Italy. There's an awful lot
of pick-pockets around. But it's a great place to visit, in spite of
this.
- Ross Shipper, Canada
Unfortunately, tourists are all too often targets of pickpockets.
You should always be aware of your surroundings, and of your
belongings. A special "security" waist pack is a good idea, but
regardless of what you're carrying your valuables in, a handy idea
is to get "taxi cards" from your hotel and put them in your
carry-along bags. That way, if a pick-pocket were to take your
bag/wallet, hopefully they will remove only the cash and throw away
your bag.
A dear friend had done this without intention during a visit to
Bangkok, and was surprised to have the police return her bag to the
hotel with her passport and license, etc. still in the bag -
although it WAS minus the cash.
Another good practice is to carry only a photocopy of your passport
with you as you sightsee. Most places will accept that as ID and you
won't have to worry about possibly misplacing the original. Cutting
down on worries helps your trip be more enjoyable! Happy travels...
- Patricia Haag, Singapore
My wife and I, together with several other friends of ours,
travelled to Europe and Asia. We found that by staying in a group
you avoid being targeted by pickpockets or thugs. Of course, you
have to remember to take the usual precautions with your belongings
and money. We are also assured of our fellow travellers’ identities,
and are able to entrust them with our belongings. This is especially
useful when you are buying things and you need your hands to be free
in order to look at the items you want to buy. A friend comes in
mighty handy at times like these.
- John Peterson, Australia
Don't flash wads of cash when you are shopping or eating out. Try
not to draw attention to yourself through expensive dress,
conspicuous displays of accessories or loutish behaviour. Never
carry all your important documents together. This will make you a
harder target for criminals when overseas.
- Lee Wan Ping, Singapore
I just returned from
Italy and spent 5 days in Florence at the hotel Boccacio. The hotel
was clean, well run and had a fine staff. The only thing wrong was
the Hotel Boccacio was all the outside noise. I never had a good
nights rest because of the vehicles, drunks, motorcycles, trucks,
trash collections etc. Too much noise to tolerate. I suggest staying
away from it.
In Rome near the main train station (termini) if you come across any
women with babies on their shoulders accompanied with one or more
small children, run the other way. The babies are dolls and the
children are skilled pick pockets. If you can't avoid them then
strike out first and use maximum surprise and violence.
- Eugene Marquette, USA
Beware of this scam I came across in Roma! A person looks for
directions; ingratiates him/herself with you and offers free gifts,
usually samples. Suddenly! Running out of petrol/taxi fare or
whatever and with petrol card not accepted here, the person turns to
ask: "Could you give me some cash for same??”
- Brian A. Mongan, Ireland
Be careful in Italy watch your wallets and bags. Italy is awesome
though make sure you have a pizza.
- Mara Coci, Australia
Always travel with lockable luggage even if you are only travelling
a short distance. Whether by train or plane it gives peace of mind
and makes the journey more enjoyable.
- Kerry Gittins, Germany
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