Florence, Italy, steeped in history, sunlight, and gracious Renaissance art, entices millions of visitors each year. As a popular European destination, it shares the common blight of tourist attractions: the pickpocket. However, an alert mind and travel-savvy tips can free tourists to fully enjoy Dante's Florentine hometown set among the vineyards of Tuscany. Review the travel safety checklist.
Travel Safety Checklist
- Before travel abroad, copy passports and important documents. Keep the originals on hand at all times. Store the copies in a secure compartment of luggage.
- When planning each day’s excursions, prepare money and valuables in private. Count out sufficient spending money for one day. This cash should go into the inner pocket of a coat or a front hip pocket. Avoid carrying a wallet. If life without a wallet is simply unthinkable, then plan on a slim travel-friendly wallet that can go in a front pocket. Never place wallets in a back pocket, shoulder bag, or backpack.
- Next, place passport, travel tickets, credit cards, all important documents, and extra cash, in a money belt. Money belts, or neck wallets, really are a tourist’s best friend. Wear what Rick Steves’ calls “the portable safe” under clothing as designed and don’t plan on taking it off until the end of the day.
Protecting Valuables from Thieves
The Duomo in the twilight, the Ponte Vecchio over the Arno, and Uffizi gallery, to name only a few of the most popular Florentine sights, beg for pictures. But cameras are often the prime target for a pickpocket.
Solutions? Store cameras, and other expensive electronics, in a plain bag rather than the usual case. A camera bag practically shouts to thieves that a camera worth stealing lies inside. The same holds true for jewelry. Dress down rather than up. If buying Florentine jewelry, save it to dazzle friends at home. Don't flaunt expensive multimedia or real gemstones during travel abroad.
Pickpocket Haunts in Florence
Pickpockets are less of a threat in Florence than some other European capitals. But they do frequent the beautiful Ponte Vecchio, the city’s numerous internet cafés, and busy train, bus, and metro stations.
When visiting these hot spots, be aware of the surroundings.
Ponte Vecchio: Thieves often work in teams around this busy bridge. Decoys in the shape of young children try to distract tourists so a light-fingered partner can disappear with camera or cash in the other direction. Sometimes a gypsy flower seller will turn out to be a bag snatcher.
Invest in a shoulder bag with a sturdy strap. What better place to shop for Florentine souvenirs after all! Some prefer metal lined straps so shoulder bags cannot be slashed. Wear bags across the chest to prevent nimble thieves from slipping a strap off the shoulder in a jostling crowd. If taking a rucksack, wear it on the front rather than the back and lock all zippers.
Internet cafés: An alert mind is the best defense against a pickpocket. Thieves are looking for distracted targets. Save the lengthy emails for a private place. In the bustling atmosphere of an Italian wi-fi café, make sure all bags are zipped, locked, and sitting in your lap. If unable to place in the lap, wrap the bag straps firmly around your arm or leg and keep the bag in plain sight. Between glancing at the screen, glance around periodically. Be aware of surrounding people. Scan for anyone loitering, standing too close, or observing you. Never hang bags or jackets on the back of a chair.
Public transportation: When navigating public transportation in Tuscany, keep a firm grip on all belongings. Beware of physical contact and over-friendly strangers. Don’t be afraid to ask someone to move. Rest an arm casually across on the front pocket where the day’s cash is stored so no one can touch that pocket unnoticed.
Last Safety Hints for Travel Abroad
Stay alert. Keeping valuables in a money belt ensures peace of mind about the most important documents. By turning sharp eyes on the surroundings as well as the sights, tourists can spend a perfect vacation in Dante's picturesque Renaissance city.
Headed to other destinations in Europe? Review travel safety tips for Rome, Prague, Paris, Amsterdam, or Barcelona.
Josanna Simpson - Josanna Simpson, who holds a BA in Literature, is an aspiring novelist in her late twenties with a passion for British literature and the ...
