Shanti
Momketeer
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2015
I have been excitedly planning next year's European vacation this week. Our trip will start with Disneyland Paris, then we'll head to Barcelona for a DCL Med cruise, and then afterwards we'll spend a few days in Paris.
While making the plans, reading tourists' descriptions of the different hotels, etc. I've become aware of how severe the issue with theft is in some parts of Europe, especially, but not limited to, Barcelona.
I'm not worried about our safety. I'd actually be much more worried about safety in some American cities. The thefts in these European cities, mainly pickpocketing and the snatching of bags, phones, cameras, etc., is from the very many specific first-person descriptions I've read, nonviolent, yet extremely common, & methods of theft can be both more elaborate and more brazen than I'd imagined before my research.
I don't want to be stolen from, so I'm creating a list of tips to help protect my money and property while in Europe. Please feel free to add to this list to help me & others prepare. I look forward to the trip of a lifetime, will be traveling just myself and teen son, and don't want to spend any of the trip stressing over theft.
While making the plans, reading tourists' descriptions of the different hotels, etc. I've become aware of how severe the issue with theft is in some parts of Europe, especially, but not limited to, Barcelona.
I'm not worried about our safety. I'd actually be much more worried about safety in some American cities. The thefts in these European cities, mainly pickpocketing and the snatching of bags, phones, cameras, etc., is from the very many specific first-person descriptions I've read, nonviolent, yet extremely common, & methods of theft can be both more elaborate and more brazen than I'd imagined before my research.
I don't want to be stolen from, so I'm creating a list of tips to help protect my money and property while in Europe. Please feel free to add to this list to help me & others prepare. I look forward to the trip of a lifetime, will be traveling just myself and teen son, and don't want to spend any of the trip stressing over theft.
- Be vigilant with all belongings at airports, on trains, buses, etc. Use airport lounges when possible when waiting for flights in Europe.
- Be vigilant during transfer of baggage from vehicle to hotel & vice versa.
- Be vigilant in hotel lobbies, especially when checking in and out.
- Keep most valuables (money, credit cards, passports) locked in the hotel safe at all times.
- Do not leave phone or tablet unattended in the hotel room.
- Keep your suitcases locked, if possible.
- When touring, only carry one credit card (have at least one other in hotel safe as a back-up) and/or just enough cash for that day's touring.
- Avoid carrying bags (or at least don't put any valuables in them). Instead keep phone, money, etc. hidden inside your clothing on a neck or waist strap, or in a zipped/buttoned interior pocket. Women can wear a very small packet for money that attaches to the bra.
- Don't wear "fanny packs" on the outside of your clothing.
- Never lay down your phone or camera on a table in a cafe, restaurant, etc.
- Never place any items on the back of your chair or at your feet.
- Don't talk to strangers on the street. Keep walking when they approach you, even if they're asking for "help" or trying to "help" you. Law-abiding European city-dwellers don't tend initiate random conversations with tourists on the street. They mind their own business.
- Keep your space from strangers, especially those who seem to be "helping" you after an "accident" such as something being spilled on you or your tire being flat.
- Don't stop and watch street performance shows.
- If a "police officer" in Barcelona approaches you to ask for ID or for assistance with an investigation, don't take out your wallet. Real Barcelonian cops don't do this. Even if he flashes a badge or wears a uniform, don't take anything out. Ask to be taken to the police station instead. The "cop" will probably give up and leave at that point.
- Avoid looking lost and/or at maps in public (this will be a hard one for me, as I'm directionally impaired).
- Try to avoid looking like the most inexperienced, clueless American tourist by not wearing obvious ultra-casual American clothes.
- Keep in mind that thieves sometimes are very well dressed, often work as partners to create distractions, and sometimes even use children as part of the process. Keep your guard up in Barcelona in particular. That has a much worse reputation for pickpocketing than any other city in Europe.
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