Some experience in Italy to share...

[LPYeo]

bro alternative sites to go in Italy. Sicily, Amalfi coast, Portofino, Cinque Terre and Matera

[Minimalist Zen]

I love Italy for the scenery, coffee and shopping! I was there last Dec for my honeymoon. We loved Florence the most as we felt safer there than the other Italian cities. Not to mention the lovely Tuscany countryside and huge discounts at outlets! We saw quite a number of Singaporeans there too!

[leomarvinph]

careful careful

be careful my colleague pickpocket in Venice.

[leekoon]

Thanks for sharing the info n pics, planning to go italy. When is the best time to go there?

[ac_wong75]

Just an interesting experience to share for all folks travellign to Italy and to also create awareness that you need to be alert in Italy.
My aunt, uncle and cousin went to Italy a week back as part of a tour group.
During their free and easy time my uncle and aunt were standing oustside a shop while waiting for my cousin who was browsing inside the store a man and woman came up and "accidentaly" pour something on my uncle and aunt's clothes
Not sure what the substance was, but the couple was very kind to ask my aunt an uncle to follow then to a laundro mat around the corner to get their clothes cleaned and they offer to pay.. Now, my aunt and uncle got a bit suspicious and decline as they are said they are still waiting for someone and they will just get it cleaned at th hotel... But the cou[ple keep insisting and when my cousin came out of the store to see what was the ruckus about... and told them the same thing but the couple still insist and this time the man took out the same liquid and pour it on my cousin. sensing this is not right cousin and all move into the store and the store owner also notice and chase the couple away and then told my uncels and all that these are robbers cos once they follow them they will bring you to a corner and and then their other gang will rob you... they are part of a synidicate that tagets tourist.. and have seen them rob a group of chinese tourist that way before...

[Oceanklassik]

.. What a close encounter! Thanks for alerting us

[Darkangel]

Just an interesting experience to share for all folks travellign to Italy and to also create awareness that you need to be alert in Italy.
My aunt, uncle and cousin went to Italy a week back as part of a tour group.
During their free and easy time my uncle and aunt were standing oustside a shop while waiting for my cousin who was browsing inside the store a man and woman came up and "accidentaly" pour something on my uncle and aunt's clothes
Not sure what the substance was, but the couple was very kind to ask my aunt an uncle to follow then to a laundro mat around the corner to get their clothes cleaned and they offer to pay.. Now, my aunt and uncle got a bit suspicious and decline as they are said they are still waiting for someone and they will just get it cleaned at th hotel... But the cou[ple keep insisting and when my cousin came out of the store to see what was the ruckus about... and told them the same thing but the couple still insist and this time the man took out the same liquid and pour it on my cousin. sensing this is not right cousin and all move into the store and the store owner also notice and chase the couple away and then told my uncels and all that these are robbers cos once they follow them they will bring you to a corner and and then their other gang will rob you... they are part of a synidicate that tagets tourist.. and have seen them rob a group of chinese tourist that way before...

Scary these days, have to be vigilant always...thanks for sharing!

[Ian Limm]

I was in Italy recently and though this thread was written last year,all the tricks mentioned in page 1 is still used there!

Another trick used in Italian cities i call the "Escalator Bang".

2 pickpockets (I call them A and B) will be waiting at the bottom of the escalator for their victim.

A will go in front of victim and B will be behind when the victim steps onto the escalator.
near the top of the escalator, A will pretend to drop his comb or something and will bend down to pick it causing the victim to bang onto him and B will in turn bang onto the victim from the back and pick the victim's wallet.

there will usually be another accomplice at the top of the escalator and B will pass him the wallet so by the time the victim discovers his wallet is missing and manage to catch up with A or B, you wont find any wallet on them!

[Ian Limm]

Best part I heard from one of the locals,the police know these pickpockets because they are always operating in the same few areas but they dont bother to arrest them !?

I also find it strange when I was at their flea markets talking to the stallholders and they can warn me the girl standing next to me is a pickpocket and the girl just smile and walk away, not only the police but even the stallholders have become so used to seeing them around its like no big deal.

[r1_77]

e pick pocket so bad har...
think must go hide e monie in e sock so some other plc j/k

im thinking of putting my wallet in my backpack & carry e backpack infront of mi like a pregnant woman for my coming trip to europe

[dtctan]

Thanks for all the info, am planning a trip to Italy year end .. Think I have to be extra careful with my belonging if I'm there. So watches and bags are very cheap there ah ... Cheaper than Japan ?

[Bono]

milan - couple of yrs back, a friend was browsing in a shoe shop near the duomo and she momentarily left her bag on the bench beside her for less than 10 seconds. when she wanted to retrieve her bag, it was gone. we spotted police patrol along the walking street, asked for their assistance but was told we had to make a report at the police station about 15 mins walk away. when we arrived at the station, there was a long queue of ppl wanting to make police report. eventually nothing was retrieved.

roma - wife and i were in rome just 2 mths ago and we wanted to visit the pantheon one morning. was raining when we got there so decided to visit the vatican museums instead. got in the subway stn and spotted 2 gypsy kids slouched against the wall - from my judgement, they were at most at the lower and higher primary std. i found them suspicious and asked wife to walk in the other direction. when the train arrived, before i could ask my wife to wait for the kids to enter a carriage and we'll enter a separate carriage, she went in and sat down. i noticed the 2 boys follow behind my wife - the elder boy stood at the entrance, blocking 1/2 of it and the younger boy leaned against the glass backrest at the other half. when i tried to enter through the unblocked side, elder boy immediately moved and blocked my path. i pushed him away and went to sit beside my wife. he got back up, stood there and kept staring at us (quite scary as i didn't know if he planned to attach me with weapons or if there were others with him nearby, passengers just looked and didn't bother to do anything). before doors closed, they both alighted from the train. i suspect their plan was for one of them to rob me and run while the other held on to me since he confronted me openly, and he will also try to alight before the doors closed.

well these are 2 of my 1st hand experience with italy. else, it's a nice city to visit.

[praha335ci]

I've been to Europe many times over the years and been to Italy 4 times. If you're extremely complacent there is a risk of petty theft but generally speaking all regions in Italia is very safe to visit.

[nathan_stanly]

I've been to italy 2 times. Luckily i never be a victim. From what i heard france ,spain and portugal also very dangerous especially the african and eastern europe immigrants.

[bttan]

I guess the main idea is to be street-smart and wary of your surroundings. My wallet is generally empty aside from some small change. The rest of the dough is stuffed all over (be creative)