ITALY Readers's Tips - Unless you are a very small man who likes to flash lots of large bills at inappropriate times and places, your apprehension is misguided.No one can make you buy anything that you don’t wish to buy so just don’t (if anyone were to try it allow yourself be ‘scammed’ where it is not clearly indicated, ask about prices ahead of time.With a little planning and common sense, pickpockets can be thwarted.And lastly, and best of all, no one but no one is going to stick a gun in your face and rob you as might happen to some unfortunate visitor to San Francisco, or Chicago or Philadelphia or where I live Cincinnati.Use your big city experience to full advantage and you will come out of this trip unscathed, I promise. I don’t mean to pick on you lesleyp, but I think a lot of the concerns people have about travel abroad are really concerns less about encountering thieves and knaves, and more about the anxiety of air travel in which case you are on your own.

I had a few issues in Rome, but they all stemmed from problems with taxi drivers inflating fares and switching bills.Aside from these unpleasant incidents, I felt relatively 'safe'.I say relatively bc one does have to be mindful as in any unfamiliar place.eep your purse attached to your body at all times (do not set it on the floor, or on the back of your chair, etc. The one time I put my bag on the floor with my foot through the strap at an outdoor cafe a gypsy child was at our table in a manner of seconds.I kept my bag on my lap with my arm through the strap the rest of the meal. would also recommend not getting into a taxi by yourself if possible (even if the taxi looks fine and has a proper meter.Your comfort level will be greatly increased if you are not solo if you have an issue and your driver decides to pull a fast one.That all said, I walked around plenty at night (with a friend and also with my husband and found that to be just fine.We had a number of nice encounters with the 'locals' and many people were very helpful to us.I hope this helps you and you enjoy your trip. Hi We were in Rome in Sept.nd we had no problems.We were warned at our hotel and our tour guide to watch out for gypsy's.Our tour guide when we were by the coliseum pointed them out.he parents were fighting to draw a diverson while the kids went around.he kids must have gotten something because they ran.She said watch out for kids.Keep all valuables deep in a bag or in your front pockets.e were warned but nothing happened.Basically it is the same rules as when you go to any big city in the states.Just be aware, enjoy your trip

I am considering a trip to Florence for five days, with an actual return to the States on Christmas Day.Does anyone know if the local attractions, tours, etc.re open and operating at that time of year

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