pickpocketers

Paul,, I agree that losing things is worse on holiday,, since it would mean losing more money and important papers etc then one normally carries at home. Thats why I never carry more then I can afford to lose in a day .. 100 euros and no passport etc... unless actually travelling from one location to another. I either leave stuff in safe or wear a moneybelt.

Losing my purse or having it stolen while sightseeing would only p*ss me off,, but it wouldn't ruin my vacation.

I am surprised to hear that some people carry all their eggs in one basket.

Are you worried about people seeing the outline of the money belt under your dress, or about accessing it in public? Rick Steves suggests wearing it backwards with the pouch on the small of your back - he said this might be more comfortable for women. I've never done that but when I travel, I wear pants. And you should never access the money belt in public (this would be VERY obvious if you wore a dress!). If you need money or a card, go into a restroom and take it out in private, then replace it in private after you use it. Does this help?

Couldn't you just wear it in the same place you do in Portland?

Liz, first of all, I believe those types are nessesary , I have seen some dumb tourists. I was in Paris less then a week ago,, and was enjoying a bike tour,,, when I noticed the American( we had chatted) man in front of me had his fat wallet bulging from his back pocket. I meant to say something to him about it at next stop,, which was in the Tuilleries Gardens. We were listening to guide when I noticed his WALLET HAD FALLEN OUT OF POCKET ONTO GROUND. Of course I immediatly pointed that out, he thanked me and was about to put it BACK IN HIS POCKET when I screwed up the courage to say" I think you should keep it somewhere else". At this point his wife chimed in " put it in the back pack honey".

I give up. I honestly think we need those types to feed the thieves. Survival of the fittest.

Normal precautions are all one really needs. There are NOT thieves everywhere,, I travel alone and am a middle aged woman, and have never had a successful theft against me. Common sense.

You keep IMPORTANT things in your moneybelt. Your passport. Your ATM card( why do you need it out all the time?)and your Ccs.

You keep less then 100 euros in purse . Same with cell phone. I always carry a purse,, don't you?? Purse should have a zipper and preferably a flap with clasp. No need for an amoured purse.

ps I tend to use hotel safes ,I don't like wearing a money belt in heat,,yucky. I only need my ATM card on bank days( I take out money every 4 -5 days ) I put bulk of cash in safe or moneybelt and spending money for each day in purse. Do you think local ladies put their grocery money in a money belt?

I pay hotel and train by CC so don't need to haul them around all the time. I always carry my DL but often leave PP in safe.

Europe is not a hot bed of theives,, but there are some really tourists who do set themselves up to be pick pocketed. PAY ATTENTION don't look distracted .

Don't get paranoid, but be thankful you have a heads up and you will be fine

You can also get a neck pouch, same idea as a money belt, but it goes around you neck under your clothes.

Pat's story reminds me of the old advice that you need not run faster than the bear chasing you, just faster than the other person you are with. With pickpockets it is much the same thing, don't present an obvious target, chances are that others will.

A neck pouch may be a good idea, but keeping things out of sight and being aware of your surroundings is the best defense.

As for the comment about treating Europe the same as you do Portland; while true that the risk may not be that much greater, the consequences are. If I lose or have my wallet stolen near home, it may ruin my day; if it occurs in Europe, I may have ruined my trip; so yes, I take greater care and precations when travelling.

I think the advice here has been good. Just be sensible and you'll be fine.

I don't like money belts. I wear a jean jacket with big inside pockets. Everything that's valuable goes in there. I keep a copy of my passport, even 2 of them, handy, like in my day backpack. My credit card, driver licence and some change go in the small pocket outside of the jacket which closes with a strong snap button for easy access. Plus no one would be able to open it because I will see it.
When I need something only that pices come sout of the pocket and no ones sees anything else. With the money belt you have to lift you shirt up , not a smart idea.
I've never had a problem. I also keep my digital camera in one of the big pockets.

Cell phone in your bra...that sounds comfortable. My wife prefers the money pouch that hangs around her neck to a money belt, which I use. In thirty-some years of traveling to Europe we've never had a problem and neither will you. Simply be aware of your surroundings, but relax and enjoy. Just don't wear that Hawaiian print dress and a fanny pack. Have a great time.

We use the same system as Ed "My wife prefers the money pouch that hangs around her neck to a money belt, which I use." Once I get used to the money belt, I don't feel confortable without it. My wife likes the comfort and easy access(for her)of the neck style.

Ed - there is a real practical side to using a fanny pack. I'll grant you it's not "cool", but it sure is convenient. (and I am not talking about using it to carry the passport, credits cards,lifesavings etc).

I don't care for how a money belt feels, so I have just purchased a neck pouch for my next trip. The cord is adjustable and I plan to wear it cross body messenger style with the pouch hanging on my side...under my shirt or dress of course. I think it would be way too obvious (on me anyway) if I wore the pouch in front.

I use a purse that zips and has a flap over the zipper for my spending money, phone, etc.

Yes, Elaine. I absolutely agree with you 100%...it's not "cool."

Thanks! I wish they made a money belt for your thigh.

I have taken all 3 of my Euro trips without a money belt. The money belt doesnt work for me either.

I keep cash and card in my Bra at all times. I have never lost a pence, though my handbag was opened and someone reached in, whilst in a crowd once, but didnt get a thing, so I do recommend NOT keeping anything important in it :)

REI seems to have a good selection of travel and security products and an attitude of helping coop members. My wife used a money belt, but if you are wearing dresses a neck pouch might be better. Tourist areas of Europe are not like Portland. There are groups of persons who make a living targeting tourists. We watched them unloading from a minivan at our train station north of Rome. Mostly they seemed to be begging, but I would not bet that that was the limit of their acquisitive behavior. Anything that makes you a "hard" target makes you much safer. Mostly you need to be aware, and make the valuable items very hard to access. I had a wallet in my hip pocket, but it had no cards or large bills. Having said all this, you will mostly deal with people with the same morals and honesty as yourself. Have a good trip.

To the person who mentioned the money belt around the thigh, if you're a pretty small female there are leg pouches (which I use when wearing pants) that are easily big enough to go around a thigh. If you're actually in Portland, I just bought mine a week ago at the store "portland luggage" in Beaverton (there's also a few more in the pdx area. Another person I'm with is actually using their thigh when wearing shorts.

As everyone else mentioned, it's all about paying attention. I'm in Romania now and I've actually seen a kid running away from a crowd with a big smile and a new wallet in his hand. We ran into a few guys trying to scam us in Constanta but once I said, c'mon, don't worry... they left us alone. I've found that people usually give me a good look up and down and then walk behind me, most likely looking for my wallet... which i've not carried at all on this trip.

You could easily convert a neck pouch or money belt pouch to a thigh pouch. Just cut a piece of 2 or 2 1/2 in. wide elastic about 1 inch shorter than your thigh measurment. Cut the pouch off it's "belt" or string. Sew the ends of the elastic together, then sew the pouch onto the "band". If you want to wear it vertical rather than horizontal, make 2 elastic bands (one slightly smaller than the other) and attach it between them. You could then wear it "up and down" your thigh.

You can also find clothes with "hidden" waist pouches/pockets (on the inside of the clothes and accessable only from inside) or make or buy pouches that are worn inside the waist of your shorts/pants and attach to your belt or belt loop. I bet you could add such a "secret" pocket to your dresses. Just sew a snap onto the waist of each dress, then cut the bands off a waist money belt, leaving whatever length you want it to hang from your waist. Hem the end of the band and sew the other part of the snap onto it. Just snap it into the snap on your dress.

You're in luck. They do make leg wallets. You don't have to put them around your calf either - they work well above your knee. I saw a kid wearing one under his basketball shorts on the DC Metro. I wouldn't have noticed at all if he hadn't gotten into it.

I haven't picked one up yet. I never see them in stores only online.

http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&q=travel+leg+wallet&safe=on&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=lBQiTOSTEIOBlAePy8GXAQ&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CDwQrQQwAg

I never use a money belt. I travel with my PacSafe shoulder bag. Keep it locked at all times, never had a problem.

When in crowded areas, the strap is across my body, and one hand is on the top of the bag at all times. I keep aware of people around me, and move away when I feel uncomfortable.

In my bag I keep my small travel wallet, camera, passport and things I need for the day.

you are move likely to get pick pocketed in crowded places, so just watch. On the subway, get in a spot by yourself,your back to the wall if possible, and do NOT hold onto the center pole- that leaves you wide open to pickpockets - I've seen that in action.

I can't imagine walking around with stuff stuck in my bra (guess I don't have a big enough bra?) My cell phone would be gone in a second - it's not secure there at all.

Investigate the PacSafe line of bags- they are perfect for travel, and no heavier than most other bags - even with all the locks and lightweight mesh in the handles/straps.

Some neck wallets have cords long enough to wear them messenger style underneath your clothes. Depending on how tight your dresses are, this might work.

If you put something elastic around your leg or thigh, be careful you don't cut off or lessen your circulation. I'm not an M.D. or anything similar, but the thought of continually wearing a tight band around a limb makes me fear I'd develop deep vein thrombosis. Why not take the pouch and safety pin it to the inside of your dress or pants? Use a couple of pins for redundant safety and get a color of pins that matches the color of your clothes and might not show. You won't have to stick the pins through the outside of the fabric much to have it work. Or better yet, buy several pouches and sew one into all of your travel clothes.

I'm agree with Ellen. I wore a Pacsafe purse. It carried everything I need. I wore it messenger style and did not have any problems. I tried the neck pouch (my husband ended up wearing it) and the moneybelt. Both don't work well with women's clothes if you wear anything that is somewhat fitted.

I carried a purse over my neck and one arm and in front of me with my hand on top of the zippered compartment on top. Still, I was surrounded by Romanian gypsy children who covered the purse with newspapers and unzipped it, pulled out wallet and passed it off in a matter of seconds. I was not a dumb American. I was quite cautious. But no, I did not use a money pouch. But I have since then.

Yes I guess I should have added that you need ample bra space to carry money in it. I do not own a cell phone so thats not an issue.

I wouldnt keep cash in a handbag because there are purse snatchers out there.

I'm planning to use a neck pouch worn messenger style under my clothes for my passport, credit cards and most of my cash. I also got a Pacsafe slingsafe for the other things I plan to carry. I suggest trying on the neck pouch or whatever you decide to bring with different outfits before your trip so you can see what works best. REI sells a neck pouch and money belt that's made of women's lingerie material, it's called Belle something (sorry I threw the box away) but geek that I am, I've practiced wearing the neckpouch while I've been out shopping because I wanted to make sure it didn't make me sweaty. The first time I used one in Europe, I borrowed my sister's and it got so hot and sweaty then I noticed it was made of nylon. You know what though, Liz, my teenager and her friends carry their cell phones in their bras because they don't like to carry purses, isn't that funny? I remember that my grandmas used to do that, now the kids are doing it!

I third Ellen's suggestion. I got to Rome with my money belt and looked at my dresses and thought "no way". I've ended up using the PacSafe bag (from REI) and wear it across my body. With the locking mechanism I feel really safe. It's super lightweight too. The only drawback is that is wears the fabric on your hip where the bag rubs.

Neck wallets arent good for women who wear lower cut tops or dresses, as you can see the strap!

Just because it's called a "neck wallet" does not mean you have to wear it around your neck where the strap will show! I fixed my money belt so that I wear it over one shoulder and under my arm like a holster. It is very comfortable for me. Ladies, you may THINK you would never lose your purse full of your valuables, but it can happen. I believe in carrying passport, credit cards, ATM cards, large amounts of cash, etc. under my clothes.

Here is the scoop. If you are travelling with your husband He can wear the neck belt or money belt with the following:

Passports
some cash
credit cards
ATM Cards

In YOUR bag you can carry:
Additional atm card
Some Cash
Additional credit card
and all the other goodies women need

Don't remove your purse, don't leave it on a seat, don't keep it unlocked or unzipped. In the public transportation keep your hand around the strap.

Be on the lookout for dancing children with newspapers.

I like to wear a little 6" X 10" cloth purse that hangs around my neck. It's big enough for my passport, cash/coin purse (wallet) & expensive cellphone. You can always carry a large shoulder bag or backpack for less valuable items such as maps, cosmetics, umbrella etc. I like to think that seeing my little purse makes it obvous that nothing of value is likely to be in the big purse. So far no one has bothered the big purse or backpack.