My huband and I travel with either neck wallets or hidden money belts, but will still have camera gear and other stuff with us. I was considering buying one of the travel safe purses from PacSafe (they have steel reinforced handles and non-slash panels). Do you think that is a necessary precaution, or am I just being nervous. I've never done this for prior Europe trips, but it appears I'm seeing a lot more postings on petty theft in the last few years. I don't want to over react, but I also don't want to be foolish.
Posted by
Concord, California
138 posts
Kelly,
This is the question I also asked myself recently. I got a Pacsafe purse from an online catalog, and I will send it back. It is ugly, unflexible and uncomfortable to carry. I am a purse snob, and in my normal life will carry nothing but the most stylish Italian and French handbags. I wouldn't be caught dead with that PacSafe stuff on my shoulder. I decided to take my most comfortable purse with a handle long enough so that I can wear it acros my body, beautiful Italian piece, yummy! After all, I have gone to Europe before without all this "safe" stuff, and even without money belt, and I was just fine. Sometimes reading all the posts does make us too nervous, without a good reason. No need to spend so much money on buying special stuff for the trip, I'd rather get another beauty of a purse in Europe for the money:)
Posted by
Portland, OR, USA
389 posts
Kelly, in one year I was pickpocketed in Rome (bus #64), watched an older Roman gentleman give a 20 something girl (with cute purse and a big suitcase) a lecture on being a target; warned in the Docklands by announcement that there were theives on the prowl and found a girl's hand in my mom's purse in London McDonald's. Saying that I never had any problems in previous trips, so I don't know if the pickpockets are getting busier or the older I get, the more I look like a target. Anyway, I never put anything in a bag that I couldn't stand to lose. My camera goes around my neck, my passport, credit card, debit card and big cash are in my money belt, and I keep water, travel books, and a sweater or jacket in my bag. If I buy something it goes in the bag, but nothing of great value. BTW, we didn't lose anything in all of these situations because we were on guard and used common sense in crowded places. The Romans around me kicked the women off the bus who were in my pack.
Posted by
Redding, CA, USA
1568 posts
I like to travel with my hands free and will use my PacSafe fanny pack. I also use a small 2 compartment Eagle Creek day back pack.
Check into the PacSafe day back pack for camera gear and your stuff.
Posted by
Redding, CA, USA
1568 posts
Kelly...check out these PacSafe products.....