11 nights in Italy --little things--i don't know what i don't know!!

Unpopular opinion coming right up! :-)

I do not now and have never used a money belt or neck wallet, and I have been travelling throughout Europe for decades. Perhaps back in the day when we all used to carry wads of cash those things would have been of some utility.

We now tap to pay in all the major European cities we visit, about 99% of the time. My debit card is loaded on my phone. I use it to pay for drinks, coffees, meals, souvenirs, gelatos, metro systems, London buses, food from food trucks, small shops to giant international chains - pretty much everywhere. (I have even tipped a busker that way (altho that IS less common :-)

I have a credit card in my wallet, which is in my purse, for emergencies. I guess I am lucky - I have never had to use it.

We get out a little cash in each destination, for street performers, vendors who tack up little signs saying “cash preferred,” and the like. But using cash in major destinations is rarer and rarer these days. Many places no longer even accept cash! I also firmly believe that having to access a money belt or lanyard marks you out as a tourist… unless you can always get to a restroom to do that.

I do carry a copy of my passport, and leave the real thing either in the hotel safe or in my flat (since I live in London).

My two cents is that Europe is FAR safer than the horror stories you will hear make it seem. The key is to make sure your stuff is in a safe place (zipped pocket, front pocket, cross-body bag) when you venture out - just as you would at home if you were walking somewhere or taking public transportation.

Then - keep your wits about you - again, just as you would at home. Someone approaching too close? Your Spidey Sense will alert you. Being surrounded by a gaggle of energetic kids, with an adult lurking around the corner? Watch your pockets. But most places that you are likely to travel simply aren’t like that any more.

There are pickpockets the world over, and they work tourist areas - but if you are sensible and paying attention, you will be fine.

Have a wonderful, memorable trip! And report back, please!

Lots of info here on most of your concerns, and these questions are asked/answered every day on the forum, so maybe browse a bit.
https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips

Hi Ron, hope your trip is fantastic; I’m sure it will be. Since you asked:

Cells phones? - we used to have Verizon, and used their international plan, but it was more expensive using data (including Google Maps) than T-Mobile, so we switched to T-Mobile. That’s worked better in Italy and elsewhere, although making a cell phone call costs 25 cents a minute, which might add up, so if we can make a “call” on the WhatsApp app instead, for free, that’s how we make calls. Receiving cell phone calls with T-Mobile costs nothing, and I constantly use the T-Mobile plan for Google Maps with great success. If your international plan is on either T-Mobile or Verizon, both will definitely work, but I’d prefer T-Mobile. It’s not really necessary to get a SIM card phone.

Cash ? - I now almost completely use Credit Cards for everything, but still like to have some Euros in cash. If you have a debit card (not credit card) to get €200 or less from an ATM (bancomat) in Italy, that will give you maximum flexibility for paying.

Security? - The stories don’t happen to everybody, and don’t happen all the time, but there are determined crooks out there, and a thief or pickpocket can really upset the trip. True, a moneybelt, neck belt, or whatever safekeeping device can be somewhat uncomfortable, and a bit of a hassle, but use it just to store your passport, large amounts of cash, drivers license, and extra credit/debit cards (if applicable) in “deep storage.” To minimize the hassle, but limit your overall exposure to a professional thief, carry only one credit card and a small amount of cash (say, up to €20) in a pocket for easy retrieval. If you’re on a bus. tram, metro, or in a packed crowd or in the middle of a disturbance (which might be a distraction the thief is using to keep you from realizing they are trying to get your money or card), put your hand in that pocket to keep them from doing likewise. Don’t obsess about getting robbed, but don’t ignore it, either.

Some little things that I don't know whether you don’t know:

For gelato, don’t get it from any place that displays it piled high in a case, or with excessively bright (think neon) colors. Quality gelato doesn’t come in a tall heap, or with artificial colors.

Italians do like their beer. Peroni and Moretti are popular brands, but the most favored right now is Ichnusa, from Sardinia (big island west of the mainland). The word Ichnusa is Sardinian for Sardinia, and the label is a Sardinian flag - white background, red cross, and four black human heads, one in each corner.

Italians don’t eat bread (or breadsticks) with their pasta course. Before or after, OK, but not during.

If you want tap water and not expensive bottled water, ask for “Acqua del Rubinetto.”

I love the Moovit app for the buses and Metro in Rome - makes it much easier to use public transportation.

Last, Vegemite could be hard to find in Italy :-)

In 16 trips to Europe, I have never been pickpocketed-but it could happen on my next trip. The conventional wisdom is that the money belt is an emergency stash-credit card, passport, cash. I have never carried my passport with me , but it's my understanding that it is the law in Italy and I will at least carry a photocopy with me in the future. I like to wear jackets with inside pockets and pants with zipper pockets that can be further secured with a safety pin. My phone carrier is T-Mobile so no problems there. You are going to have a wonderful trip to Italy(and a much shorter plane ride than Australia).

We used mainly credit cards on our last trip, however we also took 3 Mondo Tours which were booked ahead, but cash was required for payment to the guide. That was about 300Euros in total. It just seemed easier as well when I'd pop into the grocery store across from our hotel to buy a couple of bottles of water and use cash. On the other hand I tried to pay cash at the ticket office at Pompeii one day with 2-20Euro bills for a 32Euro charge and was told she didn't have enough change.

Passport is always with me. I've always felt it was safer with me than tucked away in the hotel room. Plus, coming and going from Naples to Rome the police were standing outside of some of the train cars upon arrival asking for passports.

Money belt. I've always carried one, even on my last trip to Florida. I find it incredibly convenient to have backup cards, cash and passport tucked away with me.

Cell phone: I have Verizon service in the U.S. and generally pay ~$100 for a month of international service when I visit Europe in the summer. That gets me 250 minutes of talk, unlimited texts and some amount of data. To minimize data usage, I generally use WiFi while at my accommodations to map out my route using google maps and then take screenshots of the steps necessary to reach my destination. I also use Maps.me (downloading maps for my locations while on WiFi) for data free directions. WhatsApp should also be part of your app collection.

Cash - I like to have cash on hand to pay smaller businesses and for small purchases. The fees that businesses pay to credit card processors are crazy and if I can save them that expense, I’m happy to do it.

Security - I never carry my passport preferring to leave it behind in a secure place at my accommodations. Cash and a credit card go into my front pocket or in a crossbody bag that zips closed.

It can be hard to break the habit of withdrawing a wad of euros from the local bancomat on arrival, but I think that ship has sailed. I still think it's prudent to get a relatively small amount of small denomination cash, but most of your purchases can go on your credit card. We each carry 2 different cards in case one is lost or compromised.

In over 40 years of international travel, I've never lost a passport or been pickpocketed. DH was pickpocketed once, and has had 2 attempts thaf he thwarted. So,no it doesn't happen to everyone, but yes, it does happen. We use either a moneybelt or a neck pouch for our passports, valuable documents, extra cash and credit cards and bank cards. These are deep storage, and for items we don't anticipate needing that day. Daily cash, and one credit card and our DL are in a secure pocket or in a zippered inner compartment of my cross body bag. And I try to pay attention to my surroundings and what's going on as much as possible.

Read the travel tips section of this forum, and get at least the Italy guidebook, and read it, too. Lots of tips and things to be mindful of there.

Here's my take on your questions:

• Cell phones: We have Verizon and use their international plan. It's $10.00 for 24 hours. There have been days where we just used wi-fi and didn't use time on the plan. This is much easier than buying SIM cards. Cell phone coverage is great, even in more rural areas.
• Cash: We carry far less then we used to. We normally order about $200-300 Euros from our bank before the trip. If you need more, there's ATMs available, but except for the odd slice of pizza and beer we just tap everywhere. We were tapping in Italy before it became popular in the US.
• Security: Nothing helps more than situational awareness. Also do your best to not look like a clueless American tourist. I'm sure we are obvious to the citizens, but on our last trip to Italy we were stopped twice by tourists wanting directions who first asked if we spoke English. I wear either a money belt or a neck belt under a coat. I keep 20 or so Euros in my pocket so I don't have to futz with the money belt to pay for incidentals, then top off in and inconspicuous area if need be. Yes, there's petty theft, especially in crowded popular areas. However, they are looking for the easy mark. Make yourself a less attractive target than the guy standing 5 feet away. Learn the typical scams. For instance, the pretty girls who want to take a survey are there to distract you. There's always a partner. Immediately scan the area for them and move away quickly and they'll work on the next mark.

I travel frequently across the US for work and there's lots of places I go where I feel less safe than I do in Europe. It can happen any time, but my wife and I have made several trips to Europe in the last 30 years and have not been victims to theft.

Have a wonderful trip! I know this can seem daunting, but try not to be too anxious and enjoy yourself. You'll find Italy lovely and its citizens warm and friendly.

On security, it’s a matter of threading that needle of scaring someone over the possibility vs telling them to not worry at all. Over 20 trips I only had one incident on a packed Paris metro and it went down much as you’d imagine, but I managed to keep the hand in my pocket from pulling anything out. It was a reminder to not get complacent. I tend to keep a wallet with some cash and a card inside, with backup card and ID in a money belt/ false pocket. More important is phone security! This is as important as your wallet these days. Zippered pockets, tight pockets, total awareness, not leaving it on a table AT ALL are critical. But again “don’t worry too much.”

I’d check with your carrier on your cell phone, but would be very confident it’s a non issue. They’d love to get your money, and will automatically give you SOME data. I always turn of data for all apps I won’t be using and will have it on airplane mode when not in use just to not burn data. WiFi is weird. Everyone has “free WiFi” but often it’s only internet browsing through their portal. And no one renames their server or password, so you’re often trying to type in some 20 digit password only to find the server is slow as sludge anyways. Still, it’s been a few years since I’ve been to Italy and it may be better now.

Other tips? Don’t stress. Italy is pretty easy. Follow RS tips/recommendations for restaurants. Italy has millions of tourists every year and you’re just one of them. Though since you’re on this forum, odds are you’ll be doing things better than most of them. Take comfort in that. Have a great time!

"I believe either a money belt or neck belt appear to be a must but it seems like a bit of a hassle if you're constantly having to dig into your shirt to get stuff out."

Just wanted to stress that this is NOT how you use a money belt. As mentioned above it is "deep storage". It's things you don't need to get to during the day like your passport, extra money and extra credit/debit cards. You never get into your money belt in public. IF you must, you should go into the bathroom

I have been picked in Paris. Have no idea where it happened between the last time I used my wallet and when I noticed my purse was open. They did not get anything except a pouch of toiletries but it made me realize how professional they are. I never felt anyone near me or had anyone touch or bump me.

Cell service: I use the international plan from my US carrier. It is probably more expensive than a Sim card but it is so much easier.

Cash: I have used ApplePay for nearly everything (that I didn't use a CC for) my last few trips. I do have a stash of Euro/GBP left from prior trips. A month ago I'd have said you didn't need any cash but that was before the meltdown a few weeks ago! Now I'd say have maybe 50 whatevers on you and save it from trip to trip for emergencies.

Accept that you will make mistakes; get lost, be scammed by a crooked waiter, choose a mediocre restaurant, choose to visit a disappointing tourist trap. Serious problems are unlikely to occur if you use good sense.
The only warning I would give you is that Italy is so compelling that you might become addicted. After our first visit in 1986, we have been there 16 more times! If health permits, we’ll do another visit or two.
Buon viaggio!

My husband uses the Eagle Creek undercover hidden pocket which works well. I use a PacSafe purse. We leave our passports in our rooms.

We have Verizon and we use the $100 a month plan. It's worth it to us to be able to use our phones just like at home and it's worked well everywhere.

Congratulations on your first trip to Italy…..as someone said, it may, no will, become addicting!
13 visits for me so far.

I’m usually a solo traveller and here are my strategies.
I always wear my waist moneybelt.
I wear it in the small of my back and don’t even feel it.
In it are always: my passport, debit card, extra cash, and a small copy of my travel insurance info.
That way if for some reason or emergency event you can’t get back to your room or apartment, all your info is right there with you.
It stays hidden under my clothing at all times and never accessed in public.
In my crossbody bag is some cash, a credit card, tissues, phone etc.
Get some pants with zip pockets for yourself.
My phone is on a stretchy lanyard attached to the bag….more to stop me from leaving it somewhere! rather than theft.

I have had two attempted pickpocketing attempts; one in Rome, one on a bus in Naples….nothing taken.
Just be aware and don’t let people approach and help you.
A simple forceful “No, Grazie” is enough, then walk away.
Don’t engage if it doesn’t feel right.

Bring a couple of hundred Euro from home in small bills such tens or twenties, not hundreds.
You might need it you might not.
Card use is everywhere now.
Be sure you and your companion have bank and credit cards for different separate accounts in case a card is lost.
If you do need to use an ATM, always go inside a bank or use one in a glassed in foyer at the bank.
Less chance of someone trying to “help” you, which happened to me once when I was tired and hot and not paying attention using one on the street.

Being from Canada, our cellphone plans are stupidly expensive at home, worse abroad.
I always buy a simcard on arrival….in a city phone store, never at the airport.
TIM and Vodafone are both reliable in Italy and have shops in major centres.
About 25-30 Euro for huge data for a month.
I need to be able to make actual phone calls to Canada, which you can with those.

If you’re at a hotel, keep one of their business cards on you…useful to hop in a taxi when tired, to show the driver where you want to go.
If in apartments, a paper with the address.

Download your airline apps.
CityMapper is a good app for public transport within bigger places such as Florence or Rome.
Google maps works too.
Don't forget Google Translate.

Cross pack your bags.
Pack some of each persons clothes in the other’s bag in case one is lost or delayed.
Pack a change of clothes in your cabin bag for the same reason.

There’s more, but you now need to focus on getting excited for the trip ahead!

Like S J, I wear my moneybelt in the small of my back. I can’t say that I don’t feel it, but it’s way more comfortable than wearing it below my navel.

My husband tucks his down in front, under his navel, and says it’s not exactly comfortable, especially if we’ve needed extra cash (like trips to Africa, when substantial American cash was needed - go figure), or when he’s carrying a bulky International Driving Permit in addition to his Colorado license. As you said, the comfort of having those things safe and secure (but still available, if needed) outweighs the relatively minor discomfort of a full moneybelt.

Just be sure to take it off before you go thru airport security - he didn’t on our last trip, but it wasn’t the worst thing that could happen.

a money belt is not a purse, it is a body safe. I wear one in transit like on a train from Milan to Florence this fall. Mine rides just below the belt in back and is not visible if I have. a jacket or overshirt on. For money I need for the day and my credit card, I just carry what I need and have it stowed securely in an inside zipped pocket or cross body purse. My husband uses one of those neck bags under his shirt.

You don't dig around in a money belt in public which would destroy its security if everyone could see that.

Stow your money and valuables in the hotel safe.

Sim cards are obsolete -- most US phones use Esims now anyway -- just get an international plan.

You need cash for small purchases and some shops e.g. butcher shops or gift shops etc may have Euro limits -- so they don't take cards for less than a 15 Euro or so purchase. Markets often run on cash. But more and more, using a touch card on your phone is the most convenience.

on withdrawing money or signing credit pad for a chip/sig transaction -- NEVER do the transaction in dollars. Always choose Euros and don't let ATMs get you to elect some conversion on the screen. These are always costly attempts to grift. Do everything in Euros and you7 only pay your own banks conversion fee once which will be close to the current rate.

i don't know what i don't know

We found it convenient to have the Trenitalia app on our phone so we could look up train times and buy tickets. However you'll need a wifi data plan that works in Italy to use it. If you buy Regionale tickets on the app you must validate them after midnite on the day of travel.

I'd recommend travel insurance. It's less than $50 apiece from places like squaremouth if you decline trip coverage but that'll still give you medical coverage and perhaps evacuation as well. When you see all the kids zooming around on Vespa's you'll understand why there's a risk ;-)

I use a Moneybelt ( passport and credit card) leg wallet (xtra credit card) and use a supple leather coin purse that has a slot for a folded up piece of currency like a £10 note in London. Fits nicely in my jeans pocket.

I also own a neck wallet for my passport when boarding my flight. I’m a carry on traveler

As far as things to know:

Water from fountains is safe to drink

Take a cloth or mesh bag to carry food items if you visit food stalls, street markets.

If shopping at a fruit/vegetable stand point to what you want and let the vendor pick it up. Sometimes this is the case but not always. Watch others.

wet cobblestones can be slippery

In a sit down restaurant a meal will consist of a starter, first course, main course and dessert.

Cicchetti are small food plates. You might stand at a cicchetti bar.

Learn a few phrases:
Buongiorno = good morning
Ciao = hello/goodbye
Grazie = Thank you

Italians are well dressed but these days Jeans are also worn everywhere

Smoking is still a thing in Italy but not inside restaurants. Somewhere I have a photo of a priest in a confessional with a cigarette dangling from his mouth.

Lots and lots of scooter riders.

ALWAYS validate your bus and train tickets.

You will see a-lot of stray cats.

Church bells ring often. Can be jarring if windows are open and you are trying to sleep in.

Lots of stairs in buildings and in hilly neighborhoods. Wear comfortable shoes.

Do you have a good guidebook covering Italy? The RS book will have tons of useful, practical information, especially in regard to using public transportation, which will be essential over the course of your trip. For example, a common tourist pitfall in Rome is to be caught on a bus by a fare inspector without a validated ticket, resulting in a 50 Euro fine.

You might also consider Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door, which covers basic travel skills.

I'm also from Australia and visit Europe, including Italy, most years.

I once tried a money belt, in Thailand, and it was hopeless. I have never bothered since.

We never, ever carry our passports, except of course when moving from one location to another. In that case mine is in my cross-body bag and my hand never leaves that bag. Otherwise it is in the hotel safe, and I have a laminated copy plus a copy on my phone. It has never been an issue.

We very rarely use cash, so only have a handful of euro. We get that cash from an ATM. For paying we always use our credit cards, through Apple pay. The easiest and most secure way I have found is to use my Apple watch and simply tap it. This means no need to get a purse out of my handbag, or anything that could be stolen.

I keep my phone on a lanyard around my neck since visiting London last year and reading all the scary signs everywhere about phone theft. We'd been to London many times but never thought about this before, so phone theft seems to be a "thing". I actually found the lanyard very useful as I take all my photos with my phone, so it was always easily available and I didn't have to worry about dropping it.

For mobile phone use, I just use an esim, dirt cheap and works perfectly.

Have a great trip.

Take some cash with you for coffee or small payments, they accept card, but some prefer cash and for tips. Just put your purse in front and don't put any value in the backpack. Enjoy your vacation.

FWIW. observe locals -- e.g. in ice cream shops you pay first then take your ticket and get your order which differs from how USers do it. In supermarkets you weigh your own produce and put the label on the bag. In greengrocers and markets you usually don't touch the produce but the shopkeeper does it for you. By seeing what others are doing you can avoid faux pas.

I am not reading the previous comments so this may be duplicative:
1. Cell phones: I have T-Mobile magenta plus plan and don’t purchase local sim anymore since TMobile plan gives 5Gb of data worldwide, unlimited SMS, at no extra cost. Calls are $0.25/min while abroad. Coverage is good since TMobile connects with a local provider network (usually TIM or Wind3). If you are happy with your provider international plan, you don’t need a local SIM. I wasn’t happy with AT&T because they wanted $10/day or $100/mo extra for what TMobile gives me at no extra charge. So I switched.
2. Cash: I use cash for small purchases, like a coffee and similar. Also access to public restrooms requires 1€, which I pay cash but maybe the kiosks accept cards. I also use cash for automatic kiosks to pay parking, gasoline. The reason is that often those kiosks do not take US credit cards without PIN. In any case they are not big amounts, and if has is purchased during the day Mon-Sat one can pay the gas attendant with a card. Italian law mandates the acceptance of cards by any merchant for any purchase amount, so they can’t refuse. Unfortunately the taxicabs, notorious tax dodgers, will tell you the POS machine is broken so they will take only cash (they lie to you, it is not broken). If you must use taxicabs, make it known that you only have cards, or be ready to pay cash.
3. I don’t use money belts under my underwear on inside any body orifices. I use a regular pouch and a secure belt holster for my phone (with veltro and buckle). Then I careful watch my belongings when on crowded buses/trains. Do not keep your wallet o phone in your back pocket. That is the first place they try to steal your stuff. Other than that just keep a close eye on your phone as if your life depended on it, because it does.. Phones, cameras, or any electronic devices are the prime target of thieves, who nowadays couldn’t care less about your wallet (most people have only plastic inside anyhow), but they do target phones. Also don’t leave your phone on a sidewalk table cafe and get distracted while someone takes it away. Crime is rare, but you don’t want to be the rare victim either.
4. Passport: I don’t carry either of my two passports since I have also an Italian ID card. The law requires people to have an ID with them, and for foreigners that would be a passport. However if you leave it in a hotel safe while you walk around town and have a photocopy with you and your US driver’s license, I doubt you would be arrested, and, as an American, the chances that you will be even asked for your passport are low. So you could take your chances. Just make sure you have it if you leave town in a day trip or so, just in case. Don’t keep your passport with your money and phone, and risk having it stolen because they are trying to steal your phone. Since you won’t need to show your passport ever (except immigration when you arrive and at every hotel check in), that is the only thing you could probably keep in an underwear money belt. If you dress like Crocodile Dundee and carry a knife as big as his, no thief will come near you, and taxi drivers will have their POS machine suddenly working.

The front pocket is also no challenge to skilled pickpockets; I know two different people who had credit cards stolen and over 20K on them within the hour -- one had it lifted at the Orsay in Paris and the other on a bus in St. Petersburg. So pros are set to harvest credit cards. Phones, money, cards are what they want. Cameras are of no interest although if you leave on hanging on the door of. a toilet, don't expect to see it again.

I use a lanyard carry case for my very expensive phone/camera so I don't inadvertantly put it on a table and forget it or have it snatched opportunistically.

Waiting for a train at a small station in Italy 2 years ago, two police (together) stopped everybody on the platform and demanded to see I.D., and I had to dig my passport out to show it to them. They walked away when they’d checked the dozen or so of us on the train platform. My spouse was in the restroom, and never encountered those police, and didn’t have to produce any I.D.

BTW, on our London/France/Germany/Switzerland trip that ended less than 2 weeks ago, the pants and bike shorts he wore all had zipper pockets that helped keep the daily cash and the one credit card in place. Pickpockets/purse snatchers can still get past a zipper (or velcro, or buttons, or . . .), but it’s one more thing that is better to have, if possible.