Anyone worried about terrorist threats for Europe? What about Italy?

There are already a couple of threads going on this very subject with a variety of opinions and concerns. The last I heard, Italy wasn't on the hit list.

The way I look at these warnings is that you're probably safer than you would have been without the heightened security response - do you know just how many more machine guns are out prowling around Europe? Poeple on rooftops with binoculars looking for 'stuff'? Plain-clothed officers mixing with the people looking and listening for 'stuff'? Regular people looking and listening for 'stuff'? And you've heard this before, but your daughter is in much more danger of becoming an orphan because you've decided to drive to the airport...THAT'S your most dangerous activity. GO!!! Have a great time!!! And for what it's worth, life is dangerous - there are constant threats both here and around the world; that's why those machine guns are patrolling the airports, Eiffel Tower, the streets of Rome, etc. 'Stuff' is out there. I'm more afraid (if that's the word) of my own shopping mall being a target than just happening to be at the Arc de Triumph when some nutcase shows up............Come back [because you will ;-)] and let us know what things were like during your trip...you can help assuage someone else's fears...

A threat is not a threat. More people die in car accidents than in terrorists attacks in Europe. Which why I always take the train. I likely hood of you being hit by lightning is great than a terrorist bomb. Heck, cross a street in Rome WITH a green light has a greater threat than a terrorist. I view these "announcements" as a CYA type of activity. Even a terrorist expect on the Today show down played the risk level to an individual.

FWIW, the main European countries that have been in the news lately for possible terrorist activity are Great Britain, France and Germany - the major political players on that continent. Italy just isn't really on the radar.

Italy has not been mentioned as a target, however, on the TV as part of the Terror Alert, they are showing the Colosseum in Rome. BUT ITALY has NOT BEEN part of the Travel Alert. Just do anything that you would do in a large city in the US, be careful where you go and pay attention to what you see. Most of Europe is safe and you can even walk in the main areas, ie Colosseum, Via Nazionale, Via Del Corso, The Spanish Steps freely, and on some of the side streets. I remember when Rome Airport in 1963 had Armed Military and German Shepards guarding the Airport, and of course since then, even more in the more traveled parts of Rome and Italy. I have never felt unsafe and always enjoyed my trips. Of course, your decision will be your decision, and I can understand your concerns. As you said, Europe is large, and I would think if anything, a person would really have to be at the wrong place at the wrong time to really be in danger. Just be careful, watch where you are going, don't go to demonstrations, very large gatherings, but of course, you can't help but be in some areas with a lot of people, ie airport, train stations, main tourist areas, eating places. With this in mind, I would way the pros and cons and then decide.. Enjoy your trip.

Thanks for all of the info! I will take it all into consideration. A threat is still a threat to me...each individual will take a threat differently. Anytime the president is involved, Im going to take a terrorist threat more seriously than a car crash or being struck by lightening, in which there is likely no warning at all. Thanks...Im just trying to get some opinions!

A zillion years ago I had my first ( only) trip to Israel. The TWA plane was hijacked and it was a blow by blow deal. We went anyway - had a great time - left early to do the Loire Valley because Israel was a drag. So it is always something and go anyway because it is always something or we all stay home. I'm to Italy on Sun - no worries

Shannon, as the others mentioned, the warnings are primarily concerned with travel in England, France and Germany. I tend to agree with Frank in that these warnings may be CYA (aka "due diligence), given the fact that they're somewhat non-specific. ¶ There were also "concerns" about travelling in Greece this year, and I went anyway and had a great time! ¶ In the same circumstances, I'd carry on with the trip, but of course try to be "vigilant" as the authorities suggest. Hope you have a wonderful time in Italy!

If you had wanted to go shopping in Gainesville Florida yesterday, would you have gone? Of course you would have. Many of us lived through the Cold War Era and still traveled then. These alerts mean nothing.

I'm going to Rome next month. Not really worried per se but then again I live somewhere that has been in a constant state of alert since 9/11 happened (its not uncommon for me to drive to work and see Air Force One flying overhead). Someone from here that I have been communicating with regarding itineraries (we are doing similar trips but weeks apart) mentioned that they had gotten an email about the travel alert because they had registered with the embassy so I checked it out and registered my plans with the State Dept. I thought it couldn't hurt and its free. This way if someone desperately needs to find me they can.

As far as I know Italy was not on the list. My husband and I just returned last week from a trip to Italy and we would have no qualms about going now with the warnings issued. Nobody can tell you what to do but I would go and enjoy every minute! Buon Viaggio!

On past trips, I've considered registering my travel plans with the government (for Canadians, the department of Foreign Affairs & International Trade provides this service) but haven't done so yet. So far I've just used daily text messages to my family to let them know where I am, but I also carry a list of Government offices and Embassies abroad so that I can contact them if necessary. I also leave a copy of my Itinerary at home, which can be accessed if necessary. As I often travel solo, I may consider registering on future trips.

Seriously, what are the chances that you would be anywhere near when an attack may (or may not) occur. Go have your trip and have fun. I hate when they throw out these broad and non-specific travel warnings. It does nothing but frighten people into not traveling and plays into the hands of potential terrorists that want to cause mayhem like this.

The point I was trying to make earlier is that the risk has to be put in perspective since there is risk in everything that we do. Last year 33,800 folks were killed on American highways and streets. That is about a 100 a day or about one every 15 minutes. And I would assume a similar rate in Europe. A very good reason to avoid streets and highways. But people still rent cars and drive in Europe and here because they view it as an acceptable risk. How many were killed by terrorists this past year? Even IF there was some type of an attack somewhere, the true probability of any single individual being anywhere near it is extremely low. So low I would not even think about as I climb into my car.

Only you can decide if you should go or not, personally, we would go. In this case, it is not a travel warning but a travel alert. The alert itself just says that travelers should be more aware of their surroundings and adopt appropriate safety measures. Overall the information is extremely general but the State Department is not saying don't travel, just be aware. Here's the official alert: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_5171.html

Unlike our State Department with its vague warnings to "be alert", Ken from Canada actually lists some common-sense, practical things people can do.

The official alert does recommend people register their itinerary with the State Department. When we went to Istanbul a few years ago there was an alert at the time and we did that before we left. Nothing happened while we were there and we had a great time.

Shannon, there is good advice in all these posts, I hope it helps your feelings. When I went to Egypt in the early 80's, our tour guide in Luxor stated the first sucessful act of terrorists disrupting an economy dependent on tourism through fear. Please let me suggest you take action (action usually dispaces fear), take care of legal issues like having an updated will, a list of your assets and bank accounts,and leave those with your itinerary/passport copy/credit card copies with your best friend. It won't take as long as you think and can give you peace of mind. My father and mother kept updated lists and I never needed it until he was 87 with pneumonia. We're going at Thanksgiving for a couple of weeks and leaving teenagers behind. Flying on the same flights seems bold, but worthwhile. I hope you go and have a wonderful time.

I was in Paris when the alert came out..We saw more police even with riot gear walking in groups...I felt safer..When we left Paris yesterday in the Gare Est there was a Jewish man in full garb walking around, he wasn't worried...Just be alert...

You are too paranoid. You are falling into the trap that terrorists want, to confuse people into rethinking everything around their open threat. Either forget about it and go or stay home.

We are in Italy now, and so are thousands of others from all over Europe. Brits, French, and many Germans. I feel safer here than on the freeway in Portland. As Rick would say, "Keep on travelin'!" You can't worry that a one-in-a-million problem will cause you harm. Don't let the terrorists win. Ciao! Off to an aperitivo now.

In Paris and cities in Italy there always seem to be lots of police around. I'm going, and I'm not worrying. I may stay away from crowds more than usual if I think of it.

Shannon, I live in Rome and do not feel unsafe. All I advise is that you be smart just as you would normally. Truly.

Thanks everyone for your comments! The more I read, the better I feel. Is Rick paying some of you to write on here? haha!

I agree with a lot of the points, observations, opinions made already. I will add that while I think the governments opinion can surely be questioned, scrutinized, etc. I don't think it is solely a CYA move by them in announcing this type of thing. There did seem to be some credible escalation of a new/newer threat in the intelligence, and the U.S. did kill several German nationals in Pakistan just the other day in a drone attack, so something is/was up. In the end it may be an overly cautious call by the State Dept. - but imagine if they didn't make it and then something happened?

......but imagine if they didn't make it and then something happened? ...... AND the common phrase for that is ??????? CYA !!! That is exactly what they have to do. But it doesn't mean that your individual likely hood of being injured by a bomb has changed in any significant way. Maybe the risk has double from one in two million to one in one million. Hardly any change.

I returned from Europe last Saturday night. I spent my last week in Germany. I didn't even know there WAS an alert until after I came home. We were at Oktoberfest/Munich, which would have been the perfect place for a terrorist attack. Was there one? No. Did I worry about one? No. As many here have said, life is a risk. I would rather take a chance that I will die at the Eiffel Tower (for example - insert another place if you wish), than to cower in my home because I am afraid to leave. And speaking of cowering in your home, I'm sure more people die in accidents in their homes than in terrorist attacks! I hope you go on your trip and have a fantastic time!!

Hi Shannon, I can relate to your anxiety about putting your child(ren) in harms way. In 1998 my husband and I decided to take our one year old baby to Italy. As we neared the date, I got terribly anxious and felt like I was putting my baby in grave danger (by putting him on an airplane!). I really stressed over it; but fortunately, not enough to cancel the trip. It was a wonderful trip and the airplane did not crash going or coming! Last summer we took our two kids to France/Spain and next summer we are travelling to Italy/England. If I let my fears have the best of me; my kids would never leave the house! I don't know how old your child or children are, but taking them to Italy is not selfish, it's wonderful!