Hi. going to Italy next week. I plan to bring or leave w/ someone a copy of my passport, my itinerary, and family contact information. I feel I should bring credit card nos. in case they're stolen, copy of birth certificate in case i need a new passport, things like that, since I read so much about pickpockets. But I hate to leave the info, no matter how vaguely written, in my suitcase while I tour, and keeping it on me in the same place the original items are - well, that makes no sense. What should I bring? Give me some direction please. I have few people at home I can trust w my information (how sad).
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Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
Just email all the info to yourself. Then you can retrieve it anytime with your Ipad, smartphone, a hotel's computer, etc.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Back up. Whatever your family contact information is, you'd want that. Put it where you wish, nobody will want it. Leave somebody your itinerary if it makes you happy - - unless you're carrying a phone, then it's not needed. Nobody at home needs all the rest of the stuff, and you don't need it with you either. You can replace a passport by showing up at a consulate with absolutely nothing but your own good self. The credit card crowd can figure out who you are when you tell them your name and go through the quiz. I wouldn't and don't, but if you really feel you need the information with you, take pictures of it with your phone. What I do have in my phone is the international numbers to call the credit card people. It's not necessary, but it speeds up the process by five or ten minutes.
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
Agree with Ed, all you really need is contact information in case of emergency and the numbers to call your banks if your cards are lost or stolen. None of that is sensitive. Everything else is unnecessary. Some people claim a lost passport is replaced more efficiently if you bring a copy to the embassy. But a passport copy is worthless to any thief so don't worry about leaving that in your luggage too. And you won't be pick-pocketed IF you are using a money-belt system (which generically includes neck pouches and belt loop wallets too). Some ladies that are in the habit of never leaving their purse around can easily get by with a secure travel purse (NOT your ordinary purse). If you just bring a pocket wallet or regular purse, good luck!
Posted by
Central Florida
484 posts
I strongly recommend a neck-pouch which you wear UNDER your shirt. It's easy to retrieve to fish=out a credit card or passport. The Rick Steve ones are nice. But, any will do. Keep the Lion's share of your cash in the neck pouch also. Only keep small amounts in your purse or pant pocket. It's better to prevent unpleasant incidents that can rain on your vacation.
Posted by
Honolulu/Seattle, HI/WA, USA
2787 posts
I go to Europe every summer for 11 of the last 12 years and always wear a money belt - most recently the one that goes around my neck. I keep my passport, credit cards (2), debit cards (2), copy of my itinerary, airplane/train tickets, emergency notification information, and any amount of cash I will not be needing that day (daily spending money goes into a zippered chest pocket. I also get a business card from the place I am staying just incase (or when) I get lost. I have never lost anything out of my money belt.
Posted by
roswell, ga, usa
1501 posts
Agree with Neck Pouch suggestion, especially if you're female. I also carry a coin purse for the "day money" and I don't have to rifle through my bag (purse) throughout the day. I keep a copy of my passport in the neck pouch along with debit card and most of my cash and copy of credit card. Email the emergency cc #s to yourself in case of loss. If you use a neck pouch, very unlikely ANYTHING will be lost.