Rome / Venice Safety questions ?

Before you sit down and enjoy a glass of wine under some enticing umbrella, make sure you understand what the price will be. In most places in Italy, you can do this and a glass of the house wine is a few euros. I had the unpleasant experience of paying 10E per small glass in Venice, and I understand enough Italian to know that the cashier asked not what wine I had but how much to charge me.

Pickpockets are easy to thwart, just don't have anything of value in your pockets; and put cameras in a secure bag. For purchases, know what something costs before you buy or eat. Any place with no priced menu posted, especially those near a tourist spot are rip-offs waiting to happen. It is common though to pay more at an outdoor table on a square than in the back of the restaurant and certainly to sit with your coffee than stand at the bar. It is also not unheard of that the local at the next table pays less than you for the same meal, but probably little you can do about that, if you pay the posted price, you got what you agreed to.

I have heard stories about Rome not so much Venice but I have never had a problem. I travel alone and just generally use common sense and keep my wits about me. I felt very safe in Venice even walking down narrow streets at night although I do tend to keep to areas where there are people at night. I never carry my passport - leave it locked in the safe at my hotel but do carry my drivers license as it has a photo on it and I can use for id. I suppose I also work on the internal warning system, if and area or situation just doesn't feel right I get out straight away.

Also have to agree Venice is very expensive but worth it.

The only place I saw gypsies in Rome was at the corner of Via del Vimminale and Piazza dei Cinquecento when I was going to the Termini. There were a bunch of kids sitting on the corner with 2 women. I ended up changing directions and avoiding them. The couple behind me were not so lucky.

You should be fine if you say aware of things going on around you.

It may go without saying, but pay attention to where you are and who is around you. I realize this is kind of hard the first time you see the Colleseo or St. Peters (wow moments!). But pickpockets are watching YOU watching the Colleseo, etc. - they notice when you're distracted and take advantage. Don't leave your bag hanging wide open anywhere. Keep your pockets empty and your moneybelt on. Be particularly aware on the metro or on buses - wear your backpack on your front, keep your hands on it at all times. If a gypsy tries to help you buy metro tickets, she's probably not being "helpful" to anything but your pockets. I will say the only place in Italy I felt concerned about pickpockets was Rome, and that was in the crowded areas (metro, tram, and in St. Peters). Also be aware that pickpockets aren't always dressed poorly - they have been known to wear dress suits. The RS books have good tips on this issue as well.

Venice isn't too bad. There's an advantage to being in a place with only one way on and off and no motorcycles. But the best precautions are those that become habits - wearing your moneybelt, not carrying anything you're not willing to lose in your pockets and being aware of your surroundings.

Rome:

Use common sense, especially when around a major tourist site be careful and always be aware of those around you. However, I'd be more concerned in Rome about not being run over by a Vespa than anything else. I swear, even if you think this can't possibly be a street, even if it has a "pedestrian zone" sign on it, there will at least be Vespas on it.

Venice:
Since you are in close contact with people, just be aware of people jostling you who may actually be trying to pick-pocket you. Above all else, though, just use common sense.

If you are staying at a hotel, ask the Reception Desk staff to circle for you on a map any areas that you should probably avoid. Take a few business cards for the hotel incase you get lost. Ask for a recommendation of a reputable Cab company and write down their telephone number.

Always wear your moneybelt. Leave your valuables at home. Even watch wearing expensive looking fakes. I know someone who was acosted while on layover in Rome last summer. She was forced to hand over her pearl earrings which were fakes but the teen who demanded them from her believed them to be real. Fortunately the wallet she had to surrender was a fake wallet which she smartly carried just incase she was ever mugged. The kid got about two bucks in Canadian Tire money!!
She was very lucky. She never thought about those Pearl earrings. They cost less than ten bucks but to a teen Kid, Pearls on a North American MUST be real!
Just take the precautions you would anywhere else and you will be fine!

The more you carry, the more your vulnerability - it's too hard to keep track of your stuff. The more crowded, the greater the risk. Travel very light and use a money belt or neck pouch for the things you can't afford to lose. Keep your stuff locked up when you aren't physically watching it.

I carry a daypack with a sweater, rain shell, picnic stuff and small stuff that isn't valuable. If someone takes something from my daypack, it wouldn't put a dent in my travel. I traded a neck strap for my digital camera's wrist strap and tuck it in my shirt or jacket when I'm not taking photos.

We enjoyed walking the quiet lanes of Venice after dark. Walking Rome at night is fun. Restaurants won't start serving dinner until after 7:30. Eat a big lunch so you aren't starving before then.

Assaults are rare. Your risk is pickpockets, people taking your stuff when it's not locked up or people breaking your car window and stealing the contents.

Is it safe to wear a diamond wedding ring?

My husband said Venice is relatively safe because it is so hard to get off the island without someone catching up to you. We walked this one area at night and I started to worry because it seemed so quiet to me and he told me not to worry. In Rome just be more careful as you would in any big city and or crowds.
I have a tendency to be more precautious because my husband was pickpockted in the train from Zurich airport a few years ago. A guy got on the train and then proceeded to get off when all the tourist were getting on after an all night flght and picked my husband wallet. That was the start of that trip. The first thing the police handed us was a pamplet, "Beware of Pickpockets" in 5 or more languages. My husband now wears a money belt when we travel. To be on the safe side, be sure someone at home has a copy of your passport and credit card numbers and contact numbers for them if you lose and need them.

be careful when paying with large bills. Be sure that the cashier knows that you know what denomination you've given him/her. I once saw a cashier in a corner store 'accidentally' give not enough change back to a local elderly woman.