Safety question

When I travel with either my iPad or laptop, I lock them in my suitcase in the room or inside a room safe if is one is available and large enough. I generally use a double lock for the suitcase - one lock on the case and one lock on the backpack inside holding the iPad or laptop.

I take all my tickets and vouchers that I need for that day only.

I do not carry everything with me every day. I only carry all my stuff if I'm moving from one city to the next.

That's just me, though. I"m sure others will have different opinions.

First, being robbed in a violent way is extremely rare, so do not worry about that. It is terrible that it happened to your friend, but its so uncommon that it should not affect your trip. Being pickpocketed isn't super common but does happen much more than violent robbery - in case you aren't clear on the difference, pickpockets take your stuff from a pocket or bag without you noticing. You look later and realize your wallet is gone. Violent robbery is someone using a weapon or threat to make you give them something.

1. All valuables - NO, if you are staying at a hotel or apartment. If you are in a shared dorm type situation then yes, but if you have a hotel room use it to store your items. If there's a safe you can use it, otherwise just leave things in your suitcase and put the suitcase in the closet or somewhere. I will leave everything I'm not using that day in my suitcase, with extra money and credit cards in the safe if there is one. Things like tickets and reservations often aren't "valuable" anyway - many types can be reprinted or stored electronically.
   Valuables would be money, credit cards, passport, the rare type of ticket that can't be reprinted, jewelry, and electronics. I don't bring jewelry of any value (sentimental or monetary). Electronics are kindle and ipad - see below, I don't bring them, and phone and camera, which I bring with me because I will use them each day. I bring money and a credit card with me and leave the other card(s) and extra money in the safe. These could go in a moneybelt, I just don't use one very often.

2. Ipad - NO, leave it in the hotel. It obviously can't go in a money belt, and so is safer in a locked hotel room than in your bag. Pickpockets are more of a threat to it than hotel theft. Use the in room safe, or bury it under clothes in the suitcase.

The most important thing for safety is your brain. Be smart, but not paranoid. Simple things like closing your bag vs. leaving it wide open. Not setting your phone on the street-facing edge of a table and turning your back. Keeping a hand on your bag in front of you in particularly crowded situations. Not wandering home through dark alleys drunk at 3AM.

I'm curious about your heavy leather bags. Are you particularly attached to them? They're going to get mighty heavy as you wander the streets of Rome.

And Mira's right: violent crime in Europe is extremely rare; slashing bags is rare; pickpocketing is more common, but certainly not likely to happen to you, especially if you follow Mira's excellent advice.

Thanks Mira!
I guess I just needed to hear that. I wasn’t looking forward to literally carrying everything with me on a daily basis.

Jane,
I am attached to the luggage (rollered carryon, backpack and messenger bag) and travel frequently with them. The messenger bag slides into the backpack (which counts as my personal item on the plane.). I use it as a purse once I arrive for just daily jaunts. The backpack gets reserved for market trips or souvenirs. (Locking it inside my carryon once I get to my apartment/convent room is a great idea!)
I’ve weighed it against a lightweight fiberglass bag, but decided against the lightweight bag as it offers me no “give”. Actually, upon weighing the two with my travel scale, there’s only 1.5lb difference.

No, No and No! Keep it simple - ditch the leather backpack - it's heavy and relatively easy for someone to "pick" if it is on your back. The pickpockets in Europe generally are expert and you won't even feel them get into it.

In Italy and Greece I use a small leather cross-body bag. It holds a wallet that, due to its large size, even I have difficulty in getting out of the purse, and my phone, which was also my camera in Greece. I never carry my passport with me (I do have my driving licence in my wallet) but have never been asked for ID. 1 credit card goes into my wallet as well as a debit card if I think I will need extra cash during the day; this goes into a small closed pocket inside the bag; otherwise stays in my hotel room in the room safe. If I am going to be in a situation where I need to carry water (i.e. visiting sites in the remoter areas without easy access to a small shop), I have another bag I wear cross body. Its made of a strong nylon, has lots of zipped and clip pockets and two mesh pockets on the outside for water. You don't want to be in a situation where you have to take your pack off, to delve in and get water, camera etc. Make sure you rezip your purse every time you open it. Unless you are a serious photographer, you really don't need a large or special camera for travel shots. I have been happy with my Phone camera. I have also download all my previously purchased tickets to the phone along with plane tickets etc., and have it all backed up on my iPad. My iPad stays in the hotel room etc. Never take it with you.

I have used this "system" for over 14 trips and never had a problem. I used a money belt one time, in Turkey and found it so hot and uncomfortable that I got rid of it within a day or two and never used it since - but then I don't carry more than about 20 Euro on me. Enough for drinks and a snack.

Walk with purpose, head up, look like you know where you are going, hand on your zippered bag and enjoy Italy. You will see many Italian women using cross-body bags and walking hand on zippered bag.

As every Carabiniere will tell you, the safest place for your valuables and documents is the safe in your hotel room. The same carabinieri will also tell you that the least safe place for those items is in your pocket or purse. So my suggestion is to leave everything in your hotel safe except for the minimum necessary for your day out. If you think you need your iPad (to take pictures or read stuff you keep stored there), carry it, otherwise it should fit nicely in your hotel safe. I doubt you need your airplane or train tickets to visit a museum.

Thanks Roberto and landlubber!

I do have all the fancy camera equipment but am leaving it stored at home. A simple, small palm-sized camera and my iPhone will do just fine for photos. My son is working on convincing me to leave the camera behind and rely solely on my phone.

My messenger bag is not only crossbody, but zippered and holds zippered bags (1 each for wallet, iPhone and iPad that are on metal locking carabiners attached to the inside of my bag.). It’s easily worn, held tightly and close to my body.

The backpack serves as a personal item/luggage - mainly for the airplane for all the things I want for a comfortable flight (snacks, electronics, collapsible water bottle, lightweight jacket). Things that I need easy access to. It’s zipper tabs are linked together with stainless steel locking key ring chains. I have no problem wearing it in front of me when needed/necessary.

I’m definitely taking your advice and carrying only what I need each day and will find ways to secure everything i leave behind in my rooms.

You are doing everything right yellowroses. Don't be distracted by tales of robberies years ago or advice to go out and buy all new bags.

Leave anything you do not need with you during the day in your hotel. I never use the safes but there is nothing wrong with them. If you do, you might write yourself a note as the risk of forgetting something in the safe is far higher than having something stolen from your room. I just place things in my luggage and lock it.

40,

"My son is working on convincing me to leave the camera behind and rely solely on my phone."

I would highly recommend taking both your compact P&S camera and your iPhone for photos. At the least this will provide a backup if (for example) one of the devices malfunctions (I've had that happen). Also, the camera will produce better quality photos in a wider variety of conditions.

The others have provided lots of good information on your "safety" question. Not all hotels provide a Safe, so one tactic I often use is to distribute credit cards and cash in several different locations. I always keep my Passport with me, either in my Moneybelt or in a secure inner pocket. You'll need your Passport when checking into hotels, so it's best to keep it reasonably accessible so you don't have to retrieve it from your Moneybelt.

Thanks for chiming in Doug and Ken!

I specifically bought the small P&S camera for this trip mainly for its size and weight.

Funny you should mention bringing it as a backup. I do exactly that with a larger P&S when I’m out photographing wildlife (mainly butterflies). I was taught to always bring a backup camera and charged battery for my larger digital. Backup P&S it is.

You sound overly paranoid.
There are pickpockets around, mostly in the crowded areas, train stations, city buses, etc...

If you keep your wits and are mindful of your stuff and surroundings you are very unlikely to be a victim.
Pickpockets are not violent criminals and they are on the lookout for the easy pickins targets who are not being mindful.
Your friend what happened is terrible but is so rare you chances of being struck by lightning are likely greater so not something you should be fearful of.

If it makes you feel better my first time in Europe (also Rome) I was paranoid as well, wore a money belt, told my wife she could not bring her normal jewelry, purse, etc...

Now I really don't give it much thought and carry about similarly to how I would at home just being a little more mindful of where my valuables are at all times but especially at times when crowds are all around me. I have never witnessed a purse nabbing or any straps being cut so I refuse to be in a state of fear while on vacation.
I don't worry about hotel room theft anymore there than I do here ; which is not at all if staying at a nice hotel and maybe a little at a not so nice hotel to a good amount if staying at a hostel or something similar.

Thank you for your input mreynolds.

FWIW. I’ve had my hotel room burgled twice in the states. It does make you cautious.

When staying in Mexico I was not fortunate to have access to a safe. I spread valuables etc thruout the rooms. Never had a problem.

It pays to be aware of surroundings, especially new ones. My trip to Italy will be the third solo trip of my life (all over the age of 60). I would rather be cautious of a new/strange location than complacent until I get a feel of the situation.

You might want to review these responses since it is basically the same question

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/leaving-valuables-in-hotel-rooms

At the moment it is four postings below this one but that will change.

Hello OP:
Congratulations on taking a solo trip!
I'm 64, and am partly solo on every trip, meeting friends for a few days here and there.
Absolutely put your passport, debit card and extra cash in your money belt, and only access it when in private.
I put my credit card in there too, as I rarely buy something really expensive needing a CC to pay for it while I'm away.
In your cross body bag, take enough cash for that day, and a copy of your passport; and your other stuff needed for the day: map, phone , etc.
The trick is to be hands free, so you are not juggling bags, cameras, glasses ; all at once.
I stay in rental apartments, so am happy to leave my Ipad there when I'm out; but if the hotel has a safe, use it.
You could photograph the stuff while it is sitting in the safe, though that's no real proof if it went missing.
I'm very cautious, and a couple of years ago I met a younger traveler who travels with a copy of her passport, a copy of all the bank cards and the emergency bank numbers, and one hundred of whatever currency of the country you are currently in at the time; plus a note of where you are staying.
All in a tiny ziplock bag under the insole of your shoe.
That way, if you are robbed (which you are not going to be!), you'll have cash, ID and some emergency info on you.
I do it now too whenever I travel, and can wear a shoe with a removable insole.
Don't think me paranoid, just careful when being on my own.
Happy planning!

This is the safest attire for your travels.

Frank, thanks for the link.

Jackson. Great minds think alike. You mentioned nearly my exact plan....except for the info in the shoe! That’s an interesting twist.

Roberto! I love your humor! If you are in Italy (Venice, Florence, Siena, Orvieto or Rome) in October, I owe you a drink!