Should I be worried that Rome is an Islamic State target?

Personally I feel like this is exactly what the terrorists want... they specialize in fear mongering. They want us to huddle in our houses and put their words all over our news broadcasts...I personally will still go to Rome and have absolutely no fear doing so.

ballz,

The term "just south of Rome" is a bit misleading. They're considerably south of Rome, so I wouldn't be too concerned. At this point, there have been no IS problems in Italy (that I know of).

In all likelihood, you'll have a wonderful time in Rome so my suggestion would be to continue with your plans. I certainly intend on travelling again this year, and won't be postponing because of vague threats.

I agree with ^^. ISIS knows Italy depends on tourism, so they try to disrupt it by making veiled threats that will cause travellers to rethink their plans...It is your choice as to whether or not you play.into their hand.

The State Dept issues travel warnings/alerts if you want an official stand on Italy as it comes closer to your trip. You can enroll in the Safe Traveler Enrollment Program. It is my opinion the Italian Embassy would have your name & whereabouts should a problem arise.

Relax … Enjoy the trip!

Please do not give into fear as it provides a victory for the terrorist.

When it comes to travel, I worry about everything - all the time. No way would any of this Islamic State stuff dissuade me from visiting Rome. You are probably more likely to get hit by lightening in Rome (which we almost did in 2001) than be a victim of terrorists there.

No one in Rome is heading for the hills. Come on over and enjoy your trip!

In order to reach Rome from Libya, the ISIS cutthroats have to go thru Naples. By the time they reach Rome, their fancy knives will have been already pick pocketed by the Neapolitans.
The biggest risk in Rome is to get your wallet stolen in the subway.
Have a nice trip and don't lose your head over ISIS (no pun intended).

"By the time they reach Rome, their fancy knives will have been already pick pocketed by the Neapolitans."

Either that or they'll encounter one of the well known Italian criminal organizations, who won't take kindly to being told what to do.

The Guardian, a highighly reutable UK paper, is reporting that 4800 troops are to be deployed to tourist sites around Italy. This should further put your mind at ease about security and safety.

If you come to Chicago, don't wear a purse. Wear a money belt and neck wallet. Have only one small wheeled 20 inch carry-on bag with you, packed light, weighing only what you can manage yourself even at the end of a long travel day. For me, that's 15 pounds total.

If you take the bus and EL, go online and learn your route, bus numbers, and EL lines before you leave your hotel. Have exact fare change with you. Don't walk the streets after dark even in pairs. Best to take taxis. And don't flash your smartphones around.

Thank you, Roberto, for the Naples reference. It's worth noting that during WWII the "street kids" and underground resistance in Napoli got the German troops to leave the city before the Allied entrance (Le Quattro Giornate di Napoli, the Four Days of Naples). So, I have no concerns about traveling anywhere in Italy.

Exactly Zoe. I don't think the Neapolitans would put up with Islamic State.
Besides the four days of Naples in WW2, let's not forget Masaniello previously in the XVII century.

What isn't an "Islamic State target"? You should not change anything. If it makes you feel better, Italy just announced the deployment of 5000 additional troops, with a focus on Rome.

Carry on with your plans, and have a great trip.

Ballz, your profile doesn't say where you live, but odds are pretty good you're at least as much at risk of something bad happening to you where you are than in Rome. Heck, you're more at risk driving to the airport.

Although I certainly wouldn't travel to Libya or any place else under the control of ISIS, I'm not about to let some terrorist punks dictate where I choose to go based merely on a verbalized threat.

As I have posted many times when this subject is raised, most people are awful at personal risk assessment. Your greatest risk of bodily injury will be your trip to and from the airport. Yet that doesn't stop you from going. It is your call about you own perception of personal safety and if you believe that ISIS is a potential threat, then don't go.

Based on a hundred previous posts here on the general subject of terrorism, in the wake of the Paris massacre, I think I can predict that no one here is going to tell you that you shouldn't go.
That's because everyone on this forum has already decided to go, whatever the risk might be.
If you really want opinions from others who have decided not to go to Europe because of the terrorist threat, you would need to go to a different type of on-line forum.

Should I be worried that Ohio is an Open-Carry state? (I used to live in Shaker Heights.)

I can't figure out what Kent accomplishes by making his observation above.

You'd have won the lottery if you went to rome and managed to be in the spot targeted by ISIS at the moment some attack occurred.
Just go on with your life - there is no rhyme or reason to terrorism.

We have been traveling to Europe since 6 months from 911, and I have always felt safe. Unfortunately some trips have so much security you don't think you can get where you are going, and other years almost nothing. Last year to London I was shocked at the lax in security. I suppose Vatican City will be under high alert. I just wouldn't hang out in coffee houses that bash their profit. Freedom of speech or not, just not a good thing to do. If you are going to travel the world including the US on the top of the terror list will always be dangerous to some degree. I am actually surprised that Rick hasn't given his pep talk, since the terrorist that has happened in Europe recently.

If we don't get on with our lives (whether a trip to Italy or the local mall), the terrorists win.

A much bigger concern is soccer hooligans. See the following article, and take a look at the pictures and the damage done in the Spanish Steps area:
http://www.ansa.it/lazio/notizie/2015/02/18/tifosi-olandesi-ubriachi-a-roma-cariche-e-fermi_8e999d0b-7d69-46a6-a016-cb32d4ef6fdc.html

Rick Steves' attitude is that "fear is for people who don't get out much." His staff and many frequent forum contributors have confirmed that lesson through travel. You can see other articles and opinions by searching above for "terrorism," but Kent is correct that you'll find very few of us changing our plans.

These two articles are not new this year; the issue has been ongoing in the 30+ years that Rick's been writing about travel.

http://www.ricksteves.com/press-room/rick-steves-talks-about-safe-travel

http://www.ricksteves.com/about-rick/social-activism-philanthropy/how-to-travel-as-a-political-act/overcome-fear