I'm a 23 year old gal going solo to Europe for 6 weeks starting in the end of May. I'll be visiting the Cinque Terre for a couple of days and would love to be able to relax on one of the public beaches but is there any way to swim without putting my belongings at risk or will i have to swim with a money belt on.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
At the Cinque Terre, Monterosso has the large public beach. Riomaggiore, Manarola and Vernazza also have beaches but they are much, much smaller. The Monterosso beach has rental lounges, umbrellas, etc. as well as changing rooms and lockers. However, a locker doesn't mean that everything is completely safe. I do not know how secure or not secure these lockers may be.
Posted by
OP
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
4 posts
Thanks at least i know i can lock my things up!
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
Going to the beach is the only time I wouldn't have my money belt with me.
When you check in (not when you are heading to the beach), ask the hotel clerk if they have a safe. If so, drop your money belt off at the desk on the way to the beach.
If not, I would still leave my money belt in my room rather than take it to the beach.
Monterosso is the only CT town with a "beach", it's a mix of sand, shells and pebbles. We liked it.
Posted by
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
180 posts
Hello fellow Calgarian :)
I agree with the previous post. Leave your valuables in a hotel safe that day. Simply don't risk leaving anything but the basics alone at the beach while you are in the water.
However, if you are completely alone I would not recommend going with a form of identification at anytime. Get a small waterproof pouch (like a credit card size strong ziploc available at all fishing stores in Calgary) and put in it your drivers licence, photocopy of your passport and a bit of cash. That way if there is an emergency you always have info on you.
Pete
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5516 posts
I agree with the others. I usually leave things locked in the safe or hidden in the locked hotel room. However, when I was younger and staying in hostels and other budget places, I used to bring along a waterproof case that you could wear around your waist. I would only put it on when I went for a swim. It was a bit goofy looking, but it let me go swimming when I was by myself and there was no place safe to leave my belongings.
Posted by
OP
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
4 posts
Hey Pete woohoo another calgarian haha!
Thank you to all for the info but the problem with the hotel suggestions is that I will in fact be staying at a local youth hostel. The waterproof case idea sounds great along with the ziploc idea, does anyone have a suggestion on what type of waterproof case? Pelican is good (I have one for my ipod but it can't be submerged) but do they have any that work well submerged?
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5516 posts
Rachel, Do a search on waterproof waist belt. It looks like there are lots of options. Look for one that is submersible.
The one that I had was a hard case and was very inexpensive. I did put everything in a ziploc before I put it in the case for extra protection. It worked well.
Posted by
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
180 posts
Rachel, consider something like this for the smaller valuables: http://www.letravelstore.com/858695_099.html Pelican cases are a bit of a pain at the beach and just attract attention. Drop by Campers Village on MacLeod for some ideas...