Actually, also during the 1971 trip to Rome, I was walking near the Coliseum with a friend, who had a shoulder bag over one shoulder. A couple on a motorcycle zoomed up on the sidewalk beside us, grabbed the shoulder bag, and zoomed off. It necessitated a trip to the embassy to get a new passport, etc. Very trying. I have not encountered anything similar on subsequent trips to Rome.
Target sells the waistline travel pouches, and I imagine that many other stores do also. I recommend getting one.
Once in Paris I noticed someone was trying to pickpocket the outside pocket of my backpack - since I knew it had nothing valuable I let it keep them busy. They only time I’ve actually been pickpocketed was in NYC in the 80s. I do have one of those yucky things for valuable to wear under your clothes, though mostly I just keep valuables in my front pocket and separated, so there’s always at least one credit card available even if others have to be canceled.
Yes, do beware of pickpockets EVERYWHERE in Rome (and many other big cities in Europe). They find tourists to be easy prey. If you are cautious, you should be ok. I have a neck pouch that I wear under my clothes. Sometimes I make the cord long and wear it crosswise (cord hidden, pouch at left hip). I keep some small change in my pockets.
I agree most of them are ugly and scream tourist. I have a nice looking, little black travel pouch thing from REI, a couple of zip pockets, on a long cord so I wear it from one shoulder to the opposite hip (I wear it a little above the hip.) Not a purse, maybe 5x7, weighs a few ounces, and holds a cell, passport, money, receipts. I can conceal it under a sweater or whatever. I don’t generally carry a purse anyway, can take a small, light tote if I need to.
I want to experience your silky slap. ;
Haha, I tried to edit but it was too late.
I have a Pacsafe bag, with great anti-theft features like zipper locks, slash-proof strap and bottom/side panels, and RFID-blocking pockets for passport and CCs. Not the most stylish and pricey but worth the peace of mind when traveling. Still wearing the inside waist pouch, though. Another tip: find the smallest combination luggage lock with a short flexible cable to lock the zipper of your purse or daypack.
It’s not uncommon for thieves to use razor blades to cut the bag, so unless you’ve got a kevlar purse or backpack, I suggest just keeping the bag in front of u and exercising common sense.
If u keep your passport locked in the hotel safe (I just keep a xerox copy of my passport page in my wallet), don’t forget to retrieve the passport when u depart for the airport. I sheepishly discovered i also left my brain locked in the safe after I took the hour-long train from tokyo to narita airport.
I always put a hand on my bag holding it with my hand even with a strong strap, not flimsy one.
Well, fwiw, this shows mine. It’s 8 years old and I don’t think it’s easy to find, now. And it’snot utilitarian looking. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HP3SRWEWLkg
I won’t wear the waist pouch, don’t need the, uh bulk.
it’s illegal for visitors to Italy not to have government issues ID’s on them at all times. A drivers license is state issued, not federally issued. Our passport is all we have, so it must be carried. Many people just carry a copy, but you could be stopped and asked, and depending on the officer, be taken to a station until one is provided. Anyway, if you wear your waist wallet turned around so the bulk is at your back and not front, your stomach won’t get bulk and it’s pretty comfortable. It is meant to carry items you don’t need to have during the day unless an emergency, or you care to always be using a restroom. We will carry one of those, and I will carry probably a pacsafe purse with things I need for the day, plus maybe some euros to access, and one card in the deep storage. Won’t be big.
On another note for OP, Hotel Brizzi is also on the Piazza Rotondo close to Hotel del Senato. Not as expensive and it has good reviews.
Travelon makes theft proof purses similar to Pacsafe but cheaper–look them up on Amazon–I got one for about 45 (rfd slots, slash proof strap and body, lock zipper)–love it.
NEVER think you’ll be able to feel somebody getting into your pocket or purse.
Thanks gouf78…I’m going to take a look. I purchased a Bagallini from TJ Maxx awhile ago for $27, and realized that it really isn’t that proof safe at all. Pacsafe is so expensive, so I will check out the Travelons!
What is the bus to take from Termini with the closest stop to the Pantheon? Also, can anyone recommend a tour from Rome to Pompeii?
You don’t need a tour to Pompeii, just take the train to Naples, get on the Circumvesuviana which I believe is located downstairs, and it drops you right in front of the excavation. You can get a guide there.
Thanks for the link, gosmom, and the Pompeii travel advice, trojanchick. From gosmom’s link, I came across a useful Rome public transportation website: http://www.agenziamobilita.roma.it/en.html. It gives metro info., bus numbers, number of stops, and distances between places, including riding and walking times.
From my research, Pompeii is a doable day trip from Rome… if you take high speed train (2 hours each way) or bus tour. The slower (slightly cheaper) trains would make for a very long day.
You can also get English-language audiophones at Pompeii. And they give u a map at the entrance. You can also buy a tourist map on the street everywhere outside the park, w logical walking itineraries annotated on the map. Besides there were a gazillion tour groups in the park. You couldn’t help but overhear their tour guide for free, even if u didn’t want to.
The Circumvesuviana train station is right in front of the entrance. Just get off at the station called POMPEII SCAVI (scavi = excavation). There’s also a HERCULANEUM SCAVI train stop. Easy peasy.
Depending on rome & naples road traffic, the train is likely faster than a tour bus.
If u want to see the Naples National Archeological Museum, take the Metro from NAPLES GARIBALDI station. There’s a MUSEO metro stop. But take Line 1 (yellow), not Line 2 (blue)
http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/it/nap/napoli-centre-map.gif
I know the blue line looks shorter, but trust me, it’s an utter armpit.
