Eurotravel Planner

Section: Safety & Health

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Safety means more than just not getting mugged.

It means keeping your stuff safe, staying healthy, and making the right choices. In regards to good health, Europe is very friendly that way and you shouldn't encounter any more problems than in the U.S. — and "Farmacias" are ever-present with their (usually neon) Green cross signs.

There's always risk, but you can minimize it.

This section is focused a bit on Italy, simply because I wrote it after returning from there...and because I felt, and saw, more crime there. You can pretty much assume that if it's good advice for Italia, it more than works anywhere else.

The advice seems common sense, but too many times I've seen tourists with overflowing purses, cameras swinging about, and wallets sticking up out of back pockets...phew! A little common sense planning can make you much less of a target.

Quick Tips
• Know the word for Police in each country you'll be visiting. It is "Polizia" in Italian, for example.

• Know the phone number for emergency assistance, which can vary by country in Europe. It's "1-1-3" for anywhere in Italia for the Polizia. The U.S. has 9-1-1, Europe often has 9-9-9.

• Drink less alcohol, especially when traveling alone and meeting new people, or when you are staying at a lot of different places (where you could get lost if you can't easily remember how to get home), and where you may be walking home alone late at night in the dark. Also, for health reasons, when traveling you'll find that too much drinking can sap your energy. Ahhh, do what I say, not what I do :-)

• Go out early, come back early. The days are long in summer, take advantage and use the light.

• Use a money belt. Don't use a wallet. Period. Women, try not to wear purses unless it's just decorative (no money or credit cards or passport inside). Consider a small locking backpack and a money belt.

• Don't walk around with big maps hanging out yelling "dumb tourista" and plan ahead for where you are going. If you look lost and unsure as you walk down the alley, that's a bit like putting on a "mug-me" sign.

• For possible emergencies, give your planned itinerary (hotel names are useful) to someone responsible before you leave on your trip and keep them updated of any changes. It'll make it easier to find you, or figure out where you were supposed to have been...

General Thoughts
Clothing — it's not easy, but consider trying to look a bit more European, less "American." You'll almost always still look like a tourist, but you can look less vulnerable by fitting in a bit more. For example, Italians don't wear shorts, and Europeans don't wear tennis shoes.

Try to experience more and buy less. You'll find that you travel lighter and happier, and are less prone to theft. Ship items of value.

Much of Europe is rife with annoyance crimes such as pickpockets and petty theft stuff, but Europe is very safe in terms of violent crime — compared to the United States, for example.

Bigger cities (Milano, Roma, Firenze) and large festivals (Oktoberfest, the Water Festival in Sweden) tend to draw a crowd of pickpockets traveling the circuit.

A bigger item such as a laptop is definitely a target, especially if you are planning on using it at cafés and other easily accessible public places.

Thieves like the 2-person approach. One person comes up and distracts you (with a newspaper or asking you the time or whatever) and another takes the laptop or camera right from in front of you.

The hotel/hostel/B&B systems are very advanced and there are no problems areas with safety there (again there is petty crime at times from the staff, or people walking through the hotel, as there would be in the U.S.). So, don't leave expensive stuff sitting out. As an aside, I've never felt any threat or danger in a hotel, and haven't lost anything of value.

Consider taking a very small camera, and keep it in your pocket or hand at all times. This in-pocket trick helps reduce theft, and I think reduces how touristy you look. Never set a camera down on a table, even for a second, even 12 inches in front of you. Another benefit of the small camera is that you're more likely to bring it with you, so you won't miss that great shot!

Be leery of locals coming up and asking for the time or directions, especially two or more of them. Oftentimes, you'll notice they actually do not have watches on! Sheesh...

In bigger cities, more in Southern Europe, groups of street urchins run up and dip small hands in your pockets — very common. Don't be surprised by it, just get away from such groups. Be careful chasing after them as well, the adults suddenly show up to confront you.

In terms of financial safety, use a money belt. This is the number one tip from every guidebook I've read, as well as from my personal experience. Wallets are simply begging to be taken, and purses likewise are easy to rip from your shoulder. For a laugh, you can consider a decoy wallet, with nothing much in it, for someone to try and take. I don't suggest it, it seems like inviting crime, but some people think it is a funny form of revenge.

As for passport storage, I'd suggest keeping it on you 24-hours a day, in your money belt, unless the hotel has a safe you can use.

A surprise to me, hotels will occasionally ask for and keep your passport, which is generally okay. More likely they'll take it, photocopy it and return it to you.

As for money, keep it on you, period. And don't keep too much on you — ATM's are prevalent, and almost everywhere takes credit cards. Do photocopy your passport, credit cards, I.D., etc. and keep the copy separate from your actual cards and passport. Consider keeping an extra credit card stored somewhere else in case you are mugged or lose it. I tend to keep a card in my shoe for good luck, and so far I haven't needed it!

Women traveling alone in Italy have an added nuisance problem of significant unwanted attention from Italian men and should try to travel in pairs or with some guys when possible. It's not really dangerous, just annoying.

Train (and car) Safety
Train travel in Italia is actually very good, whereas I believe driving is hilariously funny/dangerous — and your car might very well get stolen. In other countries I've rented cars, including France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and England, I've had no real problems. Except for staying left in roundabouts in Wales, must be a mental block or all those funny misspelled words they have there.

When I rent cars in Germany, Austria or France, I have to sign that I'm definitely, positively, absolutely not thinking about taking the car into Italia! Further, if you're always packing and unpacking (in Europe you DO NOT leave luggage, valuables or anything else in cars), it can take away time from seeing the country.

Timing tends to be about the same for train vs. car travel. So, whenever I can I choose the train. It's fun and relaxing.

Safety issues on trains is something you'll encounter and need to be aware of if you travel by train in Italy, Greece, or the Eastern European countries (Czech Republic, Romania, Estonia, etc.) For example, In Italy I generally warn folks to stay away from overnight trains. Especially farther south, there's a lot of property theft as you sleep — almost happened to me on both overnight trains I've been on in Italia. Someone actually walked into my cabin thinking I was sleeping...

Don't worry, it's not particularly dangerous, but it is annoying. Italy, especially, is like that, but it's good advice for all of Europe — watch your stuff. Myself, several friends, and my father have had stuff taken from pockets, in front of them at their table while they are eating, walking down a public street in broad daylight, etc. (usually money, jewelry, passports and cameras). Again, I don't think it's too dangerous (I think the U.S. is probably a lot more dangerous), just frustrating.

There are ways to make this threat a non-issue. First, of course, stay away from overnight trains in Italy and southern and eastern European countries whenever possible. When you are on a late train, keep your bags with you and locked, try to keep at least one person awake, and if you are sleeping in a compartment, keep bags beneath you and away from the door and out of sight as much as possible. Consider locking the doors (many compartments have small lever-type locks) or jamming the door closed with a prop. Thieves often (and this has twice happened to me personally) enter at one station, go through looking for people sleeping, open the door, climb over you to get to bags, and leave at the next stop. I tend to sleep very lightly on trains if at all.

I do want to mention that I've twice run into issues, in the Czech Republic and in Romania, where I've had to bribe conductors to keep them from throwing me off the train and into some poorly-traveled area. Keep a couple US $20's with you for this type of purpose. In both cases, it was very "professional" and the guy wanted US money only. I assume they'd accept the Euro at this point. Interestingly, one of the times, he wanted a $19 bribe, and actually gave me US $1 in change. Strange, but true.

Train travel safety and comfort both improve as you move upwards towards northern Italy. From France to Switzerland, from Austria to Germany you'll find trains comfortable, safe, reliable, modern conveniences, comparable to the U.S. air transportation system. I certainly think you can consider an overnight train if your plans merit it in these countries. In the same way the U.S. funds road transportation to the tune of billions of dollars, many European countries fund their public train transit system. In Germany, for example, expect to see cell phone and computer terminals in first class. In Switzerland, be amazed by double-decker passenger trains with lounge-style seating...

Staying Healthy
Remember, Europe's not a 3rd world country. On the other hand, there are 3rd's all around Europe, so some caution should be considered. It's rare, but shit happens. Here's my laundry list of general health issues.

• Soaps — On soap, Euros have it down, no problems finding good soaps, shampoos and sun-screen lotions, other than figuring out which is which in some countries.

• Antiperspirant/Deodorant — This is a different matter. Trust me as a man who sweats like Niagara Falls, this is a critical issue where Euros fall short. I usually smell worse after putting local-bought stuff on. So, if you're smell-and-sweat challenged as I am, bring enough deodorant/antiperspirant. If it goes beyond regular sweating like crazy in summer, consider prescription DrySol which is like antiperspirant on steroids. Chat with your doctor about it. It worked for me, but if you apply anything more than just a touch it makes your underarms raw and red. Do not try it for the first time and test your sensitivity the night before traveling all-day to Europe like I did. I felt stupid holding my arms up for 15 hours on a plane 'cuz I put too much on. There's no need to discuss the irritation factor or funny looks I received.

• Medicines & bandages — Health happens in Europe. Be ready and it won't slow you down. This is no time to avoid drugs and supplies when they can help. You'll be trooping in high gear and don't need colds, allergies, scrapes, blisters, sunburns and headaches (or 30 spines from a sea urchin in the heel) to slow you down. Make sure you bring all prescriptions you'll need, and have supplies handy.

In the packing section, I've listed what types of health supplies I routinely bring with me and what they're for. It's more convenient to have it on you than to have to find a pharmacy (remember the green cross). But, prescription stuff is relatively easy to acquire, so no worries there. I've had occasion to use pharmacies in Italy and Belgium, both were similar, both worked great. Hours were spotty on Sundays, usually only 1 pharmacy in a region will be open then.

• Drinking — More water, less alcohol. Sounds easy, but it often seems tougher to acquire a bottle of water in Europe than a beer, so take time and focus on it. Consider keeping a 1/2 liter plastic bottle with you at all times and simply fill up whenever you stop. Usually a couple drinks will knock me out simply because I've been going so hard all day, so definitely start slow and build up. Unless you are at Oktoberfest, then just try to keep it all down and un-cinch your waistbelt when you hear the creaking.

• Mental health — Traveling, it can be said, is often being able to manage problems day in and day out without losing it. Staying up for the entire trip can be hard, because traveling is hard and stressful. Simply keeping this in mind often helps, and not expecting everything to go perfectly helps set your mind at ease and get you in shape to handle problems as they come along. If you're traveling more than a week, consider rest days where you chill at a café, read a book, write postcards or in your journal, do laundry, etc. If less than a week, still consider taking a slow afternoon or two, and getting to bed early.

• Sleeps & eats — Speaking of which, get your sleep! Plan on it, and make sure it happens. Lack of sleep will create all sorts of ancillary health problems, and I'm sure lack of awareness leads to more people being hit by busses (mostly in Britain) or mopeds (mostly in Italy). Lack of sleep means not being aware enough to avoid dangerous areas, and burning your body's immune system down to the nubbins is just beggin' for a good virus or other malady. Eat right as well, it'll keep your energy up and ensure you have the stamina to make it through the trip.

Hopefully I haven't scared you away — I've spent more than a year in Europe with few problems, and loved every minute of it. Just be careful, and you'll be in great shape throughout your trip.

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