re: Traveling and safety in Rome and Florence

Hey OP, I understand your concerns. I’m a good ole baw from the south and see a lot of bad stuff on the news. I went to Rome/Florenc/Pisa/Venice with my pregnant wife in April. I was nervous. Went to rome first, we walked a lot and I kept pretty much everything of value on me (Computer, phone, all documentation, etc) in a really secure back pack that I had strapped to myself. It was a pain but I was nervous. I wouldn’t leave anything in my hotel room. By the time we got to venice all I kept on me was my phone and the room keys. Just left everything else in the room. There’s really no need to be nervous.

Just be aware of your situation. We walked all over Rome and never felt scared. In Florence we were walking around at night on low lighted streets (sometimes we were the only ones on the street) and I never felt scared. In Rome the touristy places are crowded and no doubt there are some predators around. Just be aware of yourself and your surroundings and you’ll be fine.

Have a blast, I am truly jealous. We have to go back because my wife couldn’t drink while we were there. That’s our excuse to go back, HA!

Also, in Rome get an Airbnb or hotel in trastevere. It’s what you imagine Rome to be. I wouldn’t stay near the colosseum just because it’s so touristy and crowded.



Here's a link to my trip planning thread.

https://www.tigerdroppings.com/rant/travel/t-zero-days-until-italy-final-logistics-to-do-list/69633782/

Trastevere, especially if you can stay relatively close to the Tiber, is good advice. It's walkable, especially at night, and just has a different feel. Most of the area around Colosseum is fine, but its chaotic. I personally wouldn't want to stay there or near Termini.

Try to avoid the #64 bus in Rome. Every Travel Guide mentions the 64 bus. It is crammed to the gills and is a haven for pickpockets.

I warned my dad over and over, but he got pickpocketed on the 64 bus a couple years ago.

Otherwise, like others have said, keep alert, don't let a large group of small kids surround you, and if a "stranger" stops to talk to you, immediately put your hand on your wallet and be prepared to bolt.

You can wave off the gypsies with a simple hand gesture. They may curse at you in a Balkan language (which is quite funny--makes for a good story), but no harm, no foul.

And EAT GELATO EVERY DAY!!!

Have a great trip!

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Does anyone have any recent experience or a resource so that we can be sure to select a hotel in an area safe to travel around at night?

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I went on my honeymoon there 4 years ago. We walked around at night without issue through both Rome and Florence. It's much safer than somewhere such as New Orleans, and I often did the same when I lived there.

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news stories about violence perpetrated by migrants I'

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With this level of paranoia you should just stay home. Walked all around both counties as a 17 year old kid with 3 females and never had a moment of trouble.