I Am Going To Italy

[BG45]

Wonderful!

[Nunsense]

I am more than envious - please go see the Bernini statue of St Teresa in Ecstasy (my Avatar has her head only) -- so beautiful and one day I hope to see it in person. Have fun!

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' date='26 March 2010 - 02:01 AM' timestamp='1269583312' post='2080404']
Hehe, on the weekend I walked past a Ducatti parked on the sidewalk beside a local bookstore. I sorta did a double take.
[/quote]
I once parked behind a Lotus. That's about the closest I get, though.

[Totus Tuus]

We're honeymooning there next year, though I'm totally jealous you're going so soon! Have a blast and soak up all the beauty in the Eternal City! As a Classics major I envy how long you get to stay there! One honeymoon will probably not be nearly enough!

[dominicansoul]

[quote name='Era Might' date='25 March 2010 - 06:45 PM' timestamp='1269557141' post='2080079']
No Don Orione?

You should bring him up to the group. It's a shame that he's not more well known. (And he was a student of Don Bosco, so there's a connection).
[/quote]
"Christianity without love, is an unworthy hyprocrisy." ---Don Orione

I just heard about him, and saw a movie on his life on EWTN.

[Saint Therese]

Congrats.
One word: moneybelt.

[CatherineM]

I always preferred an ankle wallet. Unless of course you're going somewhere during monsoon season.

[img]http://image.magellans.com/mitcus/Images/products/large/SV608_lg.jpg[/img]

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='CatherineM' date='26 March 2010 - 11:44 AM' timestamp='1269621878' post='2080608']
I always preferred an ankle wallet. Unless of course you're going somewhere during monsoon season.

[img]http://image.magellans.com/mitcus/Images/products/large/SV608_lg.jpg[/img]
[/quote]
If your ankle is taken up with a wallet, where do you hide your combat knife?

[CatherineM]

For travel to Italy:
The CDC recommends the following vaccines as appropriate for age (See your doctor at least 4-6 weeks before your trip to allow time for shots to take effect):

* Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG). You are not at increased risk in Northern, Western, and Southern Europe, including the Mediterranean regions of Italy and Greece.
* Hepatitis B, if you might be exposed to blood (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, stay longer than 6 months in Southern Europe, or be exposed through medical treatment.
* As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria.
* Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11-12 years who did not complete the series as infants.

From the State Department:

There have been occasional episodes of politically motivated violence in Italy, most often connected to Italian internal developments or social issues. At various times, Italian authorities have found bombs outside public buildings, have received bomb threats and were subjects of letter bombs. Firebombs or Molotov cocktails have been thrown at buildings or offices in the middle of the night. These incidents have all been attributed to organized crime or anarchist movements. Americans were not targeted or injured in these instances.

Demonstrations may have an anti-American character. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful have the potential to turn into confrontational situations and possibly escalate into violence. U.S. citizens traveling or residing in Italy should take common sense precautions and follow news reports carefully in order to avoid demonstrations and to be aware of heightened security and potential delays when they occur.

Italy remains largely free of terrorist incidents. However, like other countries in the Schengen area, Italy's open borders with its Western European neighbors allow the possibility of terrorist groups entering/exiting the country with anonymity.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html.

CRIME: Italy has a moderate rate of violent crime, some of which is directed towards tourists, principally for motives of theft. Some travelers have been victims of rape and beatings. There have also been incidents of drinks laced with drugs being used by criminals to rob, and in some cases, assault tourists. Many of these incidents have occurred in the vicinity of Rome's Termini train station and at major tourist centers such as Campo de Fiori and Piazza Navona, as well as in Florence and Naples. Criminals using this tactic "befriend" a traveler at a train station, bus stop, restaurant, café or bar in tourist areas, then eventually offer a drink laced with a sleeping drug. When the tourist falls asleep, criminals steal the traveler's valuables. There have also been instances where the victim was assaulted, either physically or sexually.

Americans are urged to exercise caution at train stations and airports, and when frequenting nightclubs, bars and outdoor cafes, particularly at night, because criminals may make initial contact with potential victims in such settings. Individuals under the effect of alcohol may become victims of crime, including robbery, physical and sexual assault, due to their impaired ability to judge situations and make decisions. This is particularly a problem for younger Americans visiting Italy, where the age limit on the sale of alcoholic beverages is lower than in most U.S. states. If you are a victim of such a crime, please file a police report and contact the U.S. Embassy or nearest Consulate. There are also in-country organizations, which provide counseling, medical, and legal assistance to certain crime victims.

Petty crimes such as pick pocketing, theft from parked cars, and purse snatching are serious problems, especially in large cities. Pickpockets sometimes dress like businessmen so tourists should not be lulled into a false sense of security by believing that well-dressed individuals are not potential pickpockets or thieves. Most reported thefts occur at crowded tourist sites, on public buses or trains, or at the major railway stations: Rome's Termini; Milan's Centrale; Florence's Santa Maria Novella; and Naples' Centrale and Piazza Garibaldi. Travelers should also be alert to theft in Milan's Malpensa Airport, particularly at car rental agencies. Clients of Internet cafes in major cities have been targeted. Tourists who have tried to resist petty thieves on motor scooters have suffered broken arms and collarbones.

Thieves in Italy often work in groups or pairs. Pairs of accomplices or groups of street urchins are known to divert tourists' attention so that another can pickpocket them. In one particular routine, one thief throws trash, waste or ketchup at the victim; a second thief assists the victim in cleaning up the mess; and the third discreetly takes the victim's belongings. Criminals on crowded public transportation slit the bottoms of purses or bags with a razor blade or sharp knife, then remove the contents. Theft of small items such as radios, luggage, cameras, briefcases, and even cigarettes from parked cars is a major problem.

Carjackings and thefts have also been reported from occupied vehicles waiting in traffic or stopped at traffic lights. Vehicles parked near beaches during the summer have been broken into and items stolen. Robbers take items from cars at gas stations often by smashing car windows.

In a scam practiced on the highways, one thief signals a flat tire to the driver of another car and encourages the driver to pull over. Often, the tire has been punctured by an accomplice, while in other instances, there may, in fact, be nothing wrong with the vehicle. When the driver stops, one thief helps change the tire, while the other takes the driver's belongings. Use particular caution driving at night on highways, when there may be a greater incidence of robbery attempts. There have been occasional reports of break-ins of rental cars driven by Americans when the precautions mentioned above were not followed during stops at highway service areas.

On trains, a commonly reported trick involves one or more persons who pretend to befriend a traveler and offer drugged food or drink. Also, thieves have been known to impersonate police officers to gain the confidence of tourists. The thief shows the prospective victim a circular plastic sign with the words "police" or "international police." If this happens, the tourist should insist on seeing the officer's identification card (documento), as impersonators tend not to carry forged documents. Tourists should immediately report thefts or other crimes to the local police.

Organized criminal groups operate throughout Italy, but are more prevalent in the south. They have occasionally resorted to violence to intimidate or to settle disputes. Though the activities of such groups are not generally targeted at tourists, visitors should be aware that innocent by-standers could be injured.

INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred. Lost or stolen credit cards present risk of identity theft and should be cancelled immediately. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.


Oh yeah, and don't forget to let your credit card companies know you are going on vacation. If not, they might freeze your cards thinking they have been lifted and the numbers sold overseas.

[HisChildForever]

Wow, thanks for all the information Catherine. I am going to make sure that I have some money tucked deep in a pocket, and some in my purse in case either get stolen. I will be with at least one other person the whole time, so some scenarios - like having a random person on a bus or train talk to me - may happen, but are able to escape from. The info on impersonators (businessmen and police) is REALLY useful. Some people can be so clever.

[Winchester]

Bring me back an AK47.

[mariahLVzJP2]

Awesome!! Youre going to have a great time! I really loved Assisi!! Bologna is great too..very historic area.

[CatherineM]

When I travel in sketchy areas, I carry a mugger's wallet. I buy a wallet at the thrift store, fill it with those fake credit cards you get in the mail, and 5 bucks. That way if you get mugged, hand them that quickly, and by the time they figure out they've been duped, they are long gone. If you carry a wallet, put it in the front pocket with a rubber band around it. That keeps it from being easy to slip out.

They make a new kind of traveler's purse that has titanium wire woven in the belt so that it can't be quickly cut loose. I'd be afraid to use it though. I wouldn't want to be drug by the neck by a robber or a closed bus door. They make straps out of that stuff for camera straps. Guys on mopeds would drive past, cut the strap, grab the camera, and drive away.

[HisChildForever]

[quote name='CatherineM' date='26 March 2010 - 01:44 PM' timestamp='1269625451' post='2080668']
When I travel in sketchy areas, I carry a mugger's wallet. I buy a wallet at the thrift store, fill it with those fake credit cards you get in the mail, and 5 bucks. That way if you get mugged, hand them that quickly, and by the time they figure out they've been duped, they are long gone. If you carry a wallet, put it in the front pocket with a rubber band around it. That keeps it from being easy to slip out.
[/quote]

LOL! And a prayer card.

[zunshynn]

[quote name='HisChildForever' date='26 March 2010 - 12:02 PM' timestamp='1269626576' post='2080693']
LOL! And a prayer card.
[/quote]

And a guide to confession pamphlet.

[HisChildForever]

My passport came 10 minutes ago.

[Tony]

Have Fun! I'd love to go to Vatican some day... and yeah Milano too.. to see a certain soccer team play..

[Era Might]

[quote name='dominicansoul' date='26 March 2010 - 11:15 AM' timestamp='1269616519' post='2080565']
"Christianity without love, is an unworthy hyprocrisy." ---Don Orione

I just heard about him, and saw a movie on his life on EWTN.
[/quote]
I live near a shrine that's run by his religious order, so that's how I was introduced to him. Here is a quote of his that I love:

[quote]It is not among the palm trees that I would like to die, but among the poor who are Jesus Christ.[/quote]

[CatherineM]

Does your passport have a photo with your new hair color? My photo could scare small children.

[HisChildForever]

[quote name='CatherineM' date='26 March 2010 - 07:26 PM' timestamp='1269645969' post='2080957']
Does your passport have a photo with your new hair color?
[/quote]

Yes! In fact I waited until after I changed my hair to get the picture taken.