Pick-Pocketing Prevention in Europe!

Barcelona and so may cities across Europe have become easy and economical places to visit from the States. Now its so easy to book online, jump on a plane and arrive to your new destination whether it be for a long weekend or a month! However, on paper that sounds so easy and fun, but as the date approaches the stress can build up of what to pack, what to bring, what to do, and just so many logistics that it can feel overwhelming! 

​Let me help you with a few tricks of the trade I have picked up simply by trial and error and lots of research! The first question that always comes up is, what should I pack?

Europe is extremely safe, all the large cities are re-known for being extremely safe....however, there is one precaution that must always be followed: watch out for pick pocketing! Theft is rampant in cities such as Barcelona, London, Rome and Paris, especially for phones. So the most important thing to pack, in my opinion, aside from phone/passport/credit cards, is a safe way to carry your precious belongings. Nobody wants to have their phone stolen on holiday! But don´t worry about aggressive theft, its rather more like a magician....suddenly you realise your phone or wallet is gone as if a ghost did it. Nevertheless, its vital to carry something that will prevent theft, and I always carry my things in an anti-theft bag. I use an anti-theft bag every day while living in Barcelona, and most definitely when I travel to other European cities! After trying various bags, this one is my favourite: amzn.to/4hjTv6B   its cute, it crosses over my body so its even safer, it has anti-theft zippers (especially useful in crowds and the subway) and it goes with everything without being too bulky. I never leave the house without this bag and I haven´t had anything stolen ever, well, except once when I left my phone on a table at a restaurant,...ugh.

But maybe you prefer a more discrete approach, instead of a bag/purse. I also use an under the shirt, hidden, bag that holds my passport, credit card and money, amzn.to/42DT0Qj. This not only let me relax, remain hands free but it gives me other options to carry things like water bottles such as the one I use every day, amzn.to/3EtKiKh in a tote! Don´t forget to bring a water bottle, here in Europe we only drink out of water bottles that we buy (the huge ones) and then fill up our water bottles to carry around. Hotel water is fine to drink, its just not to customary to drink out of the faucet in older apartment buildings. 

Once you are armed with a safe way to carry your most valuable belonging, you will be able to deter any pick pocketers. Just remember to avoid carrying your phone in obvious pockets, your back pocket and of course, from my experience, don´t ever leave your phone on a table at a restaurant! Which reminds me, I also use this phone attachment, just to prevent someone from wanting to snatch it from me as they pass by amzn.to/3WHpp4R

If you come prepared, and use some of that common sense we have, you´ll be fine! As I always say, better safe then sorry!! Safe travels and fun travels are the best!!

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