Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
HEALTH & SAFETY
Tourism is big business for Italy, so the authorities do their best to ensure that
heavily touristed areas are safe
at any time day or night, meaning violent crime
against tourists is exceedingly rare. That being said, tourists are a target for petty
theft, from pickpocketing to the theft of goods left in rental cars. Never carry large
amounts of money on your person, keep your passport in a safe at your hotel, and
consider using a money belt to better hide your money. Fanny packs are the worst
place to keep money or valuables; they're easily opened and mark you as a tourist.
As for health dangers, traveling through Italy in the heat of summer brings on
the threat of
heatstroke
or
sunstroke,
particularly for those determined to see a
number of sights in a single day. A couple of basic rules: (1) Relax: Unless you're
a guidebook writer on deadline, you don't have rush to cover every sight in town.
(2) Stay hydrated: Keep a bottle of water with you, and replenish as the day goes
on. (3) Stay covered: Wear a cap, sunglasses, and sunscreen to escape the blazing
sun. Take some breaks in the shade, and take some breaks in the middle of the
day—this is what the Italians do, and they've been living here for a couple of
thousand years, so they should know.
SPECIALIZED TRAVEL RESOURCES
FOR FAMILIES
Italy is an extremely family-friendly country. It's not at all unusual to see children
out with their parents for a night at a trattoria; there are playgrounds and parks
in every city and small town; and the Italians simply love kids, meaning that if
your baby starts to squall in a museum or restaurant, you won't get the evil looks
you might in other countries. (In fact, you're more likely to get offers of help.) Of
course, you're going to want to make sure that you approach the vacation in a sen-
sible way: Mix and match museum days with days spent simply kicking back at
the local park, and skip the wine tastings and instead go for a bike ride or a pad-
dle on a nearby river. There's lots in Italy to keep the kids involved.
Recommended family-travel websites include
Family Travel Forum
(www.
familytravelforum.com),
a comprehensive site that offers customized trip planning;
Family Travel Network
(www.familytravelnetwork.com),
an award-winning site
that offers travel features, deals, and tips;
Traveling Internationally with Your
Kids
(www.travelwithyourkids.com),
a comprehensive site offering sound advice
for long-distance and international travel with children; and
Family Travel Files
(www.thefamilytravelfiles.com),
which has an online magazine and a directory of
off-the-beaten-path tours and tour operators for families.
FOR TRAVELERS WITH DISABILITIES
Italy isn't the most convenient country for travelers with disabilities, with narrow
sidewalks, uneven cobblestone streets, and historical-preservation laws that pre-
vent certain old buildings from becoming barrier-free. But many museums and
churches have been adding ramps and elevators to increase accessibility. The newer
transit lines also have increased space and usability for those with disabilities.
In general, most disabilities shouldn't stop anyone from traveling. There are
more options and resources out there than ever before. Many travel agencies offer
