Donna Wheeler

Donna Wheeler https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/about/contributors/donna-wheelerDonna Wheeler https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/europe/portugal/5-things-to-know-before-visitingPortugal is known for beaches, fado, and of course, Port. But that's just the beginning. Nomad Donna shares her favorite Portuguese wines, non-touristy Lisbon neighborhoods, and inland cities.2025-05-20T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/europe/portugal/5-things-to-know-before-visitinghttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>On my first visit of many visits to Portugal, I was bowled over by its coast and carefree surf culture. But it didn’t take long to realize there’s a lot more to this booming European nation than summer fun. Pack your swimsuit, by all means, but also get ready to discover a mix of the historic, the fresh and innovative, the rustic, and the richly diverse. Here's what you should know about Portugal and why it's worth a visit or several.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#diversity">Cultural diversity: Maritime power to post-colonial melting pot </a></li> <li><a href="#beaches">Beaches beyond the Algarve</a></li> <li><a href="#wine">Portuguese wine: it’s not just Port </a></li> <li><a href="#lisbon">Experience real Lisboeta life</a></li> <li><a href="#heartland">Don't miss Portugal's heartland cities </a></li> <li><a href="#around">Getting around</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="diversity">Cultural diversity: Maritime power to post-colonial melting pot</h2> <p>As many of us were taught at school, Vasco de Gama sailed the ocean blue. His extraordinary voyage to India was the apex of what’s known as Portugal’s “<a href="/stories/discovery/just-keep-running">Age of Discovery</a>”, an era that saw the rise of the Atlantic economies, the slave trade that underpinned them, and Europe’s all-consuming colonial ambitions. This is a history that is both epic, in the true sense of the word, and disquieting.</p> <p>For visitors, it’s one that’s evident not just in the country’s museums and monuments, but also in its contemporary society. A significant percentage of Lisbon’s population is made up of immigrants from its former African, Asian, and South American colonies. Their descendants and the tastes and sounds of these distinct Lusophone cultures really bring this history to life.</p> <p>The music genre of <em>fado</em> might be Portugal’s most widely known musical offering, but in Lisbon’s vibrant bars and clubs I also discovered a constantly evolving contemporary music scene that includes <em>kizomba</em> (from Angola), <em>funana</em> (from Cape Verde) and hybrid Afro-electronic forms. <a href="/explore/south-america/brazil">Brazil</a>’s many and varied musical styles are on high rotation too, with the best live rondo-style performances to be experienced outside of Rio de Janeiro.</p> <p>Culinary reminders are also evident: Brazilian chicken <em>pastéis</em> and mojitos on every corner, the peanut-strewn coconut crab or rich lamb stews at Moçambiquan cafes, piles of Macanese chili tofu and eggplant at “<em>clandestino</em>” Chinese restaurants, and fragrant fish curries at either hole-in-the-wall or upmarket Goan places.</p> <h2 id="beaches">Beaches beyond the Algarve</h2> <p>There is much more to Portugal’s long coast than the English-speaking crowds of the Algarve.</p> <p>North, on the Spanish border, Foz do Minho – Portugal's most northerly beach – and its nearby counterpart Moledo are pine-fringed and pretty, with views to Spain’s not-so-distant hills. Wild and windswept, this is kite-surfing heaven.</p> <p>The spectacular Praia de Adraga has a looming headland and sweep of beach just an hour west of Lisbon. I always stay just along the coast at the beautiful village of Azenhas do Mar for the area’s most lauded seafood restaurants and sea baths beautiful enough to wow this Australian.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/portugal/6-things/parque-natural-do-sudoeste-alentejano-costa-vincentina.jpg" alt="Wildflowers on the Costa Vincentia in southern Portugal." /> <figcaption> Wildflowers in Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano on the Costa Vincentia. Image credit: Getty Images / Anders Blomqvist</figcaption></figure> <p>Down on the Costa Vincentia, a wild, biodiverse national park hugs dramatic cliffs, stretching all the way to the Algarve border. The whitewashed village of Praia de Vila Nova Milfontes has both a wave-lashed sea beach and gentle riverfront dunes, although it’s the grilled seafood or <em>arroz de peixe</em> (claypot rice and fish) at waterfront fisherman’s shacks that I come for. Bring your <a href="/travel-wiser/practical/how-to-pick-travel-shoes-for-your-next-adventure">walking shoes</a> – there are spectacular clifftop paths all the way to Porto Barcas, with many secret coves, then more excellent seafood places in O Sacas. Further south, Praia di Odeceixe Mar’s river-circled beach is an extraordinary sight.</p> <h2 id="wine">Portuguese wine: it’s not just Port</h2> <p>I’d come across a few Portuguese vinho verdes in the well-stocked wine bars of Melbourne but was not prepared for how interesting the local wine scene is. A wonderful new world awaits, with a long and often obscure list of varietals and unusual blends that are rarely exported.</p> <p>Wine lovers might start with the simplest of questions: <em>vinho tinto o vinho branco?</em> (red wine or white wine?). Not a bad place to linger, but if you want to delve deeper, seek out wines with a DOC (Denominação de Origem Controlada) or DOP (Denominação de Origem Protegida) classification, or <em>vinho regionals</em> (IGP).</p> <p>The ubiquitous Vinho Verde – a white blend of local grapes, such as Loureiro and Arinto – hails from the northwest and is most often fresh and spritzy, although you can find some with age and complexity. These northern regions are also known for their peachy, lemony Alvarinhos. Also in the north, the steep, terraced <a href="/explore/europe/portugal/5-ways-to-discover-portugal-by-bike">Douro Valley</a> is all about robust reds, often made from the same grapes as Port, such as Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo in Spanish), though they also produce some elegant, mineral whites too.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/portugal/6-things/duoro-valley.jpg" alt="Terraced vineyards in the Douro Valley, Portugal." /> <figcaption>Terraced vineyards in the Douro Valley. Image credit: Getty Images / Terry Eggers</figcaption></figure> <p>Small producers have revitalized the once-maligned Dão red (the region’s name as well as the wine), while Lisbon and Tejo’s maritime climates lend themselves to fragrant whites and soft reds. Here the tiny region of Colores makes a herbaceous, salt-tinged white from Ramisco grapes, grown on some of the oldest pre-phylloxera vines in Europe.</p> <p>Lastly, look out for wines from Pico Island in the <a href="/explore/europe/portugal/sao-miguel-portugals-untamed-emerald-island">Azores</a>, made with grapes grown in volcanic soil on old vines, but in very modern rosé and pet-nat styles.</p> <h2 id="lisbon">Experience real Lisboeta life</h2> <p>The sheer number of visitors that come to take in Lisbon’s loveliness can make its famed Alfama and Bario Alto neighborhoods feel like a well-worn circuit and, when the bachelor and bachelorette parties hit town come the weekend, a circus.</p> <p>Instead, wind your way up the hill through Alfama’s picture-postcard maze to gently gentrified Graça, where there are regular grocers and bakers, a vibrant street art scene and some excellent <a href="/travel-safety/europe/portugal/portugal-tips-and-dangers">nightlife</a>. It’s leafy <em>plaça</em> are home to low-key bars with stunning views, too.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/portugal/6-things/terrace-in-graca.jpg" alt="People sit enjoying the view on a terrace in Graca, Lisbon." /> <figcaption>A terrace with a view in Graça. Image credit: Getty Images / Tinyevilhog</figcaption></figure> <p>Likewise, if you’re not in town to swill Sagres beer from plastic cups at 3am in Barrio Alto or Cais do Sodre’s pink street (if you are, don’t worry, it <em>is</em> great fun), the elegant streets up in Príncipe Real may be more your style. Rua da Escola Politécnica and the smaller lanes that intersect it are full of stylish little bars and restaurants. During the day, locals browse Modern Brazilian design shops and grab a <em>bica</em> (espresso) or a beer in one of the <em>quiosques</em> in leafy Parc de Príncipe before a lie-down in its lush botanic gardens, full of fragrant exotic trees.</p> <h2 id="heartland">Don't miss Portugal's heartland cities</h2> <p>Lisbon and Porto are sufficiently interesting and distinctive to easily occupy an entire trip. But if you can make time, the interior is home to some fascinating small cities.</p> <p>I was lured by the well-preserved medieval <em>plaça</em> and tangled laneways of Guimarães, Portugal’s first capital, but as a university town with an interesting art museum, I found it as vibrant and unstuffy as it is historic. For those exploring the north on public transport, it’s included in Porto’s urban train system. Similarly, riverfront Coimbra, in the center of the country, has photogenically steep streets, some of them dating back to the Moorish empire, and as the site of the country’s oldest university, combines a distinct historical flavor with a youthful energy.</p> <p>My favorite inland destination, though, is Évora. Deep in the heart of the wine country of the Alentejo, it offers a glimpse of Portugal at its most serenely rural: a patchwork of pastures, cork forests, olive groves and, naturally, vineyards. The cobbled old town center still possesses its original medieval walls, and within lay a ridiculous number of historic treasures: a looming Gothic cathedral, an uncanny Baroque bone chapel and a Corinthian-columned Roman temple, to name a few.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/portugal/6-things/evora-square.jpg " alt="The charming old town center of Evora, Portugal. " /> <figcaption>The old center of Évora. Image credit: Getty Images / joe daniel price</figcaption></figure> <p>But it’s the town’s rustic slow food that the Portuguese come for, with a staggering number of restaurants to choose from, most serving up Alentejo staples such as pig trotters, slow-braised lamb, and bread and garlic soup, alongside the bold, sun-kissed wines of the region. Base yourself here and strike out each day for tastings and lunch at one of the many nearby wineries, or head off to Cromeleque dos Almendres, a group of spectacular ancient granite megaliths, 9.5mi (15km) west.</p> <h2 id="around">Getting around Portugal</h2> <p>The national train network, CP (Comboios de Portugal) is efficient, comfortable, and good value. A number of bus companies take over where the trains don’t go (or provide a cheaper alternative if they do) and include Expressos and Rápidas and the longer distance Alta Qualidade services.</p> <p>Car hire is also reasonably priced, and all the usual rental companies can be found in bigger towns, though renting from the airport is often easier.</p> <p>The country’s national carrier TAP has domestic routes but unless you’re flying between Lisbon and Faro in the far south, it’s far easier and more scenic to take the train or <a href="/travel-safety/europe/portugal/transport-and-getting-around-portugal">drive</a>.</p>Getty Images / Marco Bottigelli 1656711740 Getty Images Whitewashed buildings on a cliff above the sea in Azenhas do Mar, near Lisbon, Portugal.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/europe/austria/7-things-to-know-before-going-to-austriaAustria is more than Hapsburg palaces and swanky ski resorts. Nomad Donna shares her insights on Vienna’s coolest neighborhoods, the best Austrian wines to try, the underrated city of Graz, and skiing where the locals do2021-05-04T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/europe/austria/7-things-to-know-before-going-to-austriahttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>I was lured to Austria by the Habsburg-era splendour of Vienna and the lush sensuality of Klimt’s paintings, and perhaps too, by the melancholy traces of a grand, lost empire. But what I discovered were cities that felt far from stuck in an 18th-century time warp, with thriving contemporary art scenes, great nightlife, efficient transport, safe streets, and food offerings way beyond schnitzel. I also fell in love with Austria’s laidback wine-growing regions and Alpine hospitality.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#vienna">Vienna neighborhoods to explore</a></li> <li><a href="#salzburg">Salzburg beyond Mozart and Maria Von Trapp</a></li> <li><a href="#wine">Don’t underestimate Austrian wine</a></li> <li><a href="#winter">Austria skiing beyond Kitzbühel </a></li> <li><a href="#graz">Don’t overlook Graz, Austria’s second-largest city</a></li> <li><a href="#seasons">There’s more than one high season in Austria</a></li> <li><a href="#get-around"> It’s easy to get around Austria </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="vienna">1. Vienna neighborhoods to explore</h2> <p>Once the capital of Europe’s longest-lasting empire, Vienna’s cultural and historical riches are astonishing, and trying to take it all in within a couple of days can really overwhelm. That’s why I splice visits to the Inner Stadt’s gilded palaces and masterpiece-packed art museums with restorative forays into the booming, creative neighborhoods that lay outside the historic Ringstrasse.</p> <p>In picturesque, fashionable Neubau, Mariahilf, and Leopoldstadt, the multicultural streets around the open-air Brunnenmarkt, and increasingly, throughout Ottakring, you’ll find great little cafes with better coffee than the grand old coffee houses, small bars serving local wines, hidey-hole techno clubs, and intimate, small-scaled house museums such as the Freud Museum, set in the father of psychoanalysis’ former consulting rooms.</p> <h2 id="salzburg">2. Salzburg beyond Mozart and Maria Von Trapp</h2> <p>The graceful Baroque domes and spires of Salzburg are impressive, even if you never played Liesl in a school production of <em>The Sound of Music</em> or spent your childhood thumping out Mozart sonatas. The city’s dual musical associations are huge – classical buskers and Von Trapp tours can feel as omnipresent as the city’s looming mountain, Mönchsberg. But there are ways to appreciate Salzburg sans the clichés.</p> <p>Take the annual Salzburg Festival, which attracts the world’s best classical musicians and is worth booking well ahead for. And, as I came to realize, in a city full of music students there’s also a thriving year-round jazz and electronic scene, where the classically trained kids blow off steam.</p> <p>Limestone peaks, mist-shrouded waterfalls, and jewel-colored lakes surround Salzburg and make for great day trips. But if you’ve only got a handful of hours to spend out of town, the sparkling subterranean ice pavilions and lantern-lit passages at Eisriesenwelt cave are otherworldly.</p> <h2 id="wine">3. Don’t underestimate Austrian wine</h2> <p>Austrian wine is having its moment: hit any of the country’s long and winding Weinstrasse, and you’ll see, or taste, why.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/austria/austria-weinstube-donna-wheeler.jpg" alt="Exterior of a traditional Weinstrube (wine bar or tavern) in Austria." /> <figcaption>A traditional Weinstrube (wine bar or tavern). Image credit: Donna Wheeler</figcaption></figure> <p>Austria’s Wachau, Kremstal, and Kamptal regions – only 1.5 hours by train from Vienna, or easily accessible by bicycle – are home to traditional operations and younger, edgier producers. The popular Danube-side town of Krems gets the glory, but Langenlois is a gem, true to its agricultural, working-town roots, while still turning on the charm. Try the indigenous Grüner Veltliner, which can be citrusy and thirst-quenching or as complex and peppery-rich as a good Chardonnay.</p> <p>Less than an hour southeast of Vienna, and also easily reached by train or bicycle, Burgenland’s pretty, regal capital Eisenstadt is surrounded by lush green flatlands, and, down by the Hungarian border, the water sports mecca of Neusiedler See. Vineyards and winemaking villages fan out from Eisenstadt, entirely circling the marshy lake and home to a growing number of natural wine makers, including the cult producer Gut Oggau. The region is best known for the full-bodied red, Blaufraenkisch.</p> <p>Further south is Südsteiermark, known as “Styrian Tuscany” both because of its sun-drenched, rolling hills and rambling villages and its wine-growing prowess. Favourites here are Sauvignon Blanc and Weissburgunder.</p> <p>My biggest tasting surprise? That the fragrant, intriguing Gemischter Satz – “mixed set” in German, or field blend – so prevalent in good Viennese restaurants was actually grown and produced in the Vienna city limits, on vineyard terraces overlooking the Danube and Vienna Woods.</p> <h2 id="winter">4. Austria skiing beyond Kitzbühel</h2> <p>Some come to Austria <a href="/travel-insurance/activities/ski-snowboard-travel-insurance">for the powder</a>, some come for the pumping après-ski. I’m partial to a gentle run and sinking a post-ski Stiegl beer, but I also come for the mountain hospitality where hotels count their lineage in centuries rather than years, and there’s a complimentary <em>Strudelzeit</em> (Strudel Hour) every afternoon and biodynamic treatments in the spa.</p> <p>Voralberg and Tyrol are the birthplaces of modern skiing and define Austria’s ski scene; it’s here that you’ll find the famous St. Anton, Ischgl, and Kitzbühel ski resorts, known for their deep snow and steep drops (and steep prices), as well as day drinking and a go-hard nightlife. But family friendly, relaxed skiing can be found to the east at Grossglockner Resort Kals-Matrei, which offers varied terrain, half-price passes for under-18s and the deep joy of waking to a horizon studded with over sixty 9,840ft (3000m) peaks.</p> <p>Locals love the more laidback, sunny-side-of-the-Alps skiing in Carinthia in the south, including the freeriders’ favorite of Ankogel and the high-elevation Mölltaler glacier, which gets an average dump of 65ft (20m) of snow a year.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/austria/austria-seefeld-getty-885378936.jpg" alt="Snowy cross-country skiing trails near the alpine town of Seefeld, Austria. " /> <figcaption>Cross-country skiing trails near the town of Seefeld. Image credit: Donna Wheeler</figcaption></figure> <p>Austria’s cross-country trails make a cheaper, tranquil alternative to downhill. Seefeld’s 173mi (279km) of <em>Loipen</em> (tracks) take in idyllic villages and is flood-lit for after-dark gliding. More than 44mi (70 km) of well-maintained trails fan out from Alpbach, what’s known as Austria’s most beautiful village, all of them at over 3,280ft (1000m).</p> <h2 id="graz">5. Don’t overlook Graz, Austria’s second-largest city</h2> <p>Austrians often summon comparisons to the Mediterranean when talking about Graz. As far from the sea as the country’s second largest city is, once glimpsed, you’ll get what they mean. Its pristine historic center blends Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture in a sweetly evocative mix, and taken in from its iconic clock-tower perch, its swathe of terracotta rooftops and its thundering River Mur evoke Italian Riviera towns or those of the <a href="/explore/europe/croatia">Slavic Adriatic</a>. Its food, too, is a little lighter, fresher, and more sun-kissed than the Viennese. It’s a welcoming and serene place, especially pretty in spring and summer, with little of the tourist bustle of Vienna or Salzburg.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/austria/austria-mur-island-graz-getty-200199165-001.jpg" alt="Murinsel, the artificual island/bar in the middle of the river in Graz, Austria." /> <figcaption>Murinsel, the island/bar in the middle of the river in Graz. Image credit: Getty Images / Walter Bibikow </figcaption></figure> <p>Graz has been honored with UNESCO designations for its historic center, as a city of culture, of design, and most recently gastronomy. Its cultural life feels very much of much of the 21st century, with a month-long design festival held each year and a couple of wildly imaginative contemporary landmarks – the blue blob “Friendly Alien” Kunsthaus and Murinsel, the river’s artificial island/bar. There’s a palpable youthful energy too, with its 60,000 students whizzing past on bicycles and filling the brimming bars and cafes, especially in the rowdy, arty riverside neighborhood of Lend.</p> <h2 id="seasons">6. There’s more than one high season in Austria</h2> <p>The summer high season of July and August sees visitors flocking to Vienna for the sights, while locals take to the lakeside resorts or <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/essential-hiking-safety-tips">hiking trails</a>. Salzburg is also busy, with its summer music festivals drawing additional crowds. Hotels book out, although the availability of apartment rentals has made things easier. Summers get warm: pack shorts and sunblock, though layers for exploring at altitude are also wise.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/austria/austria-bathing-beach.jpg" alt="A bathing beach on Traunsee, an Alpine lake in lake in north-central Austria." /> <figcaption>A bathing beach on Traunsee, an Alpine lake in lake in north-central Austria. Image credit: Donna Wheeler</figcaption></figure> <p><a href="/travel-insurance/activities/hiking-travel-insurance">Hikers</a> will find the trails less populated in the spring and autumn shoulder season and accommodation costs slashed; lakes are also quiet outside of high summer, but that blissful peace can also mean a dearth of eating and sleeping options.</p> <p>Mid-December to March is high season in the ski resorts, plus, from late November, there’s an influx of city-bound travelers for the magical Christkindlmarkt (aka Weihnachtsmärkte or Adventzauber). Both Vienna and Salzburg also have packed winter music calendars, culminating in the Vienna Philharmonic’s traditional New Year’s Day performance. Bring dressy outfits for this time of year, as well as your thermals.</p> <h2 id="get-around">7. It’s easy to get around Austria</h2> <p>Public transport is very efficient, with the national ÖBB train system integrated with its Postbus bus network. Regional transport passes are worth investigating as they can offer good savings. Driving in Austria is a pleasure, although car hire pickups and drop-offs can only be done in big cities. <a href="/travel-insurance/activities/cycling-travel-insurance">Cyclists are well looked after</a> with bike paths throughout cities and stretching out into regional areas. There are also extensive bike-hire facilities for summer touring.</p>Donna Wheeler 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/europe/italy/italy-1-for-pickpocketsWhere there are crowds, there will be pickpockets waiting to rid you of your valuables. Our essential tips will help you stay safe in crowded places, understand pickpocket tactics, and protect your valuables in Italy's major cities.2024-07-17T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/europe/italy/italy-1-for-pickpocketshttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#understand">Understanding pickpocketing in Italy</a></li> <li><a href="#confident">Why looking confident can help</a></li> <li><a href="#stereotype">Debunking pickpocket stereotypes</a></li> <li><a href="#where">Top pickpocketing hotspots in Italy</a></li> <li><a href="#cities">Major cities to watch out for</a></li> <li><a href="#avoid">Effective strategies to prevent pickpocketing</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="understand">Understanding pickpocketing in Italy</h2> <p>City crowds and opportunistic crime go hand in hand across the world. Italy’s petty crime rates have plummeted in the last decades, and the risks to travelers are statistically no more than they are in similar-sized cities in the US or UK. That said, <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/671153/crimes-reported-by-the-police-forces-to-the-judicial-authority-italy/" target="_blank">theft is the most common crime in Italy</a>. Pickpockets are still an unfortunate part of Italian city life and are something every wise traveler can take steps to avoid.</p> <h2 id="confident">Why looking confident can help</h2> <p>The standard advice to ‘look like a local’ in Italy is not so helpful. Dressing like an Italian is something of an art, and yes, well-dressed Italians get pickpocketed too. Cultivating situational awareness and confidence – understanding the context of where you are, what other people are doing and what’s appropriate in that setting – does however make a difference.</p> <p>Pickpockets search out the distracted – those who are <a href="/travel-wiser/wellness/how-to-overcome-jet-lag-tips-for-travelers">tired from a long flight</a> or swamped with heavy bags, those who are visibly lost and out of place, someone who is enthralled with their phone or overwhelmed with the extraordinariness of their surroundings, or even someone simply walking up crowded stairs – as well as staging distractions of their own.</p> <p>These distraction tactics are varied but should be easy to spot: fake altercations to create chaos, spilling a drink or ice cream on you, sudden bumping or tripping, holding a sign or piece of paper while asking for assistance or even holding a pizza box up to your face. If anything remotely feeling like this happens to you, immediately secure your bag, never assume the person you are dealing with is acting alone, and don’t be afraid to loudly draw attention to what is happening.</p> <h2 id="stereotype">Debunking pickpocket stereotypes</h2> <p>Romani people (known as Roma or, offensively, as <em>zingari</em> in Italy) are part of Italy’s multi-ethnic makeup and are particularly marginalized. Groups of Roma can often be found in heavily touristed areas throughout Italy, mostly begging, though, especially in the case of children, also <a href="/travel-safety/europe/italy/common-scams-in-italy">riffling the pockets of the unsuspecting</a>. While it’s easy to identify the Roma by their characteristic clothes and be on your guard, note that just as many pickpocketing crimes are committed by well-dressed Europeans, who blend right into any crowd.</p> <h2 id="where">Top pickpocketing hotspots in Italy</h2> <p>Crowded public transport routes in big cities and the bustle of major rail stations like Milano Centro, Roma Termini and Florence’s Santa Maria Novella, have long been pickpocket hotspots, as are the express airport trains in Milan, Rome and even Pisa. When heading to or from the airport, ensure your suitcases are locked and <a href="/travel-insurance/whats-covered/baggage">keep a hand on your personal bag</a> at all times. When using city buses or metro lines, try to avoid the peak hour crush.</p> <p><em>Planning a trip to Italy? Find out <a href="/travel-insurance">how travel insurance can cover</a> lost or stolen baggage, sudden illness, trip cancellation, or other travel mishaps.</em></p> <h2 id="cities">Major cities to watch out for</h2> <p>Exercise caution in these city locations:</p> <ul> <li>The Ponte Vecchio and San Lorenzo Market, around the Duomo, and outside the Uffizi and Accademia galleries in <strong>Florence</strong>, as well as its central bus lines 7 and 10 and regional services to Livorno</li> <li>Around the many tourist draws in <strong>Rome</strong>, but especially the Spanish Steps, Pizza di Spagna, the queues for the Coliseum, and the streets immediately around the Vatican, as well as Trastavere’s terrace dining at night and the No. 64 bus</li> <li>In <strong>Verona</strong>, be careful around the Portoni della Bra, and the crowded porto to the <em>centro storico</em></li> <li>The five train stations that link the <strong>Cinque Terre</strong> villages get hugely crowded in summer and its crush can be targeted</li> <li>The throng around the steps up to the Rialto bridge in <strong><a href="/stories/connection/a-canal-in-venice">Venice</a></strong>, and the vaporetto stops for San Marco and at Santa Lucia</li> <li><strong>Naples</strong> is famous for crime, petty and not so petty, but this reputation is rather outdated; still, keep your wits about you on the Circumvesuviana train to and from Pompeii and Sorrento, and around Piazza Garibaldi, especially at night (if you are particularly spooked by the city’s <em>centro storico</em>, stick to the well-to-do Chiaia or Vomero neighborhoods).</li> </ul> <h2 id="avoid">Effective strategies to prevent pickpocketing</h2> <h3>Smart packing and carrying tips</h3> <p>While you can’t entirely avoid being a target, simple measures such as not putting wallets in pockets or backpacks and only carrying a small cross-body bag, worn to your front, zipped shut and held with one hand, can mitigate risk.</p> <p>Only carry one credit or travel cash card and store a backup card in the safe or in your locked luggage at your accommodation, and keep records of bank and credit cards digitally and on a hard copy printout. Only carry small amounts of cash – though be aware <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/explore/europe/italy/5-things-i-wish-i-knew-before-going-to-italy">vendors aren't required to accept credit cards for purchases of less than €60</a> – and keep this separate from your other valuables. Try to use ATMs away from major sights and always be attentive to who is around you when you do.</p> <h3>What to do if you are robbed</h3> <p>If you <em>are</em> robbed, call and cancel cards as soon as possible, then head to a police station (<em>Questure</em>, <em>Commissariati di Polizia di Stato</em> or a <em>Carabinieri</em> station) to make a report. Ensure you receive full documentation (ask for a <em>Denuncia di Furto</em>). It’s also worth checking for your wallet or bag in rubbish bins and gutters nearby – some pickpockets only want cash or late-model unlocked phones and will quickly discard all else.</p>Getty Images/VvoeVale 1636800288 Getty Images Crowd of tourists on Spanish Steps on Piazza di Spagna in Rome

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/europe/italy/common-scams-in-italyWhat are the most common scams happening in Italy? Here's how to avoid rip offs, con artists and scammers on your trip.2022-04-26T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/europe/italy/common-scams-in-italyhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Travel scams have existed around the <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/travel-scams-101">world</a> as long as we’ve been traveling. Those in Italy are similar to what you’ll encounter in other European countries, with an Italian flavor of their own, of course. Here are some of the most common to keep in mind, while remembering the best way to avoid being scammed is to follow your instincts: offers or overtures that would seem dodgy back home, are rarely to be trusted in Italy either.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#overcharging">Overcharging in Italy</a></li> <li><a href="#fashion">The fashion scam</a></li> <li><a href="#transport">Transport traps</a></li> <li><a href="#jewelry">Jewelry scam</a></li> <li><a href="#romani">Romani children</a></li> <li><a href="#tax">Tax police</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="overcharging">Overcharging in Italy</h2> <p>Stories of tourists hit by comically large bills for a round of gelato or a pasta lunch in Rome or <a href="/stories/connection/a-canal-in-venice">Venice</a> regularly hit the headlines. One of the easiest ways to avoid the possibility of being overcharged, either legitimately or not, is to find a bar or restaurant just a little away from the tourist site you’re visiting. Sometimes even a couple of streets will make all the difference. And, if you need a coffee or drink in a heavily touristed street do what locals do – stand at the bar rather than sitting down.</p> <p>Ways to avoid an unpleasant surprise at the end of your meal include:</p> <p>Always ask for a written menu, or look for it behind the bar, and ask for <em>il conto</em> (your restaurant bill or cheque) when it’s time to pay; if they make up the bill only on a piece of paper and you aren’t happy, press for a <em>ricevuta fiscal</em> – an official tax receipt.</p> <p>Be aware that extra charges are often perfectly legitimate, if not always fair; they include a traditional per person <em>pane e coperto </em>– in essence, a cover charge, sometimes including bread for the table – and, mostly in touristy restaurants, a mandated <em>servizio</em> charge, that takes the place of a tip.</p> <p>Understand that fish and seafood are often listed <em>a etto</em>, by the 100g, rather than by the dish.</p> <p>In places with sea views, such as the Cinque Terre or Amalfi, always make sure to check for fine print that mandates a hefty minimum per person charge (one that they may insist be applied even to small children dining with you).</p> <p>If you still believe you have been ripped off, you can refuse to pay, and if the restaurant threatens to not allow you to leave, call the police on 112.</p> <p>Worried you’re being overcharged in a museum or sight? Ask to see the official entrance prices and, again, ask for an official receipt.</p> <h2 id="fashion">The fashion scam</h2> <p>A well-suited man approaches you just off a piazza in Rome’s <em>centro storico</em> or on a street near the Coliseum. He works for an 'insert-famous-Italian-fashion brand', he says, and has been at a fashion or trade fair. Oh, my brother’s wife’s from Queensland, Manitoba, and Kent too. I love you guys. <br /><br />He’s got samples – cashmere coats maybe, or leather jackets, watches, silk scarves – and for various reasons such as needing cash because his card isn’t working or it’s lost, or he simply wants to offload his stock, you can have them ‘at cost’. Alarm bells should sound loud. Play along and you’ll end up down a few hundred euros with nothing but cheap rubbish in return. Note too, that any trade in counterfeit fashion goods, usually from vendors selling from a blanket on the street, is illegal in Italy, for both the seller <em>and</em> the buyer.</p> <h2 id="transport">Transport traps</h2> <p>Although an increased police presence has somewhat tamped the scammers at Milan and Rome’s main train stations, they are certainly still working them. Don’t let anyone ‘help’ you when using a ticket machine. Likewise, don’t allow anyone to <a href="/travel-insurance/whats-covered/baggage">carry your luggage</a>, even if they say they are official porters and have a trolly, as such a thing no longer exists. Both are a ruse to either distract you while you are robbed or, more likely, to demand a hefty ‘fee’ for their service or time.</p> <p>When using public transport, make sure you know when and if you need to validate paper tickets, in case you encounter ticket inspectors, either real ones or imposters. It’s often easiest to buy a pass, either from a vending machine or from the tourist office, or pre-order it by mail.</p> <p>Taxis are regulated throughout Italy – avoid anyone who isn’t driving an official metered vehicle. Always make sure the meter is turned on for you and note that taxis can legitimately charge extra for each piece of luggage and a cover for their journey <em>to</em> you, depending on which city you are in. Do your research so you know what these charges are and what a typical trip will cost.</p> <h2 id="jewelry">Jewelry scam</h2> <p>No, you don’t want that friendship bracelet, you don’t want to feed the pigeons, nor is that ‘gold’ ring something you may have dropped. These are all a prelude for extracting various amounts of money from you, from a euro to five or 10 or more. <br /><br />Watch out for these approaches in big city squares such as the Piazza del Duomo in Milan or Venice’s Piazza San Marco. If you find the approaches poignant, these are usually people in need of an income, rather than seasoned criminals, after all – quickly hand over some loose euros as a gift, but don’t engage.</p> <h2 id="romani">Romani children</h2> <p>Groups of Roma children are often deployed by their families to perform or beg around tourist sights or city squares in Rome and Florence. Some have been known to use theatrical diversions such as offering pizza or seeking signatures for a petition or simply asking for help of some kind. These are rarely genuine overtures and are usually a ruse for pickpocketing. See <a href="/travel-safety/europe/italy/italy-1-for-pickpockets">this article for more information on how to avoid falling prey to pickpockets</a></p> <h2 id="tax">Tax police scam</h2> <p>Italy’s <em>Guardia di Finanza – </em>it’s tax and anticorruption force – is entitled to ask you, the purchaser, to show your receipts after any transaction. This is done to ensure shop or restaurant owners are fulfilling their tax obligations by recording every sale. While it’s not a common occurrence, it can happen and, very occasionally, is faked by the unscrupulous. Officers will usually be in uniform but are sometimes dressed in plain clothes, which makes it hard to know if they are the real deal. You cannot be fined, even if you can’t produce a receipt, so if the ‘officers’ then ask to see ID, politely ask for the badge number, or call 112 and request assistance.</p> <h2 id="rest-stop"></h2>iStock/John Tsotras 0509790652 iStock Elderly woman begging for money at Torino, Italy

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/europe/italy/pollution-other-health-hazards-in-italySome of the most beautiful places on earth are in Italy. At its best, Italy is spectacular. But it's also breathtaking in another kind of way. Find out about Italy's pollution woes here.2022-04-26T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/europe/italy/pollution-other-health-hazards-in-italyhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Dream of Italy and you’ll most likely be conjuring the rolling Tuscan hills, its pristine Alpine villages and the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, but sometimes the reality is a little different. In August and September, the influx of travelers increases the amount of waste produced by at least a third, and the country’s tourism industry has a huge impact on all kinds of pollution, all year round, be it plastic waste or emissions from cars, heating and air-con. What are the country’s environmental hazards and what can a responsible traveler do to help?</p> <p><a href="#air">Air quality in Italy<br /></a><a href="#water">Use a refillable drinking bottle in Italy<br /></a><a href="#beach">Beach quality in Italy<br /></a><a href="#zero">Zero waste stays in Italy<br /></a><a href="#smoking">No smoking in Italy</a></p> <p>You might not equate smog with Italy, but the country’s north often has air pollution levels that are considered ‘moderately unsafe’ by the WHO, though actually represent some of Europe’s most dangerous. The natural propensity of the Po Valley’s mountain framed basin to trap a deep blanket of fog from Turin and Milan to Padua and Verona and at times, even, the Venetian lagoon, has long been blamed for the north’s shocking winter air quality. But the region’s heavy industry, its reliance on cars and the toll of winter heating are in fact equal contributors to the problem.</p> <p>If you’re seriously prone to respiratory problems, try to spend minimal time in these those low-lying northern cities in the colder months. You don’t need to skip winter in Italy all together though – instead head to Bolzano or Trento whose geographical setting and environmental initiatives see them as some of the country’s least polluted, or winter in Sardinia or the far south coast of Puglia. Check online sources such as <span><a href="http://www.iqair.com/au/italy">IQAir</a></span>  or the <span><a href="https://aqicn.org/map/italy/">World Air Quality Index</a></span> for real time particulate indexes. And, if you want to do your bit to ease the problem, travel by train rather than car when you can.</p> <h2 id="water">Use a refillable water bottle in Italy</h2> <p>Italians, like most of their European neighbors, have long equated bottled water with ‘health’, due to an antiquated suspicion of local water supplies, a dislike of the taste of their admittedly hard water and in some mountainous areas, an affection for their particular locally-sourced waters. But the 21st-century perfect storm of an affluent supermarket-going population and huge numbers of tourists has made the sheer scale of discarded bottles a national blight.</p> <p>The most environmentally precarious tourist hubs such as Venice, the Cinque Terre and many of the country’s Mediterranean islands have attempted to ban the use of plastic bottles for the last 10 years, with various degrees of compliance. What can you do to help? When out and about, use a reusable water bottle and keep a lookout for traditional street <em>fontanella</em>, or modern filling stations which offer either spring or sparkling for a few euro cents a litre. At restaurants, don’t be afraid to say no to the bottle, especially if they are individually sized, and insist on <em>acqua di rubinetto</em>, tap water instead. This was once considered rude, but some places now even offer their own filtered or fizzed water in carafes, usually for just a nominal charge.</p> <h2 id="beach">Beach quality in Italy</h2> <p>A shoulder season beach holiday to beat the crowds might be a smart idea, but once the crowds have gone home, the Italian coast can sometimes come as a shock. Sandy stretches may only be tended in summer time, when they are given over to the beach clubs that rent loungers and umbrellas, and for the rest of the year are strewn with not just driftwood but mounds of plastic and other rubbish. <br /><br />Good news though: some of Italy’s most beloved seaside destinations, including Capri, Sardinia and Puglia, have at least banned single use plastics, such as cutlery and straws, and there is an increasing awareness of beach cleanliness. <span><a href="https://www.blueflag.global/">Blue Flag</a></span>, an international organization that gives a tick to beaches who pass a number of environmental standards, including water quality and beach cleanliness as well as accessibility, includes beaches along all Italy’s coastlines in their recommendations. Which region tops the list? Liguria, Italy’s pretty slice of Riviera.</p> <h2 id="zero">Zero-waste stays in Italy</h2> <p>With microplastics now present in Italy’s glaciers, one resort, Pejo 300, in the Stelvio National Park in Trentino, has gone zero-waste, banning all plastics, including ski pass covers, along with straws, bottles, cutlery and even packets of sauce and mayo. <br /><br />Hybrid snowcats are in the works, and the resort is fuelled by hydroelectric plants and sustainable forest offcuts. When choosing Italian winter resorts, research their sustainability efforts, and also look into Nordic skiing, snowshoeing and ice climbing to minimize your own impact.</p> <h2 id="smoking">No smoking in Italy</h2> <p>Italy has long a reputation for being a nation of smokers, but it’s most recent smoking rates are far less than many of its European neighbors and only a few percent more than the US. It can still be common to encounter smoking in the terraces of bars and restaurants as well as beaches, plus compliance with anti-smoking laws can be lax in southern regions such as Campania and Calabria.<br /><br />Italy was one of Europe’s anti-smoking pioneers, with bans in bars and restaurants in place since the mid 2000s. These are being extended in the north, with smoking banned entirely in Milan and Florence’s outdoors, in parks and gardens in Bolzano and Verona, and plans to ban it in Venice’s center.</p>iStock/benkrut 0639759814 iStock Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/europe/belgium/crime-hot-spots-in-belgiumBelgium is a safe place to visit but you can run into trouble, especially in its busy capital, Brussels. Find out how to stay safe while traveling with these tips.2022-08-02T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/europe/belgium/crime-hot-spots-in-belgiumhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>When planning your trip, keep in mind that serious crime is rare in Belgium, and while its biggest cities – Brussels and Antwerp – have had a reputation for being unsafe, even opportunistic petty crime has become less prevalent in both over the last few years. Still, you should exercise the same caution you would in any large city: pickpocketing and bag or phone snatching is not uncommon.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#crime">Crime Hotspots in Belgium</a></li> <li><a href="#transport">Public Transport</a></li> <li><a href="#car-theft">Car Theft</a></li> <li><a href="#terrorism">Terrorism in Belgium</a></li> <li><a href="#emergency-number">Emergency Numbers in Belgium</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="crime">Crime hotspots in Belgium</h2> <p><strong>Brussels<br /> </strong>The country’s bustling, multilingual capital is the centre of the EU and NATO organizations, and draws travelers to its historic streetscapes and Belgian specialities such as beer, chocolate, waffles and frites. It’s also the most likely place you’ll encounter security issues, of all kinds. Brussels’ three train stations, Brussels North Station (<em>Bruxelles-Nord</em> or <em>Brussel-Noord</em>), Central Station (<em>Bruxelles-Central </em>or B<em>russel-Centraal)</em> and the South Station (<em>Bruxelles-Midi</em> or <em>Brussel-Zuid</em>) are all known for pickpockets and scammers, who target tourists weighed down with luggage.</p> <p>This is particularly the case at<em>Bruxelles-Midi</em><span> or<span> </span></span><em>Brussel-Zuid</em>, usually referred to simply as <em>Midi,</em> the international hub and Eurostar terminal. A tip: it may be only a 20 or so minute walk from here into the center, but if you’re hauling a suitcase, it’s easier to jump on a local train to <em>Bruxelles-Central</em> – free with your Eurostar or Thalys ticket – and you’ll avoid the surrounding neighborhood, which can be a little daunting to first-time arrivals to the city.</p> <p>Ordinary Brüsseleers are faithful users of the highly efficient, cheap metro-tram-bus network and you should by all means join them. Do be vigilant about your belongings though, especially phones and other devices, as pickpockets use these networks, too. There have also been reports of small groups of young men preying on tired tourists in metro stations at night – try to not sit far from others or to look disorientated. Familiarize yourself with your prospective route via the <a href="http://www.stib-mivb.be">STIB-MIVB</a> site before you head out and load transport passes onto a <a href="https://www.stib-mivb.be/article.html?_guid=d02c7fb6-3e9c-3810-248e-eec4ee5ebc8c&l=en">MOBIB</a> card (you can buy these from kiosks at the major rail hubs and most metro stations).</p> <p>Tourists are often warned off visiting a few Brussels neighborhoods that are less economically flush and home to large immigrant communities. While you should be careful around Saint Josse, the Gare du Nord-Liedts-Cage Aux Ours areas, plus the red-light district around Midi station, especially if you are a woman, don’t avoid <em>all</em> of Marolles, Molenbeek or Schaerbeek. Parts of these diverse areas are well on the way to gentrification, such as Ixelles a few years ago, and offer up some lively studenty bars, great cheap eating options as well as quieter residential streets. The center too has some dodgy pockets, often differing greatly from street to street, but these are easy to spot and avoid. Again, it’s more a matter of doing your research, and being aware of your surroundings, especially at night, than steering entirely clear.</p> <p><strong>Flanders </strong><br /> Petty crime is far less prevalent in the Flemish cites of Antwerp, Bruges and Ghent than it is in Brussels. The historic centers of each, where tourists head to first, especially that of ever-thronged Bruges and Grote Markt in central Antwerp, are again places to watch your bags, pockets and phones.</p> <p>Antwerp was, in the 14<sup>th</sup> century, one of Europe’s largest and richest ports, and has a red-light district that you’d expect with this long maritime history (its name, Schipperskwartier – skipper's quarters – reflects this, too). Once known for crime and vice, the industry was tightly regulated more than 20 years ago and is now strictly confined to three streets, with a police station in the middle. Situated between the center and fashionably redeveloped docks area of Eilandje, Schipperskwartier is a thoroughfare between the two,  and has some great authentic pubs and legendary nightclubs to visit, away from the ‘window’ streets. It’s not unsafe, but women alone late at night might feel uncomfortable in the window streets. The city’s former working class neighborhoods to the west are similarly safe, with the caveat re personal belongings as ever, and offer a great diversity of eating options, artist’s studios and hipster haunts. The area between here and the center, around the main station, Antwerpen-Centraal, can feel a little sketchy though, with some obvious drug dealing going on.</p> <p>Bruges attracts huge numbers of tourists each year and its tight canal-fronted streets can get very crowded – watch for pickpockets when in tights spaces and on the main squares, as well as on the train there and back from Brussels. Similarly, in the historic centre of Ghent, although this city’s large student population make it feel more authentic as well as relaxed and safe.</p> <p><strong>Wallonia <br /> </strong>You may encounter petty crime in the industrial and university cities of Liège and Charleroi, so as in Brussels, be aware of your belongings. Note though, there’s really not much greater risk than in any city in Europe.</p> <h2 id="transport">Public transport</h2> <p>One of the most convenient ways to get to and around Belgium is by train, so you're likely to encounter at least a few of its train stations.</p> <p>Once your train arrives, keep an eye on your belongings, especially phones and laptops. Pickpockets have been reported to operate on international trains, especially the Paris-Brussels and Amsterdam-Brussels Thalys routes. If you can afford to spring for first class (pre-booking online can mean its costs only a little more), do, as these carriages are far less crowded and have more staff in evidence.</p> <p>Professional thieves often work in teams of two or three and use a range of techniques to distract their victims such as asking for directions, spilling food or drink, or telling them someone has spilled something on their clothes.</p> <p>Avoid placing bags in the overhead compartments where thieves can easily grab them when you're sleeping. There have also been reports of bags being stolen from the racks at the end of carriages, normally just before the doors close for the train to depart, so also keep a watch on these at this time.</p> <h2 id="car-theft">Car theft</h2> <p>Driving in Brussels is not great due to its terrible traffic, but if you do drive, be aware that theft from moving or parked cars, is not unknown. Thieves position themselves at traffic lights or pull up on motorbikes, scan for valuables and either smash the window or reach in through the open gap and take off unsecured handbags, phones or wallets, so keep these out of sight and reach, and drive with the door locked. To avoid theft while your car is unattended, park in secure areas or parking garages where possible.</p> <p>Stationary car theft is also not unknown in Antwerp, again best to park in a secure area or a parking garage.</p> <h2 id="terrorism">Terrorism in Belgium</h2> <p>There were a series of terrorism attacks in Belgium in the 2010s, including the tragic Brussels suicide bombings that killed 32 civilians in 2016. This wave of violence is often attributed to the fact that there is a large immigrant population and significant social inequality in Brussels, as well as it being the symbolic centre of Europe, with NATO and the EU headquarters located in Brussels. Along with Islamist extremist attacks, terrorist violence from sections of the far right is also considered an ongoing threat.</p> <p>That said, there have been only three minor, lone-actor attacks since 2016, and none at all since 2018. There are increased security checks in place at international airports and train stations, all part of robust domestic security efforts, along with the thwarting of attacks in the planning stages.</p> <p>While traveling in Belgium, you are legally required to carry identification at all times, again, part of an active counterterrorism policy. If you are concerned about having your passport with you in a busy area or at night, at least carry a photocopy of it and some other form of identification, such as a drivers licence or student card.</p> <p>It’s always a good idea to check your country’s travel alert warning for Belgium.</p> <p>Find about the latest travel warnings for Belgium <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-safety/europe/belgium" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <h2 id="emergency-number">Emergency numbers in Belgium</h2> <p>The official emergency number is 112, where you can reach all emergency services and then you will be re-directed to the department you require: police, ambulance or fire brigade. Many police officers in Belgium’s cities are fluent in English.</p>Getty Images/Dhwee 1885400932 Getty Images Woman walking alone in Bruges