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My favorite guidebooks are the Rough Guides and Lets Go series. Most cities have tourist kiosks where one can get a tourist map for a walking tour.
In Italy beware of pickpockets.
quote:Originally posted by jlad:I am booked on the Eastern Mediterranean cruise for May 2006 with Oceania. Has anyone been on this trip to the Eastern Mediterranean and can answer some questions for me. Can you bring your own wine on board the ship? Where can I obtain information on the various ports and transportation to the towns without taking the day trips that the ship sells. Any other helpful information about this cruise line would be appreciated.
quote:desirod7 wrote:...In Italy beware of pickpockets.
All the times I have travelled on packed buses and the metro (underground) in Italy I have never had anything taken from me by a pickpocket, and I am talking about Rome where this is notorious, but it does happen and even to the locals. I would say the best thing to do is to try not to look like a tourist and don’t travel in peak periods. Carry your money and valuables including IDs in a money belt and not in pockets or where they may be easily accessible. Don’t carry handbags or over the shoulder bags on the street-side of the pavement (footpath/sidewalk) or they may be snatched from you by young hoodlums on mopeds. This doesn’t happen that often anymore, but better be safe than sorry.
If you need to be aware of someone it is mostly Albanians and gypsies (although this last group has toned done a little). Don’t buy bootleg CDs and DVDs from street vendors who sell wares off the pavement, the Italian Police and the Guardia di Finanza (the tax and customs police) may also take you into custody, so be aware of this. Those that sell leather and other goods from stalls are fine as they have permits, and do bargain with them, don’t accept the price tag. Some stalls are manned by non-Italians - these people need to survive so they will offer discounts. The best deals for one-off merchandise is at local street markets that happen once and maybe twice a week. If you are lucky enough to be around one at the time you are there you will know what I mean.
Bon voyage.
******
Cheers
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