Would you vacation in Europe this year?
- Thread starter AZjeff
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I have been to over 40 countries (and Antarctica). My best piece of advice is not to carry a wallet at all walking around. I have a pouch that goes around my neck-that pouch then goes between my shirt and my chest. When my wife wanted to buy a souvenir from one of many vendors in all these countries-I stood watch right next to her very alert while she conducted the transaction.
Do not ever hold your phone over your head-or take too long to snap a picture-this greatly increases the chance of getting it snatched.
Anybody who interacts with tourists-knows enough English to conduct a transaction. Most beautiful major city was Barcelona-most horrible sewer hole major city was Istanbul.
Never an issue.
Get out and travel...life is too short.
Do not ever hold your phone over your head-or take too long to snap a picture-this greatly increases the chance of getting it snatched.
Anybody who interacts with tourists-knows enough English to conduct a transaction. Most beautiful major city was Barcelona-most horrible sewer hole major city was Istanbul.
Never an issue.
Get out and travel...life is too short.
The reason I would hesitate to return to Amalfi Italy is the Mediterranean Diet (pizza and pasta) and the Tiramisu.. Too much of a good thing to pass up.+1, I lived in Italy for a year.
The main reason I hesitate to return, I was there last in 2010. Further, the fact that the $
, will kill me when exchanged to
I think I'll keep visiting
When were you there last?
Just have to make sure you get your veggies in, this will complete the Mediterranean Diet; fries don't count! 
Go!
My wife goes to Europe every year. No problems.
Next month, she’ll be in Italy, then over to Greece.
My wife, my son, and myself will be in Ireland come June. (Pictures will be posted in the photo section!)
Don’t let the state of world politics interrupt your life. The majority of the people on this planet don’t judge others based on their country’s politicians or policies. (This is not a political statement, it’s addressing his stated concern.)
My wife goes to Europe every year. No problems.
Next month, she’ll be in Italy, then over to Greece.
My wife, my son, and myself will be in Ireland come June. (Pictures will be posted in the photo section!)
Don’t let the state of world politics interrupt your life. The majority of the people on this planet don’t judge others based on their country’s politicians or policies. (This is not a political statement, it’s addressing his stated concern.)
Amazing that some are incapable....
Hey, let me just say that my Uncle Edgar told me that if you travel with genuine curiosity, you'll have a good, productive experience.
I've found the people you meet are 'on the same wavelength'.
A train worker [at the northern most point] in Scotland tole me, "You can find trouble anywhere".
Travel ON!
I've found the people you meet are 'on the same wavelength'.
A train worker [at the northern most point] in Scotland tole me, "You can find trouble anywhere".
Travel ON!
AZjeff
$50 Site Donor 2023
@Astro14
I just scrolled the entire thread and didn't see anything toxic starting to go sideways. I didn't know how to ask this question without qualifying what the concern was/is about. The first hand accounts from those who have traveled recently are greatly appreciated. I just don't want to go to the effort of what may be the one and only overseas trip we ever take and end up defending my country instead of having a vacation. Not much more can be learned at this point if you want to kill it before it goes feral do it. Thanks for your patience.
GON
$175 Site Donor 2026
The first place I ever saw french fries on a pizza was Sicily ( or as you might say Sicilia).Just have to make sure you get your veggies in, this will complete the Mediterranean Diet; fries don't count!
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In the past 10 months I've been to Paris, Kristiansand Norway twice, Gdansk Poland, and Koblenz Germany. Great experiences on every trip and zero "issues" of the type the OP is asking about. Would recommend 
Going to Ireland in May.
jeff
Going to Ireland in May.jeff
I’ve had to moderate about four posts. You won’t see those, of course.
For me, I go to Europe often and I look forward to it every single time.
Will be in Europe for about a month in September for a big family trip this year. First time abroad since 2019. Itinerary is Berlin > Vienna > Napoli > Athens > Budapest > Prague. All new to me, super stoked!
slo town
$200 Site Donor 2026
I agree @AZjeff. I don't see anything wrong with the discussion.
The fact is, some countries are more friendly and safe and safe than others. Personally, I found Portugal unfriendly, but that was a long time ago. Also too, I found Lisbon to be rather run down and dirty.
I know you're talking about a European trip, but my trip to South Africa was geographically gorgeous, but flat out dangerous. A few examples, my very luxurious hotel in Johannesburg was surrounded by a 10 or 12 foot cyclone fence topped with razor wire. It had "man trap" entrance. You entered one gate, which closed and locked behind you. The second age was locked so you were trapped inside a 3 or 4 foot square box. The second gate opened only when the security team could see who you were.
My hotel was in what appeared to be a nice area but one night I was on my own for dinner. Down the street, just one short block away was a collection of seemingly nice shops and restaurants. I thought walking there in the early evening was a safe bet, but when I asked the two "local" gentlemen whether I should do that, they said "Oh no, sir! Do not walk there after dark. You will be assaulted and robbed". So I ate in the hotel restaurant instead.
Cape Town was an entirely different experience. Spectacularly beautiful beyond words. I was staying at a super high end 5 start hotel. Gorgeous! I was providing technical support to a large South African bank and worked with their technical staff for 10 days. 3 or 4 of them would pick me up at my hotel and drive me to the high rise building where the bank's data center was housed.
Our commute to the bank took us into downtown Cape Town, the sidewalks on the main street packed on both sides with hundred and hundreds of tents where the homeless lived. I was shocked when we walked into the bottom floor of the high rise, which looked like the check in area of an airport - only to see my bank colleagues pull handguns out from inside their suit jackets and check them in with the clerks behind the counters. I had no idea I was traveling with heat! And of course, when we left at the end of the day they got their guns back, we got into the car and they took me back to the hotel. Pretty wild, eh?
Well it gets worse. Since I was "the guy" solving their issues they took me out to a grand and fantastic dinner at one of the finest restaurants in downtown Cape Town. By this point I'd been in South Africa for 2 1/2 weeks helping solve problems so my energy tank was getting low. I worked with a wonderful and highly competent Dutch woman, Mariska, a married mother of two.
She got wind that I was tired and wanted to return to my hotel. She offered to take me back, but being in a foreign country and getting into a car with a woman I barely knew......I hesitated with her offer. She sensed my hesitation and told me that it would help HER if I rode with her. She explained that white women were being kidnapped from their cars while sitting at traffic lights, only to be sold as sex slaves in central Africa, never to be seen again. It goes without saying I took her up on her offer.
Lastly, during my cab ride from the hotel to the airport, I rode in a derelict Mercedes with no AC. It was a hot afternoon. I opened the window to get some air only to have the cab driver, a "local", tell me to close it because one of the thugs that lurk around the intersections would ran over and rip my watch right off my wrist!
I know this has nothing to do with Europe, per se, but if @AZjeff were contemplating a trip to South Africa this is exactly the kinds of things I'd tell him. The same would apply to Europe. It has nothing to do with politics.
FWIW,
Scott
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slo town
$200 Site Donor 2026
It would help if you mentioned that next time because it better explains your actions.
Scott
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AZjeff
$50 Site Donor 2023
Scott I can assure you with no reservation that South Africa is not or will ever be in our travel plans. Actually we don't have travel plans as in multiple trips.
I was in Scotland for a month on a foreign study trip when I was 15 and could easily go back. It's on the table.
I was in Scotland for a month on a foreign study trip when I was 15 and could easily go back. It's on the table.
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