TRAVEL ADVICE

Before travelling, ensure that you visit the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade's Smart Traveller web site ... www.smartraveller.gov.au
The travel advisories are listed in alphabetical order and apart from being easy to navigate through, the site is also user friendly. As outlined on the Smartraveller web site, it is a good idea to not only look at the country you are travelling to, but also at the general advice for Australian's travelling overseas - whether by air or by sea.

Currently, Smartraveller advises all visitors to Italy should:-

1. "Exercise caution and monitor developments that might affect your safety in Italy because of the risk of terrorist attack. Pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks;

2. Organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy;

3. Register your travel and contact details, so we can contact you in an emergency - there is provision to do this right there on the site; and

4. Subscribe to receive free email travel advice updates each time it's reissued".

I can still remember when my husband and I met Jan and Peter (from Perth, WA) passing through Sienna, Tuscany. They arrived in Sienna after a long train ride from Rome (it was one of those 'stop at all stations' routes) totally stunned. They recalled the story of getting on the train at Termini Station, Rome and choosing to sit next to an old couple, at least in their 70's. The couple were absolutely lovely. Friendly and ever so helpful, even though their English was broken, to say the least. They had been on the train for about an hour, when the couple told Jan and Peter that 'the next stop was theirs'. They barely had time to exchange contact details when the old couple grabbed their bags and headed off the train. All Jan and Peter could think of was how lovely the lady gave them her home made biscuits and how the old man was kind enough to lend Peter his brand new handkerchief when Peter started sneezing. It wasn't until they looked at where their luggage once sat, that they realised that the 'lovely couple' had vanished with their suitcases - all three of them! By the time authorities were alerted, astonishingly, the 70 year old's had long been gone!

Morale of the story: Simply be aware, at all times, of all your belongings!

http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Italy