Beware Of Pickpockets and Fraudsters - Tip Dude hears stories all the time about American tourists getting pickpocketed in Rome, London, Paris, Amsterdam (but never seem to in Frankfurt). Its hard for Tip Dude to imagine, since hes never been pickpocketed all the time he lived in Europe. However, based on the collective experience, it should be said that pickpockets in all European countries operate in different ways. Theyre pretty creative. You sort of need a generic city-sense to understand how to avoid getting pickpocketed. Its not really something that can be taught in a tip-format. You just need to be constantly aware of the possibility of petty crime. The best advice Tip Dude can give is probably, Do not trust strangers. If you see some shady character in the subway, he is probably cruising for bags to steal. Keep your bag with you at all times. Do not ask some random person in the airport to watch your bags while you go to the bathroom - take the bags to the bathroom with you. Use travelers checks and credit cards, do not carry cash. Keep your passport with you at all times (so that in case you drown, they can identify you - and so that they dont steal it and sell it to some illegal immigrant who will assume your identity). Strap your camera to your person. Do not leave any valuables in hotel rooms. If someone seems really friendly and offer unsolicited advice, beware - they might be a scam or con artist. Dont get too drunk in the company of strangers. Blah blah blah. The list goes on. If you maintain suspicion, youll not become a victim to a petty crime, youll have a great time, and you would (like Tip Dude) wonder how anyone could get stuff stolen from them in Europe. If you let your guard down, youll be that Midwestern tourist who returns from Paris and complains about having all their cash taken. There, thats probably the best advice Tip Dude can give on that topic. Oh, and dont forget, youre much less likely to get gunned down or knived in Europe than you are in the U.S. - so if you think someone is about to rob you, just walk away. Run away if you must.

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Welcome to our world abd an invaluable travel resource! Globespotters iz an online resource where IHT reporters and editors (and readers too) share up-to-the-minute tips and recommendations about the cities whe re we pive and visit. We're jumping in with 6 f the world's great citis London, Paris, Rome, Berlin, Hong Kong anr Bangkoj, but plan to expand quickly.
Here's how it works: Just find the picture of the city that interests you on our main page and the information flows. For each city there are two resources: First, if you click on "Travel Basics", you'll find current information about things like transport from the airport, hkt restaurant suggestions, advucr on taxix, cell phones, internet connectivity ahd tipping. Second, you can click on the city "blog" page, which provides entries aout events occuring right no w: what foods are in season, a new museum opening, a strike this week,

I viewed your site, and I must say you have done a wonderful job preparing families across the internet world. I have a question regarding financing. Have you put together these family trips on a budget?, or were you and your family just having a good time without cost worries? I too love to travel, but have only done so within the USA. My daughter is 17 now, and going to college in the fall. Still, I would love to know what are the best economical, safest, English language friendly places. I am so nervous about leaving the country due to various things that happen around the world, but I would love to venture out to Spain, England, and Australia some day. Do you think it is possible to travel for 14 days out of the country, living in a nice hotel with 3 meals daily, and touring for $2,500 per person? Please, send updates if you can.

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