How to Stay Safe Traveling in Europe
When looked at on a global scale, Europe is generally one of the safer areas of the world to travel in. However, like anywhere, even the most picturesque cities and towns in Europe can have their dark sides. Everywhere that 
tourists go, opportunists will also go for any easy pickings they can get. However, with a little forethought, planning and common sense, you can enjoy your trip to Europe and not even get a sense that any crime goes on. So, here are our six top tips on how to stay safe traveling in Europe…
1. Make copies of your important documents such as your passport, visa and travelers’ checks. Keep one set in your luggage and give another set to a trusted and contactable friend in case something should happen to your other copies. Then, if you have any problems you can take your copies to your local embassy and get things sorted much quicker.
2. Try splitting up your money into different forms, and keep them in different places. For example, you could take cash, travelers’ checks and credit and debit cards. That way you will have a number of options in case you have trouble with one of them. Also, don’t carry everything in the same place. If that gets discovered then you could lose everything at once. Another tip is to carry a decoy wallet or purse containing a little cash and some out of date cards. This will often be enough to fool a pick-pocket.
3. Make sure you’re up-to-date with the governments’ advice for travel to your destination country in case you need to prepare for anything in advance. You can find this information here: travel.state.gov.
4. As well as leaving a copy of your important documents with someone, also leave a copy of your planned itinerary with family and friends. That way they will know where you should be and when in case something should go wrong. But remember to notify them if your plans change en route.
5. If you plan to do any driving during your European trip then you will need to get a European driving permit ($15 from your local AAA). You should also consider registering your car with the U.S. Embassy in your destination in case anything should happen because they will then have contact information for you.
6. If you’re carrying important medication then it can pay to split it up and carry it in a few different places. If you were to keep it all in one place then if it goes missing then you will be in trouble. By splitting it up you will at least have a supply of your medication giving you time to try and get some more.
