SAFETY WARNINGS & HEALTH CONCERNS
Is it safe to visit Southern Europe?
One of the major safety concerns wavering around Italy is the number of thieves and criminals that have been circulating around the area for centuries now. Citizens not local to the region have been notified to be aware of their surroundings and to keep their possessions close due to the fact that many visitors have been reporting missing items such as wallets, purses, glasses, and many more. Unemployed migrants also pose a health concern to people outside Central Station, Milan. With nowhere to rest, some migrants lay down along the front entrance of the station and with limited access to clean water and restrooms, they are forced to relieve themselves among the populated streets.
The threat of terrorism is very high within this sub-region. Southern Europe has been a target multiple times and there is no telling when terrorism in this area will be reduced. Be sure to exercise caution when attending sporting events, restaurants, movie theaters, parks, coffee shops, airports, and other public places where terrorism might pose a threat.
Always be aware of your food and drinks when surrounded by strangers that might put you at risk. Be careful when accepting food from people you don't know due to the risk of sexual assault and so forth.
Traffic also provides a risk of fatality due to impatient drivers, narrow roads, cliffs, broken bridges, and motorbikes. Although public transportation is fairly safe, accidents do happen because of poor safety conditions.
To avoid fraud when travelling to Southern Europe, you must check your card transactions and validate any purchase that might seem unusual, be sure to keep your credit card number and pin secure and if you think you have been a victim to fraud, contact your bank and check your bank activity.
Protests have been very common within Europe and however, it is not a major risk to all travelers, it has been said by the U.S. Embassy, to steer clear of all protests in case of any violence or bombs.