Most travel safety problems aren't unpredictable events, they're the result of small repeated lapses: an open bag on crowded public transport, an unverified currency exchange, an unofficial transport app. Knowing them in advance makes them easy to avoid.
Before you go: research the specific destination
Every city has its own areas and typical scams, different from the next city over. VoyAVer's dossier pages for each destination list exactly this specific information, verified with up-to-date sources — worth checking before you leave, not while you're there.
- Check whether your country has a travel advisory site with up-to-date alerts (for Italy: the Farnesina's Viaggiare Sicuri)
- Register with your country's service for assisting nationals abroad, if available
- Look up which areas to avoid at night in the specific city, not generalizations
On public transport and in crowded places
Pickpocketing in crowded tourist areas is, statistically, the most common risk of all — far more frequent than robberies or assaults. The most widespread tactics exploit distraction: someone asks you to sign a petition, offers a free bracelet, or creates a little confusion while an accomplice acts.
- Carry bags and backpacks in front of you in crowded places, not on your back
- Don't accept items handed out for free by strangers in the street and don't sign anything without reading it
- Split cash and cards across different places, so one theft doesn't leave you with nothing
Unofficial transport and taxis
Inflated fares, longer-than-needed routes or tampered meters are common problems with unauthorized taxis, especially near airports.
- Use official transport apps (Uber, Bolt or local equivalents) when available: the price is fixed in advance
- If you take a street taxi, check that the meter is visible and starts from zero
- Avoid anyone who spontaneously offers to be a 'guide' or 'driver' outside stations and airports
In a real emergency
Knowing who to turn to before you need to makes the difference. Save on your phone the local emergency number (often different from the European 112) and your country's embassy or consulate in the city you're visiting.