[faith14]

Hi everyone.

Just want to ask have anyone travel to Italy, France and Switzerland?

Hmm.. I think most people will know about Italy mafia-they have four big mafias! And some french can be aggressive if one doesn't know how to speak their language. hmm. So is it safe to travel to Italy and France? Will it be safer to travel with tour group?-I think my family and I will be traveling with SA tour group.

Any tips in safeguarding belongings and safety when one is in Italy and France?

I am sorry if I sound stupid and ignorant. But, Please Kindly advice. Thank you.

[faith14]

haha. I sound silly. I have serious culture shock easily, thus trying to find assurance =X

Ignore this stupid thread. Thank you.

[rinsu10]

Generally for France, the people don't really like to speak English and will ignore you completely if you speak in English even if they really know how to speak. The trick is... learn how to say "Do you speak English? / Can you speak English?" politely in French. The people will be most glad to help you out.

As for Italy... my friend went backpacking to Italy and didn't stay for more than 24hours and her group of friends left the country. Apparently, the people are not too friendly. My friend told me that the local people stare at them when they alight at the train station like they are going to rob them any minute. So they left without checking in to their hotels.

Hahaha... Don't expect the rest of the world to be as safe as Singapore. But not to worry. You will be fine traveling with tour group since you will get a tour guide plus a local leader.

Hope you will enjoy your trip!

[limtata]

o.o first time i heard of this kind of link-less question. u asked and u answered. LOL.

[bookcraves]

haha you answered your own Q!

You have nothing to worry about being in a tour group! You'll be herded around like sheep in the city, but the Leader Shepherd will take good care of you and your needs!

But seriously, it's always ideal to travel with an open mind, it's all too easy to go to a foreign country and carry certain preconceptions with you, which will create a totally different experience and perception.

Last month, when I was in Malaysia driving along a deserted road, I saw two Caucasian backpackers walking and walking nowhere...looking like they were lost. I stopped my car, and asked them if they needed help - they freaked out and ran off, refusing to even look at me or answer me! I'm pretty sure I do not look like a mafia gangster who kidnaps big, strapping females with 30 kilo backpacks for a hobby, so it must have been the fear factor.

It's much easier to travel France by learning a few simple French words and phrases which will come in useful...they will like you better when they see Earnest Travelers slaughtering their language to death, and you'll see the barriers drop like magic Also, from my personal experience, the French seem to like Asians more (than Americans and Brits), except the Algerian French (which is altogether another story!)

[Lindt77]

I was In Paris and they can be rude to you if you speck English but only certain people are like that

[Nightline]

I've went backpacking in France and Italy , I won't comment on Switzerland - never been there.

In France , the locals tend not to speak English and aren't very friendly if you were to speak to them in English. The best thing to do is to learn a few french phrases. I took up the language 2 years ago so it was relatively easier for me to communicate in terms of asking for directions ect.
Phrases that are very important to get a conversation going are - Bon Jour , Bon Soir . Try to at least speak a bit of french. And you'd be surprised they'd be more than willing to assist you. Seriously. Also , sorry to say this , I'm not racist but avoid the black french people. When I was in Paris a fight broke out in the subway(All blacks) and tear gas were thrown all over the place till the police arrived.

In Italy, it wasn't so bad. I guess it really depends on the places you visit. I went to Rome , Venice , Vatican , Courmayuer and I did not encounter a single rude person. However its better to be safe and take good care of your belongings. ALWAYS ALWAYS watch your bags / pockets. If you can , try not to have your valuables in your pockets. Keep em inside your jackets ect and zip up. It's safer. Or bring a carrying pouch that hooks onto your belt. Avoid all the small alleys. Walk on main roads / lighted areas. The pickpockets are THAT good. Don't underestimate. It goes for both countries.

If your talking the trains to travel and have to sleep inside carriages - Lock the doors. Cause even the ticket officers are dirty buggers. Remember that.

Also bring medication. Sore throat is damn annoying and common due to the change of climate. Bring some strepsils and flu medication.

[faith14]

wow! thank you, everyone! Really appreciated the replies. I thought this thread is dead =X

ya, I have heard of those clever pickpockets.. hope everything will be alright.

Actually, what I feared most is not being able to come back alive =X haha!

But since some of you have been there, and I have my shepherd to protect us, I think I feel safer. And and, I will be taking french class by the end of june. which is 30 june =D

haha.

Once again, Thank you for the replies! I feel better.