Pickpocket Obstacles/European Rent Prices/Cruises That Don't Suck
Nomadico issue #134
A Force Field Against Pickpockets
I’ve brought up both of these product lines in the past, but when we had half as many subscribers, so a shout-out to two companies that will help you hold onto your valuables. I just spent five days in Rome, often pegged as the pickpocket capital of the world, and left with all my money thanks to Pickpocket Proof Pants from Clothing Arts and my wife’s Pacsafe Metrosafe bag. The former have a zipper, a button, and a clasp where your wallet goes for triple protection (plus multiple other secured pockets). The latter have complicated zippers, clasps, and slash-proof straps.
Spain Thinks Brits Are Criminals
Brexit has not been kind to British travelers, but nobody has socked it to them harder than Spain. The new rules that went into effect this week have the UK fuming. If followed to the letter, hotels in Spain are now required to obtain 31 pieces of information from visiting Brits, including a land line number (?!) and proof that they have enough money in the bank to support themselves on holiday. Do an online news search to see how the tabloids have reacted to what’s being touted by Spain as an anti-crime campaign, but here’s a more straightforward rundown on the regulations.
Where Rents Are Highest in Europe Compared to Wages
It makes logical sense that the lower the wages, the lower the rent prices in any given country or city. But it’s not always true. This report shows the minimum wage across Europe and the average rent price. It turns out that minimum wage earners pay the lowest proportion of their salary in France, Greece, and Croatia. The worst are Luxembourg, Ireland, and Netherlands. If you’re from the USA and Canada though, this sentence might make you want to see when your current lease is up: “The rent for a property with a maximum of two bedrooms ranged from €215 in Bulgaria to €1,340 in Luxembourg, while the average of 14 countries is €599.”
The “Free Time Ashore Test” for Cruises
I’ve never been a cruise guy and have no desire to go onto some giant floating hotel with thousands of others, but I’ve been on a fair number of small ship cruises that have gone well. I recently finished a river cruise with Viking (see my IG account for highlights) and we are currently on a Mediterranean one with Windstar. Both passed the crucial “free time ashore” test: we had entire days on our own to explore interesting places that people live in, not just commercial ports. Some passengers actually hopped on a train and went to another city from where were were docked. Pay attention to how much time is off the ship when evaluating itineraries.
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Well it's true that zippers and buttons hardly slow down a pro-pickpocket professional and those pants you talked about are very effective. But a much cheaper way is to have Velcro sowen into the inside of your pockets, use a strip about one inch wide. Leave an inch or so open at one end so you can get a finger in to release the Velcro. Beleve me a pickpocket will not get past that without being noticed they will look for an easier mark.