Should you lock up your passport or carry it with you?
Conventional travel wisdom dictates that you typically lock up your passport in the hotel safe when you’re out and about in another country. But in Italy, the law requires you to carry some form of ID with you.
Before traveling
--Print some copies of your passport's page with your photo, passport number and identifying information. These are handy at hotels, where they require passports at check-in but will accept photocopies.
--Take a picture of the same passport page with your mobile phone and tag it so you can easily find it again in your photos folder (which will soon be overflowing with stunning pictures of Italy).
--Pack another original form of identification, such as a driver's license, that can be presented with your passport copy or photo, if some form of original ID is required. If you plan to rent a car or scooter, a U.S. driver's license usually will be required anyway.
If you're driving from one city to another, presumably you'll have your passport with you. That's important because police will want to see the actual passport of a foreign driver if you're pulled over or involved in an accident.
More ideas
Also, observe these basic safety tips anytime you feel you need to carry your passport with you.
Get a passport holder or wallet with a zipper or snap: Choose a waterproof holder RFID blocking (protecting the electronic chip in modern passports) to avoid damage or hacker theft.
Consider a money belt or neck wallet: Many of our travelers have been using these tried-and-true protections for 20 years. Wear a money belt or neck wallet under your clothes to keep your passport out of sight and less accessible to pickpockets.
Be mindful of your surroundings
Our trips don't spend much time in major cities, but if you're not traveling with us, keep these tips in mind.
• Be extra cautious anytime you're in a crowd or waiting line where pickpockets are more likely to operate.
• Buses, especially in busy cities, can be rife with pickpockets, especially during periods where you may have to stand in tightly packed groupa.
• Be discreet in presenting ID or a credit card in a public area. Don't wave a payment card to get a server's attention and only present after you're specifically requested to do so.
One last tip: Travel insurance covers loss or theft of important documents. Contact us for a travel insurance recommendation.
By following these tips, you'll protect your passport and payment cards while still complying with Italian regulations requiring that you carry identification at all times.