I am constantly asked if I am nervous to travel alone in Europe- you know, being a helpless woman and all? No it does not come from my mother who is settling in to the idea that her daughter takes off to Turkey without a heads up or jumps out of planes with only a text later. With all of the terrible headlines we read today it is no wonder tourism is taking a slight decline, especially in Europe. But the truth is, it’s a safe as going to your local airport or traveling within your own country; danger is everywhere but we can’t let it stop us from experiencing the many great things this world has to offer.

In this article, I am going to highlight my top ten safety first tricks I have learned and continue to use when out and about on one of my fabulous city trips!

1. Split your cash. How many of you have exchanged money at the airport (another huge no-no that I address in another article) and thrown all that dough in your wallet to carry around? I am sure we have all done it. But it only takes one a$$hole to swipe your wallet from your pocket and poof! there goes your holiday spending money. I like to put my cash in different places on me until I get to the hotel. When at the hotel, I take 50 or 60 euro from the cash stack and leave the rest behind in either the room safe or hidden safely elsewhere. You do not need to carry 300 euros with you–most restaurants these days accept credit cards anyway.
2. Print your passport. This little ingenious trick I learned from my short exposure to Asia. You print and laminate the photo page of your passport and use that for hotel check in’s. Most of the time, they will ask you to leave your ID behind for registration and will return to you later. Now, I don’t know if that’s true or not but I am not about to leave my PASSPORT in the hands of someone I do not know. You get a laminated copy, my friend. Go nuts.
3. Always tell your location. After taking off to Turkey without telling my work or family because I knew they would worry (yes, I realize how ridiculous it is just typing it now), I quickly changed tactics. 99% of the time you are fine but it’s that 1% you just need to account for. Always make sure at least one person knows where is your body. You’ll be hopping around Europe and perhaps plans change due to a missed  train or a festival that surprised you…but we live in the wifi age…tell someone.
4. Kids can’t be trusted. Haha before you moms come at me with your pitchforks and baby hater comments, just wait. What I mean is don’t trust anyone, especially kids, when you are out walking the streets. A lot of the local mafia use kids to beg for money then steal your purse, wallet, food, shoes, whatever…ok maybe not shoes but you get my idea. Here is a true story for you: Picture it. Paris. Summer 2014. I am having a nice long weekend with a girlfriend of mine when we stop for cash at an ATM. She goes up to the ATM and I immediately notice a kid standing against the wall next to the machine. She walks up, not paying attention and I stand to block the kid’s view from my friend. As soon as she puts her pin code in, he tries to get past me to press the 500 euro button on the screen. We quickly retrieve the card and get away. This is a common scam where the kid is successful pressing the higher note withdrawal button and his big scary man friend shows up later to take the money. If you see a kid without a grownup, just don’t trust it, ok?
5. Easy one…watch your sh*t. Won’t spend too much time on this one…just watch your personal belongings. Don’t leave your purse on the table where it’s easy for someone to grab it. Not rocket science, people.
6. Keep bags under layers. This one is really only a valuable tool when you travel in colder climates. I have seen some crazy things, desperate people who will do just about anything to get a purse. I have seen men use scissors to cut the purse strap from behind, it falls and someone else scoops it up. I put my purse on before I put on my jacket.
7. Politeness isn’t always the best policy. Sometimes you just need to walk past someone who is trying to talk to you. 9 times out of 10, it’s a scam. The other time it’s someone lost needing directions and you can’t help them anyway. Someone you don’t know approaches you on the street, just keep walking!
8. If it doesn’t feel right… then just don’t. Your gut is your best compass. I’ve backed out of a few late night rendezvous’ because I didn’t know the area, I didn’t know the company, I just didn’t know. Go to your hotel. Do not let FOMO make you have any regrets.
9. USA USA USA (shhhh). As an American, I know how much we love our country. We are one of the most proud world citizens ever and it’s great to be part of it. However, we see the news… I doubt anyone can argue that Americans are not everyone’s favorite these days. This one is simple but some may find it hard to do: tone down the American. Maybe leave behind the “Make America Great Again” shirt (I have one, btw) and the American flag baseball cap. The more you blend in and look neutral, the less of a target you’ll be.
10. Be vigilant. All of these boils down to just be vigilant. Europe is a wonderful place full of beautiful landscapes, architecture and some pretty amazing people too. Just keep an eye out–you aren’t on your home turf anymore. Be respectful and keep your eyes open.

    I hope this list only encourages you that traveling in Europe is still as safe as ever, if not safer. We can’t let the negative prevent us from living our lives to the fullest and experiencing as many new places as we can. Happy travels!