for people that backpacked through europe or live in europe..safest to start?

[pood]

So I'm planning to do a 3-4 weeks romp through an European country for next summer.

I want to spend all my time in 1 country. Which country would be the best to start?

My original plan was to goto Italy, but then I've heard Italy (espically southern) is notorious for robbers/pickpockets.

What would be a country in western europe to start in?

 

[kami333]

Scandinavian countries. But $$$.

Really though, as long as you stay away from touristy places there aren't that many problems in most countries, even Italy.

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: pood
So I'm planning to do a 3-4 weeks romp through an European country for next summer.

I want to spend all my time in 1 country. Which country would be the best to start?

My original plan was to goto Italy, but then I've heard Italy (espically southern) is notorious for robbers/pickpockets.

What would be a country in western europe to start in?

Theyre all very dangerous, I wouldn't go there for the life of me

On a more serious note, I've only heard of Naples being pretty bad (and a sh!thole), besides that it's all good.

 

[Manuwell]

Monaco ?

 

[Syringer]

I've never had any problems with any sort of crime when I was there. In fact walking out in the streets at night I felt completely safe since there are no guns over there..so compared to many areas in the US, there's a whole lot less crime taking place.

But if you want a good starting point, I'd say England would be best. The culture is most similar to the US, there's no language barrier, and you'll slowly get used to life overseas..

 

[Oil]

Germany

 

[pood]

what sucks the most is i think in most of countries in the european union don't allow pepper spray or taser guns?

I'm bringing over over $2k+ of camera gear and I got a feeling people are going to want to rob me ;X I thought about just bringing a point a shoot, but then what would be a the point of having a DSLR.

It looks like the Noridic countries, Germany, and Spain seem to be pretty good to start at.

 

[fallenangel99]

Western European countries should be fine. Eastern European countries - I don't know! (Just saw Hostel! )

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: fallenangel99
Western European countries should be fine. Eastern European countries - I don't know! (Just saw Hostel! )

I wouldn't go east of poland alone (even estern poland can be sketch), anything west of there is fine.

<- 100% czech, born and raised

 

[kami333]

Originally posted by: pood
what sucks the most is i think in most of countries in the european union don't allow pepper spray or taser guns?

I'm bringing over over $2k+ of camera gear and I got a feeling people are going to want to rob me ;X I thought about just bringing a point a shoot, but then what would be a the point of having a DSLR.

It looks like the Noridic countries, Germany, and Spain seem to be pretty good to start at.

I've never really had a problem with outright robberies, they seem to perfer pickpocketing more. Train stations, trains, buses, outside museums, etc all the usual places where you get a lot of people or limited mobility. I've walked around taking pictures at night with my DSLR in a lot of "unsafe" places like Moscow and Prague and Poland without any problems, other than one time the police wanting a "gift".

 

[pood]

Originally posted by: fallenangel99
Western European countries should be fine. Eastern European countries - I don't know! (Just saw Hostel! )

yah lol, no ******. I knew that. I'm steering away from those, I'll go there when I have a little more money and going with more ppl, but someday I plan to. I don't wanta end up like the ppl on the Hostel haha

 

[Lonyo]

Don't make yourself a target. Instead of looking like you are bewildered, don't know what's going on, and will be easy prey, try and look native.
Example of some advice

If the bag looks like a camera bag or a purse then it is more of a target than an ordinary looking day bag

 

[Syringer]

Originally posted by: pood

Originally posted by: fallenangel99
Western European countries should be fine. Eastern European countries - I don't know! (Just saw Hostel! )

yah lol, no ******. I knew that. I'm steering away from those, I'll go there when I have a little more money and going with more ppl, but someday I plan to. I don't wanta end up like the ppl on the Hostel haha

Usually Eastern Europe is for people on budgets..but if you're really paranoid, use a money pack.

Crime is really no more prevalent in most places over there than in the US, quite the contray actually.

 

[pood]

Originally posted by: Lonyo
Don't make yourself a target. Instead of looking like you are bewildered, don't know what's going on, and will be easy prey, try and look native.
Example of some advice

If the bag looks like a camera bag or a purse then it is more of a target than an ordinary looking day bag

gonna be kinda hard to blend in because I'm asian

 

[bennylong]

Originally posted by: pood

Originally posted by: Lonyo
Don't make yourself a target. Instead of looking like you are bewildered, don't know what's going on, and will be easy prey, try and look native.
Example of some advice

If the bag looks like a camera bag or a purse then it is more of a target than an ordinary looking day bag

gonna be kinda hard to blend in because I'm asian

Hope you have life insurance

 

[FoBoT]

i would recommend austria
vienna
unless you are a ten year old girl

 

[chcarnage]

You're a little bit too timid, taser guns are hardly everyday equipment of the average European There are many countries where backpacking is fun and safe.

You'll find threads of other travelers here (but google may provide you with better results than the forum search). The holy grail of course is GTAudiophile's guide.

Personally I think you can't make much wrong if you chose Germany, Austria or Switzerland but there are other options, too.

Oh and DON'T break weapon laws... you wouldn't do that at home either, right?

(If you feel like it, still remember this topic and chose Switzerland, you can drop me a PM next summer)

 

[amol]

dress up in anti-Bush/anti-USA apparel and you'll blend in

 

[wasssup]

you need to watch hostel before you actually go...

 

[badmouse]

Originally posted by: OSx86
Germany

Agreed. There's a lot of Germany for variety. The beer is awesome.