I almost got pickpocketed while in copenhagen, denmark. The tactic they used there was that there were 3 guys playing on Obo (or whatever it's called in english, australian instrument) and spoons and talking a lot and trying to get attention while the 4th guy walks around the crowd that's around them and pickpockets. What i did is that i always had my hand around my bag and kept it at my side plus i tied together the "things" you use to open it. I kept my wallet in my pocket and a chain stuck to the pants. That way i was pretty secure.
I bet the pickpocketers are more crazier in italy than in copenhagen, denmark. So i advice you to prepare yourself. find ways to secure your stuff. It's not fun to get pickpocketed.
: Violence isn't usually a problem, but pickpockets are rampant (no pun
: intgendend), particularly around tourist destinations such as the Roman
: Forum. I was acosted by a group of children, probably aged 9-12 - they try
: to divert you by showing you a picture of something while another one
: grabs your wallet. I didn't fall for it, but a lot of people do.
: And you ought to talk to your folks about their timing. Unless you're going
: to the Italian Alps, Italy is unbearably hot during the summer - it's
: really a great winter destination. We like to go in February - Carnival in
: Venice makes Mardi Gras look, well, really cheap. Rome is amazing - seeing
: the ruins makes you realize just how far civilization fell after the
: collapse of the Roman Empire. It basically took us until the 19th century
: to get back to where they were at the time. And the art in Florence is
: incredible. Leather goods are supposed to be cheap there, but they mark it
: up for the tourists and they are really hucksters when it comes to trying
: to get you to buy. Something tells me, however, that you don't have enough
: disposable income to have to worry about that.
: Have a great time!
