Florence Survival Guide

Florence and Tuscany are generally safe as long as a few simple precautions are taken. As in many European cities, pickpockets are a common problem, especially around Florence and Pisa. Take extra care in crowded areas, particularly around popular tourist spots, and on buses. Leave valuables and any important documents in the hotel safe, and carry only the minimum amount of money necessary for the day.
Make sure you take out adequate travel insurance before leaving for Italy, as it is very difficult to obtain once you are in the country.

Travellers' cheques are the safest way to carry large sums of money. Try to keep your receipts and travellers' cheques separate, together with a photocopy of vital documents, in case of loss.
Be wary of pickpockets, especially around the Duomo and Santa Maria Novella in Florence, and around the Leaning Tower in Pisa. They are mainly children, operating in small groups, usually carrying newspapers or cardboard as a cover for their hands. "Bum bags" or money belts are their favourite target, so try to keep them hidden. Thefts from cars are particularly common. Buses are notorious for pickpockets. Be aware if someone bumps into you- they may be trying to distract you while somebody else takes your wallet. Buses No. 12/13 to Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence and No. 7 to Fiesole are prime targets, as are the buses to and from Pisa station.
To make a insurance claim you must report the theft to the police within 24hours and obtain a statement (denuncia).

Although there is a fair amount of petty crime in the cities, such as pickpocketing and car theft, violent crime is rare. The streets are busy until late evening and women travelling alone are rarely harassed, and usually not very persistently. However, try to avoid badly lit areas late at night.
Always use the official taxis, with the license number clearly displayed. When you call for a taxi, make sure you are given the code name of the driver, for example, Napoli 37.

Visitors from the uropean Union (EU) are officially entitled to reciprocal state medical care in Italy. Before you travel, pick up a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which covers you for emergency medical treatment. You may want to take out additional medical insurance, as the EHIC does not cover repatriation costs or additional expenses, such as accommodation, food and flights for anyone travelling with you. Visitors from outside the EU should take out a comprehensive travel insurance policy which covers against emergency medical treatment. Inoculations are not necessary for Tuscany, but take mosquito repellent, especially for the rural areas.

One effective solution to rid mosquitos is a small electrical machine which burns a tablet on a tiny hotplate. It repels insects for up to 12 hours and is available in grocery stores and small homeware shops. Also, do not underestimate the strength of the sun- drink plenty of water and use a high factor sunscreen. You can drink the water from the taps but most Italians prefer bottled water.

If you are in need of urgent medical attention, go to the Pronto Soccorso (outpatients) department of the nearest main hospital. Patients staying in hospital are expected to supply their own cutlery, crockery, towels and toilet paper, but not bed linen. The nursing staff will also expect their friends or relatives to help feed and wash hospital patients.

Pharmacies in Tuscany have a night rota (servizio notturno) and a Sunday rota posted on their doors. The Farmacia Comunale 13 at Florence's Santa Maria Novella station is open 24 hours a day, as is the Farmacia Molteni in Via dei Calzaiuoli. Pharmacies do not usually accept prescriptions made in other countries. The Misericordia, one of the world's oldest charitable lay institutions, arranges many ambulance services in Tuscany.