A few more thoughts on ATM & CC, plus T-checks vs cash

1) If you do not travel often, i.e. your cards seldom, or never, are used aboard - you may want to call your banks and your credit card issuers BEFORE your travel - ask to talk to security dept - to inform them you will be travelling aboard during such and such period, ask them to put a notation in your file, so the card will not be frozen when it is used aboard (out of your spending pattern).

Personally we never do so but our spending pattern is very erractic and can be any state of the country and can be as far away as in Taihiti or as close as in Canada - such spending pattern was established for years and we NEVER call the issuers to tell them we will be travelling. We never encounter any problem. However, I have seen and heard many people encounter problems - their cards were frozen and they cannot get any cash or use their credit cards.

Make sure you bring 2 CC, 2 ATM cards, from different issuers. We usually bring one Visa one MC at least.

On top of a couple hundred bucks of cash, we generally bring a couple hundred T-checks in $100 denomination should we go away for a long long time - this is only for emergency case - as 2x$100 T-checks are very easy to store (or hide) - dont put them in your wallet, put them somewhere else (shoes, for example) - in case you lose your wallet, you still have these $200 T-checks to tide you over until you get your replacement cards, etc.

Of course you need to have a copy of the serial number and phone number so if you lose that also you can call for replacement.

Make sure you have a copy of your passport - it will come in very handy should you have to get a new one when you are unlucky enough to be pickpocketed in Italy.

Overall, Italy and Spain are the worst - countries where a money belt or a chest pocket hidden under shirt may not be a bad idea. UK and France depends on neighborhoods in cities. Use your common sense as you would in NYC. Switzerland is very safe.