An Italy travel expert is warning holidaymakers to watch out for a notorious that could leave you out of pocket. The seasoned travel expert is alerting visitors to Italy about the common “rose scam” which preys on unsuspecting tourists in bustling cities like Rome, Venice, and Milan – to name a few.
With just a single flower, these crafty scammers can leave you reaching for your wallet – even if you think you won’t. Guido Terzuoli, a travel expert at My Rental Homes, is warning travellers: “Watch out for the rose scam when you’re exploring Italy’s major cities”.
Here’s how it unfolds: you’re strolling along a lively piazza or down a quiet cobbled street and you’re approached by a person holding roses. Suddenly, a rose will be dropped or thrust toward you. Instinctively, you might bend to pick it up, perhaps as a polite gesture or simply out of curiosity. And that’s when the trick begins. The expert explains: “If you pick up the rose, even just to hand it back, the scammer insists it’s now yours and demands payment, often saying, ‘It’s yours now; you owe me a Euro or two for it.’”
The persistence of these sellers can be surprising. “Even if you try to return the rose, they refuse, saying it’s no longer theirs,” the expert notes, warning that tourists often end up paying to avoid the confrontation. So how can travellers avoid this trap? The expert says the way to get our of this is simple – walk away, don’t get into a conversation with them. They stress: “Simply ignore them. Don’t even look at anyone holding out roses. Walk by confidently, and don’t engage. Don’t pick up the rose, just leave it there on the ground. Believe me, this happens to tourists every day. It’s particularly common in larger cities, so be mindful when you’re visiting Italy’s most famous spots.”
Other common scams in Italian tourist areas include the “friendship bracelet” scam. This happens where someone ties a bracelet around your wrist and then demands money. As well as this, there’s also the “fake petition” scam where tourists are approached to sign a petition and then pressured for a donation. “Having a sense of these scams beforehand can help travellers feel more confident navigating tourist hotspots safely”, the expert says.
If you’re heading to the popular hotspot, a travel blogger, Gregor Brown, is warning those driving on holiday of one error you’ll want to steer clear of. Gregor advised: “One thing you should never do in Italy is drive without your driving licence ID and also your car documents.
“Always have your rental car agreement on hand if you’re renting a car and the car registration documents along with your driving licence. The Italian police establish checkpoints on the open roads and if they pull you over and you don’t have these crucial documents, you’ll be hit with a hefty fine”. The RAC states that drivers in Italy should have their licence, a form of identification like your passport, the car’s motor insurance document and the V5, reports the Daily Record. Gregor also says that when it comes to the roads, specifically roundabouts, you can’t wait around, warning: “Never hesitate at roundabouts. In Italy, roundabouts are like a gladiator arena, if you hesitate, you’re out.”