TOURIST TRAPS & SCAMS IN ROME - ITALY **UPDATED** 

A basic rule of thumb is: Do not engage in any relationship on the street that you did not initiate.

One tip for the ice creams (or gelato) is to look at the colors of Pistachio, if the color is green it is probably not a real gelato if it is more brownish it is real gelato !!

I am glad u saw the hop on-off bus is a scam. Most people don't know that. Ur explanation of the fake gelato was great. I needed to know that info. Thank God most scams r small change stuff. The strange thing is, Rome is very walkable , u really don't need to take a bus. Keep on giving good advice. Thanks

When me and my boyfriend went to the colosseum there was so many people trying to sell us tickets for 20+ euros and told us there was a 2 hour wait and then when we got to where the line was we got straight in and the tickets were free that day 😂

It was very funny today outside the colosseum because my mum has serious temper issues and many street vendors came up to us already and so she was getting increasingly annoyed at them, until when one man came up to her and asked if she wanted a ticket she told him to go away and he tried lecturing her on how rude she’s being.. That’s when she lost it and started to yell at him and I couldn’t help but be in tears of laughter as the guy was just helplessly standing there in embarrassment😂😂

Don’t let any “helper” grab your luggage at the Termini. They may look “official” but they are useless annoyances.

Now I understand why Jesus demanded those "beggars" and "business people" to get out of the church proximity. LOL

all of these can be solved by the local government if they want...

I’ve overheard these unofficial “tour guides” basically saying nothing of interest about the particular site. Most don’t have any knowledge or insight to share, they just point and say something obvious. Waste of money.

Bus drivers who wave you through only to have the police show up at the next stop. The police officers will “fine” you for not having a ticket. The bus driver lies and tells the police officer that you refused to pay. The “fine” with these scammer is usually 100 Euros but if you press that you are going to the police station and plead with them to take you to the station, they back away and leave you alone.

The dog was *PISSED* about fake gelato! ♥ .•:*¨¨*:•. ♥

Hello! My girlfriend and I just left Rome. The same guy at the end got us too! In the same spot! He also told us he had family in California. He said he needed money to feed his baby. I recognize his voice and won’t forget it!

I understand that you are pandering to the lowest common person, but for the rest of us, I am thankful for the 1.25 video speed

Thank you for being yourself, sharing all of the footage, and the great tips. I never thought until today that I wanted to travel from the US. Because of your insight and warnings, I'm confident that Rome is a great place to visit. Thank you for taking the time out to put together these two videos.

The hop on hop off bus its not bad at all ..my mother was tired of walking around and the bus was perfect to chill around rome

That animal is a scam.. It ain't a dog 🐶 it squeaks

Paris is awful for exams etc. My family and I were buying train tickets to Paris Disneyland, we bought the tickets through the man behind the counter and then we’re getting ready to go through the barriers and get on the train. Before we could even walk away from the ticket booth/counter, a woman in a black uniform and a name tag came up to us, we thought she just worked at the metro station and so we engaged. BIG MISTAKE DO NOT ENGAGE WITH “WORKERS” WHO ARE NOT BEHIND THE DESK, she asked if we needed help and we said no we already had our tickets, she asked to look at the tickets and so we showed her thinking she was an actually metro station employee, she then proceeded to tell us that our tickets were not valid and that they were BUS tickets going out to the airport?! we said no and pointed to where we bought the tickets from. She then said no you need to buy new tickets and directed us to a specific ticket machine, it was in the middle of all the machines and she told my parents to buy new tickets, we refused and my Dad told her to leave us alone and she proceeded to say “you need to be polite sir”, we walked away and later found out after talking to some locals that she and her “group” would have most likely put a card scanner over the card slot so if ANYONE or ANY card went through that particular machine it would take the details and charge us €€€€€. Just like how Nicki explained in her video about the ticket machines! I hope this helps anyone going to Paris and just to make sure to be safe and only buy expensive tickets like train tickets to tourist attractions like Disney through the over the counter service. xxx

Thank you Nicki for this (and the other one) extremely helpful video! Keep up the good work! (I am thinking of going to Rome this summer)

Love Rome and been there dozens of times. Both of your videos are on the spot! Just one tip: Do not be afraid to be unfriendly when someone approaches you in the mentioned manor. They want to make money and the sooner you make clear to them that they are wasting their time with you, the sooner they will leave you alone. Politeness is an invitation. Don't! And one minor objection: Even if the little Pisa-Tower or Colloseo from the souvenir shop says "made in Italy" - you can be sure it's not. I studied together with a guy who imported the stuff from Asia, mostly China. You can actually order it there in the 'Made in Italy' version. The box comes with a disclaimer for legal coverage at customs, but that doesn't make it to the shops.... The only authentic souvenirs from Italy are the ones you actually see being made like Murano-Glass in a glass manufacture in Murano (Venice). Little Colloseos with "Made in Italy" are only a bigger rip-off... Hey - Italy is the country where you can buy t-shirts with imprinted seat belts to avoid fines...! 😉🤣 Still love the place! 🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹

I’ve watched over 20+ videos on Rome and this was by far the most informative one!!! Thank you for creating this!

A very informative video with good sensible advice. For that a huge thank you. BUT, I don’t mean to be rude and please no offense, less of the little girl routine. You have some of the best and practical advice I’ve seen on line. So just give them. Cute dog though. Thanks again.

I've been to Europe countless of times before usually on business and only a few times for vacation. It's really a nice continent to bring a family for vacation but with all these scam artists operating nonstop in these tourist spots, it can easily ruin a pleasant vacation and turn it into a nightmare.

I hope you make more videos like this! These are the most important things I'd want to look out for if I'm traveling.

I'm a history nerd, I usually don't use guides. Thank you for the other tips. I have an upcoming Europe trip and I'm really apprehensive about the tourist scams.

I'm going to Rome next month. Thank you for the useful information

Thank you Nicki for this video. It was very helpful. I'm gonna use these tips. 😊 Cute dog 😁

Just came back from Italy trip.Good video.Almost got pickpocketted inside a tram by an old guy.Thought he was just getting up for his stop.then felt his hand going thru my purse.yelled at him and gave him the stare. He apologized afterwards. My husband almost got scammed to by a guy engaged him in a conversation.Guy reached out to shake his hand then his bracelet came off.My hubby was gonna pick it up when i called him to go.I guess when ur a tourist and u are just tired you do forget to be aware of ur surroundings.Stay vigilant but enjoy the beautiful historical places in Italy

Awesome tips. Thank you v much!

Just a heads on the roma pass, some multiple attractions count as one, the Colosseum, forum and Palatine hill for example. Also it can get you to Ostia Antica the Roman port 😉

My bf's friend wants to go to Rome, Barcelona, and Venice next year, and to bring us along. I tend to get very cautious on trips, so watching these has already given me some ideas on how to make us less of a target for scammers.

And city Hall is more concerned about tourists sitting down to rest on the Spanish steps and pay someone to blow a whistle and harass tourists how about starting to deal with scamers

I would just start talking like I was def doing sign language😂

Thank you for the advice looking forward to my trip to Rome this coming September, by now I am very aware how to protect from scammers I will keep in touch cheers from Vancouver Canada 🇨🇦

I agree with you with regards to the souvenirs. Don't see anything wrong with hop on and off busses. We traveled on the hop on hop off busses and it was fine. It was helpful in London since we couldn't figure out their trian system. There is a tour guide that tells you information about all the sites. FYI, the reason they can't stop certain places because of the location of the places and the no driving zone.

My friend said the African men leave you alone after a few sprays of pepper spray in the face

Aggressive street vendors are also a big problem in Paris. Across from the Eiffel tower at the Trocadero Square, I nearly got into a fight with an over aggressive ethiopian vendor that was verbally abusing an older couple in my group. Not surprised that this is a "Euro" thing now and one that tourists all have to be aware of. That said, I think my trip to Rome this fall will be a little more informed, thanks to your tips, Nicki... well done!

Did you experience any of these tourist traps / scams during your visit to Rome, or maybe a different European city? Let me know!

That is one cute doggy. Visiting Rome next year and have watched both your videos. Thank you.

Good job on the videos! Thank you for letting us know all the interesting information you have learned. Enjoy your next visit to wherever your next visit hun.

They also drive like complete nutters so dont presume you have right of way on road crossings!

I am going to Rome in June, thanks for the video 😅

Grom is one the most awarded gelatos in Italy. Each big city has one. In Rome us right at Piazza Navona.

This is incredibly helpful! Wow!

Thanks for the warning! Going to Rome next week!

The last part of the video was so real. I experienced that too, a black guy approached to me and as a friendly people we start talking and he gave me something like bracelet and small figurines for free, and when I'm leaving, he start talking again about his family and start begging for some donation, and I said I don't have any, and I gave him everything back and he starts yelling at me. That happens in Colosseum in Rome. I was so scared because im sitting alone in the bench in a park.

The train station helpers also operate inside the passenger compartment on special express trains. We have encountered such people offering help to put our bags into the overhead shelf and then demanded hefty tips. With that I'm sure there are scams going on inside the train as it is moving. So be on guard while you’re in Italy. Another tip: while you are waiting for the fresh market vendor to give you your change, he may give you the change in installments, meaning that he may give you half first then go into some typical, animated conversation with one of his fellow vendors. If you walk away, then he keeps the remainder of your change. If you catch him doing that, he will feign misunderstanding that you gave him tips. So, work out all the change you’re entitled and don’t move away until you get get them all.

Also, when approached my someone on the street, disengage and watch your back, if they're really trying to get your attention you can be sure they have friends waiting to come up behind you to pick your pockets. Honorless assholes. Currently traveling Italy and having gotten to Rome today it's unfortunate that next to these magnificent grand structures are the scummy scammers, easy to spot if you know what to look for.

You and your dog are so adorable! I found this tipps very helpful, thank you!

I am going to rome next month ! Thankyou for this video :)

Didn’t get bored but your voice bothered me a little and the way you expressed things but the video was very helpful so thank you

Thanks for the video. Cheers.

Thank for these stops I’m going to Italy next month

People like you are performing a great public service. Cop should be doing this Many many thanks

going there on this month end. thank you for the video.

9:46 has happened to me in Rome even though I’m African😅 in my case it was a lady..... came up to me at piazza Venezia 😉

the last one happened to me , there was this African boy who asked me where I was from , where I lived , etc. And me so naive thinking that he was just being friendly at the end it was a trap and they asked me for a donation I just gave him 2 American dollars because it was what I had at the moment . Afterwards , another approached me and gave me a necklace I rejected and he became aggressive , technically threatening me to give him money , I didn't give him anything . That's why every time one of these people wants to start a conversation with me I just ignore them or cut off the conversation instantly

It's been about 9 years since I was last in Rome and was surprised by all the "gelato shops" that had opened with very fake looking gelato...glad you mentioned it.

I stayed in a private residence 400 yards from the Trevi in 2018. Family was great and the location allowed me to walk to so many of the major attractions. There were the bracelet people -- for them I put on my real New York tough act since I don't like to be harassed on vacation. Same thing in Paris when I was there also. However, there are good, actual, non tourist restaurants near the Trevi that are like your Italian grandma's house. However, I learned of these from my host who's family has been in that same residence for 5 generations. Shoutout to Peppy's Bar in the Piazza Barberini! Also, Valentino's gelato was great too!

We are in Rome right now and I have seen these. The one where they put the bracelet on you is the worst and I’ve seen so many people falling for that one. You look so cute in this video. Thanks for sharing.

5:56 I remember that when I was in Rome ten years ago, I would stop at a gelato place every day.

I luv every videos of Ur keeep it up sis ...namaste 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

Your little buddy is trying to catch a nap lol

This video is GOLD. Thank you so much.

Great tio about that ice cream!

Hello Nicki Travels Thank you so much for this video going to visit Visit Rome this September it’s good to know can you please tell me one more thing how can you possibly avoid those situations when in Rome It’s going to be my first time in Rome🤗

Love your dog. Looks chilled. Nice.

Thanx - going to Rome and I really need some tips! Lovely dog by the way!

There are two Gelateria del Teatro in Rome. I'm interested because I will go there in november, which one have you been to? The one on the bank of Tibres, close to Trastevere, or the one near Piazza di San Salvatore in Lauro?

Thank you for all the advice you give us! You are the best! Also you were correct about gelatera del teatro. It was amazing. One question, do you have a video about Florence?

You are so right about the aggression if you don't buy anything from those guys, especially at night. Stay away from them

We bought our Gelato at Old Bridge near the Vatican city wall. Is that good?

I am going next week. This video is helpful. Thank you

Thanks! Esp d tip on the big bus vs roma pass!

Another way to tell if gelato is fake is if the pistachio is green it's fake, if the pistachio is more of a brownish greenish it's real and natural.

thank you so much for your tips

From where can we get this pass card that you mentioned? And can we buy one for the other cities like florence?

The last scam you showed, with the guy giving you bracelets and trinkets, happened to my wife and I multiple times in a few days. I found that to be the most common and intrusive scams in Rome. And they all have the exact same script and gifts to give you. It's best to just not stop for anyone trying to be randomly friendly to you and keep walking. A simple no thank you seemed to work after I caught on to the scammers

Thank you. Excellent videos

The last scam happened in Paris too, i was in Basilika Sacré Cœur when they showed up doing the exact same scam trick .

Tip for eating something OK at fair prices. Look for the CONAD supermarket inside termini, it's downstairs at the end of those shop lanes. WATER is 30 euro cents and there's a small panetteria inside, you can get sandwiches or diferent types of pizza at 2/3/4 €. It won't be the best meal you'll have in Italy but it's more than OK if you are travelling to another city.

So.... where's this, "gelateria del teatro" , located in. Is it a chain all over "Italia" , or is it just a small privately owned "gelateria" ?

very informative, I will travel to Rome next month. thx

Hi, Where would you buy a Rona pass? I'm heading there in 2 weeks.

a street seller came up to me at the colosseum and asked where I was from (mistake #1) I sat down near him. I tried to ignore him but felt rude so said (mistake #2), "im from the US". Then he shoves a bracelet on my wrist and says "here you go just for you", and im like ugh.. alright. then wasting no time he says "so what you got for me?" LMAO I didn't even ask for his shitty bracelets so I told him im not giving you anything and he has the audacity to suck his teeth and get upset. incredible.

Never get a taxi at taxi stand in front of Vatican city museum. A driver will quote flat rate around 30 euros and will drop you off half way of your destination. I reported to police and they said "be careful next time"...is police in on it too? ha ha

Please Be very very careful! Legit scamers are in Rome and they pay Police under the table to look the other way. Me and my group including others who didn't travel with us to Rome were robbed and pick pocketed by Tour guides, taxi drivers, and even security guards in Rome!!! We saw the whole thing and got photos. We reported it to 3 police stations and they all told us to get lost. I also noticed a extremely long line in every police stations, sad. Avoiding Street scamers and thieves is the easy part, but avoiding Officials who are criminals is nearly impossible and Rome knows it! I found a news article about officials who happened to be scamers who prey on tourist. I'm a avid traveler and I've never experienced anything like Rome, and I've been to South America and Africa several times. Rome has graffiti Everywhere and the people there are not too kind niether. Rome has some nice places and im pretty sure rome was great back in the day but PLEASE BE CAREFUL IN ROME!

Omg, I engaged with one of those in Italy. Me and my friend were walking to see a site and some African dude just threw something at me, and then said if I would buy it. First of all I’m from NY and I can tell who’s a scammer and who ain’t. So what does a typical, NYorkan, Latin woman do, but talked back to him and told his ass what didn’t wanna hear. He left us alone and we just laughed at the whole “movie we did”. So watch out for scammers everywhere you go and thanks for the tip Nicki 🙏🏼🙌🏽👏🏼

1:20 THIS HAPPENED TO ME IN MILAN But it wasn’t a atm machine. U payed for tickets tickets came out of the machine and the guy wanted like 10 euro

Very informative, thank you. Can you advise what is safest and economic way to get euros in Portugal when travel with credit card from USA or AMEX?

Nicki you seem really cool, FUN and knowledgeable...... I actually like traveling alone because you can cover more ground and it's a nice way to reflect and relax and find yourself again while traveling and seeing this beautiful world we live in. But next time I travel I was actually thinking of going to Rome which is why I'm watching these Rome travel videos so next time I go maybe you can join me and I will pay for your round trip plane ticket and you just cover your hotel and food and tourism expenses we will stay at the same time Hotel so maybe by booking two rooms we can get a discount as well haha.

Nice video. Learned a few things to watch out for, for our next trip to Tuscany. Had the suitcase carrying scam tried on my wife and I in Bologna. Had to pay the guy 5 euro for each of our suitcases. The scam backfired on him, though, as each of our suitcases weighed in at 50 pounds, so it was worth it for me. LOL. Don't mind the critics of the video. They're just bored, sad little people. Ciao.

Thanks for sharing your tips are awesome we are going September 2021

Oh God the Roma Termini Helpers. If I travel from Rome I usually buy the tickets beforehand to avoid this kind of crap. When I was back in my hometown of Bologna there were these helpers

Thankyou so much for the bus tip, i never took them and wasn't really sckepticall, so better off walking 🤗🤗🤗🤗

most of what you said already happened to me 🤦‍♂️

So how exactly did you differentiate between authentic and fake italian souvenirs besides checking if it’s made in Italy?

*Omg that dog is so cute*

I am glad I found this video since I am visiting Rome next month! So useful, thank you!

I'm heading to Rome next week. Is it ever okay to go beyond "No thank you" to the scammers? If you strongly tell them to "Stop now!" are you asking for trouble? Traveling mom with 2 daughters.

@5:46 "fake gelato" dog's reaction 😆♥️ Not gonna lie , but your examples of fake gelatos are yum hagendaz/talenti 🍧😋