Gentlemen: This past summer (June 20 through July 5) I travelled through France, Switzerland and Italy. We were in Milan, Florence, Rome, and Massa. I travelled with a Nikon FA, FM2, 19-35, 28-105, 50 f1.4, flash and other minor accessories. All were carried in a Tamrac Backpack. Personally I had absolutely no problems anywhere and I was out all hours of the day and all neighborhoods. All of these cities were wonderful. The people were wonderful. If you are that paranoid, the other people are right, stay home. Isaac