Safety

The emergency number in Italy is 112

Violent crime is much lower in Italy than it is in the United States, but petty crime like pickpocketing, purse snatching, and snatch-and-grabs from vehicles are more common, especially for tourists in major cities such as Rome, Venice, and Naples.

Here's an article from Rick Steves that we'd encourage you to read so you can avoid any unfortunate incidents:

https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/theft-scams/outsmarting-pickpockets

One tip he doesn't mention in this article is leaving a credit card in the safe at your accommodations. That way you still have a form of payment in the event that your wallet or purse is lost or stolen.

Note: Petty crime primarily relates to major cities, especially around public transit and tourist sites. Rest assured that in Cortona crime of any sort is very very low. That's not to say you shouldn't be careful, but in the many months we've spent in Cortona we've never met anyone who's been pickpocketed there.

Cortona is a safe place and the town is a close-knit community. Many families have lived there for generations, and their children can be seen - often on their own - throughout the city. That being said, it's always wise for young people to have a buddy to walk with, especially late at night. 

Though it is quite safe in Cortona and there is little to no crime, this is a great article to read in preparation for travel to the larger cities such as Rome, Florence, Milan, and Venice: 13 Big Scams to Avoid in Italy

One scam that is quite common is known as The Friendship Bracelet Scam. This is mostly just annoying, but it can be a little awkward. What this person will do is engage you in conversation and at some point offer you a handmade bracelet saying that it is for 'friendship' often times putting it right onto your wrist. They will then declare that they have no money and ask if you will pay for the bracelet. It is best to refuse the bracelet immediately, but as kindly as possible, before they attach it to your wrist. Say, 'non grazie' and step back. Be firm on this and if they persist say, 'non grazie' again and walk away.

Thinking about purchasing travel insurance? If so, SquareMouth has a nice policy comparison tool. We've used it many times in the past.  https://www.squaremouth.com. 

Also, check your credit card policies to see what travel insurance benefits are included at no additional cost.

While not required, the US State Department offers a free travel program called STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) that allows you to enter your trip information ahead of time. That way, the US Embassy will know when you're in the country and be more readily available to help if any issues arise. They can also alert you via text or email if there are safety concerns. For example, if you're in Rome and there is a protest, you may receive an alert to avoid a certain area of the city. You can sign up for the program here:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/step.html

Italy's department of health says that there are no COVID-19 related restrictions related to travel to or from Italy.