Holidaymakers in Italy are being warned by a travel expert to be cautious of a common scam thats leaving people low on money. The “rose scam” – which is well-known to many and not known to some – is a common tactic used by scammers in busy cities such as Rome, Venice, and Milan, targeting unsuspecting tourists.

Guido Terzuoli, a travel expert at My Rental Homes, is alerting travellers to be aware of this scam when exploring Italy’s major cities – and other cities across the globe. The scam typically occurs when a person approaching you with roses while you’re walking through a lively piazza or quiet cobbled street. They will then drop a rose or thrust it towards you, and if you instinctively pick it up, the scam begins.

The expert warns: “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.'” With just a single flower, these crafty scammers can leave you reaching for your wallet, even if you think you won’t fall for it. The tenacity of these sellers can be quite astonishing.

“Even if you try to return the rose, they refuse, saying it’s no longer theirs,” warns the expert, noting that tourists often end up paying just to avoid a confrontation. So, how can travellers sidestep this pitfall? The expert suggests a simple solution – walk away and avoid engaging in conversation with them. They emphasise: “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 prevalent scams in Italian tourist areas include the “friendship bracelet” scam, where someone ties a bracelet around your wrist and then demands money. Additionally, there’s the “fake petition” scam where tourists are approached to sign a petition and then pressured for a donation. “Being aware of these scams beforehand can help travellers navigate tourist hotspots safely”, the expert advises.

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.”