Edit:
If you are traveling to western Europe there is no particular danger from terrorism. There are cities with significant muslim populations but you mainly just need to avoid islamic neighborhoods. The staff at your hotel can advise what areas to avoid, and usually by naming public transit stops. For example, "don't get off the Metro (subway) at X stop".
Otherwise, the main danger is pickpockets and bag thieves. Be watchful in high-tourism areas like Montmartre in Paris and Trafalgar Square in London.
Check with your health insurance to find out if it covers you in Europe and pays for medical evacuation to home (should that be necessary). If yes then take proof of coverage with you. If no or not sure then get trip medical insurance, which is cheap and sold by airlines & travel agents. Having travel medical insurance is a requirement to enter some countries (ex. Lithuania & Slovakia). Even if it's not, PLEASE do not skimp on this as an otherwise-silly accident could turn into a crisis if you don't have medical insurance.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw...
Europe is a continent and it's not all the same. You need to say WHERE you will go, for how long, and what you plan to do there.
No, it's generally not dangerous. I'm heading to the Netherlands in a week and have at least one more trip planned later in the year. I lived in Italy for almost 14 years and traveled throughout most of Europe in that time without ever encountering a problem.
You have a better chance of getting hit by a stray bullet and dying in the US then you do getting attacked by terrorists in Europe. Has your family even been to Europe or are they just repeating hype they see on tv/internet? I lived in Italy 15 years and travelled to other European countries while living there.....never had a problem. I'm planning a trip to Europe again next year.
Your at risk of terrorism no matter where you are in the world these days.
I've just completed a tour of Europe covering England, Wales, Scotland, France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Germany, and I never saw any terrorists. If anything, your safer than ever because as a result of the rare terrorist attacks that have happened, many western European countries have military personnel patrolling the streets (or did a few months ago, at any rate, not sure about now).
Yes, and what puts me off travelling to the US is the likelihood of getting shot. A couple of British tourists got shot dead in Florida a few years ago, and you're always having loonies shooting up schools, so the US is clearly far too dangerous a place to visit.
If you think what I just said is silly, then I have made my point. What "everyone" is telling you is equally silly. You're thinking of the UK, France, Italy... they are as safe places to visit as you will get.
Just to speak for my own country, the UK, our police are not dummies and it was their surveillance work that prevented more planes being blown up (they foiled a plot that involved bringing liquid explosive on planes, and you have them to thank for the security restrictions on bringing liquids in hand luggage). I grew up in London with the daily risk of Irish bombs (heavily funded by Americans, I have to add) but that has gone since the 1999 "ceasefire". It is as safe here as you could possibly wish for.
Even our police don't carry guns because there is just no need to. And the experience of dealing with the IRA means there probably isn't much the Metropolitan Police (the police in London) don't know about terrorists.
American police kill more innocent civilians each year than terrorists kill in Europe.
Really, the only terrorist hotspot in Western Europe would be Northern Ireland, but even there the risk of being killed by terrorists is pretty slim now that Americans have decided post-9/11 that funding terrorism is a bad idea.
If you are going to Denmark the happiest country in the world then that is very safe, but like in any tourist area, keep your wits about you. What about Scotland? That's safe, been here since 1977 and no problems, but some cities can be unsafe, but terrorists!! Come on, someone is scare mongering! Like all the comments here, depends where in Europe you are going to...
Western Europe is safer than Eastern Europe. All of Europe is dangerous if you look like a minority and visit poor neighborhoods
You'll probably be alright. I've lived in Europe for a few decades without being murdered by terrorists.
I think you can buy a spray. I would check on this though, as I wouldn't want to mislead you. Anywhere in particular in Europe? Some parts are less well lit and signposted than others.
