In europe I travel with a normal 'purse' from home. I think that's safest for me personally speaking, to use something I am familiar with and used to carrying. I don't like the tiny travel wallet/purse type things.

I have been using a small size Sportsac - with the heavy duty fabric strap as my day pack for years. It weights nothing - is parachute nylon so very tough - and can carry everythng you need to for the day. I usually bring a nicer purse for going out to dinner or theater - a very tiny one that holds cash, comb, credit card, lipstick and passport.

I do what nytraveler does, although my "day" purse is a Baggallini brand. I like it because it's cross-body (I never take it off, even in restaurants), very light, and the little interior wallet clips on in the inside, so it's harder to "lift". I also take a small black bag for going out to dinner.

I have the "zipper bagg" although it's slightly too small because I have to carry three pairs of glasses all the time (distance, distance sun, and reading). I'm thinking about getting a slightly larger one like the Unison or the Dublin.

http://www.baggallini.com/category/Baggallini-Crossbody-Bags?perPage=all

I can't carry a "regular" purse all day -- it would kill my shoulders.

I agree re a cross body bag, I find a handbag too tiring to carry all day and my shoulders ache. Suzabella1 you refer to yours as a mid size bag. Can I suggest that you put a small bottle of water and a small guide book in it and see if you think you can wear it for a minimum of 4 hours? If not then the red bag might be better. I leave my normal wallet at home and I take a smaller one that just fits some cash.

I also take a small purse with me for evenings. Sometimes I don't bother with it though and my husband pops my lipstick in his pocket.

Suzabella1 - I think you can forget about including a check book in your bag - who would cash a check for you in Europe?

Maybe my "every day" is smaller than most of you use? I definitely to NOT carry my regular wallet from home when I travel. It's too big and you don't needs 9/10ths of the stuff in it.

Travel with a tiny cross-body w/ WIDE strap that cannot be cut-- you'll only need lipstick, credit card, smartphone & glasses -- then in a large nylon tote you can carry maps, scarf, baguette you'll pick up for lunch! I now wear clothes specifically for travel with lots of pockets so I can almost travel with no purse, it's so freeing! Baggellini or Kipling are great for lightweight totes, I use as my plane carry-on putting my tiny purse inside.

I too use a small cross body purse that is just big enough to fit a small change purse for cash/credit card and can fit my camera. In addition I almost always carry a nylon tote bag that just holds my map and guidebook, kleenex, small umbrella, etc. It never holds anything of value and is usually pretty light to carry throughout the day. I like it because I can usually also stash my jacket in there when I am in a museum and get too hot or it can hold small puchases made during the day.

The "hobo tote" Baggallini is my favorite bag for traveling as it holds an umbrella,extra sweater,has pockets for water,phone or maps,etc.

I'm with suze - I want the purse that I am accustomed to using! It's strap is long enough that I can wear it as I usually do or cross-body to give the "usual" shoulder a break.

I bring the favorite purse that I'm using at home, with some exceptions.

The problem with the nylon tote (and I use one at home, so I can pick up dinner on my way home from work) is that then you're carrying two things -- I don't even like carrying one. But then the problem is I also don't like putting things in pockets because they bulge. So I'm back to a larger cross-body

I carry 2 purses when I travel. My larger purse for everyday and on the airplane I carry a little cross body bag that holds my essentials for the plane. If I go to sleep, I tuck it behind me. It also works if I just want a lighter bag during the day.

At home I don't have only one purse, I change them frequently.

I was looking at the Baggalini bags this summer but didn't buy. They had a few at Tj Maxx for like $35 and more selections at the small boutique for $85. I can see how they would make a practical travel purse.