I often carry a backpack, especially on the days when I know we'll be shopping.

My backpack isn't terribly large, but it holds the items my family or I may need during the day - including a small first aid kit. On subways and busses, I would swing it around to my front - although my valuables weren't in it I didn't want to lose my sunglasses, hat, and so forth. I don't carry a separate handbag.

We recently went on a bus tour, and many times were able to leave our belongings 'topside' while visiting.

Thanks Mebanese. We were under the impression that "nothing" could be left "topside". Nice to know that we may be able to do it.

Many escorted tour companies actually give you a cheesy tote bag to use onboard. You can pack up your suitcase or backpack for storage underneath the bus, and carry on a small tote with daytime essentials which will go in an overhead rack. I wouldn't put anything valuable in there, if you're going to leave it out of sight (even if the bus gets locked up).

My husband "insists" on carrying a backpack every day. It's nice for me as I don't carry anything at all. He puts camera, umbrella, jacket/sweater, hat, map etc. and then any purchases we pick up throughout the day. No way would I talk him out of it!

Now THIS is a "backpac" :))

http://solo2.abac.com/themole/freelondon.html

Oh my goodness! I hope he has a good chiropractor!

This is the montrosity I spoke of. ;)

I have a day pack that isn't as bulky or as large as the kinds that HS/college students use for books. I don't carry it around much anymore, I just have a totebag thing for a camera and small book or something (more like a large purse). I really don't like it when people walk around on the metro etc carrying half their life around on their back -- they are almost always oblivious to other people and are always hitting people with that.

I've taken a tour that used a bus sometimes (not really that much between cities) and it was just as Travelnut says, you have a small carryon bag for the bus for your small extra items, just like you might on an airplane. I had one of those with me every day on the bus (if we were on it), just for the reasons people are talking about here -- guidebook, camera, water bottle, etc. I wouldn't have been caught dead with the cheesy totebag you received for signing up (which has the company's logo on it), but that was about the right size, I guess. Your company might have a nicer one, though. They can't forbid you to carry things with you like that. I'm not talking a huge thing, however.

On my last trip, I used two pieces by Eagle Creek for my daily journeys. One is the Sidekick, a purse/fanny pack that is rather small. I usually wrap it around my waist as a fanny pack, and lay my hands over it, protecting my cash, credit cards, etc. Eagle Creek makes a daypack that folds into itself (for the flight over.) Once I'm there, I can unfold it, and I used it for my umbrella, camera,raincoat, water, and any purchases I made. TOMI, I'd also recommend wearing one of the money belts that hang down from your belt (a "spare pocket" type.) I carry in it my emergency phone numbers, CC numbers, a photocopy of my passport, and a photocopy of my medical insurance.

Thanks everyone for your responses; they were fun to read. I haven't been to Europe but have used a backpack (Jansport with four zippered compartments, the type that school kids carry for their books and lunch, etc.) for travels throughout Japan and found it valuable in carrying all I needed during a day of sight-seeing. Never once worried about pickpockets or theft in Japan. But I think I will search for a smaller version for my trip to Europe and just not worry about pickpockets slashing my pack. I don't put it on my back anyway but always carrying it in front. I like TravelSmith stuff so will start there. Now does one wear a money pouch under your clothes or off your belt? Perhaps I am again using a word/term that is too ambiguous.

I'm with Marilyn - call it a "daypack".

I carry both: a "monstrosity" of a backpack and a daypack. My daypack goes into my backpack on the way over. It's great to have a backpack because it frees up your hands and a "monstrosity" can accommodate a lot of things - like that precious set of hand-carved crystal glasses you will buy in Prague or the $300 pair of earrings you don't want to check through.

The absolute BEST daypack, on the other hand, is the Rick Steves Civita day "bag". It has two mesh pockets for water bottles, "huge" zippered middle compartment, and weights almost nothing. It is extremely tough and the zippers work very well. You can check it out on his website.

I've tried all sorts of daypacks and this one comes out tops for me.

You can find some "body"-friendly moneybelts at sports stores like REI. I put all my important things in the moneybelt, carry one credit card and some cash in my pockets.