Hi<BR>I can't believe it is only 2 weeks till my trip! I have one question.<BR>I am taking British Airways to London and then we are going to Paris. Do you know if there are any issues if we bring bookbags on the flight or to any sites in London or Paris?<BR>Good or bad Idea?<BR>Thanks!<BR>Heather

What are bookbags?????????

Whoops Typo, Bookbags

Troll Alert, Troll Alert, Troll Alert!<BR>(and a spectacularly dumb one too!)

Now I know why people stop visiting this site. How obnoxious.

Heather: what are Bookbags please? may be someone can help but no one understands!

Backpack is another word for it.<BR>

I'm sure Heather means backpack (like college students use to carry their books) when she says bookbag - they are the same item.

Ahh... Backpack!!! the clouds roll back and the topic for discussion is illuminated by a golden glow.<BR>Can't comment on the flight issue but as for sites... shouldn't be a problem. At some Museums (Louvre, British Museum) and Galleries (Tates Britain & Modern) you will probably be asked to check it in. You may get away with it being searched if they've relaxed any but I doubt it. Most other places... cathedrals, castles, chateaux etc. you can generally carry it round no problem. In that respect you'll be just like 95% of the Europeans aged under 25 too. Don't worry about it!

Thanks, sounds like we will be bringing them.

Heather, I prefer carrying a bookbag/backpack, too. I haven't been to London yet, but I'm planning a trip right now. I think there are some cases where you might have to check it, but otherwise you should be OK. In the case of Harrod's in London there was a discussion recently regarding whether they were totally prohibited or whether you just needed to carry them around by hand instead of on your back, the concern being that you might knock something over carrying it on your back.<BR><BR>I know nothing about Paris.

YOu'll probably have to check it if it's very large for the flight. In Paris, you will not be able to walk around in certain stores or museums with a backpack on your back. This is partly because it is a big nuisance and and danger to other people or objects (the larger ones), and partly for theft reasons and that is all sizes. I can't tell you how many times people with backpacks have hit me on the metro because they don't care what they are doing or who they hit or how much room they take up, and not lightly as those things can get rather big and heavy. Some "bookbag" daypacks are fairly large and constructed, whereas other daypacks are small and just like a totebag, which is better. In Paris, I know some stores will not let you walk around with them for security reasons (worried about theft, and I suppose other things nowadays) and because you may hit things. In the US many stores will not let you walk around with bags and parcels for theft reasons (too easy for thieves to hide stuff), and it's the same thing in Paris.

At other places on this forum, we are warned against carrying backpacks because of pickpockets. I have always found it very convenient to wear a backpack while traveling, as it holds many items. I do not keep anything valuable in the backpack, so what's best? Be inconvenienced by not having a backpack or invite pickpockets by having one?

Heather: We fly British Air and my husband always carries my "bookbag"--I'm sure you mean the Jasman-type used in college. If so, you won't have any problem taking it on the flight--it even fits under the seat in front of you. It's great for water, magazines, books, aspirin, etc. But, PLEASE, hold it down in front of you when you're entering and exiting the plane. I've been hit more than once people turned suddenly while wearing it on their back.<BR><BR>But, please, don't carry it each day. use a money belt instead. It's a magnet for trouble--spots you as a tourist possibly carrying money, cards, etc. AND you always have the above mentioned problem of ramming it into people (or breaking things on shelves).<BR><BR>Have a great trip!<BR>

I used a black leather purse-type backpack for my trip to Italy last month, and found it to be convenient. It's not so big that you hit people(unless you're really clumsy), and it provides a convenient, hands-free way to carry a guidebook, map, water bottle, reading glasses and sunglasses, notepad and pen, copy of my passport, small hairbrush, lipstick, phrasebook, aspirin or ibuprofen, and umbrella. It has a zipper across the top, with 2 tabs to which I attached a small, key-chain size flashlight. I put a small combination lock through both tabs and no one can get into it. The only place that wouldn't let it in was the Scavi Tour at the Vatican, and no purses, cameras, or packs are allowed down there. I put my money and credit cards in a waist wallet, and felt very secure. I was careful not to pull out money in full view--its usually easy to pull out the credit card or money in a discreet fashion if you are aware that people may be watching you.

ttt

I used my backpack in Paris a couple of years ago. I was there a week, took it everywhere, and was never once asked to check it in.<BR><BR>Of course, in this day and age, things might have changed, but I never had a problem.

I use a backpack for the flight, just to carry 1 change clothes, my film, my must-have travel notes, etc. But for day-time sightseeing, I use a smaller bag. Got a very nifty daypack by Ricardo at Belk's on sale for &12.99 that I will use next trip - has pockets for waterbottle and cell/glasses on the outside, then a small zipped section for maps, tickets, notes, and a larger zipped section for a guidebook, my camera, a coin purse. I always wear a money belt for the rest. The daypack is about 8x10x4" in size, with adj. strap so I can wear it diagonally.

Hello Heather, Mel had some good points as did Barb. I would not carry the passport copy in my backpack however. My husband usually carries a copy of mine and I carry a copy of his but in my money belt. Nothing in the backpack that is of value, and just carry a small one. A lock sounded like a good idea. They told us in Bangkok for instance not to carry one at all as they will cut it right off your back. I have read so many posts regarding pick pockets and theft of tourist I would be very cautious indeed. Try not to look like a tourist aslo I have read. We go in early June and I can hardly wait. sure enjoy reading info here as you learn lots. Have a great trip.