I gotta agree with LoveItaly on this - no one needs a fanny pack and no one needs a big old bottle of water. Those two things alone identify you as an American - first-time, naive, prone to theft - tourist.
What IS it about Americans that makes them think they need to be hydrated about 10 times more than the average person? You can spot an American tourist in any train station/airport/crowded venue by the water bottle. What's up with that? You don't think Europe has water or drinking fountains?
As for fanny packs, might as well holler "I'M A TOURIST." Gee, do you think that Parisians walk about wearing weird contraptions to "thwart" thieves? Well, when I'm in Paris I wear exactly what I wear at home - a large black leather purse - and in more than 60 trips I've never lost a single thing.

Oh St.Cirq, this war of words could go on for the next year and noone is going to change their mind.

Some of us pack and travel to Europe and dress according to big city, small town, country etc. as we do at home. We take precautions as we do at home but that is more or less it.

And others, well they have their ideas, fears, worries, concerns etc. and nothing IMHO is going to change their minds.

I have thought that those concerned posters wanted to know how to travel relaxed and enjoy their trip so to speak but it seem to me that it just becomes one raging debate.

Some of us will travel one way, others another way. I am to tired to think of that French saying - you know the one - viva la difference or something like that. Anyway you get the idea.

Happy travels to you!

Most people won't care if someone wants a bottle of water (and I've certainly been in situations where I dreadfully regretted not having one). Amazingly, when I see tourists around my hometown I don't spend my time thinking how stupid or obvious they look.

But I'm happy to provide an occasion for others to feel superior to me, because I sure won't win any awards for fashion, water or not. My personal preference is not to have a fanny pack, but seeing how many people like them, there must be merit in them for many.

What I did find handy last trip was a black Samsonite travel bag. It is fairly small, closes securely, can be worn close to one's body, and holds a guidebook, small bottle of water, pens, etc. It's really as functional as a purse, but more unisex-looking.

I think whether a fanny pack and a bottle of water are necessary depends on the place and what you're doing. Both fanny packs and light backpacks are excellent if you're hiking, because you will have your hands free to balance your weight and, if necessary, to break a fall, and your body will be balanced, without a burden on just one shoulder or the other, which can make your neck hurt and throw off your posture. I also think it is very foolish not to carry a water bottle when hiking, especially in warm weather.

For normal walking in cities and towns I'd rather look like a regular person, not a hiker. So I normally wear a shoulder bag. To be more secure you can wear it across your body, instead of just hanging on the outside of one shoulder. Because I tend to get very tight shoulder and neck muscles from carrying a heavy shoulder bag, I sometimes switch to a lighter bag on vacations, since I know I'll be doing a lot of walking carrying the weight of the bag. Occasionally, I will use a light backpack, even in a town or small city, if I have a lot to carry, e.g., sweater or rain jacket, umbrella, street map, etc. Local people in Europe carry backpacks, too, sometimes. (But I never put anything valuable in the outside pocket.) I might be extra careful in some places, for example, at the fish market in Catania, the train station in Florence, the streets of Naples. But I still wouldn't take any extraordinary measures. I don't think cities in Europe are less safe than the ones at home, but I do think it can be a lot more inconvenient to have to deal with a robbery in a foreign country and that's why people arm themselves with secret bags, etc.

I don't normally carry a water bottle around when walking in cities and towns. The main reason I don't is because I don't like all that extra weight in a shoulder bag. It's also not particularly necessary, since I can just get something to drink when I have the opportunity. However, I won't say I never carry water in towns, because there are times even in a town when I might prefer to do a lot of walking and not have to be bothered stopping to buy something to drink. But if I do carry a small water bottle, I keep it hidden. If it's one of those days when I happen to be using a back pack, I might carry a water bottle. Why not? I get thirsty a lot, and I did long before it became a silly fad to carry water bottles around to hydrate every 10 minutes. I'd also rather drink water than the more costly tea, juice or other things I might buy if I stopped to buy a drink.

When I was in Newark, NJ, I used to feel very unsafe on the streets. One of the precautions I used to take was never to have both hands full so that I wouldn't be able to defend myself, and, at night, in a dangerous area like behind the train station, always to have something in my hand that I could use as a weapon, for example keys between my fingers. I suppose if you go someplace in Europe that feels truly dangerous to you, it might be a good idea to follow that "rule," as well has to wear shoes that you can run in if necessary, i.e. ones that will not fall off as slides sometimes do. I myself avoid going to places that I think are really dangerous when I'm on vacation. That wouldn't be my idea of vacation fun.

Bottom line is: if one wants to carry a water bottle with them, do so.

If one want to wear a fanny pack, do so.

If one wants to wear a back pack, do so.

If one want to wear a money belt or neck pouch, do so.

If one wants to worry and fret about pickpockets, gypsies, muggers etc. do so.

Each of us have our own comfort level for traveling.

Do what works for you.

No need to ask permission.

No need to worry about what others think

Just do what works for you.

And happy travels everyone.

Keep the few important things we have in a cloth loop wallet that the belt threads though and then flips inside the trousers. Very easy to get it if necessary and without taking anything off. ATM card and some local currency in worn out old wallet is in my front pocket. Tiny city map in back pocket, not sticking out.

Have never walked around town with a water bottle, snacks or guidebook. Not once. But I still look like a tourist because I can't part with the camera on first-time locations. Don't take anything of value anyway, as we don't usually stay in the type of accommodations that have safes. Of course, this saves us enough money that we can afford to buy a water when we're thirsty or a snack when hungry, even though we travel budget.

So basically, it's a camera bag for us, but it it were a small camera, a pocket would do.

PS, this worked just fine for us so far and did ok with it earlier this month in Romania. First day, had 3 attempts made. :) None after the first day though, not to give the wrong impression of the country overall.

INDISPENSIBLE ITEM FOR TRAVELING: antibacterial hand wash! Yes, I use this stuff on my hands before I eat. There were many places in Europe when it wasn't convenient to wash our hands, so we used that stuff and it is GREAT. We also keep a travel bottle of it at home and in the car. Highly recommend.

Wow...lots of great suggestions. Thanks to all!

IMHO - wear and do whatever makes you feel comfortable. This is your vacation, not a fashion show! Be yourself! One thing I recommend against is a visible camera bag. Just asks to be yanked off your shoulder...

I am one of the many who carry water almost everywhere I go - abroad and at home. I also take 2 rx that make me thirsty - I don't give a rats-hiney if I don't look cool or Continental enough. :)

My bag of choice is a small Overland messenger bag (purchased on ebags.com) across the body, leaving me hands-free. In this little ole' bag of mine I carry:
-dig camera
-extra set of AA batteries
-cash, atm/2 credit card/insurance card (mine is also valid overseas)/photocopy of passport
-good street and transit maps
-plenty of tissues (enough said)
-hand sanitizer (enough said yet again)
-breath freshener/gum
-lipstick, powder, etc.
-small hand lotion
-excedrin migraine, advil & pepto
-super-small umbrella
-20-oz or so water bottle in one of the two side pockets
-1-2 guide books (one never seems to cover everything)
-one larger bag rolled up and fit into the other side pocket (for goodies purchased throughout the day as the straps fit over the shoulder and leave you hands-free). Everything fits comfortably - with room to spare.

I like the bag across my chest as it doesn't swing when I lean over or to the side like a regular should bag does. When I sit down the bag automatically sits nicely in my lap. After having my wallet lifted from my backbag-style purse at Centraal Station a few years ago, I realized it best to keep the bag in front of me.

Just returned from Rome a few days ago and I did see loads of Europeans carrying their backpacks on the FRONT of their bodies. A rather interesting look.

You will be a tourist no matter how hard you try to cover it up. I was approached by both American and Europeans with questions on directions or good spots to eat - a number of locals also approached me and were surprised to learn I was not Italian or a local.
Its how you decide to interact with the people, culture and country that makes the difference in your travel experience.

Looks like if you are a good boy or girl, you can ask Santa to bring one for you - as "degas" has on the other thread. Beware what you wish...