seeksocean - I do like the purse on Magellan's (especially the fact it comes in leather). However, I wanted something deeper (4" vs 2&quot and the width of 10" vs. 8". 2" doesn't seem like a lot, but when I got my purse I realized it's as small as I'd want to go. If it's important to you for "safety" features, I don't believe the Magellan's purse has the anti-slash weave that the CitySafe has. For checking the size I suggest outlining the measurements on a piece of paper. I know this sounds silly, but it helps give you a better sense of what you'll be getting when ordering on line. Good luck!

Thanks for the info Ms. Virgochica!! I think the Magellans bag has the steel cable in the strap. I like the fact that it is leather as well. I still have a couple weeks before I go, so I'll keep on it.

I have a purse from 1154 Lill that I love to use when traveling - you can actually pick a style and design your own. Definitely doesn't look like a typical "tourist" handbag/daypack.
http://www.1154lill.com/home/

I ordered the Magellan leather vertical travel bag. It weighs 15 oz. and has the whole security thing, steel cable, etc. It was $72.00 including shipping and tax to CA. I'll post again here when I get it. It was the nicest looking bag for the money, I thought.

Kris, those purses look like an excellent choice. Which one did you choose for a travel purse?

don't discount finding a good leather Coach bag (one of the legacy style ones) on ebay. You can usually find one for under 100 bucks, they're leather, well made, and many of them have long straps that work well for wearing diagonally across your body.

I just ordered the Magellan's CitySafe Handbag (in cranberry). I've been looking for something like this! I like the fact that it has the steel cable in the straps. I should get this in the mail in about 10 days. Will report back how I like it. When I get to Florence next month, I'll shop for something similar in leather.

I would like a small purase for the evenings and the vertical purse seems nice. I usually wear a light jacket in the evenings and keep my camera in one pocket and my wallet in another pocket.

Monica

I'm seriously considering this bag, or something similar to it. http://tinyurl.com/nnkk6

I found a bag by David & Scotti similar to this, but tinier, and in leather and canvas. Too bad the leather parts were white as I really wanted a different color leather...I loved it otherwise.

Also, am I the only one who likes to see a bag in my hands before I get it online?

For what it's worth, I never carry a purse abroad unless I'm travelling on business. As a tourist, I take an ordinary bag with handles (plastic drugstore bag, small gift bag) and use it to carry my hairbrush, maps, book, Kleenex, etc. and a small amount of money in a change purse.

I've never had a thief take any interest in it -- in constrast to an extremely sturdy nylon daypack I had which I literally had to wrestle over with a thief one morning in Spain. I won, but he was pretty determined to take the whole thing from me.

If somebody takes my plastic bag, boo-hoo, but I can always buy another hairbrush and guidebook.

For those who like the Kipling line but want something more chic and something more likely to be carried by a European woman versus a 12 year old (I have nothing against Kipling and their products are fine, but in Europe, they're regarded more as a kids' brand), Manadarina Duck, an Italian company, has some nice options. They also make appealing luggage and their products are sold in several U.S. stores.
www.mandarinaduck.com

I've seen the Mandarina Duck line in Europe and the bags are colorful and attractive. Lancel and Longchamps have a similar line. I think any of the three would cost less in Europe than in the U.S. and would be a good purchase.

I was surprised at how many Kipling bags I saw in Italy. Carried not by kids, but definitely by younger women.

more good info...

BTilke, do you know if I can find Delvaux bags in Venice, Florence, or Rome? they are still on my mind...

Alas, they only have stores in Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and Japan.
www.delvaux.com

I carried one of the Coach bags in black leather for years. My latest purchase is "the ultimate bag" from Chelsey Henry.

Here's the site:
http://www.chelseyhenry.com/collection.html#start

I take it everywhere-Europe/stateside travel/business travel-there are lots of little bags inside--and the little bag inside is great for everyday. I don't go anywhere without it.

I just came back from Paris and carried an Ameribag Esopus from the Catskill Collection (www.ameribag.com). It is small, made of microfiber and has an adjustable strap. It easily fit my digital camera, cell phone, pillbox, coin purse and credit card case. It was cute and cost only $20.

Just received the leather vertical security bag from Magellans. It's wonderful!!! I really recommend it. I didn't know how it would be/look, but it's surprisingly light and stylish. With shipping it was $72.00.

I am sorry for not having read all of the other responses, but Kipling makes nice travel bag-purses. They are lightweight and they have many sizes. Personally - i chose a very bright (chartruse!) bag for a recent trip becuase I think bright colors are less likely to be snatched. They also have dark blue and black bags if you want to blend in more. I think a thick strap deters many snatchers too.

love my handbag/backpack in french leather that is perfect for travel and it quite chic to boot..perfect that the straps are crossed and no one can get in while in the backpack mode.
I am really happy with mine and I get alot of compliments on it.
I got it at:
binkhandbags.com
I am sure they still have it.

Ok everyone, I have found great suggestions, but has anyone used the CitySafe Handbag or the CitySafe Shoulder Bag from Magellan's. http://www.magellans.com/store/Walle...ksLB379?Args=# I'm looking into it because it has steel reinforcement on the sides. I'm leaning towards the smaller hand bag, but the shoulder bag is so much cuter. Please give me your suggestions, what one should I choose.

elsebet - Yes! I have the CitySafe 100 (handbag), which is the 10x10x4 on Magellan's. I did not purchase through them though. I love it! The other one is larger and has a wider strap. I prefer a thin strap when wearing across my body. Also, the size of the handbag is just right for what I want to carry. Map, camera, cell phone, water bottle if I want, wetnaps, lipstick, etc. money and passport.