Were you able to find a deal on ebay. I don't know if I want to pay that much for a purse, but if it is good quality, and holds everything I guess I don't mind. Do you think that the City Safe 200 is to big to carry around on a daily basis. I was thinking of all the things I could cram into it on the way back. I guess I'll have to draw it out lie someone suggested. I'm not good with measurments so is the city safe 200 14 inches wide, and 11 inches tall and it can expand in width up to 4.5 inches. Thanks for your help.

That was me who suggested drawing an out-line :)

Anway, I did get the purse on E-bay, but it was only about $5.00 less. I posted above with a couple of links that are a few $ less than Magellan's, not sure about shipping cost. I will say the quality is very good.
The size will be a personal preference for you. If you want to be able to pack more stuff in, then I'd go for the larger bag for sure (10" x 10" is not very big). No, I don't think the CS 200 is too big to carry around on a daily basis :)

Anyday now, I should be receiving the MetroSafe 200 bag I ordered from Magellans. It's more of a daybag look than a purse like the CitySafe, but I'll let you know what I think when I get it.

I got a great bag from Coach that is flat with an outside zip pocket and a few inside pockets. It has a long enough strap to wear across your body and I latch the hook on the shoulder strap to the zipper pull ring for extra security. It's in their pink Spring patchwork pattern so it doesn't look like a travel bag (to me, looking too touristy is a sign for pickpockets). Unfortunately, they don't have it on their web site - I got it in the NYC store on Madison and 57th.

Njnancy....is this the pattern you got? I love it!
http://auctions.overstock.com/sm-coa..._ti-82087.html

A brightly colored Coach bag would probably give away the fact you are from America (i.e. tourist).

That said, a tourist usually isn't too hard to pick out in the crowd: looking lost, taking pictures, reading maps, etc. :)

I purchased a Perlina bag last year, similar to this one. It holds my cell phone, small camera, passports, etc....). When we go shopping, or for a picnic, or when we have extra gear/clothing, I'll carry along a tote for those items. But I always keep the purse on.

<http://www.perlina.com/store.html?CM...amp;PID=22>

Elsabet;

I have similar ones in microfiber and leather. Microfiber I got from LLBean and leather from TravelSmith.

The one from Travelsmith has the cable inside the shoulder strap and the 2 open pockets fit a waterbottle and umbrella. I wear it across my body.

One outer side is a generous portfolio type with places for cc, coin, Id, passport, etc *It has a small loop enlosed to attach a mini wallet to it for further protection.

Inside I can fold my sweater into if I need. The outer sleeve pocket is great for book, and other stuff.

They're boringly black but work. I tend to use the microfiber in the US and the leather elsewhere.

I also take a very small evening bag.

Thank you for all of the input. I think I'll go with the City Safe 200, or something similar. I too will also get it in boring black, so I can make my boyfriend carry it :) I love to travel, but sometimes there are just too many things to think about. Great thing I'm not going until June. Thank you for everything.

I'm telling you.....Look at the vertical security bag in leather from Magellans. It's made by a small company in Santa Barbara and has the steel cables in the strap, is light and attractive. I may use it year-round!!! I guess they make a microfiber one as well, but I like leather.

I like the bag seeksocean mentions (because it's leather), but it's just not deep enough for me. Plus, I figure if I'm going all out for anti-theft style I have to go for the slash resistant material too! (Not just in the strap, but the entire bag). Anway, there are lot's of good choices on this thread!

Well I personally don't like leather. I'm kind of a klutz, and would probably spill water on it or something and the I'd be SOL. Hey are these two bags the same this one is from corporate travel: http://www.corporatetravelsafety.com...f556910ed310e5 and this one is from Magellan's: http://www.magellans.com/store/Walle...ksLB399?Args=# They both look the same to me with the exception that the Corporate Travel Website shows pictures of the inside of the purse. By the way what do you guys think of the Travel Safe 100 to use in the Hotel room http://www.corporatetravelsafety.com...products_id=38 or am I just getting too obsesive. I must make a decision soon so I can try it out before my trip. Thanks for all of your help also. I was wondering if the woman that originally posted found her perfect travel purse. I guess I'm too nosy :) Thanks.

Elsabet...I'm considering that TravelSafe 100 for my daughter to use in her dorm in Italy. I've seen it in a local luggage store; you might try to find it to see if you like it.

Maire do you know if it could be found in any travel store, because I would like to look at it before I purchase it, if not I will just have to hope for the best.

Elsabet--
I found it at a store called Active Endeavors. However, if you click the following link to PacSafe, you can use "Find a Store" to help you locate a retailer near you. If that doesn't work, call the number on that website--that's how I found a retailer near me.
http://www.pac-safe.com/product.aspx?pId=646

I lock things in my suitcase in the hotel room (like a second credit card and my safety cash stash). Sure I guess someone could steal the whole thing, but seems kind of unlikely.

I never want to be the one to advise against safety measures, in case I am wrong, but chaining stuff to the dresser does seem like overkill in a hotel room. Maybe in a dorm or youth hostel it would be different. I know some kids chain their backpack to the bedpost there.

http://www.magellans.com/store/Walle...ksLB322?Args=#

Here’s my report on the MetroSafe 200 bag I just received:
• Looks better on the man in the picture than on me, but I’ll live. :)
• Not real chic, looks sort of like a camera bag, but it’s not huge, and
• will hold all I need: guidebook pages, maps, phrase book, thin jacket or sweater, Kleenex, meds, cosmetics, camera, phone, wallet, glasses, sunglasses, etc. PLUS . . .

As they advertise, it’s very secure:
• Underneath the front flap that velcroes down, there are 2 compartments—one that zips, and one that doesn’t, but they are both protected when the zippers are locked. The non-zipped pocket can hold a guidebook or maps, etc. The zippered compartment has 2 pockets that could hold a wallet, glasses, etc. plus 2 pockets for phone, camera, and a pen pocket.
• Then there is a large, main compartment, also with a locking zipper. For an idea of the size of this compartment, it holds 2 large Fodor’s guidebooks (not that I plan to carry 2 guidebooks around!), plus a wallet and other things. There is an inside pocket and a detachable key-ring.
• On the back, there is another zippered pocket that would be great for a stash of $$ or documents. (This zipper does not lock, but you could lock it by clipping it to the side water-bottle zipper.)
• Externally, there are 2 zip-away pockets for water bottles, umbrella, whatever.
• The shoulder strap is adjustable, and they say the strap and front and bottom are all slash-proof.

One final, big advantage: I won’t be able to spend as much money, because not only is it harder for pick-pockets to get to, but harder for me also. :)

Much as I have enjoyed "window shopping" this thread, gotta agree with nessondorma, no purse is probably the way to go. Money, credit cards and passport in a body belt and something cheap to carry guidebook, notebook, sunglasses, etc.
Now, I am going to be the FIRST to admit on this thread to buying those airport bargain purses.;-)
Talk about advertising that you're a tourist! You know the ones--always on sale. Once they were jungle patterns, then tropical flowers, then logos, etc. NOT sturdy,NOT fashionable, but definitely in my price range and who cares if it gets lost!
Now come one, folks, I know they sell a lot of those. Won't somebody else fess up?

Vera

I just went to the Delvaux site- how cute! By luck of the draw I will be in Belgium this summer. Anyone know how much those purses cost on average?

I have been guilty of that and then I realized how ridiculous I looked with patterns clashing and bright colors. That is why I have decided to stick with the boring, but always stylish...Black.

From several hundred euro to several thousand. Most of the mid-size models are in the 700 to 1100 euro range.

However, you can find an excellent selection of second-hand Delvaux bags in near pristine condition at the Il Secondo shop in Bruges, around the corner from the Crowne Plaza hotel. The shop specializes in late model, authenic, very slightly used Delvaux and Louis Vuitton bags. Many of the bags are in models still available new in Delvaux and LV stores. You can save hundreds of $$ at Il Secondo and still have the "real thing" (absolutely NO fakes are sold there--they stand by every bag they sell, the ladies there KNOW those brands inside and out) in about the same condition as if you'd bought a brand new bag and carried it gently for a week or two.