We are going to rome for a cruise. While walking around rome 3 days is it better to carry purse, money belt, neck pack or just carry small backpack. I understand you cannot take backpacks in vatican and some other places. If you don not take backpack how do you carry water bottle and small snacks.

I use a 'daybag' that is more like a flat handbag on a long strap that goes diagonally across the body. The bag is in front of me and I can rest my hand on it. I keep one of those small bottles (like the airlines used to hand out) in there, plus my sightseeing stuff. I use a 'leg stash' or waist-type moneybelt *under* my clothing to secure extra money, c.c., passport, etc. I never access that in public.

Listen to Travelnut ...
No purses or backpacks or fanny packs..
I can't stress enough about having your important necessities ( $$, passport,etc) in a money belt inside your pants...

Moneybelt for money and credit cards. Purses and cameras must be checked at the Borghese so don't leave anything valuable in yours. Your water and snacks should be safe.

Use a backpack.

The greater the number of easy marks there are for pickpockets, the safer my property is.

What about churches and museums in Florence? Can you take backpacks in there?

Grazie.

Definitely not a backpack! Thats the worst place to try and hide money.
I carry a bag slung across my chest with the zippers facing inward against my body. I rest my hand on the strap & bag so it's never hanging freely. Believe me, it's the way to go.
Also, don't take all your money, passport, credit cards with you. Lock them in a safe in your room or the hotel safe in a sealed envelope.

ttt

Is the "daybag" considered a purse if you went to a place which required checking them?

I've been looking at the PacSafe Metro 100 or 200. Does one of those sound like the right size for touring?

http://www.tumi.com/products/index.c...ink=DetailShot

I don't know if that link will work or not .... I love this across the chest Tumi bag. It is called the T Tech Flow Flap Body Bag It's small but it has great zipper compartments and it sits on your front waist/hip where you can keep your hand on it. The good thing about it that it's small so I never take it off when out and about (i.e. when eating or going to the bathroom) so there's never a fear of leaving it someplace. No, you cannot carry a water bottle or guide book in there, but the back compartment easily holds city maps, etc. I carry another small bag for guide book and water if I want it - and could care less if I space off and leave it on a bus or something (although I've never had that happen)......

Thanks for the info. Where do you get this small body or day bag? Just any dept store? Thanks again

Go to the Tumi website and do a store locator. (You can also buy on line)There are dedicated Tumi stores and also higher end department stores (Macy, Bloomingdales, etc.) usually carry a Tumi line, albeit sometimes limited. If you really want to see the bag before buying, call the store and specifically ask if they carry that particular bag....

#1 - you need an under the clothing security pouch/money belt - in this put your passport, extra money, credit cards, ATM cards. Keep out one credit card and cash for one day. I ususally put that in a front pocket.

#2 - most people (at least most females) need some sort of "bag" to carry camera, sightseeing info, water, purse stuff, etc. There are two issues - how big it is, and how you wear it. I have several bags that can be slung over my shoulder or worn as a backpack. Many churches and museums have a no "backpack" rule - they just tell you to wear in in front or over your shoulder (or you can check it). When you get back out on the street you can wear it as a backpack if you want. As mentioned above - no "valuables" should be in it (they should be in the under the clothes pouch) but I do put my cameras in there. The other issue is size - if the bag, whatever sytle it is, is very large (bigger than about 14x14 inches) you may need to check it in some museums and churches.

I use both. I put my money, credit cards, passport in a money belt. But I do use a backpack slung over one shoulder for water, food, extra clothing if needed, maps, travel books and purchases. It works great for me.

I use a small leather pocketbook, made by Fossil brand. Not big enough for bottled water or snacks (I don't carry those around, I just stop at a cafe or corner store somewhere), just passport, money, sunglasses, pen, notepad, kleenex, lipstick. It has a strap that can be worn across the torso, so the purse lies flat against the front of your body.

I use the Tumi bag mentioned above, however have a little hand sewn pouch with velcro that loops through my bra (loop resting between cups) and hangs down on my tummy - or on the back of the bra strap and hangs on my back if I have a shirt tucked in and a coat on. It is just the size of a passport and I carry my passport, rail pass, extra credit card and extra cash in it. I carry only enough cash for the day and the Tumi bag also holds my camera, chapstick, gum, basic small stuff.

Question? What do use in your home town when you go shopping?
Water Bottles...what for? Load up at breakfast and you won't need one. Thirsty? A cafe is the answer. Use a jacket or vest with big enough pockets to hold everything you think you need. You are not going on a camping trip.

I agree - why take a water bottle along? If you get thirsty, that makes a grand excuse to stop at a street cafe to have a glass of wine and take in the scenery!

Or when in Rome do as the Romans do,, there are drinking fountains everywhere..and the water is wonderful

At home I wander around with water bottles too, so there