What type of bag to carry?
 

Hey all- am going to Europe for most of July and was wondering what type of bag/ purse I should carry aroung during the day. I want something that is comfortable and SAFE! Someone gave me a money belt so this would really more be for camera, water, etc. I would prefer to carry a purse as that is what I normally do! I have a small Longchamp bag that I was thinking would be good but wanted some opinions! Thanks so much to all!
PS I am going to: London, Dublin, Prague, Vienna, Salzburg, Munich, Venice, Rome, FLorence, and Cinque Terre

Anything with a sturdy cross-chest strap and positive closure will encourage the miscreants to move on and select another victim. They're not <i>stupid</i>, after all - just venal.

And an under-clothing money belt for passport, backup credit/debit card, and ticket home is a good idea. Today's spending cash and tickets go in a pants or jacket pocket.

Best not to carry anything of value in
a purse. I take a small purse with a long
strap that I put across my body just to
carry lipstick, contact case, etc and
maybe a bit of money. You should carry
your passport, money, credit cards etc
in the money belt and wear it under your
clothes.

Since you aren't going to carry valuables in your purse, I would take whatever you like to carry and not worry about it.

I have found that the nylon purses by SportSac work great. I have a black one with an adjustable strap (so I can wear it long across my body or short tucked under my arm). I like it because it is light and the right size and shape to carry a guidebook, small bottle of water, and a few other things. Also, when it is empty, it folds down into nothing, which is convinient for packing for a flight or train travel -just put it in the corner of the suitcase and have 1 less thing to carry or worry about.

Myself, my sister, and my mother carried a metro safe 200 while in paris. I could all i needed into it, and it wasnt too bulking. I had a camera, camcorder, pda, and a few other things in mine. Also has a pouch on the side for a water bottle.

http://tinyurl.com/2m3ach

In New York, I've seen warnings about wearing a purse with a long strapped crossed over your body, lest someone decide to rip the purse off and damage your neck and shoulders at the same time.

I carry a lightweight microfibre purse (from La Bagagerie in Paris) that has fairly long handles so that it goes over my shoulder but I can grip it under my arm and hold onto the strap with one hand. It's relatively large (about 9&quot; high by 12&quot; long by 4&quot; deep), with a zip close, a strap with a twist buckle that goes over the top and an inside pocket.

I generally don't use a money belt when travelling, except when I'm carrying all my valuables with me (e.g. en route from one city to another) and using public transportation.

I researched a LOT before we spent a month in France/Italy this spring and I am so very satisfied with my choice. This bag was versatile and kept me very organized yet it wasn't bulky...very efficient. You can get it at www.worldtraveler.com and it's made by Ellington. The style is MT Field Bag and it's nylon. I purchased it in an olive/brown and it was perfect for me.

I think you'll be fine. I've lived mostly in NY and Boston, and in the ordinary course of life at home, travel on foot, bus, subway, cab, etc. I wear jewely, carry a little cash, a number of credit cards, important papers (drivers license, etc), cell phone, a book or two, an organizer, sometimes a camera - all in any attractive shoulder bag appropriate to what I happen to be wearing.I sometimes also carry a briefcase or totebag. I'm sure I would do the same if I lived in Paris, Rome, Brussels, or anywhere else. With that in mind, that is exactly what I do when I travel.

Apart from any security concerns, one I thing I really, really like about my Courierware messenger bag is that it's bright silver inside, not black. That means that when I'm looking for something, I can see in there. A black interior is hard to see in, even outdoors in sun.

Of course, the thing I'm looking for and not finding and getting increasingly pissed off about not finding is usually in my other hand or perched on my forehead, but there's no bag on earth that can solve that problem!

Similar to some of the bags already posted, I really like this one:

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1180725827699

It's not bulky, but can sure put a lot of stuff in it. Carries travel books, water bottle, tickets, glasses etc. with ease and you can even stuff a light jacket into it for those not-so-nice days.

Oops, posted a link to the wrong bag. The one I have is the &quot;MEC Small Carry All Shoulder Bag&quot;. The one in the link is smaller. Also sorry about the long link.

I used a Travelon bag for our recent trip to England and Wales. It held everything I needed it to without being bulky. http://www.travelonbags.com

I chose the large microfiber bag, but they also have bags in leather and other materials.

Lee Ann

ShelliDawn, if you paste your really long links into http://www.tinyurl.com, it will spit out a tiny one that will go to the same place.

I've said before that a woman madly clutching a purse strapped across her chest screams &quot;tourist&quot;. Who walks around like that???!! I've always just carried a normal purse, over my shoulder and tucked under my arm/elbow, just like at home and just like the local women. For travel, it contains no valuables, just what I need for the day.

And I (along with many others) have assured first-timers that there's no way they can get away with NOT looking like tourists - so why bother?

By the way, many guys carry messengers like that all over NYC, and no one thinks a thing of it.

rbnwdln, who said anything about &quot;madly clutching a purse&quot;? My gosh...it's just wise and prudent to be mindful and cautious regarding the one item that is probably holding the very things that if stolen will make for a very unpleasant trip? I don't think the posters were advocating walking around wild-eyed, clutching their purses to their bosoms, eyeing everyone suspiciously. And why is it the goal of many traveling Americans to NOT look like tourists when in Europe? I just got back from a month in France and Europe and I couldn't possibly have passed for a local and I never felt the need to try. I was what I was and that was an American tourist whose goal was to be a respectful visitor to their country.

Here in my west coast US city, those casual across-the body messenger type bags (and smaller versions of them) are very typical (and comfortable to wear).

Hey all,

Thanks for the responses... for those of you talking about trying to blend in... THat is not my goal- I simply wanted advice on what had worked well for people who had been. I appreciate those who responded to that topic rather than criticizing someone else's post.

With that, were any of the posters in the 20-23 age group??? I want some advice from people my own age as well.. no offense to anyone else who posted, it's just sometimes young people do/ see things differently than adults.. as I am sure you all would agree.

I think your purse would be fine. I'm 28 and I've always used a causal purse type bag that I wear across my body - I prefer purses that fit that way anyway as it's more comfortable for all day wear plus it gives me the added feeling of security to be able to have it in front of me when in crowds.

I have found it's nice to have more organizing compartments than you might normally use - I just got a Kipling bag for my trip this summer. Not the most fashionable look maybe but it keeps everything in place that I might carry throughout the day.

I've never felt unsafe nor have I used a money belt (not that you shouldn't; I just find them massively uncomfortable and they show as I wear more fitted clothing). Just be aware of what's going on around you, keep a hand on your bag in crowds and don't leave it laying about or on chair backs and you'll be fine!

I would say that most of the tourists I saw in the 20's age group were wearing smallish backpacks and/or messenger type bags. Not once did we feel worried about purse snatchers. Like the last poster said...just use common sense and always keep your bag with you. Have a GREAT time!!

Check out pacsafe.com. I bought one of the black nondescript totebags with all sorts of anti-theft features (wire mesh in bottom of bag, wire in straps, lock on zipper) from REI for $20 on sale ($75 retail), and one of the neck wallets with wire in the string (I wore it under my clothes and across my right shoulder and tucked it in the top of my pants). I didn't &quot;stand out&quot;, and now I have a really nice tote bag for work, too!

Ok... chiming in here....not 20 but
35 years old! Your longchamp is just fine. My longchamp is my favourite travel bag, tucks under my arm perfectly and fits just about anything I need. It's lightweight - I pack it in my suitcase (my carryon is a larger longchamp) for the trip over. I like it because of it's functionality and I think it is a simple classy bag.

Enjoy your trip!!

Don't you have a Goyard St. Louis tote? Sheesh. Get yourself to Barney's and buy one PDQ. And please don't get a crown applique unless you are royalty; doing so is soooooooo louche.

When I see people carrying a money belt around the streets of Philadelphia, I try to shoot them with my Holland &amp; Holland hunting rifle.

The Artist Formerly Known as Thingorjus.

I'm 25 and lived in Hong Kong and Manchester, England. Anywhere I go, I use a shoulder bag across the body, it's safe, not too bulky but hold a decent amount of stuff, convinient (no need to look for a safe space to put down when sitting down.) I don't madly clutch it when just walking about, but be a bit conscious when walking through dodgy area. Money are usually kept in hotel's safe and only have enough money for the day spending (good for not overspending as well!). Not too keen on backpack as few cities such as HK and London are both quite popular for bags getting cut at underground or busy areas.

I bought a PacSafe purse last year for my London trip and it is great. Has steel cables in the shoulder strap (which you wear across your body) and has slashproof sides, etc. I am taking it to Paris this year and I am going to keep my camera in it. I have a under clothing flat pack for other small items like credit card and money. I also bought a metal chain neck strap for my camera.

http://www.pacsafe.com/www/index.php...tail&amp;id=25
http://www.thecamerahunter.com/Merch...egory_Code=CAS

..my leather shoulder bag..the exact same one I use at home. It does have a zipper closure. I never use/wear anything when I travel that I dont use at home.

Whatever else you carry, use a money belt. What's the down side? If you leave your purse on the floor under your chair in a restaurant and a sneaky thief gets it, if your purse is &quot;picked,&quot; if someone on a motor scooter whizzes by and takes your purse with him, you'll be glad you've got your money and credit card in that purse.

thanks to all!!

trip is in less than 3 weeks and im getting very excited!

Most of the time when I'm in familiar territory (northern Italy, for ex.) I use a small messenger bag worn with strap across me, bag in front, with important items. In places where I feel less confident I would use the money belt and then one of those teardrop shaped microfiber bags (Rick Steves, LL Bean etc. have them) for guidebook, water, sunglasses, windbreaker. I think they are called save your back bags or something similar, and they are comfortable--they are worn over one shoulder.

I use the same bag that I use at home in NYC--a large leather coach satchel. It is sturdy and large enough for a book. The drop is not too long but just fits under my arm. I bucked up and spent the additional money prior to my last trip to Portugal and it was the best investment made. I don't bother with a waistpack or moneybelt as I do not use them at home, why would I use on vacation.
I find the younger you are, the less likely you are to be a target for a pickpocket--I am 33 and have had my purse snatched once and it was while eating lunch with some co-workers across the street from my work. I had left my purse on the floor next to my chair unwatched. Needless to say, I now hook my purse on my foot or around my ankle if i don't want to hold it while eating in a crowded cafe.