Recommend your daytrip bag for Europe

mouse10031978 · May 2012

We are headed to Italy in a month, and we are looking for a bag. Maybe one-shoulder? Maybe smallish backpack? Preferably unisex- that we can take and carry around during the day. Any suggestions?

bonjourbelle05 · May 2012

I don't have an exact recommendation, but I avoid backpack style bags because they are easier for pickpockets. I usually do something over the shoulder and keep the zipper in front of me, so I know if it is open. I've been to Europe a bunch of times and never been pick pocketed either.

bellebride116 · May 2012

We did a backpack and never had any issues. Obviously we never kept money on an easily accessible pocket. We were just careful and all was absolutely fine.

Each day we took around with us:

- Water - we ended up always buying more because it was HOT!

- Tissues - Seriously, I can't go anywhere without these.

- Sunblock

- Camera

- Phone

- Passport {or copies depending on where we went}, list of important phone numbers to call home in case we need}

- Itinerary if we made one or guide book

- Medicine, in case we got a headache or something we are upset our stomach.

- Money/room key {we'd usually leave a bunch in the hotel safe and then take some with us, along with a credit card. We also usually left one card in the hotel safe.

I think that's about all we took out with us each day!

mouse10031978 · May 2012

Thanks for the suggestions so far! Now I am actually thinking a cross-body bag/messenger style might be perfect for the reason posted above, but also because we are carrying our hiking packs as our only luggage. So this way I can carry both at the same time if necessary... now to find the perfect one.

MmmCoffee · May 2012

bonjourbelle05:
I don't have an exact recommendation, but I avoid backpack style bags because they are easier for pickpockets. I usually do something over the shoulder and keep the zipper in front of me, so I know if it is open. I've been to Europe a bunch of times and never been pick pocketed either.

I second the messenger-style bag. That way, you can put it over behind you/on your back for more when you are walking long distances, and switch it to the front and keep it close when you are in crowds/on a subway/train.

A suggestion that one of the people on here suggested for carry-ons is to have a small bag within the bag for the small, important things (like your phone, ipod, passport, etc.) I ended up using a small makeup bag in my carry-on and my daily bag, which helped finding my phone quick or our oyster cards for the London tube a lot easier than having to search through the messenger bag for little things that slip to the bottom. Just a thought.

Klikina · May 2012

When we went to Paris 4 years ago, DH bought a backpack (I have to admit, it screamed tourist - gray and ugly orange with about a million pockets and straps. I hated that thing.) I think he just got it at Target. But, it was helpful. We kept our wallets and camera in my purse (which I just wore on my shoulder) and anything else we had (map, water, light jacket, etc) in the backpack. I will say, it was really helpful to have the backpack for when we would stop and buy souvenirs- more comfy than I imagine a messenger-style bag would have been. At night, we left the backpack in our hotel for when we went out to dinner and just put the map in my purse.

spark1027 · June 2012

I bought this after a rec a few years ago on this board and have used it on so many trips since!

http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/piazza-day-bag/94553?productid=1318670

MrsA1210 · June 2012

I have a medium sized Timbuk2 messenger bag in gray. I like the velcro and straps because it is very secure...it's not the most fashionable but it's plain so not too bad. I usually carry it but it's unisex so my husband can carry it and it looks fine on both of us.

Recommend your daytrip bag for Europe

Re: Recommend your daytrip bag for Europe

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