clothiing

A small lightweight travel umbrella. A lightweight jacket with a hood, that ideally packs very small and can easily fit into a small daypack. Key factors to help you decide: lightweight and packs small.

A hooded waterproof (not water resistant) jacket that is long enough to cover your tail. Anything else is a compromise.

What Ed said. I would add unlined so it packs small and light.

I vote for the hood. It's worth the money to purchase a hooded waterproof garment that covers at least to the knees. Also to have an pair of shoes that are impervious to rain. I am bringing a pair of mary jane style crocs just for rainy days. They are very light weight for packing and you don't have to wait a day or two for them to dry out after a heavy downpour. I used to think they were UG.....LEE, but now I have discovered how invaluable they are as your extra pair of shoes for rain.

Another vote for the raincoat with hood. On those days that the rain comes and goes it is so easy to just pull up the hood when you need it. That way you don't need to carry an umbrella and deal with a dripping umbrella when you go into museums/stores/restaurants, etc. It is so much easier to have your hands free. My coat comes to a few inches above my knees so it offered enough protection from the rain. Check out TravelSmith. Carole