Four Week Trip in Europe: Camera, Computer, and Backpack Questions

Your backpack or tote might get stolen, or sliced open. Consider a neck wallet instead of a money belt. The Travel Store here has them and they're what we use. I usually put one arm through it so it rides on my side below an armpit. Please, no comments about how my passport must smell. :-) Also, consider buying additional memory cards instead of taking your laptop. (How much does that thing weigh, anyway?) You can also try to take fewer pictures, or delete the lousy ones as you go. Seriously, how many of us (except the pros) are going to go back through thousands of photos? Happy travels.

Cecilia, As you don't have "much experience traveling in Europe", you may want to check your local Library to see if you can find a copy of Europe Through The Back Door. It will provide a LOT of good information on traveling in Europe. Regarding your questions.... 1) I always travel with a DLSR, so have have some suggestions. To begin with, DON'T leave it unattended on a table (or whatever) even for a minute! Always loop the strap through a table leg or other "fixed object". When you're in "high risk" areas (Metro, in crowds), use the strap as well as a firm grip. Try to be "aware" of those around you, and don't get so engrossed in the process of taking photos that you lose track of what's happening around you. Keep in mind that thieves often work in "teams" and they may not look like thieves (they may be dressed like a tourist, businessman, etc.). If you're using the "default setting" for photos, I'm assuming you'll be taking JPEG's only? If that's the case, each photo will be ~3.5MB (depending on Camera). You didn't say how many photos you expect to take, but at least two 4 GB cards would be a good start. 2) One advantage of taking the Laptop is that it will provide a method to "back-up" your photos. However, if it's large, heavy and expensive, I wouldn't want to be hauling it around Europe. I use a $400 Netbook for travel and it's been great! Regarding Net Cafés and Hostel computers - Net Cafés are not as prominent as they used to be. Some have foreign keyboards that are cumbersome to use. Hostel computers are fine when they're available, but you may have to wait for access if there's lots of demand. Continued....

Cecilia - Part 2.... 3) YES, it would definitely be a good idea to invest in a Money Belt! If a waist style won't work for you, have a look at This Website as there are other styles available that may work better for you. DO NOT keep your wallet in your Backpack or Tote, as that's the first location many thieves look for. Remember that your Money Belt is only for "deep storage" for very important items (Passport, credit cards, etc.) and you should NOT access this for routine payments as thieve are often watching and will note the location of your Money Belt. Keep a separate stash of "daily operating money" in a fairly accessible location. It's a good idea to split the storage locations for cash and valuables, so that loss of one part will not result in the loss of everything. When using a Money Belt, it's a good idea to store Passports and other important documents in a zip-lok bag, so they don't become damp from perspiration. If you're going out at night and leaving your DSLR in the room, you might consider storing your memory cards in your Money Belt. If the Camera is stolen, at least you won't lose your pictures. You'll need to be especially vigilant in places like Barcelona, Rome, Paris, etc. as there are well organized groups operating there. However, don't let your guard down anywhere! You may find it interesting to have a look at a few short videos..... www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFGn-8LCJts&feature=fvwrel www.youtube.com/watch?v=hboPd9GzJxg IMO Europe is not "more dangerous" than the other places you mentioned, however there's a higher degree of petty theft and pickpocketing. It's great that you're asking these questions now. You should have a great time. Happy travels!

Thanks so much guys! 1) Am I able to set my camera on JPEG only? I know DSLRs shoot in RAW. 2) Thanks so much. 3) Do I wear the money belt outside my t-shirt or inside it? I feel like if I'm wearing it outside my t-shirt and I'm reaching up to wave down a cab or take a picture, someone could just swipe the money belt from under me?

Cecilia, you wear your moneybelt under your clothing, between your underwear and shirt/pants, it would not serve much of a purpose otherwise. Carry your credit cards, passport plance tickets, cash in it. Keep only the cash you need for the day or half day outside in a secure manner. If you need to access your moneybelt go to a rest room or other location you can get to it without having to be so obvious. The moneybelt is adjustable it won't fall off, just don't make it too tight, that would be uncomfortable. I suggest getting it and wearing it around Philly before you go just to get used to the feel of it, put a few fake items in it for weight purposes, no need to actually hide the credit cards and everything else at home. A for the laptop, unless it's a small netbook that will be a lot of weight to carry around, no one has ever said "the next time I go to Europe I'm taking more stuff'. For your camera, if you can buy a couple of cards for it and during down time go through the photos and delete redundant and unwanted photos.

Hi Cecilia Your trip sounds great! I have a suggestion, re: money belts.. I had the same concern as you, abt the MB shifting or moving around & becoming visible. I travel light & usually only take 2-3 pair crops & pants I took a couple of money belts & I cut the straps off. Then, I baste stitched them to the inside of the front (below my waistband) of the pants.
Voila! a secret pocket for CC , Cash, Passport = it doesn't shift or fall off. It is always on me. No more thought to it than you would think about the pockets on your jeans. It never peeks out for anyone to see when you bend or reach. You could also use large safety pins & attatch your money belt to the inside of your pants. I have done that too. Then it can be moved to the inside of other items of clothing like a skirt too. I take sev small zip baggies to put everything in, in case of rain or hot weather to avoid dampness to the contents. The baste stitching is very easy to snip & remove to sew the Money belt on different clothes. **YES!! Extra memory cards are worth taking, I would not take a laptop. The lighter you pack, the easier your travels will be. enjoy your holiday!

Omgosh, you guys are AMAZING! Thank you all SO SO SO much. One last question (kind of off topic): would you guys recommend that I take trains at night (for example, leave one city at 7 PM and get to the next at 10 PM) and be able to rest that night in the next city OR take trains in the morning (for example, leave one city at 6 AM and get to the next at 9 AM) and then have to go to my hostel for that next night to drop off my luggage in the morning when I arrive? Basically, should I travel at night or in the morning?

Your probably going to get a split on the recommendations of sleeping cars, some people have a hard time with them whereas others have no problem. You'll be sharing a room on the train with others, but if you are with your friends at that time it shouldn't be much of a problem, otherwise one has to be a bit openminded, by that I mean you will be with traveling companions in that room you don't know.But if I read your post Your not going to be doing much except sleeping in during those hours anyway so why not travel.

To back up your photos and for email you could look into a small computer. Acer is about $300 and weighs about 2 lbs. You can download your images and then if you feel the need, either leave images on your cards till you get home, or back them up on a small external hard drive... called a Passport and is about $100. As far as RAW, if you have to ask you more than likely do not need to shoot it. Takes up way too much space. If your camera has a 'Jpeg fine' option that would be a good choice for you. Otherwise, just do Jpegs. Have a great time. Can't imagine that Europe has any more crime than Eucador or Tanzania... but I do not know the numbers. Just be a smart traveler. Most everybody here is a moneybelt user, but I am not. Have been traveling for years and I do have a small leather purse that can be used as a neck wallet if I feel the need (crowded markets, etc.)
but otherwise it stays tied to my small purse that is always over my shoulder, crossed over my body. It is very small and the same purse I use at home, so I am always aware of where it is. I would go crazy wearing something around my waist, but you need to do what feels best for you.

Europe in general should not be more dangerous than the other places you have traveled. But you should keep your passport, credit and ATM cards safe under your clothes in a money belt or neck pouch especially in crowded areas. With an 18 megapixel camera I would get 8 or 16 GB cards, several of them. Cards are cheap, vacations are not. You would be best copying your cards onto a computer or hard drive and not erasing them until you are home and know they are in at least 2 places. I shoot RAW+JPG with a 21 megapixel DSLR and am leaving for 3 weeks in Italy next week. I have over 200 GB of cards, plus 3 small hard drives. I keep them in card wallets and flip them over when they are near full when I return them to the wallet. I prefer a shoulder bag or sling bag to a backpack when traveling in crowded places. I like to keep my gear in front of me within my peripheral vision.

Last summer, my husband and I were in Europe for 3 weeks and managed to only take about 200 pictures in 5 countries. we decided on a number before we left. Otherwise, we didn't want to have 9 million pictures of things we don't really care about. I would buy 2-3 extra memory cards and fill them up, they usually hold anywhere from 2-400 pictures. Plenty for a month. As for laptop, I just don't see the reason to bring one. I think the risks outweigh the benefits. There's internet cafes everywhere, plus the hostels usually have internet. You could always either download your pictures onto a computer and upload them to photobucket or something, or just make a CD of them for like 7 Euros. So much cheaper and lighter than your laptop being stolen. I think the neck thing is fine. But I've traveled to Europe a few times without a moneybelt. In fact, my first trip to Europe I ditched the money belt on day 3 with no problems. I just put it in my purse or hidden pocket on me.

For your traveling, I think I would choose early morning train travel, as it allows you to see more of the countryside. Though it is light out in Germany now, until about 21:00, Spain and Italy aren't quite on the same latitude, But France is. So, traveling in the evening, means it will be more like dusk, but dark when you arrive in your new city. I think it is far easier to find your way around a new city in the daylight than at night. Hostels will let you store your bags until check-in later in the afternoon. Ditch the back-pack and use a messenger bag, worn cross-body. More secure, and you don't have to take it off every single time you want something out of it.

Cecilia, I'd suggest taking trains during the day so that you can enjoy the scenery. Also, try to structure your Itinerary so that each trip is no longer than about six hours. With night trains, you'll need to pay extra for a Couchette, which is basically like a "Hostel on rails". You'll be in a small compartment with a bunch of strangers. It's also important to choose a train that doesn't have any changes during the night, as if you have changes at 03:00 and 05:00 you WON'T be getting much sleep. I normally try to plan my rail trips so that I arrive in the new city in about mid-afternoon (but that varies depending on the circumstances). That's usually the time that rooms are available for check-in, and it gives me an opportunity to have a bit of a walk-about to explore the new city, and then a nice dinner. Cheers!