Packing questions: Women's footwear, camera protection, Toddler stuff.

Put a sock over the lens and pack it in the middle of your bag. We also take a few sheets of the small bubble wrap for any fragile purchases abroad. This can be used to wrap cameras for the trip over. My wife likes the Sketcher brand of sneakers, very comfortable and not as clunky looking as some of the other brands.

What time of year will you be traveling? That will influence what footwear you bring.

I leave in a few days for Spain and footwear is always the hardest thing for me to decide on! I am also 5'2 (yay us?!) but have been 'blessed' with narrow feet which make finding shoes difficult. I recently bought a pair of Naot sandals that have buckles (with velcro hidden underneath) that are actually not ugly! And comfortable! Last year I took a pair of ecco ballet flats and a pair of flip flops for a 3 week trip and did great - although admittedly I bought the cutest pair of high heeled pumps in Belgian which I added to the wardrobe halfway through...

I guess my advice would be to go to a really good shoe store that sells brands like ecco, naot, etc and try on a zillion pairs. Then bring some home and try them on with what you're planning on taking and return them if you don't like it. In my opinion it's really important to have comfortable shoes that you like and feel good about wearing. Good luck!

Oh, and as for the stroller - we've never taken one overseas but I assume it's like any flight in N.America and can be gatechecked - but I have no idea about the backpack. Maybe call your airline?

Oops, meant to say Belgium, not Belgian, and while I'm at it I'd like to say the bubble wrap is a great idea - I may steal it!

Are you a homeowner? I added a floater to my homeowner's policy (about $15/year). It covers my camera for loss or breakage anywhwere in the world.

Hi Sonia, I'm going to Italy in October and I have been trying/buying/returning shoes since last january when I booked my trip. I've tried pretty much most of the brands that are on this board and unfortunately have not found that miracle pair that leave my feet feeling wonderful after being on my feet for hours. I'm an RN and I work 12 hour shifts and work in the recovery room so I must admit I have worn a couple of pairs to work (I put those blue shoe covers on to keep them clean) and have ended up returning them. I have finally settled on a pair of Ryka black sneakers and a pair of black Mary Jane Borns. At REI, I bought a small green hard plastic ball with ridges that you roll under your sore feet at the end of the day and this really helped my feet feel better, so I'm bringing this with me also.

I'm also short (even shorter than you!), I've had good luck with Ecco. I'd try going to a place like REI or The Walking Store and try some shoes there. I'm notoriously cheap, but I'll invest in a good pair of shoes.

I'm wondering about needing the backpack and the stroller, too. Are you doing some hiking while you're there? Otherwise, I'd just stick with the stroller. We'd bring a stroller for our little ones, if they got tired of that, my husband would carry them on his shoulders. I have quite a few pictures of my kids riding on Daddy from our trips.

If you do want to bring both, check with the airline. We've gate-checked our stroller, but not that AND a backpack before. Having a stroller in the airport is great. I'd also recommend bringing a car seat on the plane if you're getting a seat for your toddler. It's safer, plus it'll keep them in their seats, making everyone a little more sane when you arrive.

I'm almost 5'2"! One pair of shoes that's worked well for me, and is reasonably versatile, for warmer-weather travel, are Clarks privos. I can wear them with pants or casual skirts, my toes are covered (being in cities with open-toes sandals leaves them too vulnerable for my tastes for being stepped on or collecting various disgusting city dirt, grime or worse), and they are comfortable all day.

If I know I'll be doing something dressier on a trip, I also bring a great pair of black wedge heels, peeky-toe, that I love - can't remember the brand. Wedges are perfect for cobblestone streets, as they don't have heels that can get stuck in between the stones.

Can someone explain what their height has to do with shoes?