taking a Kindle?

Carol, we have taken a Sony e-reader before (very similar to the kindle). We ended up breaking the display near the end of our trip (it was in my husband's backpack). I leave in 3 days and am taking my itouch with a kindle app on it. I'm reading a huge novel, and love that I can fit it in my pocket! I have a bunch of great apps on my itouch along with music and movies. It was definately worth the money.

Not really knowing the kindle, if I had to choose between that and an ipod touch, I'd likely take the ipod... books, music, video, and the ability to surf in wifi signals. I love the Shakespeare app that has everything in it. Not to mention it's cheaper if it does get stolen or broken.

I tend to buy books at thrift stores or garage sales, then take and leave them. I left around 8 paperbacks in various locations around the UK. As well, it makes more room for stuff to bring home. :)

Carol - My wife took her Kindle on our family vacation to Europe this past summer, and boy am I glad she did. She loaded it up with books for the whole family. It was nice to have on long train rides.

My son has another type of reader & always takes it on overseas trips as well as domestic. To him it's worth it because he likes to read from more than 1 book - bit of this one, bit of that one. That said, he's been looking for his reader for the last few days & is starting to wonder if he lost it last time he used it. Fortunately, his was less expensive than the Kindle - the cost may play into your decision.

I buy used paperbacks and leave them behind as I travel.

I took our Kindle to Paris in May (Rick's Paris guide is available for the Kindle, as is the London guide). I had a few other guidebooks as well as reading material and the small size was definitely a plus. I kept it in a pocket in my camera bag. The charger is compatible with European voltages but you'll need a plug adapter.

About the RS guide on the Kindle - it was a bit inconvenient to "flip" back and forth between a figure (such as a walking tour map) and the corresponding section in the text. I understand that the museum maps are downloadable from somewhere on this site (location listed within the Kindle text) so you can have a paper copy of the map while you read the accompanying text on the Kindle.

I have RS London on my itouch. I've looked at it some, and it seems like it will be useful. Way better than toting around the book! I wish he had an app for London or UK. Maybe next time:)

I bought a Kindle before my trip to Spain/Portugal this past Spring.

I also travel a lot on business. I love the Kindle. I won't go back to "old fashioned" paperbacks. They take up room and add weight.

YOu do have to take it out at most security screening points and run it through in a bin. (I put it in the bin with my "TSA idiot baggie")

I do still have to take guidebooks as there aren't many on there, but it's still a great tool.

The plug is dual voltage compatiable for recharging!

We bought a brand-new paper RS UK guide before I unexpectedly got the Kindle, so there's not much point in getting it for the Kindle as well. But, all things considered, I guess it's worth it to bring the Kindle along. We'll be staying with family most, if not all, of the time, so theft in that location isn't the issue.

What I'm mostly concerned about, I think, is getting it through security without it getting bashed up, and I worry about someone taking it under other circumstances -- when I visit the lavatory on the plane, and my husband is sound asleep, for instance. It'll be in my tote, of course, but still.... I worry.

For what it's worth I leave my Kindle in my carryon going thru security - it's not a laptop so it doesn't need to be separately screened. I've never had an issue domesitcally or internationally.

I'd worry more about accidentally leaving the Kindle in the seat back pocket than about someone stealing it while I was away from my seat.

I've also been considering taking a Kindle next summer, but have pretty much decided against it. Part of the fun of visiting the UK, Ireland, or Paris (several English language bookstores there) is visiting local bookstores and choosing a new book. The people who work in these bookstores are also a good source for recommendations for restaurants and local attractions. The only printed matter I will take from home will be two "read-and-abandon" used paperbacks, computer printouts of all the travel info, and Michelin maps. Only the maps make the return trip.

I wouldn't be concerned at all about someone stealing it out of your tote while you are in the restroom on the plane. To do so, they would have to get your bag out from under the seat and rifle through it without attracting attention of anyone or waking your husband. If you're that worried about it, I would leave it at home.

Cynthia, the Kindle was a gift, and I'm not completely sure I would've bought one on my own. So, rather than offend the giver, I'm going with the flow.

I usually take "read and swap/leave" paperbacks, too, but don't often find anything in return that I'd really like. And since we'll be staying with family, I can't exactly take their books away with me!

This means I'll just take the Kindle and not mess with paperbacks on this particular trip.

I absolutely love my Kindle! I took it to France last year and it was wonderful. I cannot get to sleep at night without reading for awhile so I downloaded four books and I had something to read on the plane and something to read every night.
We're leaving in less than two weeks for three weeks in France and I'm already searching and reading reviews to figure out what I will download before we go. I will love it when they go international which they say is in the works.
In the past I always had to take books and even paperbacks can get heavy so this saves a lot of weight.

I just downloaded a book plus I have 2 others that I have barely begun -- just a chapter or two. I usually need 2 huge paperbacks for a one-week trip, in addition to puzzle magazines and the games on my old Palm, so I hope this will be enough.