backpacks/camera bags

Many sites have restrictions but most, if not all, will check your bag. There are posters on this site who can list pretty much every site and the restrictions and bag check policy. I am sure they will pop in and give you the run down. If you are looking for "forbidden", that list will be very small. I haven't come across one yet that completely forbids bags of any kind and won't check anything for you.

Doges Palace and St Marks Basillica in Venice. Both have places to check your bags. Enforcement is spotty though. I was in both without checking my travel pack. The National Museum in Rome. Check it in at the desk. You can still bring in a camera and snap pics though. Can't remember any others offhand.

By "check your bags" do you mean hold them for us while we're in that church/museum? My daughter plans to tuck a wallet into her camera bag - do we have to worry about it disappearing while her bag is checked? I guess that's a dumb question - Sounds like a separate purse or money pouch would be a good idea... Thanks for your help!

I would absolutely suggest carrying cash, id and credit cards in a money belt, kept under the clothing and ON YOUR BODY at all times. I've watched pickpockets unzip backpacks and camera bags and remove items (which would be your daughters wallet) and the owner was completely unaware. A small lock or some other means of keeping sticky fingers out of bags carried over the shoulder or over the back is a very wise investment.

NEVER check a bag with money, ID, credit cards, etc. You do NOT want to take that chance.

Museo Borghese requires that you check all bags, and it prohibits taking photos in the display areas.

Get you daughter a money belt and teach her how to use it.
The chances of loosing anything out of a money belt are minuscule while operating with a wallet is inviting disaster.

Ditto on the money belt.
I've never had a problem with missing items in a checked bag (yes, you check it in at a counter or booth and get a claim ticket) but doesn't mean it can't happen. Keep any important stuff on you, preferably in the moneybelt.

The Borghese gallery requires all bags to be checked. The scavi tour also requires all bags to be checked. The vatican museums will insist you check larger bags. The baggage check areas are very secure but you should always keep your money and I.D. with you. Be sure to get to each site at least a half hour early in order to check your bags on time. Donna

When I was at the Borghese (Feb 2010 - so long ago, sigh), they required every camera to be checked - including the ones that came with cell phones. Many other places will ask you to check a backpack, but not cameras, even where photography is forbidden. I carry a canvas tote bag in my backpack and use that to carry any valuables with me when I check "the hump."