What should I take with me while I'm out sightseeing?

I carry a small shoulder bag or a half size version of a messenger bag. Some routine stuff -- sun screen if it is sunny, a small umbrella if the weather is threatening and rain jacket if it is seriously threatening, camera, back up batteries, guidebook or notes, map, compass, a pen and some paper for notes, maybe a snack, address of my hotel in case I really get lost. Not a big fan of a water bottle since it is heavy and gets warm. You can easily buy water along the way and it is cold. All bags have a slight element of risk in that you can accidentally leave it or someone could grab it so I never had anything of value in it except maybe the camera. However, the probability of someone grabbing it is so low that I don't worry about that other to make sure I have a good grip on it in crowded situations. There is a lot of discussion about pickpockets and theft but it still is a min problem. In nearly a year travel in Europe over the past 18 years we have never had a problem, seen a problem, or think that we were close to a problem. Just use your normal precautions that you would use in any big city area such as Boston. When I visited Boston last summer I wore my money belt and watched for muggers on the MTA.

What fun. First time in Europe so special. Remember they sell pretty much everything you buy here over there so don't over pack!I carry a mid sized shoulder bag (small enough to pass for a purse in museums). Ditto my husband. We both have a modestly priced camera in our bags, a very lightweight wind breaker (waterproof) and a small water bottle. One of us carries the guide book/map and one the umbrellas (if necessary). Tissues, hard candy, sunscreen (rarely) and some band aids and handy wipes. You're set. Light and easy. Cloths for evening? After a day of sightseeing it's a hot shower you'll be looking for and THEN a change of clothes. We put our bag straps over our head and shoulder when using the metro (or other congested places) but have never had any issues. Well, Russia once but anyway...

Let's see, in Rome, I carried a black one shoulder purse that I carried our rs rome book in, rs italian language book, tissues, water bottle, map, handwipes, bandaides, address & number of our B&B, my makeup and fruit from breakfast for a snack while we are out. Michael carried that small RS back that looks like half a back pack with another map, more tissues, bandaids, sometimes a second water bottle...then he had the moneybelt or the hidden wallet, whichever he felt like using that day. My camera was sometimes in my purse or his inside jacket pocket or our hands...we never once felt unsafe or like someone was trying to get over on us...but we did pay attention to our surroundings. In Venice, I carried just my purse with the same items, he didn't carry his back pack thingy but still used his money belt or hiddent pocket.

I carry pretty much nothing. I have a pocket pilot map which folds up to a 2x2 square which goes in my back pocket. I carry my camera around my neck and across my body. I have a very small purse that holds an extra memory card, a spare pair of contact lenses, a tube of lip balm and that's about it. If you are staying in the city center there is really no reason to overload yourself since you can easily go back to your hotel if you need something else. I do have an umbrella that has a pouch that you can wear like you would a backpack and take it only if the forecast calls for rain. Donna

Just a suggestion regarding something to take with you but not necessarily during the day when you're out sightseeing; a travel journal (especially since it's your first trip to Europe). I take a little journal with me on every trip and write an entry at the end of every day detailing what we did that day and any anecdotal observations, facts, etc. I do take mine with me during the day and if I need to sit down and rest for a few minutes, I'll take out my journal & write. I love going back through my journal a few years later and re-living the trip. It's amazing how many little trip details I forget & I really enjoy reading about at a later date. Be sure to document details about a great meal, someone nice that you met during your travels, etc. Have a great first trip to Europe.

Rick, As this is your first time in Europe, I'd highly recommend reading Europe Through The Back Door prior to departure (if you haven't already). It will provide a lot of good tips on things like transportation, Rail Skills, packing, etc. It's great to hear that you'll be using a Money Belt. Be sure to keep some "operating cash" in a convenient location, so that you don't have to access the Money Belt in public. Regarding what to take when you're out day touring, it's mostly a matter of personal preference. I usually have my Camera, Water, a light rain jacket (depending on the weather), a City Map (which you can obtain from your Hotel) and sometimes a Guidebook. It's difficult to say whether your present Shoulder Bag will be "safe", without knowing what type it is? If it's well made with zippers that can be secured, it should be fine. After some "trial & error", I'm sure you'll find the method that works best for you. Happy travels!

Oh we had hand sanitizer too!! Ya just feel grimey after all the subways, railings, etc... Mike's little half backpack thingy from RS site didn't hold anything of importance, water bottle, extra map, tissues and bandaids...so even though I kept an eye on him from behind, we wouldn't have missed anything if they got to us... I'm glad to say we had an amazing trip, no pickpockets, no ripoffs, no issues!! I'm sure you will too!! Have fun!! :)

I have a shoulder bag from Pacsafe that carries in it: Camera water bottle lip balm map guide book (if needed for the day) extra battery for camera
sunglasses Backpacks are just a bit too large for city sightseeing, they get in the way in crowds, and unless you have someone to "watch your back" I still worry that someone's hands will find their way into the zippers. With a shoulder bag, I always wear it across my body, and keep one had on the top when in crowds. I pull out the small compact camera when I wish to take a pictures. I don't wear it around my neck, but you might find me carrying in my hand with the strap wrapped around my wrist so I don't drop it! (and it's handy for quick pictures) You don't need to bring a change of clothes for evening. Take time to go back to your hotel to rest up, then go back out for the evening. If you are bringing enough clothing that you are changing for the evening, you might be packing too much clothing for your trip!

To make it simple: what fits comfortably in you pockets, nothing else. What do you need that you don't need at home? Maybe a camera and a map - - the map goes in your hip pocket. Evertything else is baggage. Shame on anybody who has to look at a guide book the same day they're looking at the stuff.

Thank you VERY much, everyone. It's been great to read all these responses. My travel partner turned me on to Rick Steves and this website just in time for this trip and you all have been amazingly helpful to me. I think I will take my shoulder bag (it's been a close companion for many years) but there's one thing I don't get about taking day bags: if pickpocketing is so prevalent it seems that a backpack or shoulder bag could be even more easily picked than a pants pocket. Well, I guess that's what zippers are for. My bag has 4 zippered compartments (though my favorite compartment has only a single-buckled flap). Anyway, thanks for all the help

My favorite item on our trips: hand sanitizer! I take a very small bottle everywhere and am always glad I do!

Backpacks are a very easy target for good pickpockets. I've also met people who've had things taken out of their pockets, both front, back and leg pockets on cargo shorts and pants. I would recommend a money belt for credit cards and money but your bag should be fine for small things. Just wear it across your body and when in crowds put your arm across it and hold it close to your body. You should be fine it you take those simple precautions. Donna

Right--I figure if Rick Steves wears a shoulder bag (well, I guess it's his backpack day pack that he wears across his shoulder) they must have something to recommend them despite the safety considerations.

Rick may use a back pack, but remember--he almost always has a camera crew filming him. I think that would deter most thieves!

I agree with those who say carry the least amount possible. Traveling is tiring in the best of circumstances, and lugging things around all day like a pack mule does not a happy traveler make! Money belt is essential, as are a map, camera, and importantly a spare camera battery! I can't tell you how many times my battery has died right at some crucial place (Trevi Fountain, St. Peter's Basilica, Greek Temple at Segesta, etc.). I also carry lip balm and a small pack of tissues/kleenex. You never know when the restroom might lack TP or (as happened to my dad twice in the span of 3 minutes) a bird may do a number on you. Everything else is pretty much optional, and we keep shedding items each time we go out somewhere. We did carry some guidebook pages - I ripped the book apart before leaving - and sometimes they were helpful, and other times not so much.

Agree, carry the least amount possible. Just got back from my trip to Rome, Naples, Pompeii and Florence. Be aware that entrance to most museums require your personal articles to go through a scanner for security purposes. The least you have the better. I carried one bag across my body and had no problem. It was big enough for my camera, cell phone, map and euros Passport, credit cards, extra Euros were in a leg stash (didn't like the money belt). The water bottle was just too heavy, so didn't carry one. Also be aware if you take the bus or metro, it can get very crowded and I personally don't think a backpack would be safe and secure. Have a great time!

As others said, "as little as possible"! I had a crossbody PacSafe purse where I carried money, ID, passport, Rick Steves' Italy tour book, small water bottle, and a scarf in case it got cool in the evenings. In Rome, I had our Roma Pass as well. Lip balm and a small sunscreen stick also usually came with me. I used a PacSafe camera lanyard and either carried that in the locked-down purse or around my neck (esp if the scarf was on). The lanyard and purse are made of a slice-proof material so thievery was not a worry for me.
I had an extra battery in our hotel room and swapped out the camera battery each evening for charging.

Along with all the other suggestions, I'd add a hat and sunglasses. If you are in Italy in late Spring or Summer, the sun can be intense.

I think the folks I've spoken to who've suggested that while sightseeing I take nothing with me other than what can fit in pockets i.e. that I SHOULDN'T take a shoulder bag suggest that the bag I'll be carrying will need to be checked into virtually any place I'm going to such a museum, and as such will be too much trouble. Any thoughts on that? Ah, I probably should have gotten a copy of the Europe Through the Back Door I'll bet Rick deals with these kinds of issues in there.

A small comfortable shoulder bag. I can't imagine going out without a map, sometimes a small guidebook, a water bottle in summer, maybe a little snack and always a camera. You can even get very tiny bags from REI, Sea to Summit or Chico Bags that squish into a tiny 2"x3" sack then expand to travel tote. http://www.rei.com/product/809159

SOME places require you to check everything into a "cloak room" thing before going in (The Borghese Gallery in Rome is an example). But many, many do NOT require bag check in (they may require camera check in, but not bag). Lots of places have signs that say "no photo", but don't make you check your camera, and workers merely say to the crowd in general "NO PHOTO!" as people are snapping away... However, if you are going to Venice especially, DO get Rick Steves' Italy and read the basilica San Marco section about checking a bag (or something) to the cloak room around the corner; they give you a plastic marker doohickey and somehow this lets you ENTIRELY avoid the long lines getting into the basilica! That's an abbreviated explanation; read that section for detailed info. SOOO, sometimes it's GOOD to have something to check!
I carried nothing in my pockets; didn't want to tempt the pickpockets!

Thanks my REI shoulder bag is a full-size one that I've had for years and that they don't seem to sell any more I don't see it on the web anywhere. It's about 18" wide and 12" tall. The various compartments are pretty well clipped and zippered, but I'd guess it's definitely larger than what folks are recommending here.

...as little as possible. Basically the same thing I would take if I were visiting any city in the US. If you use a shoulder bag at home... use it there. I think the more familiar you are with your 'system' the less likely you are to be careless and lose something. (either through forgetting it or theft) If you chose to use a money belt just follow the advice of those here.
I hope you have an incredible experience on your first trip to Europe... Wear your camera around your neck, enjoy your trip, follow your instincts.

I went to REI today and discovered a shoulder bag manufacturer called PacSafe which has attempted to thief-proof their bags with a slashproof, high-tensile stainless-steel wire mesh embedded within the fabric of the bag, and the shoulder strap has a steel cable embedded within it. I got the CitySafe 200: http://www.rei.com/product/735777 It's a medium-size shoulder bag, still possibly a bit larger than what some here have recommended but I think my carrying needs or preferences may tend to the high side. I was tempted to get the smaller bag, the MetroSafe 200 (the photo makes it look larger but it's actually smaller than the CitySafe) but decided I'd feel cramped with its smaller capacity and went with the CitySafe 200. Has anyone else used PacSafe bags? Ellen, I think you mentioned you have one? I'd be curious which you have and how it's been for you. Thanks, everyone.

You might answer the question about the need for a water bottle with the time of year you're travelling. You can probably can get away without one during the cooler seasons. But when travelling in summer I would highly recommend to take one along. I have a small one that holds only 300 ml and isn't too heavy when filled. I use it as my little safety back-up to prevent dehydration. And refill it throughout the day.