Hubby's daybag

Nance, my husband also carries the Civita for his daybag, and usually wears it slung over one shoulder, generally facing backwards (the bag, not DH.) He almost always has to check it in museums, which is generally not a problem. The only place it was a nuisance was at the Borghese Gallery, because the line for checking and retrieving bags was long. I have heard that the Colosseum is not allowing any kind of backpacks or large purses, but don't know if that is true or not. But at most venues, it's just a matter of seconds to check and then later retrieve the bag.

You'll probably be asked to check the jackets, as well, unless you're wearing them. I used to carry the Civita, but switched to a smaller guide bag. Stan carries the water, since the Civita has the side pockets.

Why 3 things? Civita, money belt, & Travelon bag? Can you get by with just 2? We are going to Italy in 9days and just finished reading the RS Italy Guidebook and he does mention that backpacks aren't allowed in museums, etc - but that they are more 'pickpocket prone' also. While my husband has taken a backpack to Austria & Germany - he is NOT taking one to Italy. He will be wearing a money belt for our cash and passports and he bought a Tom Bihn CoPilot as his day bag to carry cross body (as recommended by people on this forum). I think as long as you are 'on guard,' you will be fine. We did find a backpack to be slightly cumbersome on the trains. I noticed though that RickSteves has a backpack on most of his shows as he's traveling.

I'll be carrying a Tom Bihn Medium Cafe Bag and we both have the RickSteves HideAway Tote to store in our bags for possible purchases, etc. Seems lots of people here also like the Veloce bag, but it is bigger than I want to carry as a day bag. We plan to go 'carry on' only on the way there - we each have the RS 20in rolling bag and a Euro bag to keep under the seat in front of us (our day bags will be stored in our EuroBag on the flight). There are so many great bags out there - go with what you are most comfortable with, just be prepared to check the backpack on occasion. Seems the cross body type bags go thru museums ok, but the backpacks are often checked. We will be posting a review and our experiences when we return. We also opted for rain ponchos over jackets (from amazon)- that way our bags and body will be covered in a downpour - they pack up into their own little pouch and easily stuff into our day bags.

http://www.amazon.com/Charles-River-Apparel-Unisex-Pacific/dp/B002ETVLZ8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1443112687&sr=8-1&keywords=poncho
Have a great trip.

Do you carry a backpack when out and about in the US? I don't carry my jacket and water in the area I live so I don't carry any when I travel. I carry a purse/camera bag, which is 11" x 13" or just my pack safe 200(?), which is smaller, but holds my dslr with 50 mm lens. My DH carries a small guide bag, cross body to hold his camera. If I do wear a sweater and find I don't need it, I can always put it over my shoulder or tie it around my waist. That way you don't need to lug the extra bag. If thirsty, it is lovely to stop somewhere. So…I would suggest rethinking the backpack altogether unless hiking in the country. But that's just me, I don't like to lug. Wray

Nance - Do you have a link to the Travelon bag? I'm curious how big it is. My husband needs something to carry that isn't a backpack but also isn't "girlie" like the bags I carry. :-D

My husband will be using a backpack as his carry on and inside will be his day bag which is the Lowepro passport sling bag. We purchased this because it has padded compartments for his video camera, ample space for sunscreen, maps, snacks and a water bottle pocket on the outside and has a zipper to expand if we make purchases. He also be wearing the moneybelt. If we need to check to bag he will remove his video camera and carry it in. He will not be using his backpack for walking around town, it is just for carry on while in transit.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0039NLS4C?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s02

I carried the RS Civita bag on probably the last four trips we've taken to Europe and usually always had to check it in Museums and the Vatican.

My main reason for taking it was to have a place to carry light parka, vest, maps, etc. when walking around at our destination. I still used a neck wallet for passports, Ids, money.
On our next trip coming up in three days, I'm switching to a Pacsafe Venture 300 for the combined daybag and neck wallet duty. The neck wallet was always a big pain in the neck (literally!) but the Civita was no protection against thieves.

Motorgirl - This is what I bought him. tour bag small I have his rain jacket tightly folded into the bottom of it and there is just room for his smokes and a small coin purse and his phone. No pocket for water.
He is going to need something to use on the bus for his stuff so I guess he could just use the Civita there and only carry his manbag while out and about.

Motorgirl - if your husband wants to carry more than I listed above then he needs to size up to the medium.

I usually carry something to drink everywhere I go, but it usually stays in the car or with me, but I am not usually walking all day where I can't safely set it down. I typically drink 6-8 bottles of water every day and don't intend to buy all of that on a daily basis for 30 days. Sometimes, yes, but not that much! I plan on refilling as much as possible and only purchasing when I want or have to.

Oh, and thanks to each of you for replies so I know what to do about his bag. I imagine he will use the hidden wallet all or most of the time but am taking his money belt in case he wants to use it instead.

Wray - I used to carry a med.lg tote for my purse on a daily basis - hairbrush, big things in it. I was teaching then and would carry both school and kitten rescue supplies with me. After I retired and bought my little Travelon cross body I don't carry that stuff or a big wallet anymore. Cash bills are a pain because they have to be folded, meaning I pull out a wad instead of one bill unless I pick through the folded wad. Other than that I love going light! I guess I could look for a narrow slender folder type wallet to use for bills.

Hi,

I don't carry a day pack/day bag either, not my style, don't need it, unnecessary, bothersome, and it makes you more of a potential target for theft in crowds. Basically, as pointed out above, I don't want to lug it around. The hidden pocket is what I use along with a neck pouch.

Thanks, Nance. That bag is about the right size for the few things he wants to carry. Any bigger and he might be tempted to carry more. It's not girlie either.

My husband used one of these [( http://www.baggallini.com/best-sellers/messenger-bagg/MES160-BG.html#sz=12&start=20][1] ) from Baggallini on several of our trips. He used a black one and I had a beige one. It will hold a 'foldable' waterproof jacket, travel guide(s), tickets, pad of paper, pens, and my first aid 'kit'- baggie with band aids, etc, daily meds and some generic ones (aleve, etc.), sewing 'kit', my asthma inhalers, chap stick, nail clippers, comb, tissues, and a few other things without looking or feeling overloaded. If your purse is small, it could fit inside. Never had a museum or church ask to check it. Can be worn cross body or over shoulder. Cleans easily and is fairly waterproof. Has mesh pocket on side for bottle of water, etc. Hubby usually had umbrella, jacket, tickets, and his 'daily' wallet (very small amount of cash), hotel key, and maybe a few other typical 'man stuff'.

Jane -- love your clarification about it being the BAG that goes backward, not your DH!