I have this bag and have not taken it overseas but I use it as my everyday "purse". When my Baggalini zipper broke and couldn't be repaired, I turned to this bag. The pad on the strap does move around but that hasn't really bothered me yet. I have an iPad mini but a full size iPad would fit in the padded pocket. I just use that area for my phone and headphones. There are two main zipper pockets. The one on the outside of the flap I use for things I need to access all the time like chapstick, mints, etc. Sometimes I pop my car keys in here if I'm making a quick stop.
The zippered pocket under the flap I use for smaller items that I want to keep secured. You can access that zippered pocket without unclicking the buckle and reaching in through the side. It's where I usually secure my car keys. But to get bigger items out of there, you do have to unclasp the buckle-something I can do with one hand, but it is really stiff.
I don't use the mesh pockets under the lid at all. I do love the sunglasses pocket. It is accessible without unclasping the buckle and it has a secure snap but you can undo the flap with one hand.
The main pocket is large and fits a lot. I use it for my big wallet, eyeglasses, a pouch with assorted stuff and there is still a lot of room. So guidebooks, etc would fit. I have stuffed a long sleeve top in there. It's true that if you open it all the way that you can't re-zip with one hand. I just don't open it all the way and then I can just do the one hand zip. Then there's the back pocket with a snap (I have it unsnapped) where I have a notebook. And I love that it has a loop to hold the bag at the top so if I don't want to use the main strap, I can just carry it by the loop. It really does hold a lot and can get really heavy. It's nice to have the zipper that expands too. I'm not sure that you would consider this bag super secure. The one thing I really do miss is an outside stretchy pocket for a small water bottle. A small water bottle would certainly fit inside but I don't want to take that chance. A stretchy pocket on the outside would lie flat when not in use, but would really come in handy (this is for you RS bag creators!) But maybe that wouldn't work with the expandable zipper. Something for them to work on!
I always take my Civita with me overseas since it packs down really nicely. I have an REI bag that isn't made any longer that I use for my travel purse. But I use the Civita on the plane and then use the travel purse once I'm in Europe. The Veloce bag is on sale right now, so the worse thing would be that you'd have to pay for shipping to return it if it didn't work out for you. Hope this helps a bit.
Happy travels!
