Phone with a slim wallet on it. Slim battery bank. Fold flat tripod.

Sun protection, phone, small cream, super small water maybe, cash, credit cards.
I like to move lightly and I'm never sick.

I use cross bodies at home so that's what I use traveling. Carry the same things except I make sure I have cash on me. If we plan to go shopping or the weather may be iffy and I want to bring an umbrella or something, I use a tote.

I usually carry a small cross body bag (with zipper or closure but not one with safety features. I also carry a tote bag that dh and older kids and I take turns carrying. It would hold a water bottle or two for the family, maybe a snack and then we can add things to it over the course of the day as we pick up souvenirs or food. I usually tuck an extra folding tote or two into the main tote or my bag so we have extra when needed. I live in a city and use totes daily so this is my preference. The only time we carry backpacks around is while hiking and kids use them on planes but we generally just use the totes while out and about.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When out all day in Europe (in summer), what do you carry with you in your purse? Do you carry a backpack?

Why would be substantively.different than what you carry with you on a summer trip in the US?

OP here. Asking bc I don’t know what I don’t know. In some Asian countries, it’s customary to carry your own TP bc it’s not always provided in public restrooms. In Iceland, some restrooms require certain coins to open the door.

I'm from Paris. I take my usual bag with my usual things, just like when I live here in the US (all my handbags have zippers, because that's what you buy when you're from a big city and don't want to be pickpocketed). If it's a more sporty outing, or I think I'll be carrying shopping bags at the end, I take one of my small backpacks to have my hands free (if you're in the metro, best to carry it in front of you). If it's sunny, I'll add sunscreen and sunhat.

I live in Europe part time and just carry what I do in the US. Slim wallet, lip gloss, shout wipe, hand sanitizer. No need to be a pack mule.

Anonymous wrote:I have been looking at some anti-theft over the shoulder bags since pick pocketing is so prevalent now. We are going this summer and will probably have one small bag for the 4 of us for city walks and maybe a backpack for longer day trips.

I use a travelon hobo type cross body bag. It's big enough for a wallet, sunscreen, water bottle, passport etc, but not as big as a backpack. We leave laptops etc in the hotel room safe. I don't like backpacks because you can't see what's going on behind you, and museums don't like them.

My bag has zipper security clips and a wire in the strap and RFID mesh.

Summer - cross-body bag for museums, sightseeing dinners out. Many places we have visited make you check a backpack. Longer days or more active pursuits then I have a collapsable backpack to carry water, sunscreen etc. Neither one is very fashionable. I worry about carrying my backpack on my back because it provides a pickpocket's delight - so I end up having it on one shoulder if I'm walking in a busy city or on public transportation.

I carry a backpack with phone, wallet, water, umbrella/rain gear, back up phone battery, some snacks. I could probably get away with carry a smaller bag but typically, we've traveled in the cooler months where we wanted the extra space to store puffer coats and mittens for after it warmed up a bit.

Anonymous wrote:When out all day in Europe (in summer), what do you carry with you in your purse? Do you carry a backpack?

Why would be substantively.different than what you carry with you on a summer trip in the US?

I have been looking at some anti-theft over the shoulder bags since pick pocketing is so prevalent now. We are going this summer and will probably have one small bag for the 4 of us for city walks and maybe a backpack for longer day trips.

I carry a crossbody that holds cash, cards, id , hand sanitizer, lip gloss, a hair band, a small bag of first aid/pain killers, my phone, a small bottle of water and sunscreen. If we are going somewhere remote I have a small backpack and will add snacks, a bigger water bottle, a hat, a layer and a back up battery for my phone and maybe something to read if a train or bus trip is involved.

Small backpack with water, snacks, hand sanitizer, maybe a packable shopping bag, camera & extra battery, phone cord, wallet, phone & hotel key. Umbrella if rain is forecast.

When out all day in Europe (in summer), what do you carry with you in your purse? Do you carry a backpack?