The Art of Traveling

[Megs]

If you have been reading this site for at least the past month, you will realize that I travel very regularly. Many times within the States, to NYC and Ohio to see family, but I am also an avid traveler abroad, mostly Europe. This trip to Spain has been amazing, providing us the most beautiful weather and eye opening experience. I always knew that many large European tourist cities have a plethora of tourist traps, but Barcelona and Madrid have seemed to show a little more this trip. I absolutely love both cities for different reasons. The art of Gaudi in Barcelona is absolutely stunning, the Madrid Royal Palace is breathtaking, but the cities are infested with those who can easily pick a tourist out of the crowd and lure them in. I am by no means calling myself perfect, but I have not been sucked in. Since Vlad and I are in Europe regularly, he has taught me the ropes of many of the different countries and cities and I am more 'street smart'. Even better is that most people think I am German rather than American. I can not tell you how many times someone asks me in German where I am from in Germany, it always makes me laugh. I suppose Vlad's growing up in Germany has rubbed off on me! The fact of the matter is in the big cities many people are looking for an easy rob; most of these people are not looking to hurt you, rather grab your wallet and run. Even better, grab your entire purse. I brought two bags on this trip, my Rebecca Minkoff Wine Matinee and my Bird Handbags Ostrich Lil Lady. Both have perks in navigating the crowded streets where people are looking to grab and go with your belongings. For the Rebecca Minkoff Matinee if someone wanted to unzip and steal something, that proves to be near impossible. I love every single extra added pocket, some even hidden! Becky has said that she would like to re-vamp the Matinee and remove some pockets, but having all of these hidden compartments has been nothing but a savior for me. Either way I still must carry this bag close to my body and hold tight. This way, if anyone is going to try to take it they will have to pull it out of my lifeless arms. The perk of the Bird Handbags Lil Lady is that it is worn across my shoulder, but I can hold it in front of my body very easily. The long strap allows the bag to have a large shoulder drop, making it simple to pull it forward and carry it close. A downside of this bag is the open top, which can be reached into, but when I hold it close to my body it is not an issue. So both of these bags are fairing well right now, as I interchange them. But the trend I see here, even with the locals, is that they all carry their bags in front of their bodies. This makes it more of a confrontation if someone is to try to steal the bag or the contents. I am by no means scared walking through the streets of Spain, but I am a tad more cautious. Then again, this could happen in any city in the US.

So my question is: what is the perfect travel bag for you? Do you take into account the area you are in?

[starbuxxx]

I always pick one of my older bags that I'm not attached to just in case it gets damaged or stolen while I travel. My Coach messenger bag is always a travel favorite. No one can get in through the flap, it's light weight fabric so it's great in rain or sun. I always like to carry my bags on the plane rather than check them so my last two trips I just used a small clutch with the bare necessities and it worked out great.

Love your matinee bag!

[bisbee]

I understand about the matinee with all of the pockets...but I'm surprised you like to travel with that bag! I had one but returned it - the thing was SO heavy I can't imagine traveling with it!

DH and I are planning a trip to Europe next summer...I expect I'll get some type of Prada nylon bag that I can carry cross-body for that trip!

[Megs]

^ I don't find the Matinee that heavy, but then again, I traveled with a Paddington before and that leather is totally heavy.

[photoobsessive]

my neverful pm when im not in a sketchy area. in europe i carried the tokidoki lesportsac ciao ciao. its got a zipper top that folds over so getting into it is impossible and zipper big enough for a cell phone lip gloss and my small cles which i use as a wallet, then another zipper under where the bag flaps over that i use for travel guides or materials and one last tiny zipper IN the bag. all in all, all the compartments make it so that my valuables stay safe IN the bag, i can access all my "go to" stuff without making my bag available to those around me and it can be messenger or on the shoulder. plus, it weighs all of, like, 5 ounces!

[exotikittenx]

I usually use a black Lesportsac for someplace "beachy," not the most stylish item, but it is light, holds what I need, and matches a lot of clothes if I am restricted to how much I can bring. I will use that during the day. I also have a brown leather Puntotres (from Spain) tote that is larger and holds tons of stuff like camera, etc, and blends in, doesn't look too touristy. Then I'll take a small leather clutch, either black or gold or silver, depending on what my clothes are, for a dressier night out.

[TejasMama]

For me, my bag choices depend on whether I'm traveling for work or with my kids. If it's a work-related trip, I really love my Belen Echandia Love Me in Dark Grey because it's so versatile. I also have a Coach Plum Ergo Belted Tote that holds a great deal, but the dogleash closure is troublesome when placed underneath the airline seat. I need a bag that can be worn with jeans or a skirt/suit, so that narrows my choices down a bit.

With three small kids, I'm all about moving fast and staying hands free when traveling. I picked up a fantastic Oilily messenger bag last summer in Trier, Germany, and it has quickly become my go-to kid-travel bag. The graphics are bright and gorgeous, and it's so light that I can load it up without breaking my bag.

[madamestuff]

I have this patent-leather number by an Italian designer who's name temporarily escapes me. I bought it in Pisa. Anyway, it's a sort of round bag, with a zip diagonally across the top. The two straps fit over my shoulder, it's lightweight and owing to the shape, impossible to get into as the zip (even if open) is folded up and under my arm. The patent leather is durable, and more difficult to slit open.

Works for me!

[yujiumao]

it depends on where i go.
if it requires lots of hands-free moment i.e.Orlando for the amusement parks, i usually take one of the prada nylon backpacks.

if it is to places like paris, london, NYC, lots of sightseeing and shopping, i usually take one of the balenciaga cities or firsts, I've takin my BV to paris before, lovely as well

[gacats]

I haven't been to Europe yet, can you imagine, my husband works for Delta & we fly for free and yet I'm still trying to get around the US & then when I'm satisfied here, I will roam abroad.
Megs, you may hit me with your purse for that, but not a heavy one, OK?

[sputnik]

my lesportsac east-west bag - very roomy and it's impossible to get more lightweight.
marc by marc jacobs black turnlock shoulder bag, forgot the exact name but it's the east-west one that's kind of sausage shaped/cylindrical, but smooshy. the leather is soft and comfy yet very sturdy. mine's over a year old and it's been rained on, put on the floor, knocked around and it's still in great shape.