What do you carry with you?

[mapsd]

Wondering what everyone carries with them daily during Viva Italia?
Passport, valuables? Safe to leave Ipads/personal electronics on the bus?

Do most carry their ABD backpacks or something smaller?

We'll be in Italy during the first 2 weeks of July, so will there be any need for umbrella/raincoat?

 

[sayhello]

I haven't taken the Viva Italia trip, so I can't answer about the buses. Some trips, you can totally leave stuff on the bus, and it's absolutely safe, but I'm not sure if Viva Italia is one of them.

You'll get a lot of varying opinions as to whether or not to carry your passport with you or leave it in the room safe. Since pickpockets can be an issue in Rome, I'd say leave it in the room safe. (If there's no room safe, you can usually leave it with the hotel concierge.) ABD can always go back to the hotel for it if there's an emergency, but if it gets stolen, things are a lot more complicated.

What kind of "valuables" are you talking about?

Some people will carry the backpacks with them; personally, I carry a travel purse with security fastenings (clips for the zippers).

Sayhello

 

[corky441]

Just got back from the Viva Italia trip 3 weeks ago.

There really is no need or time to have your iPad with you during the day. I kept mine in the room. I took a small journal and pen with me to make notes throughout the day. I also had my laptop with me and felt secure in having it out on the desk in the hotels.

We kept our passports in the hotel safes, but carried copies with us through out the trip.
Having a backpack with you will come in very handy - just make sure it's not too large. Some of the museums and the Vatican will not let you bring a large one in with you. The ABD one you receive is an allowable size.

On a daily basis, we carried a small amount of Euros, our debit card for the ATM (bancomat) and one credit card. I had my small Sony Cybershot camera and my husband had his small video camera. We also had street maps of the city we were visiting that day and a guide book.

In addition, I always had a Pashima scarf with me just in case we wanted to go into a church. On the Vatican day remember to NOT wear shorts, you knees must be covered in addition to your shoulders.

Rain during the day is highly unlikely, but being Summer, you might want to pack one of those super small umbrellas, not for rain but for shade. It will be hot and you'll be out in the sun a lot.

ABD provides water for you throughout the day, but we also took a full water bottle with us to start the day. That way we always had plenty.

Personally, I didn't want to leave anything on the bus while we went touring. That's just me, several people left "NON-valuable" items behind, but I wouldn't leave anything of value.

If I think of anything else, I'll update

 

[Diskidatheart]

I had a money bag that I had around my waist and under my shirt. Rome is known for pick pocketing and although the guides are very aware of everything going on around them, I didn't want to take a chance. I put some money, credit card, and a copy of my passport in the money pouch/bag (or whatever you want to call it). I also had a backpack with me. We went in early May and it was a bit cooler, so I carried a jacket for my wife and out camera in the backpack. I also had a couple of umbrellas due to the time of year we went. The backpacks are wonderful. I never used one until this trip and now I go everywhere with them. It's much easier on your back!

 

[beachcat]

Map, cash and camera. Some of the people on our tour looked like pack mules with all the stuff they carried. Dress for the day. When it rained in Venice, we carried an umbrella. ABD supplied some ponchos too. Your guides always have an abundant supply of snacks and water on the bus. Lots of walking, so I always travelled light. On the day that you travel to Venice, you will have to carry everything that you do not send with your luggage. This means carrying your stuff on a gondola ride and through St.Marks square. No backpacks in the church. The guides stand guard over them in the square.

The lighter you travel the better in my opinion.