Any of the Streetwise Maps are phenomenal. I purchase them for any city I'm heading too. The laminate keeps SOME of the rain out, and easily fits into the pocket of a bag.

I use Rick Steves' travel books as my base city guides. Used in conjunction with any of the DK travel books, will give you all the information you need. I prefer to carry the Rick Steves's books while supplementing with the DK books.

Smartwool socks are the best! Throw away your cotton socks! Wool socks are the best for lots and lots of walking. My feet have never felt 'hot' in these. Not only that, they hardly ever smell, and can be worn a 'second day' if need be. Just take care with them, NEVER put them in the dryer, and the price is worth every penny.

This bag ROCKS! If you know how to pack correctly (roll your clothing, don't fold) a lot can fit into this pack. The shoulder straps help make it comfy while holding up to 5 days worth of clothing. We're not talking about your entire wardrobe, but enough to help you thru 5 days. I get many compliments about this bag.

Yeah - its pricey. Yeah - its bulky. But it does fit in the Donner bag, and has the most important image stabilizer! The flip up/down flash comes in handy for museums that don't allow flash (The Louvre) and easy easy to use.

It doesn't matter what travel sewing kit you buy, but make sure you have one (if the airline will allow you!). You never never NEVER know when something might rip, or split, or fall apart.

So handy - so useful. Your silly not to add a few of these your your backpack or travel bag. They will come in handy at the strangest times of your travel.

Okay, moving on to some seriously pricey items. I find while traveling, and sweating, and just crap getting on your skin, applying this at night (or morning) on clean skin does help. If you get a slight sunburn, it also helps to soothe.

Yeah Garmin! The 270 should, but check to be sure, have North America, Canada, AND European maps on it, already loaded. Came in handy the first time I drove to Glastonbury, and kept me from speeding too!

If you don't have an IPod, what time warp are you in? Download some music, some great podcasts, tv shows and movies. This will help you not enter boredom central when your flight is delayed, or your waiting in line for entrance into a museum. Make sure you have a charger with an ADAPTER! Many Apple accessories nowadays come with a plug converter for 110 to 220 and visa versa.

See previous Bill Bryson. Although written a while ago, some of the impressions are still the same. I remembered the gypsies in Florence story VERY well while staying in Florence itself.