An anti-theft bag will reduce the stress and worry associated with potential theft, allowing you to enjoy your trip more fully. These bags are made from materials that are resistant to cutting or slashing, which helps protect against theft, especially in crowded or high-risk areas. Travelon Small Hobo travel bag or the Travelon Anti-theft Roam Medium.

I use Johnsons Baby Shampoo for washing clothes. It's very mild and effective; and if your rinse is light, you won't feel itchy.

We're active during our trips and sometimes we lose our grip on our phones. Lanyard to the rescue for busy/clumsy folks. Universal Phone Crossbody Lanyard at Amazon.

You'll also need a heavy duty tab. Phone Tether Tab for Cell Phone Lanyard at Amazon.

Disposable water bottles are a no-no and they are banned in some countries. No worries this water bottle holds a liter of water and rolls-up to a very packable size.

Washing your clothes while on the go means stressing about how quickly garments will dry. These hangers help keep air circulating throughout the damp clothes. Inflatable Clothes Hanger on Amazon. We bring two each which serves us well.

Clothes washing in a bathroom sink can be challenging if the drain doesn't seal properly. These flat and limp silicone stoppers generally do the trick. Sometimes you have to temporarily remove the existing stopper. Universal Sink Stopper at Amazon.

Most of the time we bring walking sticks and don't need them. But when you need them they are very helpful, especially on steep downhill trails. The main features for us are:

• Lightweight
• Sturdy
• Foldable <= 15" (to fit inside a daypack)

If you need a pair, these are good ones from Amazon. We generally use a single stick each, like these.

Many tour operators use whisper transmitter/receivers to help travellers hear trip leaders while out and about. We use bluetooth transmitters and earbuds to reduce the number of cables we have around our neck.

Buy wine while travelling? If you can't finish off a bottle in one sitting, you'll need a wine stopper. We use silicone stoppers for easy insertion/removal and easy cleaning. Wine Stoppers Beverage Bottle Sealer at Amazon.

Most of my images are taken with a wide-angle lens. I want more than just my subject in frame to help the viewer understand the context of the situation - otherwise I might as well be in a studio or at a location near my home.

• Shoot first: you might not get another chance. If you can, take additional measured shots.
• Include foreground interest to help with context and composition, and to add a sense of spontaneity.
• Look for positions or lighting that gives separation to the subject from the background.
• Look for lead-in lines or lighting that draws the eye toward the subject.

• Mode = Manual
• Shutter speed = 1/500 sec
• Aperture = f8
• ISO = Auto

Use a low camera angle for the most interesting views and shoot as wide as possible. I recommend a bubble level in the flash hot-shoe to keep things oriented properly.

• Mode = Aperture preferred
• Aperture = f8
• ISO = auto

Take a few seconds to visualize the final image; shoot a little wide for perspective correction during post processing.

• Mode = Program

Generally the least forgiving situation for unplanned shooting. A steady hand never hurts.

I have a wonderful Benro Travel Angel tripod that can't really work on tours where time is limited. But a miniature ball-head tripod can stand in during many situations.

I use the same one for both my digital camera and my mobile phone. This Manfrotto model is an essential part of my kit.

While I don't usually use these sticks for selfies, they can be used for other tasks. I use one to hold my mobile phone above crowded scenes, or down near the ground for that special angle. Sometimes I attach it to my mini-tripod and my 360 camera to get myself out of the picture.

This is a good one on Amazon. Make sure that both ends can accommodate 1/4 screws (top: male thread, bottom: female thread.)

Italy has pretty unique rules about heating. Since it's a bit of an energy-saving tradition, many places have regulations that restrict when you can turn on the heat. Typically, hotels and other buildings can only use heating from November to April, and even then, it's limited to a certain number of hours per day. The exact dates and hours can vary based on the region's climate.

Italy often limits air conditioning use, too. Some places have rules about when and how long it can be on, usually to conserve energy. The specifics can depend on local laws and the building's regulations.