wireloose

Insure your gear if you are nervous. But like Julian I have traveled in many countries carrying either big gear or at least an Ilc, only lost a camera once when someone broke into my hotel room while I was out. In 1976. If you pull out the big white supertelephoto that might get attention but realistically thieves are more excited by your phone and your wallet. I tend to carry a backpack just so I don’t look too much the tourist everywhere but have spent a lot of time wandering Paris and other cities at night and rarely felt concern. My preference with my Sony A7Riii is a walkabout zoom 24-105 or 28-200, and a wide angle prime like a 20/1.4. Monopods are handy as they double as a walking pole and go everywhere.

Lagoonguy Loc: New Smyrna Beach, FL

G15 or G16. They are great cameras for travel. I have them both.

Cubanphoto

You're biggest concern is Italy. Stay away from Naples. Specially in the trains, usually you see two individuals who work in pairs. Don't put your camera down, wear it across your body and if you have a back pack wear it on the front. Your wall in the front pocket. Then after, you can have a great time. Lots of opportunities for great shots.
I have been there a lot and always prepare like that.

zug55 Loc: Naivasha, Kenya, and Austin, Texas

I completely agree. A lot of people think that travel outside the US is inherently less safe. That is not the case; in fact, many European countries are safer than the US. Of course you have to use the usual cautions (as a mentioned in an earlier post in this thread). I too have traveled and photographed in 40+ countries, including France, Italy (most recently in Sicily), and the UK without problems.

piperplt

As cameras and lenses become better and better it becomes less and less important to carry a wide range of lenses unless, of course, you're a pro and make your living with photography. If you shoot raw you can generally crop most images to achieve a closer composition which negates the need to carry a super telephoto lens in many cases. Having said that, though, it also depends on what type of shooting you intend to do. In Alaska, I shot mostly with a 24-105, but when we went whale watching I took my Sigma 150-600 (and still had to crop quite a bit because of the distances involved). The 24-105 would have been completely inadequate in that case. I tend to take too much equipment, but then I don't carry all of it with me on a daily basis; I only carry what I think I will need on any given day. My overriding rule personally is I'd rather carry a little more weight rather than miss a great shot especially if it's a trip I'm not likely to do again. I also like to carry a small point and shoot camera as a backup just in case.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

I would also add: Go with a tour (as they will not normally venture into "seedy places"), stay close to your group, and maintain situational awareness.

mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois

We travel a LOT, on all seven continents. I carry the gear I think will be most useful for the planned trip, and I never insure anything. I’ve so far lost nothing, and if some gear should one day be stolen or lost, the premiums I have not paid would cover the best cameras I own - with lenses - several times over.
Big cities everywhere carry some risk, but if you stay aware of your surroundings and keep track of your equipment, loss is unlikely, though certainly not impossible.

zug55 Loc: Naivasha, Kenya, and Austin, Texas

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

Travel light. Also be wary of pick pockets. On the Paris subway someone trier to unzip my pocketbook to steal my wallet but it was zipped in a compartment inside my pocket book. My friend who’s husband was a diplomat in Paris warned me about pickpockets.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Is this a photography trip or will you be going with non-photographers? Will they be patient with your lugging gear and spending time getting the best possible photo? I have found that life for me is best when I take family trips and separate photo trips - my wife is fine with my going without her on those. On family trips, my goal is nice photos simply documenting the trip to go into a nice Shutterfly book - the modern-day "photo album". This arrangement means that I take a pocket-camera or these days with the very high quality of iPhone cameras, I may simply just take that. I can relax and not worry about schlepping around my gear, or worrying about it being stolen. In high-pickpocket areas, I also wear anti-pickpocket pants (zippered pockets, hidden pockets, and a few inside pockets for cash and credit cards). I also have a nice Pacsafe daybag.

raypep

Well-Said

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

The countries the OP has listed are not known for their exploding crime rates. They are not places that are known for rampant starvation, desperation, and deprivation. These are no active war zones. All of these countries have law enforcement and some of the laws pertaining to theft, guns, and drugs are much stricter and than in most places in North America and carry harsher penalties. Every large urban area has rough neighbourhoods- stay out of them!

Take normal precautions: Make sure your insurance policy provides international coverage. Carry what you need but don't overburden yourself with stuff you may tend to put down in places where it won't be attended by YOU! I like to use my beaten-up seedy camera bags so they don't attract attention. When I put the bag down on the ground, I keep the shoulder strap around my leg while shooting. If you rent a car, don't leave your gear unattend.

When travelogue in foreign countries, I am more concerned about inadvertently breaking one of their laws and ending up in the hoosgow- the civil rights for your home country do not travel with you! Behave youself!

Enjoy your trip and don't let paranoia get the best of you.

raypep

This is great advice

raypep

Think of the peace of mind and the serenity this splitting of travel brings!

Nancysc

Beware the Paris Metro, esp the RER train to/from the airport (CDG). Don't look at a map while riding or standing still on the sidewalk/platform. Figure out where you are going in advance.

Streets in Paris are safe-ish. The escalators to/from the Metro are frequent spots for street thieves who press the emergency stop for the escalator and then take advantage of the confusion.

I lived in Paris for two years working at the US Embassy and replaced a whole lot of passports that were part of the heists on the Metro. Take a small camera. Keep it tucked away when not in use.