I was about to say, I've never known an airline to allow a carry on suitcase as well as a full backpack. You have one or the other, not both. When they say personal item they mean small laptop bag or handbag. You're unlikely to get your luggage lost checking it, and you get checked luggage included, so you might as well check it and not worry about it until arrival. Even if it is lost your insurance/airline will cover the cost of replacement
Omg I went on the EF trip to Greece in September and I’m pretty sure we had the same tour director 😂
I was about to say, I've never known an airline to allow a carry on suitcase as well as a full backpack. You have one or the other, not both. When they say personal item they mean small laptop bag or handbag. You're unlikely to get your luggage lost checking it, and you get checked luggage included, so you might as well check it and not worry about it until arrival. Even if it is lost your insurance/airline will cover the cost of replacement