money belts, passport safety, etc.

[callinectes]

Hello, I am in my final stages of getting ready for a trip to spain (from the US). I have some mundane, but possibly important questions.

I currently have a money belt (belt buckle style) that will hold reserve cash. Do i really need one of those under the pants things that will hold a passport, cash, documents, etc.? They seem a bit much and hot, who needs all that chafing?

This leads into my next question, what is proper passport procedure? Should i technically have it on my person when traveling around town? If not, i could leave it locked up back at the hostel. I don't plan on having any police interaction; thus, i shouldn't need it for any other practical purpose. However, if i should carry it with me (don’t want to be mistaken for an evil-doer doing evil) I was just going to put in the cargo pocket of the cargo shorts. If would take quite an accomplished pickpocket to nap it from a snapped cargo pocket and in that case i figured he/she's earned it.

Also, since i have the passport as legal federally issued ID, do i need my driver's license? I should be able to board the plane with just the passport, correct? What does being able to drive have to do with getting on an airplane? Moreover, I am not planning on renting a car in europe, nor i doubt i will be carded. To lessen the chance of losing it or having it stolen i was thinking of leaving it home. any thoughts?

Thanks...