We are traveling to Italy in July (first time abroad) and are trying to think light luggage as in carry-ons only. Believe it or not, it will be easier for me than my husband, the chronic OP (overpacker). We would like to be able to check our email occasionally, but don't want to bring a laptop with us. Is it possble/easy to find internet access at bars, cafes, etc in Italy?
I'm sad to say that we are behind on the tech scene- we don't own smaller blackbury/palm pilot/phone internet devices!
We will be based in Tuscany in a small city -Civitella Maritima- but will fly in and out of Pisa ( staying at Royal Victoria ) and travel to Siena, Florence, San Gimiagno, etc.
What do you think? Surely I can find a place, but is crowded (don't want to waste precious vacation time) and is there a huge fee for the service?
Ask your hotel/B&B about local service. I would leave it at home because of possible theft. We have checked emails almost daily at local internet cafes on our last 4 trips.
Since almost every hotel, B&B, etc have internet access for their business, it wouldn't hurt to ask if you could use it for a few minutes to check your email. I'm not a big fan of lugging a laptop around anywhere, for both weight (even a 'light' weight laptop + case weighs around 7 pounds and, though not too much enforced, your carryon should not exceed 15 pounds so it really limits what more you can carryon) and security (where do you put it when you want to leave your room?). Some people can't live without them on a trip but I am one (it seems the only one) who can live without it.
I used to carry my laptop and now since flying is so difficult I leave it home. That is because I want to do carry-on only. You can check ahead of time about internet access where you are going. By the way, I have an Ipod I-touch and while it works in wifi hotspots in the US I couldn't get it to work in Italy. I am taking it with me to Prague but not holding out any great hopes.
I always take my laptop to Italy. I can blog, keep in touch (by PM), and download my photos every few days. Since I'm not in the "pack light" crowd, it is my husband's carry on. Mine is my pillow and snacks.
We always travel with our laptop, but I will say that it is a lot easier to find wi-fi access in hotels and apartments in France than in Italy. In cities, you shouldn't have any trouble finding an Internet cafe to check your email, so if you are concerned about it, and don't care about uploading your digital photos or other uses, you might as well leave it at home.
As I wrote elsewhere on the board, it might be a good idea to try to check your email early in the trip a few days after first using your credit card. We got an email alert from Capital One telling us we had to call them to verify charges in Europe, even though we had told them before we left that we'd be using the card here.
We have only been to Europe two times, and neither with a laptop. We just stop at an internet place which we find while out walking. We only use it to supplement phone calls home, so no need to lug a laptop around.
That said however, I am interested in the new Asus EEE laptop. It is very light and small. So someday, I might just breakdown and purchase one.
We never had trouble finding internet shops where ever we were staying.
Have a great time!
Denise
Posts: 212 | Location: California | Registered: 12 February 2006
Jody, I've been thinking about the same issue and have just decided that for the first time, I'm going to take my laptop with me to Italy when I travel there next month.
What helped me decide what a notice from my "landlady" that she has just installed wireless in the apartment that I'll be renting.
Like Palma, I want to be able to blog and check emails. And because there is no TV in the apartment (and it IS January) I think I'll take a few DVDs in case I decide to spend an evening in and want to watch a movie. (I'm blushing to admit this, since I'll be in Rome and know that should be out in the city, not sitting in the apartment!)
I'm spending my entire vacation in Rome, so that also makes it easier -- I won't have to drag the computer from town to town.
Still, the is the first time I'm bringing my laptop after several trips so it'll be a bit of an experiment.
Thanks for the input everyone. I think we'll try to leave the laptop at home, but I will check the sites mentioned by kaydee and CDT as well as bars and cafes ( of which I hope to visit frequently!) for internet availability. And Roz, your other postings about checking with the credit card companies is what made me realize that I do need to check messages while away- thanks!
It all depends what you want the laptop for, how much you will use it and how much you will "pay" for the convenience.
I have brought a laptop to Italy we me for almost 10 years.....and now I "need" it for my business. But even without the business necessity, I would always prefer to have my laptop.....to keep in touch with friends and family, to do research for sightseeing, check on restaurants, etc....
Now, with the advent of VOIP, using the laptop as telephone is extremely convenient--an added advantage.
Yes, it is one more thing to carry and don't forget the wires, extra battery, etc.....but, as with most everything else, it is a personal choice. There is no "right" answer for everyone.
I'm tempted to take mine next trip as I will have a power port for sure on the plane. Airline movies are always boring! How about writing those reviews on the way home? Much easier than paper to computer. RR
I plan to take my new Hanukkah present, a very light laptop, on trips from now on. It was #1 on my wishlist. And I suspect that David will be using it too, so I'm not going to worry about who is carrying it around.
Again, with all things, it is a personal choice as to what to bring with you when you travel. I leave the jewelry at home, but think the laptop will be invaluable.
