Yay! So much helpful information! I SO appreciate you guys! I can't wait! I'm getting so excited!

"...we are thinking we would take a bus to Zurich, where we fly back to the US."

Zurich is a nice place to spend a day or half day if you have the time. And the money. Zurich is super-pricey. But FLYING out of ZRH does NOT mean you must stay in or eat in Zurich.

I have on two separate occasions used ZRH for a visit to southern Germany. Before flying out, I stayed in Waldshut, Germany on the Swiss border and took the train straight to ZRH for my morning flight out.

What time is your flight out? Instead of Zurich, you could take the train to Singen, Germany - it's about 3.5 hours by train if you leave Munich in the afternoon - and from there, you are only about 1-1.25 hours from ZRH by train. Sample schedule:
lv Munich 16:28
ar Singen 20:00
lv Singen 6:04
ar ZRH 7:21

The HI Express in Singen is a few steps from the train station and will cost you around $80 - $100/night.

The fare for Munich to ZRH should be booked at DB well in advance for the best price - maybe €40-€50 depending on your date. Schedule a stopover of 10 hours (or more) in Singen and buy just ONE ticket for the entire journey.

One more question: Do I need an adapter for electronics?

You need a plug adapter to fit the electrical outlet. All the countries on your list use the same rounded two-prong plug. You don't need a 110/220 power converter as all electronic goodies now handle both.

Thank you!

Sorry, Terry, not sure if you are male or female. But do not bring a North Amer. flat iron and expect it to work with an adapter. It will get fried (don't believe anyone to tells you different)! Just speaking from experience :/

Yes, I am female, and appreciate that advice!

Another question: Our bank wants to charge us $18 to get 300 Euros. When we arrive in Rome, a driver will pick us up to take us to the apartment, so we will need money to pay him. Should we wait till we arrive in the airport in Rome, and exchange there with a debit card?

Yes, use your debit card after you arrive . . . And if you just want some cash ahead of time, you can buy a few € with $ from the Bureau de Change in the departure lounge in the states. It will cost more than out of the cash machine in Italy, but probably less than from your own bank.

Okay! Thank you!!