Internet access Italy
 

We plan a leisurely trip along the west coast of Italy north from Sicily to the Lakes in April/May. We will be using our Notebook along the way to plan and to arrange accommodation in some cases.
Can anyone comment on a good ISP which would serve us and whether or not there is much in the way of free wifi in Italy?

Free wifi is difficult to find in Italy in general.

Internet cafes are common. You need to present a "legal ID" - passport or drivers licence to use a cafe - look for the "@" sign. Hotels frequently have terminals that guests can use. Hotels frequently charge for this!

I believe that Macdonalds fast food joints have WiFi. The down side, of course, is the food (or what they are pleased to call food).

Free wifi is next to nonexistent in Italy. And my experience with internet cafes outside major cities, and sometimes even then, has been that they typically have 2 or 3 computers, there's always a wait, and they keep capricious hours. Hotels have it sometimes, but usually just one computer which you may have to wait for. And they charge for it.

I certainly wouldn't count on driving through Italy using a computer to make reservations. If you're going to wing it with the accommodations, I'd make sure I hd a good guidebook and a cell phone, and call ahead.

You may want to try a Vodafone or similar USB Internet connection - you can probably get the device and a month's worth of access for less than 100 euro. No contracts here - so yes you eat the cost of the device - but - you have Internet wherever you are. I have used one of these for a couple of years with varying success - even in the remotest area though I was still usually connected fast enough to get email, etc.

Actually it looks like they have a special - 3 months for 29 euro! I may have to upgrade :)

http://bit.ly/78vw6F

There are Vodafone shops in most metro areas -

"Free" WiFi has stumbled a bit since the laws changes a few years ago requiring documentation - but you can find it in cafes sometimes, libraries, etc. - and the occasional open network in a city.

Thank you all for your advice.
It looks like a Vodaphone connection is the answer!