Since I've been inspired by a previous post I plan on getting everything I need into one bag. I'm wondering if there are laundry mats readily available in Rome, Florence and Venice?

Also, since we'll be doing lots of walking and sneakers are the most comfortable, do they scream tourist? I know I won't look like a local but I also don't want to paint a big target on my checst either. Any thoughts?

TIA,
Allison

Hi ado

Not only are there laundry mats, there are also laundromats. If you do a search at www.google.com you will find addresses.

I wouldn't wear sneakers to dinner, but they are fine for walking around.

As to wearing a target on your chest, very few people will not know that you are a visitor.

Thanks ira...I knew I was spelling that wrong...lol. I figured they would be around since they are big cities just wanted to make sure as I don't see them as readily available in my area. Wasn't sure if it was a lost item or not.

For self service laundromats in Rome and Florence look at http://www.washedry.it/_eng/default.shtml

There are a couple of self serve places in Venice (one near the train station) but I don't know exactly where. I think Rick Steves gives directions in his Italy guidebook.

I do have a tip for you - the token machines in these places dispense as many tokens as possible for the money and therefore as little change. Most have a money changing machine, but may be out of order, so try to have coins or small bills on you. Last year each regular wash was 3 euro and each 25 min dryer was also 3 euro. There was an oversize washer that was 6 euro. The dryers were large enough for 2 regular wash loads.

We thought we would be smart and take soap tablets (Wisk I think) with us. If you do this - crush them before dropping them in the soap dispenser.

As for shoes, wear for comfort - the locals know who they are, and they know you are a tourist. Shopkeepers won't care what you have on your feet - they just want your tourist euros in their tills.

Enjoy your trip, and please give us a report when you get back.

There are also lavanderias. Here is the website of a company that services several Italian cities: www.ondablu.com. It's in Italian and Spanish but is easy to figure out.

Buon viaggio

I'd recommend letting them do your laundry. We dropped ours off in Buonconvento but saw launderias in all the cities. The next day got our laundry back, clean, ironed, and our whites whiter than they appear at home! Only 8 euros total for about 6 kg of clothes (2 tall adults, 1 wk each of stinky summer sweaty touring clothes!).

I'll second that notion of letting them do the laundry for you -- not at a regular place where they charge you by the piece, but where they charge you by the kilo or by the load. You'll usually find out that the laundromats in Italy that allow self-service will be jammed up, mainly being used by the women who are doing loads for other people. So you might as well join in and let them do it, and you'll probably find it won't be any more expensive.
In France, Switzerland, and Germany on the other hand, I have much better luck with just doing self-service by myself.

By the way, New York friends told me the "laundry mat" is just around the corner from the apartment I "sub" from them in Manhattan. I had never heard that expression before, but since then have come to learn it is not so uncommon after all.