I need to send a hotel in Positano a check in Lire for my first night's stay. How do I go about doing this? <BR> <BR>Thanks

Hi Shelley <BR> <BR>! was requested to do this by an agriturismo in Tuscany. I e-mailed back and asked if I could please confirm the reservation with a credit card number. They agreed to this and I faxed them the number. Maybe your hotel will do the same. If not, ask them if you can send them a check in USD. I have also done that and have found that the check returned to me at the hotel. <BR> <BR>Buon viaggio

Shelley: I would first advise you not to do this if it isn't absolutely necessary, as I once had the experience of paying in advance and then being turned away because my room had been given away (they would not return the money, either). But if you do have to do it, you'll need to find a bank or inernational exchange company that will prepare a draft in Italian lire for you. Ruesch International is the one I have used (1-800-424-2923). They have offices in most major cities. If you're not close to one of their offices, I don't know how they arrange for the draft to get to you so you can mail it (perhaps they mail it themselves), but it's certainly worth calling them. Or you can check with a large bank. Ruesch charges something like $3.00 for an international draft - my local bank charges more like $30!! You might also consider sending a wire transfer if the hotel's bank is set up to receive one - it will cost more than the draft, though - about $15.00. Hope this helps.

Unfortunately many, usually small, hotels in Italy still operate this way. Even some that accept credit cards for normal purposes require cash (or check) in one form or another for a deposit. <BR> <BR>Ruesch is a good source. You'll also find it quite easy to buy an International Postal Money Order at your nearest post office. <BR> <BR>twenj

I had to do the same for a small hotel in Venice. I went to my bank and they were able to do write a check in Lire. They charge, of coarse, and my bank is a big Boston bank that deals with forgien money. The local branch needed to get the details from the main branch on how to do this proceeedure. When we got to the hotel, all was fine.