Rome - using the Euro
 

Hi, I'd like some advice about using the Euro for my trip to Rome next week.<BR>I've been warned to watch out for pick pockets so my intention was to take a small amount of currency, some Euro travellers cheques (for security) and my ATM card for emergencies/top up.<BR>Does anyone know if Euro travellers cheques are accepted in the same way as cash or will I have to exchange them for notes?<BR>Thanks a lot.

You can't expect them to be accepted as cash. Hotels probably will accept them but you can't use them everywhere.

why don't you just use the ATMs to get cash when you need it - this will be cheaper than using travellers cheques and less hassle.

Hi Dawn,<BR><BR>You will certainly be able to use your Euro travellers cheques pretty much the same as when the currency was the Lire, but I agree with Kate, I always find it easier to have some ready cash available and use the cashpoint card (or ATM card in the US) whenever I need extra money. I personally just find it easier and simpler.<BR><BR>Natalie

Dawn,<BR>I would say don't take travellers cheques, they are too much trouble in Italy. We took some euro TC, some euro cash and an ATM card when we visited Italy this year but had trouble using the TC. No one wanted to take them, in shops etc, and in desperation we had to queue up in banks to cash them. We had one bank who would only cash 2 TC. Italian banks can be very slow and we wasted up to an hour each time trying to cash them. We wouldn't take TC to Italy again. ATMs are everywhere, I would use them instead and take a bit of euro cash with you. I suppose if you lost your ATM card you would have an alternative with TC but really, we found them a pain.<BR>Kay

Hans, could you elaborate? I thought the Euro was now the currency to use in Italy?!?

Kate: The Euro is okay but TC's aren't accepted everywhere.

And once you have Euros in hand, put most of them in a money belt next to your body, under your clothes. Then you will have the security you want. (And cash when you need it.)

thanks folks !