Hi panecott! Nice to 'see' you too!

Andrew's given you a lot of good information. All of this can be so confusing.

We are an apple family and almost all my friends have iPhones. I like that sending texts (iphone to iphone) never count toward data usage (although most plans today have unlimited use).

Whatever you decide, familiarity is essential. You should learn to use whatever device you decide upon before going off to Italy. I am very not tech savvy and I have made the SIM switch with ease (the first time in Israel in 2015).

What I like about purchasing a SIM card is that although my phone now has an Italian number, it is still set up the way it always is - mail, apps, photos, etc. The only change is the phone number and my plan. I don't have to learn how to use a new phone, where things are located, etc. I would find that difficult and frustrating.

I have an iPad Air that I travel with (using it to post this now), but I wouldn't want to carry it around all day and use it to take pictures. I like the size and ease of the phone. It's a personal choice. Actually, this is the first trip that I did not bring a camera; I am using the my phone exclusively for photos.

Learning to use a smart phone is an adjustment, but you'll do fine.

Thanks, Andrew and CPG,

Good idea about the spare phone. I'll ask around. Ill also go to a store and try to get some hands on instruction.

CPG, when the SIM card expires, does the phone automatically revert to its original number?

I will still take my cameras with me - I don't think I could ever travel without them! I just want to be able to post to FB with the phone.
I appreciate everyone's help.

Buon viaggio in Italia, CPG!

The SIM card is what gives the phone its phone number. If you want your original phone number back, put the original SIM card back.

Thanks, Andrew. I think you did mention something to that effect above.

The SIM card is about the size of your pinkie fingernail. It fits in a slot on the side (of an iPhone) that you're probably not aware of. Apple supplies a tool to pop it open. Without the tool, a regular paper clip works fine. What's important is to store your regular SIM safely so that upon return to the states, you pop it in and voila, you're phone is American again. I keep mine in a very small zip lock which is kept in another zipper bag.

The SIM I purchased in Italy is for 30 days only. When I was in Israel, I kept my SIM when I returned home and it was activated again for the next trip. That was a wonderful situation because the seller mailed it to the US. I knew my phone # before I left home, etc. and popped it in my phone before I got off the plane.

Yeah, and I've kept my Dutch Vodafone SIM that I bought last month and used this month in Europe - it's supposed to be active (same phone number) as long as I keep credit on it, which is good for a year. If I know I'm going back to Europe next year, I can add more credit to it and keep it alive and have a working phone again as soon as I land over there. Really helpful.

I'll be in Sicily for exactly one month so the 30 day SIM card will be perfect for me.