I realise that US two way radios are illegal in Europe (and visa versa) because of a clash of frquencies with emergancy services. Does anybody know if such radios bought in the UK would be allowable in Italy. My quick attempts to find any details by googling failed abysmally.

Italy is okay. Here's the list:

http://www.ero.dk/818B7698-2D99-431F...rames=yes&

This is something My Husband's family and I went round and round about. I didn't even want to carry the 2 way, I am no tourist. But I must admit it did come in handy, especially if Your Children are with You. However, I recommend You explain where you can and can't use them. Like the Vatican, during Mass on Sunday between 2 ways and Cellphones it was just awful. And I did notice that somehow they can jam the freq. and they are useless in some places. Security reason's I'm sure.

Thank you for the replies. I waas thinking of them as an alternative to cell phones. They from around £15 in the UK, so would be slightly cheaper than buying two Italian Sim cards.

I think you'll be happier with cell phones. Phones work over a virtually unlimited range, but radios will let you down if you get too far apart.