How can I keep in touch in the U.S. while traveling in Italy?

Yes you laptop will work might have to get a different plug for it ,but they are all the same world over.

Now you have yahoo ,but do you know about Yahoo Voice ,it is great I use it and save a great deal of money calling all over the world to and from USA .You buy time in blocks of 10 bucks or 20 ,then it is about penny minute to call USA from overseas. Set it up here in the States before you go ,makes it a lot easier to use (trust me ) and you can also use computer to computer messenger free !

What kind of cell phone do you have? If you have a smartphone ask your service provider to switch you to an international plan and you can switch back once you return. Granted it will cost more, but it will be comparable to you renting an international cell phone.

Yes your laptop will pick up the hotel WiFi. You can also Skype which is cheaper vs. calling home on a cell. However you do have to do this through your phone and it will not be the most convenient.

There is always e-mail.

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You can get an Italian SIM for your cell phone from any of the local phone companies here. My daughter got one from Vodaphone, but only because that was the first phone store she ran across in Venice. Yes, your laptop will work with the WiFi if the hotel has it. Some places, like the Hotel Verona in Verona, have free wireless internet. There are also a lot of public internet access sites in the major tourist cities. You'll need your passport to buy time.

Most hotels offer internet. Free of charge, usually, as it is included in the price of your stay. If all else fails, that is the way to go.

ipod with an adapter for the plug ins