Debit card withdrawal at ATM's/ adaptor verse converter

1. There is no problem using your debit card in ATMs in Sicily. Should be exactly the same as your experience in Greece or Mexico. Your plan of 300 at a time is good. It is always possible anywhere that you run into a non-working machine, but if so just try the next machine. This will not be an ongoing, or uniquely Sicilian issue. I was in Sicily for 2 weeks with 0 ATM troubles, for what thats worth. You may (not all cards require this) need to call the card issuer before you leave home to alert them you are traveling. Otherwise they may block the card because they think it’s stolen, then it obviously wouldn’t work.

2. Most modern small electronics do not require a converter. Important to check, but unlikely you will need anything but the simple plug adapter.
   
   The charger needs to say something like 110-240volts. If it does it is multi voltage and will work with just plug adapter. I know for a fact that Apple chargers are fine. I would be extremely surprised if Samsung and cameras weren’t. I’m sure others will chime in with nuances of electricity but this is the gist. Ipersonally have never seen a converter nor had any item I wanted to bring be a problem. All my portable electronicsc chargers (iPhone, kindle, camera, portable charger, iPad, Fitbit, headphones...) are multi voltage, and I didn’t buy them looking for that. I just bought them, then later confirmed I could bring them to Europe.

In most cases, the ATM fee is charged by your bank, not the operator, so you can read the fine print in your agreement to double-check. One of the selling points of Cap 1 is the lack of fees. If you find a machine charging its own fee, cancel and move on. Also avoid any so-called Dynamic Conversion, where the machine offers to charge you in dollars rather than euros; not a good deal. The exchange rate, something different, will show little to no variation between the various banks operating the machines. I carry two cards, from different banks, just in case.

During a 2-1/2 week trip to Sicily in 2015 I had no ATM problems, though I was using my credit union ATM card there. Capital One is my back-up and has worked elsewhere.

One thing to watch out for is that many European ATMs dispense rather large notes. I've gotten lots of 50-euro notes, and at least once I received a 100-euro note. If you try to use those at a small shop or café in Italy, or at a street market, it may not go well. After struggling to break a too-large note (not fun even in other countries) and after being pickpocketed on a day when I had hit an ATM to the tune of 150 euros, I started making much smaller withdrawals. While 300 euros at a time may be completely comfortable for you, it would not be for me. I charge purchases when credit cards are accepted (for miles), so I don't go through a lot of cash rapidly.

1. ATMs in Sicily should work exactly the same as elsewhere. If you find a machine that doesn’t, just make it an offer it can’t refuse.

2. Adapter is sufficient for modern gadgets. They all can take 110-240kw.

1. In order to avoid the dreaded large notes, in any country, simply choose for amount “other” and enter something odd, e.g. 290 euro. That will guarantee at least some smaller notes. This also works with other currencies.

2. Note that as been reported here, some Italian (and Spanish when in Spain) banks do now chaRge ATM user fees for all. The key word her is “Italian”. Find for example a Duetsche Bank ATM, there will be no fee, as that is not an Italian bank.

Oh my gosh you guys are great. I thought it was odd that the tour leader said debit cards often don't work, take cash advance from credit card. Perhaps, the language barrier between debit card and credit card, IDK. I too charge everything where and when I can for the miles, but coffee and cake, small items you need Euro.
Ok so now you all know I'm not technology savvy and had no idea that I needed to check each charger. Low and behold, the voltage info right on each charger. As small as it may be, its there. So the actually charger is the electric convertor (not sure if I termed that correct) I say this to say, the charger is equipped to handle the electric change, IF IT SO STATES. SIMPLE. I just didn't know. Live and learn. I HAVE AN ADAPTOR. I should have wrote you people days ago. Thank you all so much.

Also great suggestion about requesting odd amounts to avoid very large bills. Even in NYC, the capital of the world, $100 bill is not liked. And Roberto, your a funny guy. Love the humor. My camera is 10 years old and the charger still met the 240v conversion.

Last fall I visited Sicily and southern Italy. My Capital One debit card worked perfectly in all locations. I also had no problem using their credit card. If you are arriving at FCO Terminal 3, there are numerous ATM’s as you walk to the exit. Don’t use them because they are not bank owned and the fx rate is unfavorable. There are bank owned machines in Terminal 1 as well as bank branches and the Post Office as well. I don’t remember seeing any ATM’s at the Palermo airport. I finally loaded up at a bank ATM near the tour hotel in Palermo.

Here’s some info from the PMO official website:

• Money

There is a bank located on the terminal ground floor and two cash
dispensers (one for foreign exchange) can be found in the arrivals
hall. A post office is also located on the first floor.
- (Bank of Sicily), open 08:30-13:00 and 14:45-19:15 and 14:45-19:15
- 24/7 two ATM's in the Arrivals Hall.

If you withdraw 290 euros from an ATM, it is quite possible that you will receive 5 x 50 euros plus 2 x 20 euros. That is not my idea of a useful mix of currency, because I'm still stuck with a bunch of 50-euro notes.

There are some ATMs in Europe that allow you to specify the denominations you want--or at least to choose between two or three different mixes. I can never remember which banks have such ATMs (I'd use them all the time), and I'm not sure there are any such machines in Italy.

I don't understand what this phobia about €100 notes is. If a cash machine (ATM) gave me anything under a €50 I would be annoyed about the thick wodge of paper.
The cash machines here in Basel dispense CHF 100 and CHF 200, and those that dispense Euros give €50 and €100. These are not large denominations, they are normal. If you buy a meal or make another significant purchase there should be no problem changing an €50 or €100.

Re chargers. The charger converts from 110/240V 50/60 Hz AC to 5V DC. Anything that uses a USB plug is 5V DC, that is what USB is defined as. If you plugged your Camera directly into 110V AC you would very soon have a melted camera.

North American electricity: 110V 60 Hz AC
European electricity: 230V 50 Hz AC
USB electricity: 5V DC