Drinking the water

I don't know how delicate your palate is, but I think Roman tap water tastes fine. There are even lots of little public fountains where you can fill up a water bottle. They look kind of like faucets without handles, and the water streams out of them nonstop. You can put your bottle underneath to fill up, or plug up the bottom with your finger and the water shoots out a side hole so you can drink it right there.

The water in Bologna, on the other hand, is awful. Don't know about Amalfi.

The water is fine include all of the free flowing fountains. We order tap water in restaurants. What is your source for nasty water story?

No, it doesn't taste nasty-- and I'm particular.

Barbara,

I've never found that the tap water tastes "nasty", either in Rome or the Amafi coast. Where did you hear that?

With regard to public water sources, if there's a sign next to the source that states acqua potabile, then it's intended for drinking.

Cheers!

I suppose it is a matter of opinion, water in Italy has a lot more calcium and other minerals in it than what you might be used to in the US, but I don't think it tastes nasty. I always thought that the water coming from the fountains tastes great, especially in Rome. Apparently it is the reason why espresso in Italy tastes so much much better than it does in the US--the minerals in the water make the difference.

Thanks to all of you. That's great! We'll just bring our bottles and fill them as we go! I'm not sure where my husband got that idea, but now I can assure him that it won't be a problem.

The water everywhere in Italy was fine, including public fountains. As a former Montezuma's revengee I know from whence I speak on this one. To order tap water just ask for acqua di rubinetto. I only made my mistake once, when I asked for acqua di gabinetto. The waiter lost it and when he recovered explained I had asked for water from the toilet. Maybe the source of your husband's confusion as well.