phone cards versus cell phone?

Lina,

A few options you might consider:

• Rent a GSM phone from Cellular Abroad, Call in Europe or other firms that provide this type of service.

• Buy an inexpensive PAYG Phone when you arrive in Italy, and then text the number to your friends and family. If you use text for the majority of your communications, it will be much less expensive.

• If you have a Cell Phone at home, you may be able to roam (depending on which network you're with?).

Cheers!

Check out Pennytalk.com. Only 2 cents per minute with a 49 cent connection fee.