Rookie questions

1. Whatever is comfortable for you. You will look like a tourist no matter what you wear. As long as you don't wear shorts and tan tops you can enter a church.
2. Not sure since I'm not familiar with the tour.
3. Your ATM card might charge the same fee too (my chase ATM card does). Get a credit card that doesn't charge the usual 3% foreign transaction fee. There are some that don't.

I tend to dress about the same when I travel (to Italy or anywhere else) as I do casually at home The clothes you describe sound fine to me for Itally.

I'm not sure what's on the Italy tour in Venice One thing you could do - if it isn't on the tour - is take a vaporetto boat out to the island of Burano, with its lovely colorful houses. The ride out there from Venice is not quick, though - with boat connections figure on an hour each way. I'm guessing Burano would be mentioned if it is part of the tour, so if it isn't mentioned, go for it.

Find out exactly what your credit card company charges for foreign transactions. Many credit cards charge 3%. It is easy to get one that charges 0%, but it might be too late to get one for this trip. Or it may not be worth it. At least find out what your credit card company charges.

Also find out what your bank or credit union charges for ATM withdrawals. You again might be charges a currency conversion fee of up to 3%, PLUS a per-use fee at the ATM. It's again possible, with enough time, to get an ATM card that charges 1% conversion fee (or even 0%) and $0 per use. The ATMs in Italy usually don't charge anything - it's the ATM at home that might. Find out what it will cost you. Then, you can figure out whether it's better for you to use your ATM card and pay with Euros in cash - or use your credit card.

One tip: ALWAYS pay in Euros in Italy! That is, if you pay for something with a credit card and you are offered to make payment in US Dollars...DON'T DO IT. This is called Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC), and it's just a rip-off designed to charge you even more. Just pay in Euros (same thing at the ATM) - decline any offer to pay in US dollars. The Euros will be converted to dollars for you.

Thanks for the quick replies.

I will try to get a no foreign transaction fee card, but as you say, it may be too late.

I'm assuming I should have some euro cash on hand anyway, even if I have a card? Or, is card payment accepted mostly everywhere in those cities?

Regarding your original questions:

1. While the clothing you mention will certainly be suitable for the places you will visit, I think you might find the jeans too hot. Sept in Italy can still be very warm. Unless you find jeans comfortable in the height of summer at home, you might want to consider one or two pair of lighter weight pants. Bonus: they'll dry much faster if (when) you wash them.
2. Have you read through the Italy guidebook? Find something in there that's not on the tour, but really interests you. Or just get a map, leave your hotel, and wander. Getting lost in Venice can be very enjoyable.
3. Once you know exactly how much your credit card and ATM card will charge per transaction, you'll know which one you will prefer to use. But ALWAYS have some cash on you. You are going to run into kiosks, shops, and even some restaurants that will only take cash.

Even when most large expenses are covered by the tour, you still make a lot of small purchases - an espresso, a slice of pizza, a post card, etc., etc., for which cash is useful. Its good to not be totally dependent on just one way of paying your expenses. Sometimes a card won't work, or the merchant can't or won't take your card.

Things to do? Walk some of the neighborhoods further away from the heavily touristed areas. Take a long vaporetto ride around the city. Relax. When you're going from sight to sight on the tour, its hard to appreciate the big picture.

Most tours hit the 'big ticket' sites in San Marco Square (The Doge's Palace, Bridge of Sighs, the Basilica, etc.) so almost anything outside this area is probably not on your tour. If you like art there's always the Gallerie dell'Accademia or the Peggy Guggenheim Collection (if you're a fan of the more modern stuff). I'm rather fond of the Scuola di Grande San Rocco, which was lavishly decorated by Tintoretto. This also near the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, a marvelous Italian Gothic church that features a ton of great art including Titian's masterful "Assumption" behind the main altar.

From the RS tour detailed page - Pre-tour planning If you arrive in Venice before your tour begins, use the Rick Steves Italy guidebook to get oriented. Ride the public transportation, try out a few words of Italian, and get over your jet lag with lots of fresh air and exercise.
Here are suggestions for sightseeing in Venice that we do not do as a group: Campanile di San Marco (bell tower), Dalmatian School chapel, Jewish Ghetto and Museum, Santa Maria della Salute and San Giorgio Maggiore churches, Peggy Guggenheim Collection, and the island of Murano.

I'd say get a 24 hour vaporetto pass and explore Venice on the most fascinating public transport system anywhere. Get a map (http://www.actv.it/sites/default/files/ultimamappa.pdf) and go to Burano or Murano as previously suggested. Or to San Giorgio Maggiore and ride the elevator to the top of the campanile for a great view of Venice with no lines and half the cost of going to the top of San Marco campanile. Or to Lido and walk out to the beach.

Scan your pass before getting on to the dock. You'll see the reader, and everyone else doing it. Jump on the boat when it docks (after letting off the passengers) and ride around.

My husband swears by the quick-dry (hiking) pants, especially the zip off type. You very well may get wet and jeans take forever to dry. When we were on the VFR tour in 2008 we were so hot - in October. We're from Mississippi and very used to a little heat. I would recommend the vaporetta/just wander plan for your first day. Especially if you're jet-lagged. It will be very helpful.
Don't worry about looking like a tourist - you will - just be the type tourist Italians will be happy came to visit. You might want to check out #EnjoyRespectVenezia There's a similar campaign in Florence. Seems some visitors Just Cant Help Themselves.

You might enjoy the Squero di San Trovaso on your walkabout. It's a boat yard primarily for gondolas and the woodiest place in town. It's close to the Accademia and the Guggenheim. You get off at the same vaporetto stop. There's a map linked through the website. I saw no English language link. It's something unque to see, there were guys working on Saturday and there was no hoard of tourists.

On my way back to the Guggenheim, I accidentally went by an oarlock shop. It was closed or else they were at lunch. I believe it was this one -- Le Fórcole. I wish I could have seen them work.