technology

Sometimes. Sometimes not. Maybe free. Maybe coin-fed. Maybe pay at desk. Long lines. No lines. People standing behind you tapping their foot. For economical, wifi is generally free at small places, but may have a fee as you move up the food chain. Take the tablet and use it where it's free. Pay the fee if you really need to.

Ed hit the nail on the head! You should definitely take your iPad as there are so many other uses, such as Rick's free audio tours!

Fewer and fewer hotels with computers for you to use. Easiest to bring your ipad. I found on our last trip, with the exception of one place, we had free wi-fi every night. This particular hotel was a masseria, and in the middle of no where, so no internet at all! you do need to (in most cases) ask for the password at the front desk. They will usually give you a little slip of paper with the code and it's good for your entire stay. once in a while there will be a fee for wi-fi, usually 1E to ? for 24 hour hours, or your entire stay. it's up to the hotel to decide... I like my ipad with me because I download a few movies (rentals) off iTunes before the trip so we can enjoy a movie in our room at night before bedtime. Also, the music and alarm clock is useful too!

I like to carry as little as possible, so I rely on computers in hotel (along with my phone when WiFi is available). I've found it works pretty well for me, although I don't typically have an urgent need to communicate email at a particular time. And I call key folks regularly, instead of relying on email. One thing that did make me a little crazy at first on my last trip; my gmail password had a couple of symbols on it and Italian keyboards differ from ours, particularly for symbols. This fall,I'll change my password to just letters/numbers before leaving for Italy.

It is a challenge getting used to different computer keyboards in Europe. And that's a smart idea to change your email password to letters and numbers only.

I have only seen computers at high end hotels and they usually want you to pay more anyway. I wouldn't travel anywhere without my iPad, movies, books, games, maps, info, PDF of travel arrangements, photo copy of passport. It's the never bored machine.

I almost always find properties with wifi, or with a computer for guests' use, and this is the first time I've brought an iPad with me. I used to rely on hotel computers or, in a pinch, Western Union computers (for a fee). Having the iPad is very convenient - I can email photos and videos as well as use the other functions. I also frequently check bank info.

Anne, Ed provided a great summary of the options, and I'd also suggest taking the iPad. Many hotels these days offer free Wi-Fi, although a few charge a small fee (ironically, it's usually the posh hotels that charge for Wi-Fi). Hotels in Italy require a password, which sometimes works for the whole visit and sometimes has to be renewed each day. You can check the websites for the hotels you'll be using to determine whether they offer Wi-Fi, either in the room or just in the common areas. I travel with a Netbook these days as I prefer the North American style of keyboards. Those goofy foreign keyboards are really annoying (IMO)! Happy travels!