What is best phone connection between USA and Italy?

main,

Whether you'll be able to use your "dumb phones" in Italy will depend on what type of phones they are (ie: whether they have the necessary GSM frequency bands for Europe), and whether they're unlocked.

I don't know of anywhere to rent phones in Italy, and that option would likely be expensive and a real pain! Given the very short time until departure, your best bet is probably to buy an inexpensive PAYG phone when you arrive in Italy. Cell shops are ubiquitous and you shouldn't have any trouble finding one. The largest network is TIM, but you could also check Wind, Vodaphone or others. You'll probably need some help setting it up, as all the menus will be in Italian. Be sure you're clear on the method for topping-up when your minutes are depleted.

One point to note is that if you're using an Italian phone and your friends are using U.S.-based numbers, you'll be dialing long distance each time you call them. Using texts will be much cheaper.

If you're not able to use Skype in Italy and are travelling with a Laptop or Tablet, you may be be able to use Google+, Viber or similar services.

I bought an inexpensive cell at one of the ubiquitous cell phone shops in Italy (still have it,used multiple trips) and buy time on it. It's relatively inexpensive to call the U.s., 10cents a minute, etc., and even cheaper to call within country to use to make reservatious etc., for my next stop. I email my family in home the cell # for my Italian phone in case they have an emergency, but mostly use email to keep in contact with the US. Almost all hotels have wifi and I bring my tablet for this, or you ca eve use the computers that are in most hotel lobbies.

Where did you hear that Skype doesn't serve Italy? I think you have been given some bad information. Unless someone can give some more insight I think this thread should be edited or deleted so as not to confuse and perpetuate false information.

I used Skype with my family in Italy yesterday and today.
You must have heard that piece of info on April 1st.

Well, I am now sitting in the very centre of Italy and I have just turned on my Skype account, and it seems to work. Finding a wifi connection - that could be a different and separate problem, but it depends on where you are staying (do not rely on public wifi networks).
I do not know if your dumb phones work on Italian GSM 900/1800 or 3G networks. If not, a basic cell phone can be bought as low as 30 euros, and a SIM card as low as 10 euros (take your passport to register it).
Do not rely on public phones. As Italians seem to have a couple of cell phones each, public phones are becoming hard to find.

now find that skype no longer serves Italy.

eh?

Could you put that one from left field into perspective? Who told you?

I went to the skype web site yesterday to sign up to get a phone number and it said that they no longer provide service for Italy. There is a list of all the countries they provide service for and Italy is not on it.
After I got your responses I went back to the site. It appears I can have a USA Skype phone number and call to the states or within Italy. I thought I needed to have an Italy phone number. That is not the case.
Thanks for your help!

Make sure to buy $10 of Skype credit which will allow for several hours of calls from your wifi connected device to a landline/regular home phone between Europe and N. America or just locally. It is what you should be using if you are calling to make reservations for an upcoming trip.
I didn't bother getting a Skype number and it is not required. If someone needs to get in touch they can email and I'll call when I have a good Wifi connection and the time change is good for both parties.

Here are some thoughts...

• Call your cell phone provider & ask if your phone can be used in Italy.
• buy inexpensive phone in Italy as others have mentioned
• I have a "dumb" phone but chose not to take it on my trip, so I purchased an International prepaid phone card such as AT&T then used public phones in Italy (found at train stations & near main tourist sites)-- {call customer care (see back of card) to get the access code to make calls from Italy to US} You will need to buy a phone card in Italy (TELECOM €5) from a Tobacco (Tabacchi) shop (large sign displaying a large white “T” on a blue or black background) or news stand so you can use the public phone (tear off perforated corner prior to inserting in phone)
• Contact your friends via email or by calling the hotel where they will be staying.

What did we do before cell phones/computers?...

Have a great trip!

EDIT: I used the TELECOM phone card to make local calls within Italy.