The Trevi Fountain - Rome

While traveling in this exciting city, it is important to have cell phone service. Many tourist are quick to discover how difficult it is to use Italian pay phones and internet call centers are far and few in between. Fortunately, there are plenty of inexpensive alternatives when it comes to using cell phones for Rome. The mobile phone networks in Italy are GSM (Global Services for Mobile) and callers need GSM handsets in order to make and receive calls. It is possible for tourists to use their home country networks through their roaming plan but the incoming and outgoing calls will be very expensive. The mobile bill may end up costing more than the plane tickets to Rome, if travellers use this option.

A much cheaper way to go would be to rent an Italian cell phone where there is the option to pay very low monthly or weekly service rates. This is an affordable choice that provides travellers cheap rates without the need for a long term contract or exorbitant roaming fees. These rental phones come with several features such as email and texting, customers can choose the options they want.

Another affordable alternative is to purchase a SIM card. When travellers have their own unlocked cell phones, they can easily buy a new SIM card when they are in Rome. The new card goes into the cell phone, and calls can be made at the same rates as all the other cosmopolitan Italian locals. The SIM card contains the number, minutes and any contacts installed on the phone.

The Colosseum - One Of The Most Famous Landmarks In Rome

It is also possible to buy a prepaid phone to make calls while traveling in Rome. The major pay-as-you go cell phones companies include Wind, Vodaphone, and TIM. These companies provide similar services and phones but they have varying promotions and special sales so it is worth doing some comparison shopping. These phones can be purchased at the airport or in the local official mobile phone shops.

Travellers can choose the amount of minutes they want when buying a SIM card. The ten-euro card is usually a sufficient amount of minutes for a trip that is around two weeks. These SIM cards can be found in what the Italians call “tabacchi” stores. These are basically small convenience shops whose specialty is tobacco products. Well, as the saying goes, “when in Rome…”. There are many other affordable options when it comes to cell phone for Rome. It is a good idea to do some research online prior to planning your trip.

St Peters Basilica - Vatican City

Vatican City is a place of pilgrimage for millions of Catholics. The presence of the pope, experiencing St. Peter’s Basilica, exploring the vast archives and examining the ancient iconography bolsters the spirits of people of faith. The art and architecture in Vatican City is breathtaking but you won’t be able to send pictures of St. Peter’s Basilica unless your cell phone in Italy works with the 900 or 1800 MHz bands used there.

There are several ways to be able to use a cell phone in Italy. Some North American phones function quite well in Italy. They require the phone be unlocked and you pay a high roaming rate, but you get to keep your number. There are two other popular options. You can buy an inexpensive phone and prepaid minutes or you can rent a phone. People staying a month or less generally rent a phone. Those staying for extended periods or who visit regularly find buying a cell phone for Italy more cost effective.

The Beautiful Landscape Of Tuscany

Wine seems to make everything go better. In Italy they make some of the world’s best wines. A journey into Italy’s wine region is a memorable experience. Italians lead the world in wine consumption and are second to France in wine production. Grapes are grown almost everywhere in the country and there is seemingly infinite number of vineyards. Vacationers visit vineyards in Tuscany, Basilicata, Veneto, Lazio and Veneto where they sample some of the world’s best white and red wines. Wishing to avoid alcohol? Try Vino Cotto produced Abruzzo and Calabria in southern Italy.

Most visitors to Italy want to see Rome. The Pantheon, the Coliseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Arch of Constantine, the Roman Forum, Piazza del Campidoglio and Piazza of St. Peter’s capture their minds and make their hearts soar. The grandeur of the structures combined with the talent and vision of the architects and artists who created them make men marvel and tears flow from otherwise stoic faces. Rome. Amazing.

Venice

Once in Milan you must get on the GSM network and call home. Milan is where fashion lives and breathes. Sophisticated Milan has art, architecture and music in its blood and bones and it manifests it in fine durable fashion pieces. Clothing, shoes, handbags and more are produced and sold under brand names known worldwide for quality and creativity. Gucci, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Armani and Prada are all headquarter here. Stroll along Via Monte Napoleone, Via della Spiga, Via Sant’Andrea and Corso Venezia in the quadrilatero della moda and see where fashion trends are born. Send pictures for your fashionista friends to vicariously experience the excitement of Milan.

Most Italians depend on cell phones. All of the country receives great service. Visiting Italy? Grab a GSM network enabled phone and an Italian SIM card and explore.