Credit Cards:
All major credit cards (American Express, Visa, Access, Diner) as well as Eurocheques and Traveller’s Cheques are accepted in Italy in most large stores, restaurants and hotels. Smaller places generally accept cash only.

• Don't take only one form of money with you - take a mixture of cash and travellers' cheques.
• Don't keep your credit cards, money, passport and travellers' cheques together in one place in case you lose them or they are stolen.
• Leave a credit card at home with your family or friends in case of an emergency.
• Leave details of travellers cheques with your family or friends in case you lose your own.
• Due to EU legislation designed to clamp down on illegal money transfers or transfer to terrorists, Money Transfer Companies now require to see photographic ID. If required the Embassy or High Commission can provide a letter acceptable to the Money Transfer Companies but this will attract a fee and an additional fee for out-of-hours callout.
  

Dealing with the euro
The countries of the euro area are Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.