Questions for daughter traveling to Italy [View all]

Our daughter is traveling out of the country for the first time ever. She's going with some classmates for an internship abroad for just over 3wks and seems like she's getting very little guidance from her professors. She's received her passport and today she received a few guidelines.

She's flying Air Berlin, and they've been asked not to check luggage, so they are very limited in what they can take. She's allowed one 21x15x7.5" that weighs no more than 20 lbs (including her laptop) and she's allowed one other small bag (purse or shopping bag to carry books, etc.) She's supposed to take clothes to work (excavating mosaics), clothes to tour (The Vatican and other museums), clothes for class and a bathing suit. She'll also be in areas from the mountains to the beach, so she'll need a jacket of some kind and rain jacket. Oh, and a water bottle.

I just can't see getting all that to fit in a 20lb carry-on. I know she can wear some of the heavier items, so she'll do that. Just seems like they're expecting to get a lot in those bags.

Does anyone have any tips for traveling in Italy. We were told don't take traveler's checks (more trouble than they're worth apparently). Can you use debit cards (Visa)? We were told that you don't want to use a cc internationally due to charges. Meals - are they expensive there? Only breakfasts will be provided.

I'm feeling lost trying to help her since we've never traveled outside the country, and have only flown once since 9/11.