Verified answer

Put some money in your skype account and go to an internet point to send text messages when you need to.

If you text or call from Italy, there will be a cost. When my daughter and sister visit me in Italy, my daughter just buys an Italian SIM card from Vodafone (there are other companies). My sister's phone can't use the SIM (it's locked), so she buys a cheap phone with a SIM card. That will be cheaper than using international roaming on your home phone plan.

The trick is buy a cheap local phone.......which will be cheaper in the long run than most long distance roaming charges. Better still.............leave the gadgets at HOME, and just ENJOY Italy.