I'd want the pictures for memories... but I'm with you on traveling light. A digital camera might be just what you need. You can get some nice closeups with some of them, plus the wider angle shots, and they're smaller and lighter than an SLR -- go to a good camera shop to do some comparison and talk to folks who can help you figure out exactly what you want. You'll want some extra memory cards so you can snap as often as you want but the memory cards are very small and light so not an issue to carry around. I do the postcard thing, too, just for fun -- the photos are often better than what I can get -- but nothing replaces the photos you can take. Besides, the postcards are going to be of the tourist stuff, and some of the best things you'll see in Italy are scenes that you come across without expecting them. We're going to Tuscany next April and at least one camera is going with us, even if it means sacrificing a pair of shoes or something :)

"and at least one camera is going with us, even if it means sacrificing a pair of shoes or something :)"

ABSOLUTELY! Can't go to Italy without a CAMERA!!!

Because we are often taking photos in places where we can't recharge a camera's batteries and wanted a small digital camera, we bought a Pentax Optio43WR. It's 3 inches square and an inch thick. Check it out!

This dilemna is the very reason I love my digital. I got a Fugifilm S3000 and am having a ball taking all the photos I want. One fun thing about digital is you can print the few shots you want but save them all to a DVD to watch on your tv. I think I would snap away in Italy if I was going. I bought a large memory chip for my camera and couldn't fill it up on my last trip to a quilt show. You might consider buying the largest one to take to Italy though. With a digital you can edit out the bad shots and often retouch any where the light is not perfect. Enjoy!

Here on my website are just a few places to visit in England. Mainly in Yorkshire.

Peter.

Gardens to Visit