Posting Travellers Cheques

[William]

I am travelling around Italy this summer. Most hotels will accept deposits via e-mail/credit card but one insists upon pre-sending signed (in both places) travellers cheques for the deposit (c. '100). Is this safe? I trust the hotel but am I covered if these get lost/stoeln in the post? If not, what alternative can I suggest to them, as I don't have a Euro bank account?

[Gef]

I think that once you have signed the traveller's cheques twice you would have no comeback if they were 'lost' in the post. I once had to pay in advance for accommodation in Belgium and did not have a Eurocheque account but my bank was able to give me a Banker's Draft (in Belgian Francs and payable only to the payee) which I then posted to them. Hope this helps.