A friend who needs a visa for Italy wants to go hostelling there.
However, the Italian visa information page (http://www.esteri.it/visti/home_eng.asp) requires

proof of available lodging in Italy: tourist vouchers, hotel booking, offer of hospitality (click here (http://www.esteri.it/visti/pdf/invito_t.pdf))

in order to get a visa.

Is it really impossible to get an Italian visa without all your hotel reservations made? How do you guys handle this in practice?

We Americans have it so easy when it comes to visa-free travels...

It is virtually impossible to get a visa without a hotel reservation. I believe that alternatively one can show an invitation letter from an Italian resident, but that would have to require some kind of authentication from local police, copy of resident's passport, etc (PAIN).

Easiest would be to book a hotel online and bring confirmation page to the consulate.

Is it really impossible to get an Italian visa without all your hotel reservations made? How do you guys handle this in practice?
Just to finish the story, my friend received her visa from the Italian consulate in Boston without a hitch, with a fax showing a confirmation for the first two nights of hotel only. So she is free to stay where she likes for the rest of the vacation. YMMV, of course.

I was told that I would not need a Visa for Rome. I hope this is true.

I was told that I would not need a Visa for Rome. I hope this is true.

Depends on your nationality. You should check with your nearest Italian embassy/consulate (or on their web site)

Depends on your nationality. You should check with your nearest Italian embassy/consulate (or on their web site)
USA
I'll go on web-site to look. Thanks

USA
I'll go on web-site to look. Thanks

http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures_1229.html#i
ITALY - *Passport required. Visa not required for tourist or business stays up to 90 days. (**90-day period begins when entering Schengen countries). Within eight days upon arrival, visitors are required to register with local police and obtain a permit to stay, regardless of length of visit. Proof of sufficient financial support may be required. For stays longer than 90 days, employment, or study, a visa is required and must be obtained in advance. For additional information, consult the Embassy of Italy, 1601 Fuller St., NW, Washington, DC 20009 (202/328-5500) or nearest Consulate General: CA (310/820-0622 or 415/931-4924), FL (305/374-6322), TX (713/850-7520/1), IL (312/467-1550/1), MA (617/542-0483/4), MI (313/963-8560), NY (212/737-9100), PA (215/592-7329) or TX (713/850-7520). Internet: www.italyemb.org

Thank you USAFAN for saving me the trouble of looking it up.

Just to finish the story, my friend received her visa from the Italian consulate in Boston without a hitch, with a fax showing a confirmation for the first two nights of hotel only. So she is free to stay where she likes for the rest of the vacation. YMMV, of course.

Maybe she could have made a reservation, gotten the VISA, and then later cancelled the reservation?