Just a point about terminology. I understand that in the US, there are debit cards and ATM cards. In Canada the same card works as both - to pay for purchases from your bank account and to withdraw money from a bank machine or ATM. So Americans need an ATM card with which they can withdraw money from their bank account.

Also I would use cash advances on my credit card as an emergency only. This kind of withdrawal is basically a loan and interest starts to mount up immediately.

We were surprised to see how accessible ATMs have become, even in the smallest Tuscan town.

Frances Toronto, Canada