Has anyone ever brought their own, higher wattage lightbulbs to use in their hotel room? Is it just me, or the just the hotels I stayed at (2-3*), but the lighting was so bad, especially in the bathrooms. I know electricity is expensive in Italy, is this the problem? Maybe they would not take a higher wattage? I know this is a dumb question, but I have thought about it ever since I got home. Going back in Sept. and am seriously considering it.

I have wondered the same thing, but I dont think our (USA) bulbs would fit their sockets. Maybe you could buy over there.

It wouldn't work. The sockets are different, and the voltages are different. Even if an American bulb would fit, it would burn out or explode.<BR><BR>If it is really too dark in your room, ask the hotel if they have brighter bulbs.

If you're serious about this, just buy the darn bulb over there. I'm thinking of taking a raw egg with me.

About a week ago there was a thread about rewiring a lamp bought in Italy for use in the US. When someone said you wouldn't be able to use US light bulbs, an "expert" electrician insisted that yes, American light bulbs would fit fine. If that is so, then certainly they'd fit if the lamp was still in Italy!!! But yes, wouldn't it make a lot more sense just to buy a stronger light bulb in Italy instead of traveling with one in your luggage?

Of course, that makes a lot more sense. I will just buy one over there and take it with me from hotel to hotel. I know I sound like a dim bulb, lol, but I hate trying to read at night, or write in my journal by the light of a 25 watt bulb.

I take my own arc welder.<BR>

Also look at the fixtures. Last year our bargain hotel in Paris was very dimly lit the first night. The second night I looked at the fixture in the headboard and found that two of the three florescent tubes had been unscrewed a quarter turn to deactivate them. A quick twist and voila, we could actually read.

friggin idiot, you have got to be kiddin!

Take a battery-operated book light. I use one for reading and also hook it on my travel mirror when I'm putting on makeup.

What's an arc welder?<BR><BR>And what does it have to do with beer and Galliano?<BR><BR>or is it beer and whiskey?<BR>

Yeah but if you took your own light bulb, how many Fodors' posters would you need to screw it in? I count at least 10. One to tell you that you really don't need to take a first-class one, second will do. One to tell you it has to be black. One to tell you not to take one less than 5 years old. One to tell you to make sure the gypsies don't steal it. One to tell you that it doesn't matter if you are going to Spain, Rome Termini or the Paris metro, it will be stolen anyway. Five more to argue against the first five points. Add one more for Rex to come in and out of the room several times while the bulb is being changed.

Good one!!!

Elvira and topper feel left out of your head count, Santa Chiara.<BR>

When we lived in Scotland, we used our US lamps WITH British bulbs. The lamps did not have to be rewired - we used a plug adaptor. You cannot use US bulbs intended for 110 v in a 220 v country and vice versa. We have British lamps in our house - we replaced the plug and use US bulbs.<BR>

Santa Chiara--EXCELLENT--thanks for the morning giggle!

In central Europe I do, indeed, go out and buy a light bulb if I am underlit. There is a risk: I check after twenty minutes to see if the lampshade or lamp fitting is overheating.

Bringing lightbulbs and blankies and does anyone not like Italy? Geesh. This Forum is starting to sound like the type of travelers who would read Macon Leary's travel books.

<BR>Hotels with dim lights don't have mini fridges either. Bring along a GE frost free 220 volt model.

I have a 100 watt bulb in my trunk and bring it to all the U.S. hotels I stay at when traveling by car. This problem is not limited to Europe. Hardest part is remembering to take it with me when I leave.<BR><BR>While traveling in Belgium and France last year I was pleasantly surprised at the excellent lighting in the three main hotels we used; they were not American style hotels, but small, charming hotels or inns. One had a halogen lamp on the desk and high wattage lamps over the bed as well as recessed lighting in the ceiling. We continued to encounter this. In one case, the hotel had so many lights it was almost overkill. So nice not to have to deal with 25 watt bulbs.