I haven't traveled to Italy. Do I need any special adaptor to use a hair dryer or curling iron?

Yes, to convert from 220V. Lots of hotels have built in hair dryers.

If your appliances are not automatically able to switch to 220v, you need to leave them at home. They will blow up when you plug them in.

Do you know how to check if your appliances are 220v capable? If not, read my posting of Jan 15, 14 at 11:03pm in
http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/adapter.cfm.

If you still need help, you get better recommendations by reading the electrical labels on your appliance (mentioned in my post) and post here what it says. Many people come here asking if their appliances work. The crucial info is written on the appliances owned by the posters. The others can only guess what they would likely to say.

Terminology: Adaptor = a plug adaptor to convert US plugs to fit into European sockets. Very inexpensive. Yes - you DO need an adaptor.

If your items are not dual voltage - then you'd need a converter/transformer. Which converts the voltage. It isn't a good idea to take things that require a converter.

Almost 100% of electronic items (Laptops, iPads, battery chargers, etc) are dual voltage so you only need an adaptor.

As for Curling irons - some are dual voltage so OK to take. But they do not work very well - not as hot as back home. It is often better to wait and buy an inexpensive curling iron (or flat iron/hair straightener) when you get to Europe - that will solve any issues.

Hair Dryers - why take one? Most ever hotel/B&B/rental provides them. (Better that then risk having their tenants blow all the fuses using the wrong 'stuff')

Adapters make your plug fit a foreign socket; converters handle the voltage difference. Better to buy a dual voltage hair dryer (you'll then need an adapter) or wait and buy a blow dryer and/or curling iron in Europe.

Most modern electronic devices, like ebook readers, tablets, cell phone chargers and camera battery chargers can handle a voltage range. You'll just need an adapter.

Adapters and converters are sold at travel supply stores.

"Adapters and converters are sold at travel supply stores."

Radio Shack also has a good selection.

Heck they are everywhere -- Walmart, travel shops, department store luggage departments - you name it.

But again -- the hairdryer is probably not needed, and re the curling iron - buying one in Italy will work better.

Maybe I'm missing something here but I have used my Conair US made curling iron in Europe for 10 years with just the adapter plug for that couintry. My curling iron is set on 9 for temperature at home and I just turn it down to 5 in Europe or it gets too hot. It hasn't blown up yet. Am I just lucky? I don't see a switch on it for 110 to 220.

>>Am I just lucky?<<

yes. They don't fail often but when they do it can be spectacular Hair dryers are actually worse.

>>I don't see a switch on it for 110 to 220.<<

Many don't - they gizmo is mart enough to know. I've had several of both sorts of dual voltage appliances - some have a switch, most don't anymore.

In years traveling to Europe frequently I've had total failures twice - once melted, once blew all the circuits in a small hotel. And a couple of other problems where something stopped working but didn't burn/melt/explode/make everyone else furious

I have't bothered taking a dual voltage hair appliance in maybe the last 6 or 7 years. Battery chargers/iPads/etc aren't a problem -- no heat or motors involved.