I wanted to ask what I would need to bring to Italy to be able to charge my cell phone, a nokia, my ipod and a digital camera. I was advised to get an 85 watt converter. Is that a good idea? Would I also need an adapter? More than one if we want to charge multiple things? Any suggestions on where to find these things for a good price?

Thanks very much.

Converters with various adapter plugs are sometimes sold as a package in the travel goods section of larger stores, including K-Mart and Wal-Mart. A bargain price is about $20 for the works.

Generally speaking, if you have only one converter, you can only use one appliance at a time.

First you need to look at the AC adapter for each of your devices (i.e. cell phone, iPod, camera) to see if it needs 120V or if it can use from 120-220V input voltage.
If your device's AC adapter can use 120-220V then you don't need an AC converter but you will need a Foreign Adapter Plug for Continental Europe such as this one from Radio Shack (http://www.radioshack.com/sm-foreign...i-2104181.html), although you can pick these up just about anywhere.
However, if your device's AC adapter needs 120V you will have to get a Foreign Travel AC Converter (http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=family) which should be rated with sufficient power to drive your device (e.g. if rated at 85W your cell phone and iPod should not require more than this amount of power).

I doubt you'll need anything but a plug adaptor..the so-called "continental plug" which has two round pins.

What I WOULD take is a short extension cord..the kind with multiple sockets on one end..so you can charge a couple of things at the same time while using one adaptor.

Gatorbill is correct, but let me add a bit here. Each electrical device will have the power requirement written on it (or on the charger). If it says someting like 100-240V 50/60Hz, then it is designed for international use, and should be used with an adapter plug. If, on the other hand, it says 110-120V 60Hz, then it cannot be used in Europe without a transformer or converter. Anything with electronic circuitry needs to be used with a step-down tranformer, as opposed to a converter.

The product in Gatorbill's link is suitable, but whatever you buy, read the instructions carefully to insure it can be used safely with electronic devices. A solid state converter will burn out your electronics.

My experience and conclusion: Don't buy 'cheap' electrical devices. They may fail at a critical time or misfunction and destroy an expensive piece of equipment. Learn what an 'adapter', 'coverter/transformer' and '110' or '220' voltage is.

I was surprised to discover that in each of the 4 hotels we stayed in had a US as well as European plug built it. WE brought one converter but was able to charge 2 things at a time.

GSteed, Amen to that. A good website with electrical information for travelers is http://kropla.com.