Many thanks to all of you who took my question seriously and provided real assistance.<BR>To those of you who insist on telling me that I don't need a hairdryer, or that I should wait until I get to Europe to buy one, or that I should just buy a dual-voltage dryer and an adapter, please reread my request. The appliance isn't for me, it's a gift for a friend who said she wanted one. Yes, I know that you can buy hair dryers in Europe, and yes, I know that many hotels offer hair dryers in their rooms, and yes, I know that some people have great luck using US hair dryers with adapters.<BR>BUT -- that was not my question. As I said, I'm simply trying to help a friend, and I'm not sure that should earn me the label &quot;dumbest broad in history.&quot; Aren't we all entitled to have different travel styles?

Touche to you, Maggie!<BR><BR>I live in Europe, and when shopping in the US for dual-voltage consumer electronics (where they are cheaper than here), I have not yet been able to find one that is made with a European plug. Athough you can buy a dual-voltage dyer in the US, I don't think you will be able to find a dyer with a French plug already attached. <BR><BR>As you know, Europe has many differently shaped plugs depending on which country you are in, so manufacturers selling dual-voltage products in the US probably don't see any point in selling them with a French-type plug or any other European plug. <BR><BR>Your gift is very thougthful and I don't see how your friend would object to a dual-voltage dryer and an adapter as part of your gift.

Maggie, Lesli answered your question already, go to the web site she wrote and they have them there.

Maggie, actually, no I didn't know that you already knew many hotels provided hairdryers in Europe, how would I know that?<BR><BR>There are all levels of experience in travelers on this board. No need to scold those who try to be helpful.

FYI, I don't like the hair dryers in hotels, the vents are usually plugged up with dust and other people's hair and I want to gag. I like to take my own personal items and I think Maggie's friend would appreciate a hair dryer for her trip.<BR>Also, the adapter plugs don't always fit properly and they keep coming out of the wall.

Lesli, you're a lifesaver. House of 220 is *exactly* the kind of site I was looking for, and their prices are reasonable, to boot. Thanks so much.<BR><BR>And Suze, I didn't mean to scold people for trying to help me. This board can be a great source of help, but I do get frustrated sometimes at how some posters seem to think there's only one right way to do something. I'd made a pretty specific request, and even explained why I was making it, and some of the responses I got took the tone that I was just going about things all wrong.

No offense taken...<BR><BR>But you ask a question on a BB and *opinions* is what you'll get. There is rarely one correct answer to a post. Just pick and choose from what folks feel is appropriate input.<BR><BR>-travels without a hairdryer BTW~ LOL

Maggie--I apologize for my ignorance; I missed the part of your message that said your friend knew that many hotels had hairdryers. Oh Stupid Me! I won't ever bother you with my idiotic, thoughtless input again.

OK - I am another &quot;stupid&quot; traveler and have a hairdryer question :)<BR>If I have a 1600 W 110/220 'grounded' US type plug, what type of plug adapter do I need for Italian hotels? Do they have 'grounded' and 'non grounded' recepticles also?

The part that plugs into the wall (appropriately called the male end) in Italy needs to have two round prongs on it. The part of the adaptor you need to plug your hairdryer into (the similarly appropriately named female end) needs to match what your hairdryer plug looks like -- either two flat prongs, one larger than the other, or two flat prongs plus a round post.

Patrick, is it getting warm in here? That is the most enticing description of electric plugs that I have ever read, lol.

Thanks Patrick... Although SeaUrchin obviously has her mind in the gutter, I found the information valuable :)<BR>And can I infer from your answer that Italian hotels do not use 'grounded' plugs at all? Guess I had better be careful and make sure to avoid water puddles on the bathroom floor!!

I appreciate your question in that I am trying to find the same kind of hair dryer. We travel often and the dual voltage American hair dryers will not work on high. As for assuming hotels will have hair dryers that is very risky as it is very dependent on the country as well on the type (not the number of stars) of accomdations. I have looked for hair dryers while in Europe multiple times but have not been able to find a small one for travel. I looked at the website mentioned above for the European dryer but could not find one on their website. If anyone has a link for the two plug 220 volt (220 only) I would appreciate the advice.

tt

I tried the adaptor route and shut down all the power in my small hotel in Italy once...using the correct voltage, but apparently for too long!

I'll be watching this post to see if anyone has found a better way.

Since this thread originated in 2003, many more hotels/b&b's/apartments now provide hair dryers. If yours does not (sometimes it's not specified on the website but is available, so send an email and ask) just purchase one when you arrive.

or...

Maybe you can find one on Ebay?

Old thread, but I agree with zoecat - just buy one when you get there. Most places have these available but if for some reason you don't like them they are cheap enough to buy. Then, you have an excuse to make another trip to get use out of them!

Said by someone who has a UK blow dryer and straightener, European blow dryer and straightener...

Thank you thank you to the person who suggested ebay!! One of their links had a travel hair dryer with euro plugs and 220v. For anyone interested the website is samstores.com