Just returned from Europe with DH and two kids. Two cell phones that work and the blackberry were very handy. Used blackberry to check weather, find maps, set alarm clock. You may split up more than you think and so the two phones are a good idea. Our kids took Ipods. We also took a car charger so we could charge gameboys, etc while we were driving between cities. For some reason, the converters wouldn't work in the Euro hotel rooms on the gameboys, so this was the only way to charge them.

my daughters charged their ipods as well as their portable DVD player with adapters in apartments and hotels in Paris, Swiz and Italy.
I am glad we had both for the airplane ride and they enjoyed watching a movie during downtime - we were VERY on the go and it was nice for them to have that to unwind with (they are 13 and 10).
As far as the laptop - it would be nice but you can most likely access email to stay in touch via an internet cafe. I used the computer in the hotel in Paris - but used internet cafes in Rome and Florence. They were VERY cheap and varied in how fast the connections where.

I love traveling with my Blackberry phone in Europe. The time difference makes it so easy to tour all day, then check emails in the late afternoon/early evening (when we are resting before dinner); it is still the middle of the work day in the states. Clients are so impressed when I respond to them from Europe.

We had a lap top with us for the first time during our recent NY, Boston, Maine trip. It was a bit hard to keep the kids off the computer. It was great, however, for checking opening/closing times, directions to restaurants, etc.

One thing I forgot to add: I am the trip planner. My husband typically looks at the guide books on the plane to Europe; sometimes he doesn't even do that. The result is that while in Europe, he often comes up with "must dos" that I haven't planned for. I can see that it would be great have a lap top to be able to look up directions, admissions, opening times, etc. for those activites that he springs on me.

Missypie - are you sure you are not married to my dh? LOL

"I can't exactly go to an Internet cafe to do my hair.

And most importantly, not in terms of attraction to thieves."

The threat of thieves has been highly overblown by Forodites. If you'd let you family take their technology to Chicago or New York, there's no reason to think Europe is profoundly more risky.

I made the point about curling irons because it's about wants versus needs. You don't need a curling iron, but you believe you can't get a long with out it. For people who have technology--like a Blackberry, computer, iPods--the desire for technology is no different from your desire to have a certain kind of hairstyle.

If they carry it and take responsibility for it, it's not your problem how much it weighs or how much room it takes. A curling iron takes up more room than an iPod, and arguably even a a Blackberry, especially if you need a converter for the curling iron.

Hmmm. Do I sense a shift in the consensus on traveling with computers? Seems like as little as a year ago a dozen nay-sayers would come out of the woodwork and tell OP all the reasons they don't carry one.

My personal formula:
Use an iPAQ with integrated phone, internet, and GPS for travel data, communication, entertainment, and navigation.
Take a RAZR for days when we split up.
Carry a lightweight laptop and jack into the internet through the cell phone if WiFi isn't available.
Use voice.yahoo.com for yakking to home.

A high-speed internet connection for my laptop was an essential requirement for our apartment rental in Paris. I didn't need to do a lot of work but needed to be able to manage the e-mail traffic on a daily basis. Also used it to check on odds and ends of touring info, and to make train and hotel reservations when we made some changes to our plans. Oh, and when our 6 year old got tired of watching French tv, he could watch some video downloaded on ITunes to the laptop.

The Ipods will definitely be good for the plane trip (as might a DVD playing on the laptop). Leave the Ipod charger at home and instead bring the cable that connects them to the laptop and charge them that way.

I completely understand the need for your curling iron. Mine operated ok with the converter in Europe. A bit less power, so I used the High setting. I wouldn't buy one there, as it just takes up precious vacation time. You can find dual voltage curling irons at Target and at Bed, Bath and Beyond, if you want one.

My kids charged their iPods and iBook with the 'brick' that comes with them, using just a plug adapter. We had checked with Apple, to make sure this would not be a problem. I'd definitely let them bring their iPods, so they don't get bored on long plane rides and lay-overs. There's a large Apple store in London, if you need anything while you're there.

Also, it's probably a good idea to have internet access for last minute planning, as you say. Just make sure you'll have connectivity available.

Have fun on your trip!
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Recent iPods don't come with the power supply (the brick). It's an optional accessory. You can also buy 3rd party ones.

Thanks for clarifying, rkkwan. I should have been more clear that the brick is for the iBook. Good idea to charge the iPods on the laptop, if he takes it and if the cables are compatible.
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Yes, it would be a good idea to charge the ipods on the lap top. Our kids took their iPods to Italy last year. We didn't even try to charge them in our apartment in Rome, because the apartment was really old and the electricity really quirky. Everything charged beautifully in Florence. In Venice, nothing would charge. The hotel had just opened the year before, so everything was new. We'd plug into outlets that were obviously working but still, nothing would charge. Never figured it out, but be prepared for surprises!

Can't speak to your needs in London, as I have not been there in several years. In Paris this past June, however, I found having a laptop very handy for our little party of five. There were numerous times that I checked in with fodorites for help and went to the ratp.fr site (again at the suggestion of fodorites) to get us to our destinations and to look up information. Both were a godsend. I don't mind the inconvenience of bringing a laptop along. It gave me the peace of mind that help was just a click away!

Our apartment had wifi access. If yours do too, a laptop will be handy.

As others have suggested, most travel appliances and laptops do not require a power converter, but will require plug adaptors. Especially for the laptop, however, I would double check to make certain that this is true.

I agree you would be better off buying a dual voltage curling iron. They judt work properly with a converter.

Yes to the dual voltage curling iron. I carried an older curling iron with me (not dual) to Italy about five years ago, and it did not work well at all! I didn't particularly like the way my hair looked, but had to put up with it. Lesson learned... dual voltage!!

Look at the back of power adapters for laptop, blackberry, cell phone, etc. If they say it's 110-240 V Input, then they will work fine in Europe - you do not need a converter - just a plug adapter.

Do not use power converter on these power adapters or they might get fried!

We have taken laptop, cell phone and balckberry to Europe and have been able to charge them up without problems.

As for curling iron - best for you to find and buy one that has dual voltage. Same goes with hair-dryers (I have one that has dual voltage).

It would help if you remember to switch the appliance over to 220V before packing it in baggage or it would get fried at your destination when you use it without remembering to switch it over!

Thanks, everyone!

Regarding dual voltage curling irons, there's one thing to keep in mind: There are different types of curling irons (for different types of hair).

The one I use is unusual in size and configuration (not a clip-variety). Such a thing isn't available at Target. I have not seen a dual voltage version anywhere, including the internet. I've been able to use it with a converter on past trips, but as someone mentioned above it warms somewhat differently.

Yes, curling irons may seem trivial to those born with easily-managed straight (read: white) hair. Then there are those of us born a little different.

Cindy, I'm sure you didn't mean to be offensive when you said "easily-managed straight (read: white) hair". My hair is very wavy, goes berzerk at the hint of humidity, and I totally understand your need for your specific curling iron. That's why I traveled with my own hair device, and used it on High setting. It was fine in Europe on several occasions. Now, in Hawaii, I just give up and let my hair go berzerk-- no way to fight it!
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No, I didn't mean to be offensive.

I meant to explain or remind that not everyone has the same hair. People with straight hair (who can be white or any of several other races) or men (who sometimes are dismissive of curling-iron questions) could perhaps be more understanding if they understand that these hair issues are real for many other people.

Cindy, I totally get it. If your hair looks yucky, you feel yucky, right? The right products and styling devices make all the difference. Take your curling iron and your adaptors/convertors, and hold your head high!

Have a great trip.
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