plug adaptors for Italy?
 

I was looking online to buy an adaptor for my my camera, ipad, cell phone, etc chargers to use while in Italy. (Don't worry, nothing is for work! ;) )

I have one adaptor that worked great in France, but since the family is going, I thought it would be better not to share (fight over?) one adaptor. (I hope there will be enough outlets, but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it!) Anyway, time to buy a few more. I was about to buy a set of adaptors marked USA to Europe - they look just like the ones I've used in the past in France and other countries - but then I read the reviews. A few of them said that I have to use a different size adaptor for Italy??? Is that true? If so, what should I look for? I have a set which includes a convertor and many different size adaptors, but this time I need a bunch of just the one type. Of course I don't want to buy a lot of them and end up not having them fit into the Italian outlets! Any guidance for me?

For an adapter (as opposed to a converter), I just bought a cheap 99-cent one at the hardware store. Looks like this:
http://goitaly.about.com/od/travelpa...city_italy.htm

The Italian outlets generally accept a smaller diameter plug (4.0 mm) than those in France, Germany, etc. (4.8 mm). See http://tinyurl.com/2y9zvv for the whole story. My daughter could not use the German Schucko plug in Italy last year because it would not fit.

It looks like you would be wise to bring a 250 volt power surge strip. Outlets in European hotels are scarce to none.

The Europlug is called that for a reason. Get a Europlug adaptor and you're ok. Schuko is rarely found in Italy. If your appliance has 2 prongs only, all you need anywhere in Europe is a Europlug. It even fits in the UK, but not properly.

The set I got at Target worked just fine for me last month - I was in Italy and used the one marked "Europe."

Radio Shack used to sell the individual adapters so you don't have to buy a set that you won't use. AAA might have individuals also.

When I was in Germany, I purchased a 3 outlet strip extension cord (euro 3). Magellan sells the same thing for $30. Haven't seen a dual wattage strip elsewhere in the States.

I went to AAA today, but they don't carry them. Radio Shack is a good idea too - I'll try them tomorrow. I got my set of all plugs at KMart, but they only have one adaptor of each type.

Here is a good explanation of the 2 main types for continental Europe:

European electrical outlets come in different sizes and shapes. On the Continent, outlets normally require a plug with two round prongs about 0.19 inch (4.8 mm) in diameter and 0.72 inch (19 mm) apart. This is known as the the Schuko plug. Outlets in some older hotels accept a plug with slightly smaller prongs, 0.15" (4 mm) in diameter. This is known as the Europlug. The Schuko plug does not fit in these outlets. Neither plug works in Britain and Ireland.

Looking for the Europlugs in the USA! Good luck!

Try using a Europlug in Britain, it actually works. You may need a small piece of wood (Buy a Magnum ice cream bar) ;-)
Europlugs fit into Schuko sockets too.