My husband and I are traveling to Italy in a few days and we are trying to think of all we will need to pack. I have heard that we will need plug-converters (is that what they are called???). Is there a particular type we will need in Italy? Where can I purchase one?

I am an American living in Italy. You will need more than just a plug converter as your hair dryer runs on 110 Volts and Italy is on 220 Volts. You will need a plug adapter and a converter (to switch the voltage). Sometimes you can buy these at airports in the travel section of the stores. Also a note: most hotels here do not have irons.

Molly,<BR><BR>You can buy the converters at Target, Walmart, etc. The package, which inludes the converter and several adapters for different countries, runs under $20.00. <BR><BR>The travel items at Target are in the luggage section.<BR><BR>Dick

I'd think twice about the whole converter issue. <BR><BR>What do you need it for, exactly -- what electraicl stuff are you planning to bring? If it's just for a hair dryer, you should know that many American hair dryers will burn themselves up even if you do use a converter. Why not just wait til you get where you're going, see whether they have one, and if not buy one tere? It will work properly and probably cost less than buying the converter in the US.

Most recent vintage hair drivers and curling irons, and quite a few mens electric shavers are dual voltage "autosensing". They will take 110 to 250 volts, with just a converter plug. Check the doocumentation that came with your appliance. In that case all you will need is the appropriate plug converter, and you can buy a set at any department store like Wal-mart, Target, etc. Don't need to spend a lot of money on a set either.

I completely agree with Suzy! Don't spend the $ on converters. It is much less expensive to buy a hairdryer (hotels often have them, too). When I check out, I usually leave it for another guest and save the suitcase space for new shoes!

I just emailed our six hotels in Ireland to ask about hairdryers. Every hotel says they have them in the rooms. Otherwise, do buy a dual voltage hairdryer and just the adapter plug, not a converter. I have used mine with success on many trips to Italy, although you won't get the "oomph" you could with an Italian dryer. We've had horror stories in the past with the converters and they are heavy to carry!

Many of the hotels do have hair dryers. You can email and ask them if that's the appliance you were going to bring along.

Thank you! You have been incredibly helpful!

Hi Molly!<BR><BR>On my 1st trip, I did the converter/adapter thing. 2nd trip - hairdryer with dual voltage. 3rd trip - bagged the whole thing & made sure my hotels had hair dryers. Option #3 is best!<BR><BR>Buon viaggio!

Every hotel in Germany had a hair dryer; we used converter/German plug for husbands OLD electric razor which ran great and did not burn up.

Things that heat up, like hair dryers, are more likely to burn out under these conditions than things like razors that are running just motors.

We picked up a hair dryer in France for about $20. We use it anywhere we go that has 220. In someplace like England we just use an adapter. works great.

We want to bring our camcorder and will need to charge it?? What do you suggest??

Look at the unit you plug into the wall now to charge it, if it says 110/220 volt ac all you will need is a plug adapter as it(the charger for the camcorder) will convert the voltage automatically.<BR>Gary

My hair dryer has a switch that i was supposed to turn to from 110 v to 220. I did not realize that until I shorted out the entire hotel and nearly caught my hair on fire. I was an older hotel in Florence.