Quick Questions
 

Y'all were so helpful to me on my earlier post (about a month ago?) that I thought I'd give you another try. Quick questions. I apologize ahead of time because these might be pretty basic to some of you more experienced travelers...

1. I take a number of prescription medications. Do I have to bring them in their original bottles from the pharmacy, or can I split them up in one of those nifty day-by-day plastic separator containers? Not sure if I described that well enough...they sell these little rectangular plastic thingies with a compartment for each day of the week. You can put all of your Monday meds and vitamins in the Monday compartment, etc. But, to an official, they aren't going to be able to tell if it's legitimate meds or illicit drugs if they are in this compartmented thingy instead of in prescription bottles. Obviously, I'd like to skip carrying all of the actual prescription bottles themselves if I can because they take up so much room. But I don't want to spend my vacation in a 'quaint' Italian jail either!!!

2. I want to buy a new camera for my upcoming trip of a lifetime. Unfortunately, I don't think I will be able to afford a DSLR so am weighing the options between several high-end point and shoots instead. One of them uses regular AA batteries instead of a rechargeable battery. My question? How easy is it to find in Italy what I know as AA batteries in America? I don't want to get there and not be able to purchase replacement batteries, and not being able to recharge my camera battery. Help?

Thanks so much; you all have been more than helpful and it is DEEPLY appreciated. I live in a small rural town in the middle of nowhere so the internet is my only source of current information. Thank you!

Leslie

Hi Scarlettdz9. Perhaps you might ask your doctor to write you a letter, stating which medications have been prescribed to you. Carry it in the same place as your medications, should anyone ever ask you the question. Rest assured, you won't be the only person travelling to Italy who has to bring along medication from home - so long as you're not travelling with a lot more than you need for the duration of your stay, I doubt you will have any trouble.

As for AA batteries, yes you can buy these in Italy - they're called "AA" there too.

2. I would consider purchasing the camera with the rechargeable battery as buying a lot of AA batteries can be expensive. Or buy rechargeable AA batteries and the charger (you need to weigh the expense of this). If you're recharging batteries you need a voltage converter and adapter(s) for the AC plug. You can buy these in just about any large store like Target, Walmart. Local hardware stores in my area also carry adapters (but not voltage converters).

I have been able to find AA batteries even in small towns in Italy. You can go into a Tabac to get them. These stores sell lots more than cigarettes/cigars - they sell things like post cards, pens, notebooks, stamps, local bus tickets, etc.

I need to amend my statement about the voltage converter to you MAY need one - some rechargeable units have the voltage conversion built in (it will be noted in small print on the unit).

1. I would, and have, put all my pills, vitamins, in separate day-by-day baggies on a trip to Britain and Ireland last year. No problem. To be sure you could get a letter from your doctor saying that he has prescribed the items you are carrying.

2. A P&S works fine, often better than my Nikon DSLR. You don't need to go high end, unless you are planning to make posters. I have had an Olympus FE-100 (AA batteries) and now use an Olympus FE-360 (rechargeable battery). These are low end but produce excellent pictures. If your camera uses AA you can also use rechargeable AAs with an international (110-220 volt) charger. OTOH, AA batteries are ubiquitous and sold everywhere. The "Energizer" brand lithium batteries last much much longer than regular AAs in a digital camera. Get a supply at K-Mart before you go. Keep them in the original packaging because I have read that there is an issue with loose lithium batteries in checked luggage. I suggest that you get a flexible camera case to protect the LCD screen on your P&S.

"Do I have to bring them in their original bottles from the "

No. It's prudent to bring copies of yur prescriptions in case you need new supplies. That's all, Bring your medicine however you like - thoughi if you need it on the plane, make sure you understand your country's security ruules on what can be carried on

" How easy is it to find in Italy what I know as AA batteries "
Very. The Italian for AA is AA

I have owned cameras needing AA batteries and cameras with their own battery packs... I find the battery packs much superior.

They last much longer than AAs in my experience.
You can go to eBay and generally find a spare battery pack for only 5 or 6 dollars so you have one in reserve.

A camera with a battery pack almost always comes with a charger for said battery... invariably they are multi voltage so will work in Europe with just a plug adapter.

Hi SC,

B: Get the camera that uses AA batteries, buy some rechargeable AA's and a charger.

A: You don't have to keep your Rxs in the original bottles.

Enjoy your visit.

((I))

I buy rechargable AA batteries and have a small dual voltage travel battery charger that holds two batteries (you can get one that holds four). I bought it at Radio Shack for a few dollars, but WalMart has them that hold four for about $10. I bought a pack of four rechargable batteries, so I charge two overnight, have two in my camera and two back-ups.

I would second the suggestion to use Lithium AA batteries. We just returned from a three week trip to the UK and took over 800 pictures on one pair of AA Lithiums (Canon Powershot A510). Some of our traveling companions were changing AA Alkalines about every 4th day.

I take vitamins in those plastic daily containers, and I have one prescription I take daily for a thyroid med which I carry in a very small pillbox in my purse. I always have that on me, in case I forget it in the morning. They are very small, though, so it easily holds a week or two.

I've never had any official check any of these when I'm traveling anywhere, including US, Europe and Mexico. I can't believe they think it would be okay simply for a drug smuggler to put pills in a prescription bottle, that wouldn't prove anything. If I were a drug smuggler, that's what I would do, also. A pill being in a prescription bottle doesn't prove anything.

As always, thanks to each of you for your advice!

Scarlettdz9