I want to purchase a travel iron for a two and half week stay in Italy and Switzeralnd. Any recommendations of whether it is best to purchase a "dual voltage" iron with the adapters or to purchase an iron and then purchase a "converter with adaptors." Ease of use and costs are what are important. Magellans has a travel iron (dual voltage with adaptors) for approximately $44. Does this sound about right? Thanks in advance for your help.

Instead of investing in a travel iron, I'm going to suggest investing $3 in a spray bottle of Downy Wrinkle Releaser. It's absolutely great -- just sprayed a bunch of dry wrinkled blouses made of silk, rayon, and cotton, gave each one of them a tug, and let them dry on a shower rod. All of the wrinkles came out within 10 minutes.

Don't waste your money!They really are not effective/efficient.<BR>If you find you really need one-buy one in Europe-cheap enough.<BR>Remeber you will have to be creative when it comes to ironing-looking for an outlet-if there is one-thenusing the bed as an ironing board!

I'll give you mine for free,I agree w/previous post, waste of time. You can buy one for about $12 in Europe if you really,really,have to have one.

For both your criteria of ease-of-use and cost, your best choice is to use the iron that is provided by the hotel or B&B where you are staying. Just ask! The issues like weight, electrical compatibility, etc. of travel irons makes them a poor investment.

Don't waste your money. I bought a terrific dual voltage travel iron - but never needed it. It is just extra weight in my small suitcase and I haven't taken it on a trip in more than 5 years. <BR><BR>I use the "bundle method" to pack so things don't wrinkle much if at all, and most things that do wrinkle drip dry w/o wrinkles. <BR><BR>But if you simply MUST iron, Most B&Bs and hotels have them either in the room or avaiable to borrow.

Hi,<BR>I actually bought my travel iron while I was travelling. I got it in Germany and it came with dual voltage, plus 1 adaptor that has a different plug.<BR><BR>I do agree with the others posters, about rarely using it, as I have been able to borrow irons from hotels. Also, when I travel I try to pack things that don't get easily wrinkled.<BR><BR>I have found it useful to have, as in some occasions I have taken it with me. I'd say I have taken it in 50% of my trips (only in the ones where I MUST have clothes that are not wrinkled, like cruises and such).<BR>-Alexandra<BR>

I have a travel iron and I DO use it, especially on longer trips where I need more "dress-up" clothes (ie.Paris). The one I have is by GE and it has a steam function. I also take an old tea towel that I can dampen and use when I press dress pants or cotton shirts etc.The iron is dual voltage.

Unless you are a fasion model, skip the travel iron. What a pain! Have your hotel do your ironing or use one of the great products that lets you spray and hang out items to be ironed without actually ironing them.<BR>Forget the iron. It's vacation. Jeez! I don't even iron when I'm NOT on vacation. Have a ball. Leave the iron behind. You don't need it!

Linda,I'm in awe that you would admit to ironing with your old tea towel1would that be on the bed?Thanks for the chuckle!

I take a lightweight travel iron and it is no problem. I put a towel on the bed or on my luggage and iron out wrinkles through a damb tea towel too. I wanted to buy a travel iron in Italy and in France one trip and could not find any. If you really want to iron take one, dont waste time searching stores for one over there.<BR>I find that the irons you borrow get too hot and scorch your clothes and you have to wait for it to be delivered to your room usually. Mine weighs a few ounces, no problem.

Oh yes, I got mine at Magellans or one of the travel stores. The price is about right if you travel enough to get your money's worth.

I can't believe what I'm reading about old tea towls,on suitcases etc! Where's my grandmother, putting the iron on the stove to heat it up and spitting on it to see if it's hot enough1 People who NEED an iron on vacation should STAY home, please!<BR>But I'm laughing!

Why do you laugh, not all of us want to dress down when we travel. I like to carry an iron to freshen up my clothes for dinner, etc. I take a tea towel to dampen and use over my clothes, is that unusual to you?<BR>

Jill:<BR><BR>Damp towels (or plain rags) were the granny's solutions for steam ironing when no steam ironing was not available (this means before 1960). As you can see, it fits in just right with I'm's post ^_^<BR>In any case, I do not iron odften my clothes when I am at home, and obviously I never do it on holiday.

My travel iron is a few years old, I take it with me on any trip over a few days. I use it 85% of the time. I agree with the poster who said that many of the borrowed ones (esp in Italy) seem to get too hot, regardless of the setting. <BR><BR>Mine came with a standard US plug, and a 220 plug (German prongs) that fit fine into the adapters that came in the converter/adapter kit I bought. <BR><BR>I use a towel from the hotel and iron on the floor. <BR><BR>The price you mentioned sounds right. I would not hesitate to get it. <BR><BR>

Troy,<BR><BR>If you feel more comfortable about traveling with an iron or other pressing device ---then take one. It is your vacation! Nobody but you will have to carry your luggage---so pack what you want.<BR><BR>I take an iron or steamer on every trip to Europe. Out of the last 30 trips, I have actually used it on only 5 or 6 occasions. But I feel more "comfortable" with it. <BR><BR>If you do decide to buy something, I would check your local Walmart store--they used to sell travel irons at reasonable prices. Also, if you have a Remington Store in any of the outlet malls in your area, they sell all types of travel gadgets at reasonable prices.<BR><BR>Another possibility is a dual voltage steamer made by Proctor Silex--less than $20.00<BR><BR>I have a Krups travel iron (dual voltage with steam, teflon -coated face plate, with a folding handle) that works great---and I didn't pay anywere near $44.00 for it.<BR><BR>Pesonally, I feel that Magellan's prices are always on the high side--OK place to purchase if you have no other alternatives.<BR><BR>Just thought that I would give you some other possibilities to consider.<BR>

purchased travel iron $20 usd.<BR>it was a waste. my sister brought her<BR>bottle of downy dewrinkler and it worked much better!

Buy the iron when you get to Europe - just go to any large department store where they sell irons and they'll (almost certainly) have small portable travel irons available. American or other foreign, electric stuff and all the attachments etc. they need is for the birds... <BR><BR>If you don't use an iron, but still need a solution (for non-formal stuff), try wetting-out the wrinkles with some water once you arrive and let those areas dry over a day.<BR><BR><BR>

We brought a streamer instead of an iron. Worked pretty good and you don't need a surfice to iron on...just steam while hanging up. Didn't use it much at all, but glad I had it when I needed it.