Help! I'm not messing with converters or adapters anymore, URGH!

Going to be in Rome in a couple of weeks and want to purchase a curling iron over there. Anybody know where you go to buy one, i.e. drug store, dept. store? Thanks~

There is no guarantee that the curling iron you buy in Rome will have the same plug configuration as the outlet socket in yoru Roman hotel or apartment. In my experience with various Rome hotels, you can have different plug configurations depending upon the age of the hotel. You can even sometimes have different plug configurations in the same hotel room… I would just buy a dual-voltage curling iron in the US and bring a couple of different adaptors. You will have a US warranty for it and instructions in English. Also, many dual voltage appliances come with changeable plugs so you may not even need an adaptor.

If you really want to look for a curling iron in Rome, I would try Rinascente. Go to http://www.larinascente.it or Trony (http://www.trony.it, also owned by Rinascente) which sells all kinds of applicances and electronics.

Converters really don't work at all for applicances which need to generate heat.

I have a dual voltage Conair curling iron that I purchased in the U.S. With the appropriate plug adapter (not a converter), I have used it in many countries through out Europe without a problem.

I bought an Italian travel iron in Rome after forgetting my adaptor. It was a while ago, but as far as I remembedr I walked down the via Veneto away from the Spanish Steps, past all the posh shops, and it was an electrical good shop on a corner on the right. But basically I just walked round a shopping area until I found such a shop. I initially hoped to buy an UK-Italy adaptor, which naturally they didn't have, but then thought laterally & bought an Italian iron.

Cicerone is right, though, about plugs & sockets varying. My Italian iron has 3 pins & I have since stayed in a hotel which only took 2 pins - but I was able to borrow a 3 to 2 pin adaptor from the front desk.

Can't remember if you pass shops on exiting Fiumcino, but if you do (anyone remember ?) that might be an option too.

Yes, these little electrical shops are all over. They sell large down to very small appliances.

We were there last year and 'daughter' needed one which we found in the neighborhood we were staying in with relatives for about 10 euros. Unfortunately, it did not get very hot and so it bit the dust rather quickly. So keep your box and receipt and plug it in quick and see what happens.

Last time we were in Rome, I was using my converter and my curling iron melted. Black goo oozed out of it. I hunted for 2 days for a curling iron in Rome and had such a hard time! I was shocked that it was so difficult to find one. We stopped at every hardware store we could find (it's not like here where they're sold in every drug store). We finally found one near the Pantheon in a little shop that sold only hair prodcuts. Of course, I'll never remember the name of it. But just so you know, it's not that easy to find one in Rome - in my experience.

Hello Jen,

Sephora has two locations in Rome. Here are their addresses. Good luck!

Sephora Roma Termini
C.C. Grandi Stazioni 1°interrato
P.zza dei Cinquecento id.23
00185 ROMA (RM)

Tel: (39) 06.47823.445
Fax: (39) 06.47825.311

Monday - Sunday 8h - 22h

Carmen Roma
C.C. La Romanina Via E. Ferri
00173 ROMA (RM)

Tel: (39) 06.72672.976
Fax: (39) 06.72672.800

Monday 10h - 21h
Tuesday - Saturday 9h - 21h
Sunday 10h - 20h30

I would recommend buying a curling iron in Europe. I purchased one 5-6 years ago in a little market in San Gimignano--the two prong plug--and I've taken it with me all over Europe. I typically travel with plug adaptors, but it's nice to have one gadget that I don't have to worry about. If you're really concerned, take yours from home with the plug adaptor and buy one there for your next trip.

Thank you all for your advice. I went ahead and purchased a dual voltage one today @ Target. Tomorrow I can swing by AAA and pick up just the single adapter I'll need for a whopping $2.50. However, I'll definitely keep my eyes open for a store that sells them over there for future travels. Thanks again!