European tour May 16-June 1st.

I'm a little confused by your question. Both London and Italy are in Europe. Could you rephrase please? Which places will you be?

You do need a different adaptor for the UK and for the continent, which I take it as you were referring to as "Europe". Yes, that means 2 different adaptors. Nigel, do the British get touchy about being singled out apart from Europe? Kind of like here in the US if we visit Hawaii we make sure we say back in the "mainland" instead of saying back in the "US".

No, in fact a lot of British people still use "Europe" specifically to refer to everywhere that is NOT the UK. Won't go further to avoid creating a political flame-up...

The attitude can be summed up by a famous newspaper headline from the last century, before air travel and the Channel Tunnel: "STORMS IN CHANNEL: CONTINENT CUT OFF"

No.... This is not about me, although you will notice that in all my posts, with very few exceptions, I talk about UK as one place and Europe as another. Barbara has asked about Europe, Italy and London. In terms of travel I call that all Europe. In order to give the correct answer it would be helpful, as I requested, if she elaborates on exactly where she is going. If you look at Lee's post of a couple of days ago drawing attention, for example, to the Swiss sockets that will become clear. There are similar issues with some Italian sockets and Dutch ones. So, as we attempt to answer this question to the OP's satisfaction, the answer will need to be tailored to her needs. It matters not that similar questions have been asked and answered dozens of times. Let's get what she needs. She will be "covering seven countries" in her 16 days. We will deal with the 2+ days to "cover" each country another time.

England, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and France.

Barbara, For the countries you're visiting, you will need two different types of Plug Adapters - one for the UK (large rectangular pins) and one for the Continent (two round pins). Check magellans.com for good descriptions of each type. It's VERY important that you check EACH DEVICE that you plan to pack along, looking for the words "Input Voltage". It will be listed on the Charger somewhere, possibly "hot stamped" in very small lettering. If this states "100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz", you'll only need Plug Adapters. However, if this states 115 VAC, 60Hz" then you will also need a Voltage Converter. One other important question is which Cell phone network are you with? Some U.S. Cellphones WILL NOT work in Europe as they use CDMA technology which is not compatible with the GSM system used in Europe (and most of the rest of the world). There are exceptions to this, depending on what type of Smartphones you're using. MORE IMPORTANTLY, if you take Smartphones that will work in Europe, you'll have to be VERY CAREFUL to avoid data roaming charges. It's easily possible to accumulate charges of $20,000 or more for data roaming! Just to confirm, are you absolutely sure that your Curling Iron is designed for dual-voltage operation? Happy travels!

Barbara,
Fair Oaks Ranch, I assume you will be staying in a hotel. Probably don't need the curlying iron. The better hotel's have them. You can get universal adapter kits to take with you. The curlying iron is weight. Follow Rick's guide to easy packing. It took me, and to my wife's sharigrin 2-3 trips of hauling the kitchen sick, to work down to a roller board for a 2 1/2 week trip to Turkey in Sept 2011. Best thing I ever did. Oh Rick why didn't I listen?

Barbara, There still seems to be some confusion regarding the Plug Adapters, so I'll provide some specific links. For travel in the U.K., this Plug Adapter is the correct model for non-grounding appliances (ie: those without the third grounding pin). Note that some Receptacles are controlled by a Switch, so be sure to check that when you plug the appliance in. For travel in Continental Europe (including France, Italy, etc.), this Plug Adapter is the correct model for non-grounding appliances (ie: those without the third grounding pin). While two different diameters are used for pins in Europe (13 mm & 15mm - can't recall?), this model should work fine in all countries on the continent. I would highly recommend packing along at least two of each type. They're easy to misplace and I've found from experience that it can be difficult finding Plug Adapters in Europe (except at airports). One other point to note on the topic of Voltage Converters. There are two different principles used for "stepping down" voltage with Voltage Converters designed for travel - solid state or Transformer. It's important to use the correct model with different appliances. Since you won't need a Voltage Converter, this won't be a concern for this trip, but I thought I should mention it anyway. Cheers!

Wait, I've never seen a curling iron at a hotel in Europe and I've stayed in a few nice ones. Hairdyers are very common but curling irons? I agree that unless it's absolutely necessary to your hairstyle, it's better off left at home though, unless you already have one that's dual voltage. You really don't want to carry around both the curling iron and a mini-converter just so you can use it. Dual-voltage curling irons are available but most still seem to be single voltage so there's already a good chance you can't use it without a heavy mini-converter (which is not the same as a plug adapter - if your curling iron's voltage reads "110 v" then you have to have a device that can "step down" the electricty from the 220 v outlets here. Even the travel converters - I got one from Target - are heavy. Smartphones from the U.S. will be useless here except for wifi, or unless you're able to get a decent international data plan from your provider. Almost all cell phone chargers seem to be dual voltage tho (check!) so you can probably use it with just a plug adapater.

Wondering what hotels Terry has seen a curling iron in. Have never seen one, nor read on a hotel website that they offer this.

Just to clarify: I lived in Germany for four years with my first husband back in the late 50s/early 60s, so I am fully aware of transformers (as we call voltage converters). With very small children, we couldn't travel while there, so I am not familiar with the outlet plugs in all of Europe. What I read on the internet states that for the UK, I will need one kind, for continental Europe another, and for Italy, yet another. Now I read here that I will need only two. I wonder why the discrepancy. Any ideas? I have found out that Conair and Revlon both make dual voltage curling irons; in fact, the two I already have are! 110-240VAC, 50/60 Hz, 85 Watts. I had just assumed they were only for the U.S., so this was a nice discovery. As for the hair dryers, all of our hotels supply them, so problem solved. If a person went to a cheaper/older hotel which didn't, Conair makes a dual voltage one that even folds up. BTW, this is a great site, with lots of wonderful help! I know that our 17 days are going to be sheer delight. Thanks to all of you for your helpful input.

Barbara My comments have nothing to do with electrical adaptors. Are you perhaps on a tour? That would make more sense, I guess with your 7 countries in 16 days which is not really possible to do independently. I would contact your tour operator to find out what you need to do about the adaptors. That is their job. Would you mind saying what Tour Operator and what specific tour you are on? This is still a lot of countries to visit in 16 days. Good luck! Bobbie

Terry says "The better hotels have curling irons". Hmmm, I have friends who have worked for The Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, Loews & Sofitel, all of which are considered "better hotels" so I've been fortunate enough to get really good rates through them, but none have ever had a curling iron (all have hair dryers). A curling iron would be a personal item and given that it actually touches the hair, would not be passed along to multiple guests. That's not to say a better hotel wouldn't have the concierge staff run out and purchase one for you for a hefty surcharge, but they aren't standard in a room. I'm guessing Barbara is not staying at The Four Seasons with her tour group. I already sent the model # for the Conair hair dryer with the folding handle to Barbara by private message. It's dual voltage and has just 2 prongs and I used it with just the appropriate adapter plug added to the end (no need for lugging around a heavy converter) in all of the countries she mentioned she'll be visiting in one of her other threads.

In Switzerland it may be helpful to have an adapter which can fit the recessed stretched hexagonal socket. Some round adapters may not fit all the sockets. I would say that most Swiss hotels, and Italian hotels with which we have had dealings are able to provide adapters to standard round plugs upon polite request at the desk. No guarantees though. I hope you have a great trip!!

I have also found that most hotel, even small ones, have a good collection of plug adapters. Probably from prior travelers so let them behind. So ask if you need one.

Boy, I didn't know we had all these experts on traveling. The point is this what the heck are you taking a curling iron? Rick Steve's recommends packing lightly. Your right, no curling irons, no three bags, none of the things I see all of you haul through customs, and baggage claim. Try to go as lightly as you can. The hotels, and yes the 4 Seasons does have curling irons, I stay there quiet often. Ask the front desk. They do the Four Seasons Experience the last time I stayed in Sept. 2011. That's why there called Four Seasons.