travel fan suggestions- hot flash issues

This topic was just posted recently with no real answers. I am also in the market for a travel fan but haven't found one I like. I tried travelling in June to France with a battery-powered small fan (maybe 6 inches across). It was more trouble than it was worth, the batteries leaked (!), and all of it (the fan and the batteries) was heavy. I didn't take the time while in Europe to look for a small plug-in fan I wouldn't need a converter for, but I'll take the time on my next trip. (Or maybe I'll just spend a few more bucks on hotels to get A/C.)

Shannon,
Down in Texas where hurricanes sometimes come, we have lots of battery powered fans. Check the outdoor stores. We have a box fan that's about 12 inches in diameter and hand-held ones that are about the size of a toothpaste tube. Good luck.

A couple of years ago, I found a small fan that was made to look like an ipod. You wore it around your neck on a lanyard and the air came out of the top. I haven't seen them recently.

I found it at Walmart.

Hi Shannon:

Never used these myself, but found them in a Web search:

http://www.amazon.com/Tiny-Tornado-II-Fan-Charcoal-Titanum/dp/B00144569Q/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1249460412&sr=1-9

http://www.amazon.com/Caframo-Minimax-Portable-Fan-Black/dp/B0010UXIXA/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1249460412&sr=1-19

http://www.travelsmith.com/jump.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&RS=1&keyword=9473&itemID=1867

Shannon, do you know what a "funeral home fan" is? Probably a Southern invention in the olden days! Regular folding fan (think Japanese fan), used to be given out (with the logo on it) and used at funerals (and sitting on the front porch). However, these fans can still be purchased and a friend of mine with hot flash issues had one or two in every room of her house, used to grab them and fan herself furiously (even with ac going full blast.) I'd look in a party accessories store or in China town....

At work we have battery-operated portable fans at our desk because they keep the building warmer than they used to to conserve electricity. Mine is an O2Cool Sport which runs on 4 C batteries. It is about 5x 6 inches. I'm thinking of taking it with me to Sicily next month.

I always take a fold-up fan and hand held fans with me. I make sure I have them on the plane just in case we're stuck on the runway! I believe I bought mine at an Ace Hdwe store. Also check Brookstone. Good luck and don't leave home without one.

I found a small lightweight plastic fan at Wal Mart for $5. It takes 2 D batteries and the base folds back to make the fan flat for packing. And at $5 if you run out of room for your return flight you can toss it. It has 2 speeds and is relatively quiet. I just place it to blow into my face and it does the job for sleeping.

At the hotel or B & B, ask if a fan is available. Our room in London came with large rotating fan on a pedestal and we were able to get one from the front desk at another hotel.

Dear Shannon:

I was just in REI this past weekend. They sell a small plastic fan, maybe about 5"-6" high. Forgot to check the price. And years ago, I bought a battery operated fan from Magellan's. It comes with a neck cord and is fairly lightweight and not too big. The fan blades are soft foam. I use it when in restaurants full of smokers. Don't know about quality or durability, but you might try Chinatown or Japantown and some catalogue places like Home Trends or Picket Fences. Good Luck!